It’s raining foundation, everyone.
Foreword
While many beauty enthusiasts' eyes are going in hundred different directions, mine are laser-focused on Fenty Beauty latest creation: Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation. Now that I’ve finally played with both foundation and Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer, I am ready to spill the [matcha] tea. Curious? Then please keep on scrolling. (Anyone else obsessed with matcha? Looking for a friend here).
My Skin: dry, sensitive; light-neutral in tone. 150 is my shade match.
About the Product
Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation (35 USD; 32 ml/1.08 fl.oz.; Made in Italy) claims to provide you with a natural-looking, medium-to-full coverage, that is weightless, long-wearing and hydrating. This is a cruelty-free product geared towards people with dry, normal or combination skin types. Currently available in 50 shades.
Packaging: unlike the brand’s original Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation (review here), this one comes in a form of a soft tube. I like how the brand stays true to its signature aesthetic: you see the same cap and pump; you even get an exact same amount of product. I think that this new packaging is definitely more travel-friendly, yet there is just something so luxurious about a heavier mattified glass bottle in my opinion.
Formula, Texture: Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation has a subtle [hard to label] sweet scent to it, which goes away as soon as the product sets. Despite the fact that this is a water-based formula, the texture here is not too runny or liquidy. If anything, it feels quite creamy yet pigmented and thin all at the same time. It blends out with ease, leaving no streaks or blotches of colour. Highlighted ingredients such as Grape Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate and Morus Alba Bark Extract are all mentioned towards the end of the list, which means their actual content is low.
Shade: just like with my other Fenty Beauty foundation, shade 150 did not oxidize or set darker in tone. There is a slight colour difference between two 150s nevertheless – “soft-matte” version appears a touch more yellow, compared to “hydrating” one, which is a hair more pink. Once sheered out, both look pretty much the same on the skin though, being an equally perfect colour-match for someone with light/neutral complexion.
Finish: natural-looking, yet perfected complexion with a natural, semi-glowy skin finish. You can sheer this foundation out or add more, depending on the coverage you want. With a medium coverage, I can see my breakouts peak through it; nothing a bit spot-concealing won’t fix.
Application & Wear Without The Primer: now, the brand suggest that you can either use a buffing brush or sponge, depending on what kind of coverage you aim at. Personally, I am a light/light-medium gal, so 1/1.5 pump was more than enough for my entire face. I tend to blend my foundation from the center of the face going outwards; a technique that gives me the most natural-looking finish. For the sake of this review, I have also tried the brand’s two-pump application (for a fuller coverage) and it did layer nicely. I always apply my foundations with a damp sponge.
I have encountered zero issues while applying Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation. It played well with other products/formulas and was a dream to work with; even though I had a couple of blemishes with flaky skin around them at the time of testing it, the foundation did not accentuate texture or dryness. It did settle into some pores on my nose, but that can be easily fixed with a sponge. This formula pairs nicely with the beloved Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer (review here) and lasts incredibly well on my face for at least 8 hours, showing no separation, creasing or signs of product breaking apart. It does get more dewy throughout the day though, which is something I do not mind (it can be easily blotted down with Kleenex). I also find that my base looks best when I set this foundation with my beloved Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. There is less shine through the T-zone and skin remains looking perfect well throughout the day; it survives pretty well in humidity too.
Application & Wear With The Primer: although it is not pictured here, I did get a sample of Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer (32 USD; 30 ml/1.0 fl.oz.; Made in Italy) in order to see how foundation would look with or without it.
Two words about the product - it is a baby-pink yet sheer and balmy primer, that feels lightly hydrating and soaks into the skin in no time. Has that same, yet slightly stronger scent (if you have a sensitive nose, sample it first). It does not look glowy or dewy in finish; I would say it creates an additional hydrating [rather than a glossy] layer. While it doesn’t do much in terms of helping your foundation glide/blend better, this primer contributes to a slightly higher coverage, compared to when you use foundation by itself (FYI: I did the infamous YouTube half-face test). It did peel a bit in areas, where I have peach fuzz, as well as around my brows. I also noticed that on the primed side of my face, foundation collected way more around nostril and in pores surrounding it, which was surprising. I guess it is safe to say that primer won’t camouflage pores or texture. My primed side also appeared a touch shinier towards 4-5 hour mark.
With the primer you can actually see that I have foundation on my skin, versus a much more effortless, natural skin finish without it. While it is a nice product, I do think it is not a total necessity (unless you want a higher coverage). Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer did not extend the wear of my foundation. If you have dry skin like I do, I suggest you prep and moisturize with your usual serums and creams instead.
Who will enjoy the new foundation?
If you have dry skin and had no luck with the brand’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, I can assure you – you are going to love this new hydrating version more. Comparing the two, I would say that both are fabulous, with the new one being even better for drier skin types. It is quite forgiving, almost second-skin like, so if that is something you are after - certainly give it a try.
If you are combination-oily, oily - I would recommend sticking with the original due to its oil-absorbing properties, since new formula might appear a touch too dewy on your skin type (not mentioning that it might collect in larger pores, which does require extra blending). It might not cover acne, but if you want a lightweight foundation with hydrating properties, then you might quite like it (with a bit of spot concealing). It did not irritate my sensitive skin. I also can't see why it won't work for my beauties of a particular age; but as with any foundation - sample first.
Verdict
I loved Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation the second it was on my face (and well throughout any day when I chose to wear it). While I have no issues with the original soft-matte version and it still is my go-to choice for events and occasions when I want my makeup to look that extra bit flawless, this new formula managed to outperform it. I adore just how natural it looks and feels on my skin, both in real life and on photos. It smooths/perfects my complexion, has adjustable coverage, lasts a great amount of time and definitely lives up to all of its wonderful claims. Well, RiRi you get A++ from this dry-skin gal today!
What do you guys think about this foundation? Let's chat some more in the comments!
More online: sephora.com
Purchased product; full disclaimer here
