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Fenty Beauty as a Winter Staple: Foundation & Primer Review
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Fenty Beauty
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line has carried quite the reputation since it’s debut. With an inclusive range of shades catering for almost every skin tone, it’s popularity is hardly surprising. However, in the UK, Harvey Nichols are currently exclusive stockists, so it’s not the easiest brand for access in terms of colour matching.
Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer | £24.00
I walked into Harvey Nichols with a single purpose: to buy the Fenty foundation and that alone. While I was being colour-matched the staff up-sold me the primer, claiming that it was made with the foundation in mind and that it would improve it’s wear tenfold. They also claimed that it would reduce shine, along with the appearance of pores.
I hate to report that I haven’t found either of the latter claims to be true. The primer is fairly decent with regards to keeping makeup put, it has a nice consistency and blends over the skin well but that’s where the benefits end. In the above image, you’ll see that my pores are quite noticeable, specifically to the right side of my nose. My favourite pore-refining primers: Benefit’s POREfessional or NYX Pore Filler both fix this problem much more effectively. If large pores are a concern for you then I wouldn’t recommend the Fenty, particularly having considered its rather steep price.
Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation | £26.00
Thankfully I had a much more positive experience with the Fenty foundation, which I rate for a few reasons. Firstly: it’s buildable. I tend to apply two layers to achieve full coverage, which nicely hides any blemishes without looking cakey. It’s one of the most affordable high-end foundations I’ve tried and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it.
I find that a lot of matte foundations can cling to dry patches, which isn’t flattering in the least. Even throughout the recent cold weather, I haven’t found this problem with the Fenty foundation at all. In fact, every part of my combination skin seems to love it, leaving me with no dryness, breakouts or other adverse reactions caused by the foundation to speak of. For these reasons, it’s become one of my definite winter beauty staples. One of the other strongest benefits of the foundation is its impressive ability to last all day with very little show of any wear: living up to its ‘longwear’ claim.
I tend to further mattify the foundation by applying powder to increase longevity and battle any oil my skin may produce throughout the day. Without it though, the foundation has a lovely dewy finish which is pleasantly surprising for a matte foundation.
Above left is the foundation as a base without powder. Above right is a full-face of makeup including powder. I wear shade 190. I was matched at the end of summer with a slight tan. I’m able to wear it throughout winter, as long as I fake-tan my neck to better blend.
