I’m sure there are tons of gems to be found, (my favorite mascara is actually from the drugstore) and I know drugstore quality has improved tremendously over the past few years. But I hate that there is no way to test anything so you just have to blindly buy products, hoping for the best.
Anyway.. on a recent trip out of town, I ran out of my regular foundation. I wasn’t anywhere near a store that accepted makeup artist discounts so I decided to test out a new drugstore foundation.
After wandering around CVS for forever, I finally decided on Maybelline Fit Me foundation. I actually bought both versions, the Matte + Poreless and the Dewy + Smooth because they were so inexpensive, and after several weeks of wearing them, I’ll admit that I’m very impressed.
UPDATEI originally wrote this post in 2016, and I’m still carrying Maybelline Fit Me foundation in my personal makeup bag. Keep reading for my professional, in-depth (and updated!) review of both formulas.
MAYBELLINE FIT ME FOUNDATION REVIEW
PACKAGING
The Maybelline Fit Me Foundations come in a glass bottle with a screw on lid, and the packaging is one of the main issues I have with this product.
Not only is glass heavy and more risky to travel with, but having to pour liquid is messy and you inevitably waste product. The Dewy and Smooth formula is thinner in consistency and comes out super fast. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve over poured and gotten foundation everywhere.
ADD YOUR OWN PUMPIf Maybelline could add a pump, it would be a game changer. Until then, I recommend checking out this pump on Amazon which is specifically made to fit these bottles. It’s under $10 USD and will save you a ton of product in the long run.
PRICE
For the quality, the price point of the Maybelline Fit Me Foundations is incredible. I’ve seen it for as low as $5 on Amazon, and between $6-$8 in the drugstore.
If I’m purchasing online, I also try to buy from a Rakuten (formerly Ebates) retailer so that I can get cash back on the purchase.
If you’ve never used Rakuten before, use my link and get $10 after making your first purchase. That means you can essentially buy your Maybelline Fit Me Foundation for free. Click here to sign up.
MATTE + PORELESS REVIEW // MAYBELLINE FIT ME FOUNDATION
CONSISTENCY | COVERAGE
The Maybelline Matte and Poreless Foundation provides medium coverage with a natural, satiny finish. While it does control shine the formula is actually not super matte, which I like.
I have combination skin; my cheeks and chin are dry but my t-zone is slightly oily, especially toward the end of the day.
When I use the Matte + Poreless foundation I really need to prep my skin well in order for it to work. If there is any dryness that hasn’t been prepped or tended to, the foundation settles into it and starts to look cakey.
However when my skin is cooperating, or if there’s a day when I’m not as dry, the foundation applies beautifully. It does an excellent job covering the redness in my cheeks as well as any other blemishes I may have, while not looking or feeling too heavy.
This foundation is definitely best suited for those on the more oily side. If your skin is dry, I would not recommend this formula. Scroll down for the Dewy and Smooth review as that would be a better option for you.
MIXING BOTH FORMULAS
Because the Matte and Poreless is a little too dry for my and the Dewy and Smooth is a little too hydrating, I’ve actually been mixing them together which has given me a combination that works much better for my skin type and gives me the best of both worlds.
LONGEVITY | WEAR
The Maybelline Matte and Poreless Foundation starts off matte but toward the middle of the day, I find myself needing oil absorbing sheets or powder on my t-zone to take down shine.
This formula oxidizes a little but not as much at the Dewy and Smooth.
Unfortunately, the longevity of this foundation needs a bit of work (with both formulas). It does not hold up under extreme conditions (heat & humidity) and toward the 7th hour, I find myself needing to re-apply in certain areas.
Touch ups are also necessary as the foundation starts to collects in my dry patches and begins to look a little blotchy.
If you set the foundation with powder it does increase the longevity throughout the day. However, I recommend setting your t-zone only. If you apply powder anywhere that there is dryness, the foundation can get patchy.
I do not notice a difference in the size of my pores, despite the name.
SHADE RANGE
There are 24 shades of the Matte + Poreless foundation which gives you good odds of finding the right color match.
Maybelline recently expanded the shade range for women of color and they definitely have a better selection than most drugstore foundation lines.
If you are in the beige to tan shade range, you should have an easy time finding a match. Unfortunately, I don’t see the lightest or darkest shades working for the lightest and deepest of skin tones.
THE LIGHTEST SHADES
THE DEEPEST SHADES (The shade second from the left looks possibly misplaced?)
DEWY + SMOOTH REVIEW // MAYBELLINE FIT ME FOUNDATION
CONSISTENCY
The difference in consistency between the two formulas is night and day. Maybelline’s Dewy and Smooth pours out of the bottle much quicker, while applying easier and smoother.
I’ve found that this formula can get a little streaky during application but if you blend and buff it in well, it does provide an even, flawless finish.
This foundation is fabulous for dry skin. It is one of the wettest foundations I’ve used so it does take a few minutes to set. However, once it dries down a bit, it’ll leave you with a beautiful luminous glow that does not settle into dry patches.
Personally, I have combination skin and this formula is hit or miss for me. Sometimes it applies beautifully and other times it slides right off. If I set it with enough powder I can make it work (which I often do because I really like the formula).
If you have normal or oily skin, I recommend trying the Maybelline Matte and Poreless or different formula completely as this will most likely be too dewy.
COVERAGE
Because the Dewy and Smooth formula is much more thin than the Matte and Poreless, the coverage can range from sheer to medium, depending on how you apply it.
By using a small amount on a damp Beauty Blender (a little goes a long way) you can create the consistency of a tinted moisturizer which looks extremely natural on the skin.
If you want more coverage, I recommend using a buffing foundation brush (like this one) to build up the product. While the formula is buildable, applying too much can make it look cakey very quickly.
Personally, I build the foundation to a medium coverage but sometimes still find that I need a separate concealer for my cheeks (which get red) because the coverage isn’t always enough.
LONGEVITY | WEAR
Like I mentioned in the Matte and Poreless review above, the longevity of the Maybelline Fit Me foundations is not my favorite.
With this formula specifically, the foundation starts breaking down after only a few hours. With that said, I do notice patchiness on my oily spots first so I do think that if my skin was more dry, Dewy and Smooth would last longer.
I’ve found that this formula oxidizes on my skin more than the Matte and Poreless.
HEAT & HUMIDITYMaybelline’s Dewy + Smooth has a difficult time holding up to heat and humidity. This was the only foundation I brought with me to Peru and it was not able to withstand the conditions.
It broke down faster than normal in the heat and humidity of Lima. And during my hike up to Machu Picchu (lots of sweat and some rain), my foundation was non existent when I reached the top of the peak.
In California’s perfect weather, this foundation lasts a little longer but I usually only reach for it when I have an easy day of running errands, or a quick morning job.
If I have a long day ahead, I choose something that is longer lasting.
SHADE RANGE
There are not as many shade options in the Dewy + Smooth formula are there are in the Matte + Poreless.
If your skin tone falls between light beige and tan, you’ll have quite few options but if you’re on either end of the skin tone spectrum, it might be hard to find a match (as usual).
The two lightest colors are much too dark for the palest of girls. The shades for women of color also need more range.
The 4 deepest colors look like they have a pretty red undertones, so if you are more yellow or olive it might be hard to find a match in this formula.
Bottom line: If I carried these foundations in my kit, I would need alternate options because they simply would not be able to cover everyone that sits in my chair.
THE LIGHTEST SHADES
THE DEEPEST SHADES
WILL THESE BE GOING IN MY PRO KIT?
No.
I like the Maybelline Fit Me foundation a lot. They’re some of the best drugstore foundations that I’ve tried and the price is amazing for the quality.
They’ve been a staple in my personal makeup bag for years because they are perfect for days when I’m running errands and don’t want to waste my expensive foundation.
With that said, I would not include them in my professional kit. I believe that if you are going to splurge on any makeup item, it should be foundation.
I have not yet found a drugstore version that can match the quality of a higher end foundation.
RELATED POST: FACE ATELIER FOUNDATION // A STAPLE IN MY PRO MAKEUP KIT
ARE MAYBELLINE FIT ME FOUNDATIONS CRUELTY FREE?
No, Maybelline is not cruelty free. They are sold in China where animal testing is required by law.
ARE THEY NATURAL AND/OR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY?
No.
WHERE TO BUY
Maybelline’s Fit Me Foundations are available in most drugstores as well as big box retailers like Target.
Online, I have found the best prices on Amazon and Target.com.
To purchase Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in Dewy and Smooth click here. To purchase Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in Matte and Poreless click here.
MAYBELLINE FIT ME FOUNDATION INGREDIENTS
MAYBELLINE FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Nylon-12, Isododecane, Alcohol Denat., Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-20, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Methylparaben, Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopherol, Butylparaben, Aluminum Hydroxide, Alumina, Silica, Glycerin. May Contain: CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides].
MAYBELLINE FIT ME DEWY + SMOOTH
Aqua / Water / Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone / Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates Copolymer, Propylparaben, Parfum / Fragrance, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Butylparaben, PEG-9, Ethylparaben, Dipropylene Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone. May Contain: CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / Iron Oxides.
HAVE YOU USED THE MAYBELLINE FIT ME FOUNDATION? WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW!
PIN IT: MAYBELLINE FIT ME FOUNDATION REVIEW // DEWY + SMOOTH | MATTE + PORELESS
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. I have purchased Maybelline Fit Me foundation many times and have not been contacted by the company to make a review. The links in this post are affiliate which means if you click them and purchase something, I receive a small commission.
Is Maybelline dewy and smooth good?
I like this foundation. It's easy to blend, gives good coverage and I like the glowy (without looking greasy) finish it gives me. I wouldn't say this foundation is super long wearing as it can start getting greasy and wearing off after hours of wear but you could probably fix that with powder.
Is Maybelline True Fit Dewy and smooth light or full coverage?
The Maybelline New York Fit Me! Dewy + Smooth Foundation is an affordable and great value foundation. The foundation is light to medium coverage and has a a very natural, slightly dewy finish.
Is Maybelline Dewy and smooth water based or silicone based?
For the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation, whether you're referring to the Dewey and smooth one. or the Mad Importless one, they are both silicon foundations, therefore you can use either. or either water base primer or a silicone base primer. The water based primer is. because you can definitely use a water based primer.
Which Maybelline foundation has the best coverage?
BEST FOUNDATION FOR FULL COVERAGE: SUPER STAY FOUNDATION This long-wear, full coverage foundation completely rewrites the rules. The coverage is high-impact, yet incredibly lightweight. Super-natural-looking, yet lasts up to 24 hours.