When it comes to drugstore foundations, it is hard to beat Maybelline and its sister brand Loreal. Which is why, my hopes were high the moment Maybelline launched its new Maybelline Super Stay Lumi Matte Foundation. In the age of dewy makeup bases with a skinlike finish, this foundation sounded like the perfect addition to the Maybelline foundation family, and the sound of a lumi matte finish was music to my oily skin. Believe it or not, I have already finished 4 bottles of this foundation since it’s launch (I’m attaching proof so you can’t doubt me! So, I am well qualified to spill the tea, both good and bad on the Maybelline Lumi Matte Foundation. So, without further ado, here is my unfiltered review of the product!
The Real Tea On Maybelline Super Stay Lumi Matte Foundation
The real tea on the Maybelline Lumi Matte Foundation is not the brand trip or how every creator was raving about it, it is how Maybelline sneakily CHANGED the formulation of their OG Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation right before launching this one. The original formula of the Maybelline Super Stay Foundation worked PERFECTLY for me. It gave my blemish-prone skin FULL coverage, lasted all day long, and was matte without being cakey. However, the reformulated version is a bit too matte and does not blend as seamlessly as the original formula. This is why I decided to pick up the Maybelline Lumi Matte Foundation in the first place, hoping that it was close to my original holy grail foundation.
Maybelline Lumi Matte Foundation Review – Shade 220
Compared to the original Full Coverage Super Stay Foundation, the Maybelline Lumi Matte Foundation has a slightly thinner, more liquid consistency and lesser coverage. I am an NC35 in MAC and shade 220 in this foundation (it oxidizes a bit on my skin). Here are the PROs and CONs of the product in my experience:
Pros:
- Very light-weight, blendable and skinlike finish that offers a medium coverage in one stroke.
- The coverage can be built up to cover stubborn blemishes.
- Luminous yet matte finish that is perfect for daily wear, even for oily skin.
Cons:
- Does not offer FULL coverage and may not give those with a lot of blemishes/pigmentation the coverage they desire.
- To achieve close to full coverage, you will need to layer the product 2-3 times, which means you end up using a lot of product in one use.
- The claim of 30H stay seems far-fetched to me because I see the foundation move around a bit even after 8 hours.
- The shade range is definitely problematic with only 10 shades and very few options for deeper skin tones.
My Final Verdict On Maybelline Lumi Matte Foundation
The Maybelline Lumi Matte Foundation has rave reviews everywhere, from YouTube to Reddit. And I agree with everyone praising it for its skinlike finish that still manages to give good coverage. However, I have a bone to pick with Maybelline for altering the formula of their Full Coverage foundation right before the launch of this one. Even if they fix the shade range of this foundation, it can only be an excellent everyday foundation for everyone, but not necessarily an occasion-wear foundation for those with blemished and pigmented skin. I wish they bring back the original formula of their Full Coverage foundation and expand the shade range of the Lumi Matte foundation so that we are covered on both grounds.
Basically, I found my perfect everyday foundation and lost my holy grail full coverage foundation in the span of a week. Perhaps that’s what they mean by you win some, you lose some!
Have you tried the Maybelline Lumi Matte Foundation yet? What do you think of it. Tell me in the comments!
Mrinalini
Mrinalini is a beauty blogger with over 7 years of experience in reviewing skincare, makeup, and wellness products. Her professional experience in the biomedical space plus her keen interest in testing products spanning decades gives her the upper edge when it comes to reviewing new beauty products, particularly for oily, acne-prone, Indian skin.