‍No more oil blotting for you!

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You may think the word “perfect” comes with a lot of pressure, but I think it’s just Maybelline. Their Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation is a classic that first hit shelves in 2012 and has since led to a Fit Me line including concealer, powder, blush, bronzer, and more. The foundation comes in 40 shades and claims to offer a shine-free matte finish while blurring pores.

I have oily skin and enlarged pores, so I am always on the lookout for a foundation that will mattify my skin and minimize the appearance of my pores. 

Although Maybelline is one of my favorite drugstore brands, I never tried their bestselling foundation Fit Me Matte + Poreless before. So on my visit to the beauty store about a month ago, I decided to buy Maybelline’s Fit Me Foundation. Not only it’s a super affordable foundation but it also was on sale. I think 'Matte + Poreless' on the packaging was what drew me in. I have been using this foundation for nearly a month and am finally ready to share my thoughts with you beauties.

My Skin: Oily, enlarged pores, a little acne scares on my cheeks 

Maybelline Shade (Tube version): I mixed two shades 110 Porcelain and 120 Classic Ivory

About the foundation

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation is an ultra-blendable liquid foundation for a natural-looking matte finish. Claims to target shine and visibly refine the appearance of large pores. It contains micro powders for blotting as well as blurring powders that are both lightweight. The foundation comes in 40 shades. There are three different undertones to choose from: cool, neutral, and warm. 

The coverage could be described as light to medium; you won't be able to cover up any blemishes or dark circles with this but if your main concern is evenness of tone then this will work just fine. 

Packaging: This foundation comes in a small plastic tube, containing 30ml/1oz. of product. Simple, recyclable, and user-friendly. The US version comes in glass and pouch versions. In UAE only glass and tube versions are sold. Tube version is a much better solution than adding a pump, which would eventually make it difficult to remove the last bits of product. I am also pleased with its simple aesthetic. The product can easily be packed into any bag.

Price: Retails AED 37 ($10) in UAE. Available in most drugstore beauty counters, Center Point Stores in Dubai, and of course online stores like noon.com and amazon.ae and many others. 

Shade Range

It is very difficult to find foundation shades that suit your skin tone in most drugstore beauty brands. Typically, there are 10 options, give or take.  The 40 different shades offered by Maybelline New York quadruples that number. The Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation currently ranges from Fair Porcelain to Espresso, and if you still can’t find your shade at this price you can buy two shades and mix and match for your skin tone. 

‍Formula/Texture

The ingredients are fairly standard, but the formula is completely oil free and features exclusive micro-powders to help absorb oil, control shine, and blur pores for an airbrushed finish. Maybelline also claims that the Fit Me Matte and Poreless foundation is sweat- and sebum-resistant for 5-6 hours, which is true.

This product has no scent, which is beneficial to those with sensitivities, but it is also becoming more popular in foundation ranges.

How to apply the foundation 

The brand suggests applying this product evenly to your face and blending with your fingertips, but from my experience, you can also use synthetic brushes or beauty blender. Using fingertips is still the best option, because, with sheer coverage like this, you don't really want to waste any of it along the way. 

 Pros

• Affordable. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation is one of the most affordable drugstore foundations out there, especially considering its coverage and performance.
• Easy to blend 
• Impressive shade range
• Doesn't clog the pores
• Doesn't break out
• Leaves a natural finish.

Cons

• It is not a heavy-duty foundation to cover acne scars. The coverage is light, so if you have serious skin problems, this won't be the right product for you.
• Controls  shine but not for a long time 
• Not transfer-proof
• When not topped with a setting powder, it creases (when you take a very close look)

My rating:  6.5/10

My Experience with Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation

While some foundations can be too heavy and make your skin feel like a mask, this one is light enough to blend into your skin instead of sitting on top of it. Thanks to its oil-free formula, this foundation won't leave my skin looking cakey or dry. I tend to use two pumps for my entire face and neck, which gives me enough coverage without looking like I'm wearing foundation at all.

I like the way this product feels on my skin, from the moment I apply it to the moment I am about to remove my makeup in the evening. It does become shiny throughout the day,  but you can always blot it down or add more loose powder. I use Maybelline Fit Me compact powder when my forehead and nose gets shiny throughout the day. It may settle into larger pores slightly, but a gentle pat with a sponge should fix that. The coverage provided by this foundation is barely enough to conceal blemishes or acne scarring. I only use concealer for major hormonal breakouts or spots; otherwise, I just use corrector/concealer under my eyes and call it a day. With it, you can always see my skin, and I don't have a problem layering or blending other makeup on top. If you need more complete coverage, I suggest applying another layer and blending.

According to the brand, this foundation has a 12-hour wear time. However, in my experience, it only lasts 5-6 hours, which I don't mind. Because I don't need heavy makeup or full coverage for my everyday look.

While some foundations can be too heavy and make your skin feel like a mask, this one is light enough to blend into your skin instead of sitting on top of it. Thanks to its oil-free formula, this foundation won't leave my skin looking cakey or dry. I tend to use two pumps for my entire face and neck, which gives me enough coverage without looking like I'm wearing foundation at all.

I like the way this product feels on my skin, from the moment I apply it to the moment I am about to remove my makeup in the evening. It does become shiny throughout the day,  but you can always blot it down or add more loose powder. I use Maybelline Fit Me compact powder when my forehead and nose gets shiny throughout the day. It may settle into larger pores slightly, but a gentle pat with a sponge should fix that. The coverage provided by this foundation is barely enough to conceal blemishes or acne scarring. I only use concealer for major hormonal breakouts or spots; otherwise, I just use corrector/concealer under my eyes and call it a day. With it, you can always see my skin, and I don't have a problem layering or blending other makeup on top. If you need more complete coverage, I suggest applying another layer and blending.

According to the brand, this foundation has a 12-hour wear time. However, in my experience, it only lasts 5-6 hours, which I don't mind. Because I don't need heavy makeup or full coverage for my everyday look.

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Conclusion

‍My overall impression of this foundation is that it's a decent drugstore option. At $10, it's more affordable than most other mid-range foundations on the market and still delivers great coverage and wear time. If you have oily skin, I recommend using a primer underneath your foundation as it will help keep your makeup in place all day long without caking up on top of each other.  

As a final note, I would recommend looking up reviews on the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation before you make your purchase. There are some complaints about how it oxidizes and turns orange after application; however, I have not experienced this problem myself. I think that if you find a shade that matches your skin tone well before applying any makeup products (even moisturizer), you’ll be fine!

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What do you guys think about this product? Let's chat some more in the comments!

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