Maybelline SuperStay Foundation: I Was Excited For This One

Maybelline SuperStay Foundation has a lot of claims. Let’s see what it does.

Y’all, I’m super bummed about this foundation. I had high hopes and was so excited about the claims of Maybelline SuperStay Foundation. It sounded perfect – for a drugstore foundation at least – 30 hours of transfer/water/sweat resistant wear, highly pigmented, weightless, yet full coverage. I mean, is it just me, or does that sound amazing?

Now, I’m not saying this foundation is terrible. It’s still a solid drugstore option. But, to get a flawless wear, you’ll need to put a bit of extra TLC into your routine (for example, an oil control primer or a setting spray).

Promises vs. Performance: Up to 30 hours of transfer, water, and sweat resistant wear?

SuperStay Active Wear promises up to 30 hours of long wear that feels light as air and is transfer, water, and sweat resistant. Talk about impressive! This lightweight foundation comes in 24 shades and has a comfortable matte finish that promises to transform the look of your skin while keeping a natural look. SuperStay’s oil free formula won’t clog pores, is dermatologist tested, and suitable for all skin types.

I gave those impressive claims a whirl, and I’d say Maybelline SuperStay Foundation meets about half of them. It applies pretty easily with a damp sponge and gives nearly instant full coverage. The formula does dry down pretty quickly, so I suggest working in sections of the face instead of dotting it all over. The longer it sits, the harder it’s going to be to blend out. Immediately, I get the matte finish promised but still gave a lit-from-within glow from my skincare. I’m pleased to report that it does look lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy either. My pores look airbrushed and nothing settles or looks patchy after applying the rest of my makeup.

The wear of this foundation definitely doesn’t meet my expectations though. With a 30 hour wear claim that is also said to be transfer/water/sweat resistant – it does not perform. SuperStay Active wears very uneven on my skin. On my forehead, I get extreme shininess and feel greasy. What surprised me is that first time I wore this foundation is that my natural oils broke apart the foundation, causing it to wear off my forehead! The rest of my T-zone gets extra oily and the foundation wears patchy. On the bright side, my pores still look airbrushed and my cheek products are still vibrant at the end of the day.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(3.6)

:Maybelline Super Stay Active Wear Foundation

Price: $12.99

1.0 oz

Value

(4)

Application

(3.4)

Coverage

(4)

Texture

(3.9)

Longevity

(3)

Shade Range

(3)

Extra Benefits

(2.5)

Industry Standard

(4.4)

:L’Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear

Price: $15.99

1.0 oz

Value

(5)

Application

(4.5)

Coverage

(4)

Texture

(4.3)

Longevity

(4.5)

Shade Range

(4.3)

Extra Benefits

(3.5)

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: Maybelline SuperStay Foundation does not perform as expected.

Based on the claims, I expected to be wowed by this foundation. I enjoy how SuperStay looks after the initial application: my skin matte, my imperfections covered, and my pores airbrushed. But, it goes downhill as the day goes on. Midway through my day of wear (about 4 hours in), I start feeling and looking very oily. It starts breaking apart in my T-zone, looking patchy. By the end of the night, the natural oils on my forehead make the foundation break apart to where it completely wears off. This face base wears uneven, with a patchy, broken apart appearance around my jaw area too. It definitely doesn’t have the transfer/water/sweat resistance Maybelline claimed. I will say, my pores still look airbrushed and you can still see how vibrant the blush and bronzer is on my cheeks after a full day of war.

Other Formulas I Love

Now, let’s chat about my holy grail drugstore foundation for a minute. L’Oreal Infallible (rated **** 4.3) is one of the best, in my opinion. It offers a workable medium to full coverage with a natural finish. Even with the natural radiance it offers, my skin doesn’t get extra oily or greasy feeling. This foundation lasts all day on my skin without looking patchy or fading.

If you are, however, looking for a true matte foundation, I’d recommend Juvia’s Place I Am Magic (rated **** 4.3). This foundation has a workable texture that blends in easily with a brush or sponge. It gives a true matte finish like Maybelline, but wears much better. I can get an all day wear (10+ hours) without looking patchy, without fading, and without settling. And the shade range? Chefs kiss. There’s 42 shades to choose from.

Milabu Beauty Method: How to prep and set based on your skin type.

Normal: Depending on if you produce excess oil throughout the day, you might be able to get away without a primer and setting powder. However, if you’re going to be in a sweaty environment, you may benefit from setting with a powder or spray.

Combination: I would add an oil control primer in your T-zone, or wherever you produce the most oil. Top off with a setting powder or spray to lock it all in.

Oily: You’ll definitely want to add an oil control primer underneath this foundation. This will help alleviate excess oil and the foundation breaking apart. I would also recommend finishing your look with a setting powder.

Dry: Since this foundation is a matte finish with fuller coverage, I would skip the primer and finish off with a hydrating setting spray.