SPOTLIGHT & REVIEW: Maybelline Dream Wonder & FIT Me Foundations...

One good thing about this review is that more than six months have passed since I started wearing these Maybelline foundations (in the case of the Dream Wonder it's almost nine!), and therefore my assessment is based on long term usage, and they've been put through their paces in quite a few seasons, as well as my varying complexion conditions...

In general I'm a HUGE fan of Maybelline products - safe to say it's my favourite drugstore brand for quality, price, colour range and innovation. I'm always impressed when a company repeatedly comes up with something new, either formula-wise or the way it's delivered, and MNY seem to have an unusually high success rate, well at least with products that suit me to a T ♥

Dream Wonder Fluid-Touch Foundation

Loved this little gem from the very first application. There are two interesting things about this liquid - a) it's one of the most "runny" foundation I've ever used, and 2), it has no moisturising qualities. For someone that needs full coverage, and who's just hit 60, both of those features might seem to be negatives, but not so - in fact for me, they're actually pluses. Because the formula is so thin, it spreads in a flash with no tugging (big hit with my 87 year old Mum), and magically fills in just about all my pore craters and fine lines. I admit I was super surprised because my brain says "you need something thick and dense to cover your flaws", and yet this light-as-a-feather foundation gives me pretty good coverage for something so sheer (see below), the colour match of Sandy Beige is brilliant, and it's literally undetectable on my skin...

While my skin feels silky soft and not the least bit tight after applying it, Dream Wonder has no hydrating power, or at least none that I can detect. But that suits me just fine as I use enriching high SPF content day creams that invariably create shine issues, especially on and around my nose. With DW, I have no such problems, and I'm left with a velvety soft semi-matte finish that's really quite flattering for someone my age...

Left - moisturised bare skin. Right - Dream Wonder with no primer or finishing product

Initially I wondered about the effectiveness of the funny little bulb-tipped applicator (I've noticed that some gals loathe it), but given the formula is so liquid, I figured with a standard pump or even no applicator at all, the product would run through my fingers before I had a chance to apply it. What I do is swipe the loaded applicator onto the back of my hand, and then dab it onto my face with my fingertips, spreading as I go. It dries quickly, but there's enough time to even out the application before it sets... 

Scent-wise, it has quite a strong chemical smell in the bottle, but it doesn't bother me at all because it dissipates in seconds. Ingredients-wise, top of the list is dimethicone (a silicone) - while this formula has not given me one spec of trouble, I've read that it may not be ideal for those with drier complexions, or skin that is acne-prone...

At the end of the day, the coverage isn't as full as I'd prefer, but for more casual days and weekends, this is my go-to base. The bottle is only 20ml but I find it lasts the same amount of time as other (standard) 30ml containers. As you can see in the first pic, I've already stocked up (at half-price sales) which is a fairly good indication of how much I love this foundation ♥ SPF 20, RRP $21.95...

FIT me! Matte & Poreless Foundation

With an oily T-zone and enlarged pores, I had high hopes for this foundation, especially with "Matte + Poreless" on the label. However I must say I was disappointed with both the coverage and the finish. In the before and after pics below, you can see there's not much difference between my bare skin (left) and after applying the product (right), except for a more even skintone - my pores look just as big, and the finish isn't what I would call matte at all. Colour-wise, 220 is a beaut match (albeit a tad yellowy) and blends in my freckles well, but I reckon the coverage isn't quite as good as the Dream Wonder, which is interesting given this formula is so much more dense...

Left - moisturised bare skin. Right - FIT me! with no primer or finishing product

I've read some rave reviews extolling the virtues of this foundation, but it doesn't cut the mustard with my particular issues. It just goes to show how different complexions are, and how our needs vary ♥ I will use it up of course - with a primer, setting powder and a second layer, it improves considerably and in fact looks quite good, but I won't be repurchasing. No SPF content, RRP is $18.95...

*The above ratings are based on my own personal criteria, set out here ♥

Have you tried either of these foundations?

Take care of you,

kats xxx