essence Foundation Keep Me Covered… Viral Why?

TikTok loves Keep Me Covered essence foundation, but would I?

The reviews are in and the Internet (ahem, TikTok) can’t say enough good things about the new essence foundation. I received the new Keep Me Covered Foundation in PR and tried it out with high hopes based on the claims and reviews. Reviewers said it is the best full coverage foundation at the drugstore and even a dupe for the new Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin… But can I say the same? Not quite.

Performance Rating

This Product

(3.3)

:essence Keep Me Covered Foundation

Application

(3.8)

Coverage (full)

(3.6)

Finish (natural)

(2.9)

Longevity

(3)

Drugstore Option

(4.3)

:L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation

Application

(4.5)

Coverage (full)

(4)

Finish (natural)

(4.3)

Longevity

(4.5)

Clean Option

(4.4)

:Lawless Conseal The Deal Foundation

Application

(4.5)

Coverage (full)

(4.5)

Finish (natural matte)

(4.2)

Longevity

(4.3)

Best Performance

(4.7)

:Lancome Teint Idole Foundation

Application

(4.5)

Coverage (full)

(4.7)

Finish (natural matte)

(4.5)

Longevity

(4.9)

Promises vs. Performance: Where’s the 16 hour wear claim?

essence makes some bold claims about their new Keep Me Covered Foundation, from natural looking full coverage to a 16 hour, transfer and waterproof wear. This essence foundation gives medium to high coverage for an even, healthy looking complexion. It’s available in 20 universal shades, and free of fragrance alcohol, parabens, and oil.

I’m going to be honest: I don’t know why this essence foundation went viral and why so many people rave so highly about it. My dislike began at the initial application. The foundation itself dries very quickly, becoming hard to blend out if you don’t work quickly and in sections. It also oxidizes a bit, which brings me to another point: the shade range leaves so much to be desired. There are no dark to deep shades, and the fair to light shades are extremely yellow-toned.

If you do blend immediately, it does blend easily with a damp sponge or brush. One pump of the foundation gives light coverage, but it can be built up to medium/full coverage with additional pumps (1-2). Personally, I don’t think this foundation can achieve the ‘high coverage’ essence claimed. It can look cakey and heavy because of how fast it dries down. And, while it doesn’t accentuate dry spots or texture, the wear leaves something to be desired. In my opinion, it is very ‘meh.’ It wears uneven and patchy and is definitely not the transfer proof, waterproof, 16 hour wear essence claims it to be.

Quick Rating Rundown Chart

This Product

(3.4)

:essence Keep Me Covered Foundation

Price: $6.99

1.01 oz

Value

(4.8)

Application

(3.8)

Coverage (full)

(3.6)

Texture (natural)

(2.9)

Longevity

(3)

Shade Range

(3)

Extra Benefits

(3)

Industry Standard

(4.4)

:L’Oreal Infallible 24-HR Fresh Wear

Price: $15.99

1.0 oz

Value

(5)

Application

(4.5)

Coverage (full)

(4)

Finish (natural)

(4.3)

Longevity

(4.5)

Shade Range

(4.3)

Extra Benefits

(3.5)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)

:Best Foundations Of All Time

Price: $20 – $96

various

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Coverage

(4.5+)

Finish

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Shade Range

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

How It Compares: I don’t recommend the new essence foundation.

Fast drying, patchy, not living up to its wear claims, and a terrible shade range? Honestly, I’m surprised the essence Keep Me Covered Foundation has gotten as much love as it has. I will give it to them that it provides buildable coverage that does apply easily (when blended right away!), but that’s about all it does. It really does miss the mark for me. When I read transfer proof, waterproof, 16 hours of wear with a natural looking finish I expect my foundation to look flawless after 6-8 hours of wear and working up a little day-to-day sweat, but it just did not.

There are so many better drugstore foundation options on the market. From the never-lets-me-down L’Oreal Infallible to the new Revlon Skin-Caring Foundation to Maybelline SuperStay, you’re sure to find a better performing drugstore foundation for you skin type. And, trust me, I’ve tried just about all of them. I have my favorites, my tried & trues, my ride or dies, but I also have my stay-away from’s, and essence Keep Me Covered is one I’d stay away from.

Comparison to Top Performers

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Performance Rating Chart

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