Face Up to It: L'Oreal Magicsmooth Souffle Foundation

So, it's time for another foundation review! It's been a while since my last one. This is because I like to use up specific products before I buy new ones. These being concealers, mascaras, powders, and foundations. In otherwords, the things that aren't fun... Or as much. :)

Anyway, this time, it's the L'Oreal Magicsmooth Souffle Foundation.  One of the most expensive drugstore foundations, I think retailing for as much as $16. I snagged this one for $10, though, and I would have never bought it full price, but I'm glad that I found it on sale!

 I will say that this product has nice packaging. Very appealing and sturdy. I find it easy to store as well. You could argue, though, that it's a little bulky.

Color is 524 Buff Beige

I've been using this foundation for two months straight, experimenting with different brushes, primers, and powders.  So, I think that I'm pretty well versed in how to work with this foundation.  First, yes, it does have a mousse-like texture.  Since it has a naturally airfilled formula, you have to use a lot of product to cover your whole face, (even more when you use a brush) especially since it's thicker, so it doesn't spread thinly with little product.  And because of it's packaging, you can see exactly how much you're using. Which is a lot! 

It has essentially a cream to powder formula, in that it dries rather quickly and my fingers don't cling to my face at all once it sets; it feels dry. I set it with a powder anyway, just because I don't have dry skin at all, and I would classify my skin as combination.  This also has a matte finish, which I love, because I like my face to be very matte, save for my highlight color.  I've never had an issue with  lasting power on it, and haven't really noticed differences with I use different primers.  It has nice coverage, I would say medium to full coverage, but it doesn't cover all of my very noticeable (at least to me) hyperpigmentation.  Then again, neither does my expensive full coverage concealer...

As for application, I have read reviews in which people say that they could only get this foundation to work when they used a brush, but I didn't find that necessary. I always apply my foundation with my fingers, and I found this to blend very nicely like that, blurring my pores and all that nonsense.  Also, it wastes less product.  I scoop a bit of it out, and blend it directly on my face.  It does ball up a little bit initially, but that goes away with a little blending.  Application isn't any different for me than with any other foundation, even compared to a normal liquid.

Very important and very irritating note. My only real gripe about this product except for the price. The thick glass packaging obscures the color of the product to make it look much lighter than it actually is inside. I bought this foundation because I was in the market for a new, lighter foundation. I looked at the packaging and thought, "This looks good, if not one or two shades too light, but I'll just use a darker powder with it then." I was wrong. I got it home, and it was one or two shades too dark. I've been using it nonetheless, but that's a huge packaging flaw.

Overall, this is a great foundation if you can get it at a discount, but be sure to buy a color that is a few shades too light for you, or buy from someplace like CVS where you can return it if it's not the right color. I love the finish of the product and the coverage is about as good as it gets, and it looks great on me. If you want a before and after picture of my face, just request it!

Would you buy a drugstore foundation for $16?