Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation has garnered significant hype for its impressive 40-shade range, promising inclusivity for diverse skin tones. This review dives deep into the product's performance, exploring whether it lives up to the considerable expectations. We investigate the foundation's shade matching process, highlighting the importance of in-person color matching for optimal results, and comparing Fenty's shades to other leading brands. The impact of proper skin preparation, including priming and application techniques, is also analyzed, examining the differences between using various primers and application tools.This detailed assessment explores the foundation's coverage, finish, and longevity, particularly focusing on its behavior on textured and dry skin. We'll discuss the foundation's drying time and how the shade deepens upon application, along with a thorough examination of its ability to conceal imperfections and its overall performance throughout the day. Ultimately, we aim to provide a comprehensive and honest review, determining whether Fenty's Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation is a worthwhile purchase, especially for individuals with specific skin concerns.
Pros And Cons
- 40 shades available
- buildable medium to full coverage
- long-wearing
- lightweight texture
- cruelty-free
- Emphasizes texture and dryness
- oxidizes quickly
- may look patchy
- doesn't provide good coverage on dry skin
- clinging to dry areas
- Feels like a lightweight lotion
- may improve foundation application and wear
Read more: Hydrating Foundation for Dry Skin: Top 5 Picks
Shade Range and Swatches
Fenty Beauty boasts an impressive 40 shades, designed for inclusivity. This extensive range makes it easier to find a perfect match for diverse skin tones. I personally visited a store to get shade matched, highlighting the importance of in-person matching for accurate results.
However, even with 40 shades, finding the right match can still be tricky. I initially received shade 110, but found it too light. I also swatched shades 101 and 120 for comparison, illustrating the need for thorough testing before purchasing.
I compared Fenty's shades to other foundations I own, such as Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation in L42, Milk Makeup, Urban Decay, and Pur Cosmetics. This comparison revealed shade 110 to be the closest match in terms of tone, though still slightly too light.
Primer and Application
Proper skin preparation is key for optimal results with this foundation. The brand recommends exfoliating, moisturizing, and priming the skin beforehand.
I experimented with both the Revlon PhotoReady primer and Fenty Beauty's own Soft Matte Pro Filt'r Primer. This allowed for a comparison of how the foundation performs with different primers.
Application was done with a beauty sponge to ensure even coverage and to test different application methods.
Initial Impression and Wear Throughout the Day
Initially, the foundation appeared too light and emphasized texture, especially on areas with dryness. One layer provided medium coverage.
The formula dried down quickly, and the shade deepened, a characteristic mentioned on the brand's website. Building the coverage with a sponge improved the overall finish.
However, even with layering and blending, the foundation clung to dry patches and highlighted areas of texture. The coverage didn't fully mask imperfections as hoped.
Final Verdict
While the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation offers a wide shade range and a potentially buildable coverage, my experience was not positive.
On my skin with texture and dryness, this foundation highlighted imperfections instead of masking them. The initial dryness worsened throughout the day despite the foundation’s claims.
Overall, I would not recommend this foundation to those with textured or dry skin. While it may work for others with flawless skin, there are better options available for those with skin concerns similar to mine.