Don’t want to read all the details about this foundation? Jump to the lowdown below!

Today I tested Revlon’s New ColorStay Light Cover Foundation.Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of the Original ColorStay Foundation. I am never without at least three bottles (of varying shades) in my foundation drawer at all times. It is a no nonsense, get the job done kind of foundation. It can be built up to a (non-cakey) full coverage finish and stays on rain, sweat, or shine. It is a best-seller for a reason. I mention this up front, so you understand how high my expectations were for trying out its new sister, Revlon ColorStay Light Cover Foundation. Read below to see how she did…

The Basics

Revlon uses the following words to describe their newest foundation:

Effortless

Longwear

Buildable Coverage

Lightweight

Adaptable Shades

Hydrates all day

Protects skin with an SPF 35

This (fragrance free) foundation comes in a squeeze bottle similar to that of M.A.C. Face and Body Foundation or Dior’s Backstage Face and Body Foundation. I absolutely love the travel-friendly packaging (and would love to see more drugstore foundations climb on board!) It contains (the standard) 1 fluid ounce, comes in 12 “adaptable shades”, and retails for $13.99 (U.S.) on Revlon.com.

My Experience

I started out the morning with my usual skincare routine (a splash of water, moisturizer, and a copious amount of sunscreen applied to my face, neck, and chest.) I gave it plenty of time to absorb into my skin, while completing my usual morning chores, then sat down to apply.

I squeezed a quarter size amount of thin liquid onto the back of my hand, dabbed my Beaty Blender into it, and started to stipple it on my skin. After one very quick layer, I applied a bit more on my sponge and continued to press it into my skin until I noticed what appeared to be my sunscreen peaking up from underneath the foundation.  I realized this was going to take a bit more finessing, and decided to remove all traces of foundation, moisturizer, and sunscreen with a makeup wipe and start fresh.

This time I simply applied a hydrating primer by NYX and hoped that the SPF contained in the foundation would be enough to protect my skin. (I planned to be inside for most of the day.) I applied the foundation once again with my beauty sponge and noticed that one thin layer produced a very nice, light, matte, coverage. It almost looked like a tinted moisturizer, without the dewy finish. It evened my skin out, but I could still see my freckles peeking through. I tried once more to build it up, but it seemed that the more I tried to build it up, the more the foundation started to come off.  It was similar to the experience I had when painting my office wall later that day. When I rolled the paint on the wall, it went on smoothly, but if I started to go over the same spot too many times, then the brush would start picking up the paint I had just put down, leading to an uneven finish.

To be fair, I did not let the first layer of foundation dry before I applied the second. There was nothing that specified this was necessary, But I do know that some foundations do not layer well unless you wait for them to dry between applications.

I didn’t feel it necessary to try to build it up though. It advertises itself as a “no makeup-makeup look” so this is clearly a “let the skin peek through” foundation. I decided to step away from the sponge and embrace the light lovely coverage.

I added the tiniest touch of the Laura Mercier Translucent powder to set the foundation around my nose, chin, and a bit on the forehead.  My other makeup (blush, bronzer, etc.) applied very smoothly on top, and the finish was quite nice. It did not overemphasize my textured areas or fine lines, nor was it overly dewy, or uncomfortably matte. So, although I did not find it to be buildable, I was pleased with how one thin layer looked on my skin.

Shades:

I used shade 150 “Buff.” One thing I normally love about the Revlon foundations is that their shade range is one of the most consistent among the different foundation products from their line. I usually wear the shade, “Buff” in the regular ColorStay foundation line, and have always had great luck starting with the color, “Buff” when I try out their other foundations. However, this particular foundation seems to run lighter than normal. It wasn’t so far off that I couldn’t just add a touch of bronzer and get it close to my normal shade, but for those of you planning to try this one out, you might want to keep in mind to look for a shade slightly darker than you would normally wear in the Revlon line.

Longevity

This truly lived up to its name in that department. I wore this for over 8 hours, and except for the tiniest bit of caking around my nose (which I often get after several hours of wearing any foundation) I found that this looked consistent from application to removal.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I think this foundation is a great option for someone who is looking for a one and done kind of routine. Someone who wants a natural looking, light layer, that they can put on in the morning and don’t have to think about for the rest of the day. With its light matte finish, I could see this looking particularly lovely on someone with an oily skin type. I also think this could be a great, “starter foundation” for someone who is either newer to makeup, and wants to try a natural look, or even younger, first-time foundation wearers. Although the original Revlon ColorStay Foundation will always have my heart, I’m glad to see that Revlon has branched out with this new offering in their ColorStay line.

Have you tried this out yet? What did you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

The Lowdown:

Name: Revlon ColorStay Light Cover Foundation.

Packaging: Simple and convenient plastic squeeze tube.

Shades: 12 “adaptable” shades… runs a touch lighter than similar foundation shades from their original ColorStay line.

Price: $13.99 (U.S.) for one fluid ounce.

Longevity: Lived up to the name. Looked consistent from application to removal.

Sunscreen: SPF 35

Special Mention: Free from parabens, phthalates fragrance, and mineral oil. Infused with concentrated pomegranate.

Who might love this: Those who like a natural makeup look. Those looking for a light matte coverage that lasts. First time foundation wearers. Those with oily to normal skin types.