3 Editors Put Sephora Collection's New Powder Foundation to the Test
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For many people, summer means that all aspects of your beauty routine get lighter. From body lotions to protective hairstyles, everything is done with the intention of beating the heat.
If you're a makeup-lover, this may mean that your favorite lipstick gets swapped out for your go-to gloss, or your heavy liquid foundation gets replaced with a powder. Thankfully, the powder foundations of today aren't the same as the chalky, oranged-toned ones you grew up with. Now more than ever, the category is being expanded to suit more skin tones. Sephora Collection is the latest brand to throw its hat in the powder-foundation ring with the release of the Best Skin Ever Matte Powder Foundation ($20).
As the name suggests, this foundation provides coverage that mattifies the skin and comes in 40 shades for a plethora of skin tones to choose from. Though it's not a one-to-one match, if you're already a fan of Sephora's Best Skin Ever ($20) liquid foundation, then your current shade in that formula will give you a great starting point to help you find your best match with the powder. To get you started, three POPSUGAR editors put the new product to the test and share their thoughts. Read ahead to see if Sephora Collection's latest is worth adding to your makeup routine.
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Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Matte Powder Foundation on Light-Neutral Skin
"Despite the collective beauty world's affinity for all things dewy and glazed doughnut these last few years, I've been forever committed to the matte finish, which means setting powder has never fallen out of my makeup rotation. Still, if I'm opting for a powder foundation, I want something that will give me full coverage that feels breathable on skin, without that cakey, overly powdered look. That is surprisingly tricky to find, given the lack of options on the market, but I can confirm I found it in Sephora Collection's latest formula. It's no-frills in the best way — you won't find light-reflecting pigments or pore-blurring properties, but instead offers a solid matte finish, whether you want to add an extra layer of coverage to your base makeup or throw something in your bag for touch-ups." — Kelsey Castañon, beauty director
Rate code: Rating: ★★★★☆
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Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Matte Powder Foundation on Warm Medium-Deep Skin
"I often opt for more dewy formulas, but don't get me wrong: there will always be a place for powder foundation in my makeup bag. As someone whose skin leans on the more oily side, I often use powder foundation to touch up after blotting, and when I saw that Sephora Collection was coming out with a line that had an impressive 40 shades, I knew I'd have to get my hands on it.
"At first, I chose shade 35P, which was an entirely incorrect color. Still, I noticed that the formula was lightweight on the skin, and it didn't feel like I had pounds of makeup on my face, even though for investigative purposes, I actually did put on quite a few layers. Now, I found that said layers didn't cover some of the more obvious acne that I was sporting on my forehead, but the discoloration that I had on my temples and cheeks had basically disappeared, so I was fine with that trade-off.
"I came to realize that my correct shade is actually 36Y, and that is the color I've been keeping in my makeup bag since. This is not a full-coverage product by any means, but if you have on a skin tint or a little concealer and you want to make sure that the coverage remains in-tact after you've removed any oil or sweat in this very muggy weather, this foundation is about to become your go-to." — Ariel Baker, assistant beauty editor
Rating: ★★★★☆
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Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Matte Powder Foundation on a Fair-Neutral Skin
"I'm not usually one to wear powder foundation (or any foundation, really), but when the Sephora Collection launches a new product, I pay attention. The Best Skin Ever Matte Powder Foundation comes in a compact with a sponge for application, but I personally found a brush to be better. The first thing I noticed when I swiped the powder onto my face was how mattifying it is. After another couple of passes, though, I was blown away — it literally made the pores on my nose disappear. I was able to layer it without getting that dreaded cakey finish that I remember from the powders I used in my youth, and as someone with dry skin, I didn't find the formula to be too heavy or drying. I'm still a devoted member of the dewy-finish fan club, but I'm adding this compact to my bag for touch-ups on the go." — Jessica Harrington, beauty editor
Rating: ★★★★