Revlon Colorstay for Combination/Oily Skin (8/10)

Summary
Cons

• Tends to look cakey
• No pump
• Transfers easily

Pros

• Affordable
• full coverage
• Perfect finish for about 4 hours

In-Depth Review

One of the most popular drugstore foundations has been those in the Revlon Colorstay line. It's a strong performer as a full coverage, long lasting and affordable foundation.

I chose the combination/oily skin formula over the dry/normal skin and it has worked out pretty well. Due note that the dry/normal skin formula has SPF 15 vs the 6 found in the combination/oily formula (potentially more flashback). I've been using this foundation for more than a year and it performs pretty well when I know in advance what my day is going to be like. For instance, I won't be wearing this if there's a chance i'll be sweating heavily or trying on clothes because it is not transfer resistant. I also won't be wearing this for a full day because i know after 4 hours, oil will start to seep through and by the 6 to 8 hour mark, the foundation begins to separate on my skin - not the look i'm going for.

Since this is a medium-full cover foundation, selecting your foundation shade is crucial for a more natural look. The shade I chose was perfect for summer when I'm more tan but doesn't match at all during the winter months. Application is easy but there is a tendency to overuse the product - especially because there is no pump to control the amount that comes out. To reduce transfer onto clothing it's best to set this foundation either with a powder or with a tissue (firm patting motion over entire face) to take off the excess product/oils. Finish is semi-matte and it photographs well.

Revlon Colorstay was my first drugstore foundation and I have no regrets in my purchase. Even though I don't use it as often as I used to it, it's become a handy concealer for redness around my face.  I will not however be repurchasing this in the future to use as a foundation. 

Smashbox High Definition Heathy FX Foundation Review (7.7/10)

Summary

Cons
• SPF causes very noticable shine in photographs
• Formula separates in tube – requires mixing when pumped out
• Not sweat proof

Pros
• Natural finish in daylight photographs
• Non-cakey
• Diverse shade selection
• Very little scent
• Sun protection - SPF 15
• Oil-Free

In-depth Review
My experience with Smashbox’s HD foundation has been quite variable. Being my first foundation I had no expectations however reviews were positive so I decided to make the purchase at Sephora.

The formula of this foundation is mediocre. Like I said previously, this is my first foundation and so I can’t compare to others however the consistency I found to be pretty good – not too runny and easy to blend – however it does have a tendency to be streaky, when applied with Smashbox’s own foundation brush; A few more brushstrokes will eliminate the streaks.

The foundation does have a distinctive scent to it however it is difficult to describe: nothing flowery, or fruity. It smells more like an everyday lotion but do not fret, the scent dissipates after 5 minutes of application. The finish of the foundation is quite flat/matte looking. I often have to apply a bronzer to give some natural definition to my face.

I have quite oily skin, so when looking for a foundation I make sure that its formula is oil-free. Nonetheless, this foundation does make my skin quite oily at the end of the day (I’d say it get’s noticeable after 4-5 hours). I haven’t experienced the foundation to slip on my skin, as oily as it sometimes gets, however what does cause it to slip is excessive sweating. More than likely, if you’re going to wear this foundation to go clubbing, or any other sweat-inducing activity, it’ll slide off almost completely within 1.5 to 2 hours (obviously depending on how much you sweat)

The real downfall for this product (for me) is its inability to photograph well in pictures with flash. This foundation does have an SPF of 15 which will cause you to appear extra reflective in photographs when a flash is used. Of course you can use less of a flash or no flash at all however sometimes it’s a must. My experience has been quite bad as I have often looked much more oily in photographs than I actually am, due to the light-reflecting properties of the active ingredients found in the foundation. On the flip side however, this foundation can be great for a daytime look when flash isn’t needed for your photographs – or when no photographs are being taken. The SPF makes it an excellent choice for days out in the sun as you know you’ll be getting some protection from harmful UV rays.

One pump is typically all I need to cover my entire face. I’ve had this foundation for seven months and I’ve used a little over a quarter of the tube. I do use this foundation sparingly (perhaps once a week?)

Overall, as my first foundation, Smashbox’s HD foundation is quite good however it does not suit my purposes. I will not be purchasing this again and will most likely go for a foundation with no SPF such as Make Up For Ever’s Mat Velvet +.