Maybelline SuperStay Foundation: The Powder Made for Summer Weather

Maybelline SuperStay Powder Foundation gives 16 hours of matte, buildable full coverage.

It’s no secret that powders help absorb excess oil from the skin. Those of us who live in more humid climates or have oily skin, you feel me with having to carry around a setting powder for touch-ups. I’m always on the hunt for a lightweight product that lasts all day and controls my oil. Enter a drugstore foundation perfect for both of those: Maybelline SuperStay, the #1 New Powder Launch of 2019 according to data collected by Nielsen.

If you’re like me, you’re always searching for an easy product for everyday wear. It must be natural looking on the skin, blur imperfections, and wear well with minimal touching up. Lucky for you, I discovered Maybelline SuperStay Powder Foundation fits the bill.

Promises vs. Performance: Though Maybelline’s claims don’t add up, this is a great powder foundation.

This powder foundation is packed with “color-matching pigments” and is available in an “extensive shade range of complexion-matching shades,” according to Maybelline.com. SuperStay Powder Foundation boasts a 16 hour wear with a matte finish. The powder can be used on top of makeup or on its own, providing up to a full coverage. It is said to have a creamy texture that is blendable and easily glides onto skin.

Maybelline suggests applying their foundation with a brush or face sponge. I tested this product out with both to see if one was better than the other. I think the sponge it comes with is great for touch-ups, but I ended up preferring a dense brush much more. Not only is it quicker, but it applies the product more evenly and helps it blend into the skin more instead of just sitting on top. It is a true buildable coverage that layers really well without looking cakey or powdery. The texture is creamy as Maybelline suggested, and applies easily.

I wouldn’t say it is a true full coverage (like L’Oreal Infallible is), but I’d say it’s a solid medium coverage. It does cover and blur imperfections, but not fully. I would need to pair a concealer underneath to really hide those stubborn dark spots. My pores did peek through a bit on my cheeks, but this is nothing a pore filling primer (such as Benefit Porefessional, $32) wouldn’t fix.

Now let’s chat wear…

I want to preface this with I typically don’t find powder foundations to be the most long lasting. Usually around the five or six hour mark, the oils in my t-zone begin to show through and I have a good bit of product rub off along my jawline and chin by the end of the day. My results were pretty similar with this powder foundation. While Maybelline says SuperStay Powder will last up to 16 hours, I would find that hard to believe with any powder foundation. Though this one does look beautiful on the skin long-term, despite it wearing off and my oils peeking through. It didn’t separate on my skin. My skin didn’t look dry. The powder never looked cakey. For me, those all make this powder foundation a winner!

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(3.5)

:Maybelline Super Stay Powder Foundation

Price: $9.99

0.21 oz

Value

(4.3)

Application

(3.5)

Coverage

(3.7)

Texture

(4)

Longevity

(3.5)

Shade Range

(2)

Extra Benefits

(3)

MILABU PICKS

(4+)

:Best Rated Full Coverage Foundations Under $25

Price: $11 – $22

various sizes

Value

(4+)

Application

(4+)

Coverage

(4+)

Texture

(4+)

Longevity

(4+)

Shade Range

(4+)

Extra Benefits

(4+)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)

:12 Best Foundations You Need To Try

Price: $15 – $70

various sizes

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Coverage

(4.5+)

Texture

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Shade Range

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

How It Compares: Easy to apply, comfortable, lightweight… SuperStay Powder is one of the best at the drugstore.

For value and accessibility, this is a secret weapon makeup product found at the drugstore. And, Allure agrees: this is one of the best powder foundations. Maybelline SuperStay Powder Foundation provides lightweight matte coverage that lasts. Though it may not last the full 16 hours Maybelline claims, for a powder foundation the wear of this one can’t be beat. Even with oils peeking through and some rub off, the foundation still looked great on my skin. It never looked cakey, heavy, or powdery despite layering to achieve a fuller coverage. It did not settle into my fine lines or exaggerate any texture. Though, if you have larger pores I would suggest pairing this with a pore minimizing primer as it doesn’t completely hide pores.

The biggest con to this product is the shade range. Maybelline boasts an “extensive shade range of complexion-matching shades” on their website, but the 12 shades in this collection do not reflect that. I was able to easily find a match, but those with darker skin tones may struggle.

Milabu Beauty Method: Flawless, everyday coverage.

1. Begin with priming the face. I enjoy using a primer like Milk Hydro Grip ($34) underneath. This provides me with blurred pores, extra oil control, and a boost of hydration.
2. I prefer concealing any trouble spots before applying a powder foundation. This helps minimize the powder looking cakey.
3. Taking a large, dense brush, swirl into the compact to pick up product. The Heavenly Luxe brush ($49) from IT Cosmetics pairs beautifully. For a more affordable option, check out this one from e.l.f. Cosmetics ($6).
4. Begin buffing the foundation into your skin in circular motions.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to build to your desired coverage.
6. Finish off your look with complexion enhancers and a setting spray to prolong wear. Morphe has a great fine mist setting spray ($16) that really helps enhance wear time.

Tip: The included sponge with Maybelline SuperStay Foundation is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups!