How to Choose a Revlon Foundation

Last Updated: October 29, 2018

Revlon is one of the oldest and most respected cosmetic lines in the world. Revlon produces a wide range of foundations, and it can sometimes be hard to narrow down which one is right for you.

Steps

1
Determine your skin type. Is your skin shiny, acne-prone and oily? Is it flaky and dry? Is it aging, with lines and wrinkles? You will need to consider your skin type when choosing what foundation to wear.
2
With your skin type in mind, decide what form of foundation you would most like: liquid, crème compact, or powder. Liquid foundation tends to be easiest to apply and blend and is well suited to nearly all skin types. However, it is not portable for touch-ups and can be messy. crème compact foundation is easy to apply, but may not blend as well as liquid. It is portable for easy touch-ups throughout the day. It tends to be slightly heavier and may not be well suited to oily skin. Powder foundation is the hardest to blend and can settle into fine lines or flaky spots on aging or dry skin, although powder is excellent for controlling shine on oily skin.

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3
Once you have narrowed down a form of foundation, consider the level of coverage you want or need. Do you prefer a light, natural look, or do you need a flawless, formal "made-up" look? Is there any skin issue in particular you need covered?
4
Choose between "matte" and "luminous." Matte makeup looks smooth and velvety. It is free of any and all shine and shimmer. It is an ideal look for oilier skin. However, it can look 'cakey' and dull on dry or aging skin. Luminous makeup looks fresh, glowing and dewy. It adds vitality to dry and aging skin, but can look shiny and greasy on oily skin. People with truly balanced, normal skin can choose a look-smooth and velvety with matte or dewy and glowing with luminous.
5
Choose the desired features. Most Revlon foundations have a special feature "spotlighting" it, such as 16 hour wear, anti-aging benefits, mineral ingredients, or customizing your own shade. Choose the feature that is most appealing and useful to you.
6
Keeping these things in mind, read through the list of Revlon's liquid foundations and find the one closest to your goals:
- Beyond Natural, which has light coverage. Its unique feature is the way it self-adjusts to match your skin tone. It is good for those seeking a fresh, natural look and don't need much coverage.
- New Complexion, which has light to medium coverage. Its unique feature is technology that makes the makeup feel light and weightless on the skin. It is good for those who want a light foundation for everyday.
- Custom Creations, which has medium coverage. Its unique feature is the ability to turn a dial to adjust the shade. It is good for those unsure about shade choice or for in between seasons.
- Colorstay Mineral Mousse, which has medium to full coverage. Its unique feature is a matte formula with minerals to control oil. It is good for those with oily skin seeking a shine free look.
- Age Defying DNA Advantage, which has medium to full coverage. Its unique feature is advanced sunscreen formulas to protect skin's DNA from sun damage. It is good for those with skin just beginning to age, who want to prevent further damage.
- Age Defying Makeup with Botafirm, which has full coverage. Its unique feature is the Botafirm ingredients, which help to reduce the appearance of lines. It is good for those who already have lines and wrinkles and want to minimize them. It is available in Dry Skin or Normal Skin formulas.
- Colorstay Makeup, which has full coverage. Its unique feature is its 16-hour long wear formula. It is good for those who like full coverage makeup but don't have time to touch it up. It is also good for special occasions like weddings, proms or parties. It is available in Oily Skin or Normal Skin formulas.
- PhotoReady Makeup, which has full coverage. Its unique feature is "photochromatic" technology that reflects light for an airbrushed luminous look. It is good for those working or spending time in unusual light situations, like bright summer sun or flashing cameras as well as for those wanting a luminous look while still achieving full coverage.
7
Revlon's creme compact foundations are:
- New Complexion Compact Makeup, which has light to medium coverage. Its unique feature is a powder-like finish without powder being required. It is good for those who want lighter coverage but prefer a matte look.
- PhotoReady Compact Makeup, which has medium to full coverage. Its unique feature is the same technology as the PhotoReady liquid makeup in a compact form. It is good for those wanting a luminous look from their compact makeup.
8
Revlon's powder foundations are:
- Colorstay Aqua Mineral Makeup, which has light to medium coverage. Its unique feature is coconut water to prevent cakes and add a refreshing, hydrating feel to the makeup. It is good for those wanting a soft, powder finish, while still achieving a more luminous look.
- Colorstay and PhotoReady powders and finishers, which can be worn over the corresponding liquid makeups to add longevity to the makeup. Ideal for oily skin, as powder absorbs oil.
9
Once you have chosen your ideal formula, choose a shade. Some foundations, such as Beyond Natural, Custom Creations, Colorstay Mineral Mousse and Colorstay Aqua require only that you choose a general shade, such as "Light," "Light Medium," "Medium," "Medium Deep" or "Deep." Others, such as Colorstay, Age Defying, New Complexion, and PhotoReady offer a wider range of shades. In choosing a shade, it is helpful to bring a tube of your old foundation (provided it was a good shade match) to compare to bottles in the store. Another tip is to hold the bottle next to your neck and see if the shade matches. Once you've found your shade, write it down or memorize it for future purchases.

Community Q&A

Question

I wear whipped cream foundation in medium beige, and it's perfect for most seasons. However, I darken a shade in the summer sun. Which color is one step darker than the med. beige? I prefer a neutral color to either a "warm or "cool", since I can wear either depending on my other makeup colors.

Community Answer

The orders of the shades go: Vanilla, shell, nude, natural beige, medium beige, cool beige, golden beige, then rich ginger.
Question

Do the shades stay the same across all of the Revlon foundation formulas?

Community Answer

No, they don't. Your skin color and the time of production affect the shades.
Question

Can I get a rose beige shade?

Community Answer

Yes, Revlon does have a rose beige shade for foundation. If you can't find one that suits you, try another brand.

Warnings

Don't use your wrist as a reference point when choosing a shade. Wrists are very different in tone and texture than our faces.

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Be honest with yourself when choosing a shade. Many of us would like to be darker or lighter colored than we are, but foundation shade isn't the way to change your skin tone.

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