Out of all the foundations in the market (drugstore, mid-range and high-end), the Revlon ColorStay and L'oreal Infallible Pro-Matte are one of the best foundations for those with combination and oily skin because of their lasting power. However, the way you prep the skin can make or break the results of both foundations.
($12.99 for 1oz/30ml)
Packaging: I bought mine from Target for $9.49 and it comes with a pump. (The stock photo on Target just hasn't been updated yet. They also have one that's for normal/dry skin, which comes in 12 shades and is in the same bottle. So, make sure to pick up the right one.)
Scent: It has a scent that not off-putting and it's not as strong as the old version that I tried back in 2009, but it's worth mentioning.
Color: It comes in 20 shades. Golden Beige 300 is too light, while Natural Tan 330 is too dark. Warm Golden 310 matches closest to my skin tone. Unfortunately, all three shades are not warm enough for my NC30/35 skin tone and look too pink, especially in natural lighting.
Formula with SPF15: The consistency is not too runny or too thick and spreads easily onto the skin when I use my ELF Selfie Ready Powder brush (review) or Real Techniques Buffing brush (review). It provides more coverage, while using less product compared to the L'oreal one and offers buildable, medium to full coverage. I find that it feels tacky and looks "wet" even after 5 minutes of application, but it leaves a matte finish after setting it with a powder (review + swatches).
The application of the Revlon foundation (and the L'oreal foundation) can be tricky because it's super mattifying and controls oils very well. Therefore, it can (1) cling onto dry spots & leave your skin looking patchy and (2) emphasize fine lines and make you look older if you don't exfoliate well and pair it with a very hydrating moisturizer. I usually pair my Benefit oil-free moisturizer (swatches) with my other foundations, such as Burberry Cashmere (review), but it's not hydrating enough for my Revlon foundation. (The Benefit Triple Performing SPF15 moisturizer is an emulsion, which is a light moisturizer.) After experimenting with countless moisturizers, I find that night creams work the best with the Revlon foundation because they're thicker, heavier and more hydrating. I usually wouldn't recommend pairing a night cream with your foundation because it can break down the makeup alot faster, but the Revlon foundation is an exception.
Longevity: I don't have any issues with the staying power. Without a primer, it stays put without separating or fading for at least 12 hours when set with a powder. It also prevents oils from breaking through the foundation as quickly. Usually, I have to blot within 2-4 hours when I wear other foundations. However, with the Revlon one, I don't have to blot until about 5-6 hours of application. (For reference, I have an oily t-zone and normal skin on the rest of my face.)
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 4.3% and Zinc Oxide 2.1%. Inactive Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Aqua ((Water) Eau), Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-9, Polydimethylsiloxy-Ethyl Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Tribehenin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Nylon-12, Cymboium Grandiflorum (Orchid) Flower Extract, Lactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Alcohol Denat., Alumina, Dimethicone/PEG - 10/15 Crosspolymer, Methicone, Laureth-7, Magnesium Sulfate, Silica, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylene Brassylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, PEG-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate, Salicylic Acid, Silk Powder, Sodium Citrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Serica ((Silk) Soie), Tetrasodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben and Methylparaben. [+/- May Contain: Mica, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) 23768]
($12.99 for 1oz/30ml)
Packaging: The squeeze-tube packaging is sleek, lightweight and very travel friendly. It's also easy to control the amount of product that you want to dispense.
Scent: There's no detectable fragrance when I smell the product on the back of my hand or during application.
Color: It comes in 12 shades. Golden Beige 104 works well for me right now, while Natural Beige 105 will be great when I have a tan in the summer.
Oil-Free Formula: The consistency is slightly creamier and thicker than the Revlon one, but it's still easy to blend into the skin. It provides buildable, medium to full coverage without looking cakey and dries down to a matte finish. When compared to the Revlon one, the L'oreal one sets quicker and can look blotchy if you take your sweet time (which sometimes, I'm guilty of). I recommend using a brush that's not too small, such as the ELF Selfie Ready Powder brush or Real Techniques Buffing brush, so you can cover your entire face faster and more evenly.
Both the Revlon and L'oreal foundation are mattifying foundations and are not as hydrating as dewy foundations. However, when compared to each other, the L'oreal one felt slightly more moisturizing, while the Revlon one felt more mattifying. Keep in mind that I still have to pair the L'oreal one with a very hydrating moisturizer to prevent emphasizing dry spots. (Most foundations may look flawless in artificial lighting, but the real test is seeing it in natural lighting.)
For those who are still having issues with the Revlon and L'oreal foundation looking flakey on their skin, even after prepping & priming, then I recommend using a Beauty Blender or a comparable makeup sponge (comparison review & comprehensive guide) in a stippling motion to apply the product. Using a brush in a buffing motion causes exfoliation and tends to emphasize dry patches, especially for those with dry skin.
For those who are still having issues with the Revlon and L'oreal foundation looking flakey on their skin, even after prepping & priming, then I recommend using a Beauty Blender or a comparable makeup sponge (comparison review & comprehensive guide) in a stippling motion to apply the product. Using a brush in a buffing motion causes exfoliation and tends to emphasize dry patches, especially for those with dry skin.
Longevity: I find that I have to blot within 4-5 hours of application and it's not as oil controlling as the Revlon one, but it's better than most foundations. It also lasts at least 12 hours without separating or fading as long as I set it with a powder.
Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Nylon-12, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Silica, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Calcium Gluconate, Perlite, Magnesium Gluconate, Tocopherol and Aluminum Hydroxide. [+/- May Contain: CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide and CI 77491, 77492, 77499/Iron Oxides.]
Packaging: It comes in gold compact with a clear lid and no mirror so you can admire it on your vanity, even when it's closed. The rose embossment really just sells itself.
Scent: It has a weird scent when I sniff the pan, but it's faint during application. The smell is difficult to describe, but it's not floral, citrus-y or perfume-y. Maybe mine is defective or I just have a sensitive nose?
Color: It currently comes in 8 shades. Romantic Rose is a nude toned blush with a matte finish. When swatched heavily, Tarte Exposed has a slight berry undertone compared to Milani Romantic Rose. When blended, Exposed is more pink, while Romantic Rose is more nude. Although there are noticeable differences when swatched on my arm, they look very similar when worn side by side on my face and both give the same effect of a natural flush of color on the cheeks. They are both my go-to neutral shades when I'm doing a day time look or when I can't find a blush to match a bold eye look. You can't go wrong with either shade in any situation.
Formula + Longevity: They both have regular pigmentation (not sheer or too pigmented) and can be easily layered for a more opaque finish. (For comparison purposes, the Tarte one is slightly more pigmented.) Also, they both last all day without fading when applied on top of foundation + setting powder.
(The Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Exposed retails $28 for 0.20oz. I got mine in the travel size (0.05oz/1.5g) from one of Sephora's 500 point perks.)
Ingredients: Talc, Synthetic Wax, Mica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Isopropyl Lanolate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetyl Acetate, Hydroxylated Lanolin, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Capryloyl Glycine, Petrolatum, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Lanolin, Ozokerite, Chlorphenesin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil and Rosa Canina Fruit Oil. [+/- May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 28 (Ci 45410), Red 36 (Ci 12085), Blue 1 (Ci 42090), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Ferric Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288), Chromium Hydroxide Green (Ci 77289), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742).]
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Bottom Line: Both foundations have excellent coverage and great staying power. They work especially well for oily skin and are ideal for those who work long hours & have no time for touching up their makeup throughout the day (if you can find your shade). Just make sure to prep your skin with a very hydrating moisturizer! As for the Milani blush, it's a no-fuss, everyday blush that is a staple in every makeup bag.
Note: The Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin is available at Target, Drugstore.com, Ulta and Walmart. The L'oreal Infallible Pro Matte foundation is available at Target, Drugstore.com, Ulta and Walmart. The Milani powder blush in Romantic Rose is available at Target and Drugstore.com.
*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.
Hi Joyce! Great post about Revlon ColorStay and L'Oreal Infallible! We both have the same skin tone and skin type. I have the Revlon one in shade 300, however it's still pink for my warm skin tone (I use a shade lighter due to skin acidity). Does the L'Oreal Infallible one oxidize? Which is more yellow - shade 104 or 105? Can't decide which one to buy. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat shade are you in naked skin foundation? It's so hard to find bloggers with NC 30/35 I'm so glad I found you lol. I hope you post more foundation shades and swatches! Thanks
ReplyDelete