4 Editors Put Zara's $20 Foundation to the Test
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- Zara's Skin Love foundation launched with 51 shades.
- The foundation is full coverage and priced at $20.
- Four editors across various skin tones and skin types put the formula to the test.
When Zara announced the release of its new Skin Love collection, the retailer immediately got a few things right. First, the campaign brought inclusivity to the forefront, featuring models across multiple skin tones and one with Indigenous face tattoos. Second, the line of concealers and foundations is extremely affordable; each item costs under $20. Lastly, the foundation has a massive shade range, with 51 shades available for consumers to choose from.
While there have been quite a few complexion launches this year, a 51-shade foundation launch is nothing to scoff at, and the brand didn't stop there. The formula is buildable to be full coverage yet lightweight, and it layers well with other products. Needless to say, we had to put those claims to the test.
We asked four editors with different skin undertones and skin types to try the new foundation and share their unfiltered opinions. Keep reading to see what they really thought about the shade match and how the foundation wore throughout the day.
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Zara Limitless Soft Matte Foundation in Cool 902
Shown: Zara Limitless Soft Matte Foundation ($20) in the shade Cool 902.
"I love the way Zara has arranged its foundations on the site into shade categories so you can easily go to the color family that's right for your skin tone. I'm very fair, so I went to the 'light' section and was able to easily find my shade, Cool 902. When the foundation arrived, I was very satisfied with the formula. I prefer full coverage, and this foundation covered every pimple and flaw with ease. The product sunk into my skin rather than sitting on top of it so it had a nice, natural matte finish. If you have oily skin, this formula is excellent because it cancels out any extra shine. I will definitely be using this all summer long, because I know it will last in the heat." — Macy Cate Williams, senior commerce editor
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Zara Limitless Soft Matte Foundation in Warm 938 and Warm 931
Shown: Zara Limitless Soft Matte Foundation ($20) in the shades Warm 938 and Warm 931.
"This foundation has fantastic coverage and did not feel heavy on my skin at all. I can definitely see it being my go-to summer foundation — it will be wonderful to keep my oily skin in check as the weather continues to heat up. As much as I did enjoy it, my only gripe is one that I often have with foundations in general: the undertones didn't work for me. I had to mix two shades to get an undertone that was semiclose to my own, so when I run out, I don't like the fact that I essentially have to spend double the amount of money to get the one shade that works for me. Formula-wise, though, this foundation is incredible, and the bottle is so chic." — Ariel Baker, assistant beauty editor
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Zara Limitless Soft Matte Foundation in Neutral 919
Shown: Zara Limitless Soft Matte Foundation ($20) in the shade Neutral 919.
"I'm a huge fan of pretty much everything Zara creates. I check its new releases weekly (Thursdays, if you're wondering), and I place orders at least once a month. However, when it comes to the new foundation, I can't say I'm sold. Picking my shade wasn't too hard, but the formula didn't work for my skin type. I have super-dry skin, and I found that the foundation formula latched onto dry spots and left my skin looking cakey. On the plus side, a little bit of product goes a long way — it only took two pumps to cover my entire face and neck. I think this product would work best for those with oily skin who are looking for full coverage, but unfortunately, that's just not me." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
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Zara Limitless Soft Matte Foundation in Warm 914
Shown: Zara Limitless Soft Matte Foundation ($20) in the shade Warm 914.
"I've seen some pretty impressive (and not-so-impressive) shade ranges before, but Zara's extensive offerings for both skin tone and undertones blew me away. The shade Warm 914 is a great match for my skin undertones without veering too yellow or pink. The formula itself is thick, so I was surprised when it blended so easily, allowing my freckles to still peek through. The smooth finish lasted all day — even after a work event unexpectedly kept me out way past my bedtime." — Jessica Harrington, beauty editor
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