L’OREAL True Match Foundation Review May 23, 2019
As an oily-skinned girl, it can be difficult to find natural-looking foundations that look like skin but last all-day. Can L’OREAL’s cult-classic, True Match Foundation stand a chance against my oily skin? Read this my L’OREAL True Match Foundation review to find out.
L’OREAL TrueMatch Foundation in N3 Natural Buff
L’Oreal True Match Foundation Claims
- 45 shades across 3 undertones (warm, neutral, cool)
- Hydrating formula with a natural finish
- Medium coverage
- Pure color pigments match wearer’s unique skin color and undertones
- Lightweight, oil-free, non-greasy formula that won’t clog pores
Price & Packaging
In the U.S. the True Match Foundation retail price varies from retailer to retailer. Chains like Target sell the famous foundation for $5.79, while Ulta sells the product for $10.99. Also, retailers frequently feature the foundation in weekly sales or promotions.
Unfortunately, the L’OREAL True Match packaging is a total fail. More specifically, the packaging makes it difficult to get out the right amount of product without wasting the foundation. As a result, I wish that L’OREAL would repackaging this foundation. A pump, an applicator, or a squeeze tube could make application easier and less wasteful.
Selecting my True Match Foundation Shade
Finding the correct foundation shade is the largest struggle that consumers face when purchasing complexion products at the drugstore. Not being able to test different shades on the skin makes it difficult to select the right match. Moreover, the shade selection process becomes burdensome when there are only slight nuances between shades.
Although I knew my undertone, I struggled to land on a shade. To help me select my shade, I used some other drugstore classics as a reference point – Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless (120) and the Wet n’ Wild Photo Focus Foundation (Soft Beige). The below photo shows the L’Oreal TrueMatch Foundation compared to my other foundations.
Top-to-Bottom: L’OREAL True Match (N3 Natural Buff), WnW Photo Focus (Soft Beige), UD Naked (1.5 Fair Bisque), LM Tinted Moisturizer (Nude)
Although I found a shade that was similar to other foundations in my collection, these shades are slightly too dark for my skin tone now. When I was younger, not only was my coloring darker but it was very neutral. As I’ve aged, my skin tone naturally lightened and began to look more cool-toned.
Application & Wear-Time
The L’Oreal True Match Foundation feels watery. As a result, the foundation applies best with fingers or a damp blending sponge – like these affordable ones from ColourPop.
From a finish perspective, the True Match foundation provides a solid, medium coverage. Moreover, the True Match formula gives the skin a beautiful, healthy looking glow. In fact, whenever I wore this foundation I receive compliments on my skin’s radiance.
However, True Match is not a long-lasting foundation on oily skin. No matter how I set this foundation, my skin looks shiny within 6-8 hours of wear. A blotting sheet is necessary to absorb the excess grease. To be fair, this is not uncommon for me to experience with dewy or radiant foundations due to my skin type.
More importantly, the L’Oreal True Match Foundation does not clog my pores. Moreover, despite having a natural, radiant finish, the foundation does not feel thick or heavy on the skin. This foundation plays nicely with powder, cream, and liquid products.
Lastly, the foundation oxidizes. This means that the foundation dries down darker than it looks in the bottle and will deepen in color after it is exposed to air. However, I would not say that that the L’Oreal True Match oxidizes more than half a shade darker.
Final Thoughts on the L’Oreal True Match Foundation
All-in-all, the L’Oreal True Match Foundation line continues to provide one of the most expansive shade selections for complexion products at the drugstore. Also, the foundation provides a beautifully radiant finish that leaves the skin looking naturally healthy and even-toned.
Although the L’Oreal True Match Foundation works for oily skin, this foundation is best suited for beauty lovers with normal-to-dry skin. Oily-skinned individuals will need to use a matte primer and blot excess oil away.
Let’s connect on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin’ | Influenster
Did you enjoy my L’OREAL True Match Foundation review? Check out my reviews of the Milani Soft & Sultry Eyeshadow Palette, Milani Eyeshadow Primer, and Juvia’s Place Nubian Eyeshadow Palette.
Have you tried the L’OREAL True Match foundation before? What is your holy grail foundation? Please let me know in the comments below.
beauty beauty blogger beauty review best of beauty cosmetics drugstore makeup foundation L'Oreal True Match Foundation makeup Makeup for Oily Skin
jennifertarheelreader says
May 23, 2019 at 9:32 amOh, I love this series idea, LP! Also great to know about this foundation and oily skin. Wonderful, helpful review.
The Newbury Girl says
May 23, 2019 at 5:51 pmHah – I’m excited for this! I think sometimes we (especially me) gets so swept up in the hype of new releases that we forget about some older, classic products. Was glad to report that this is a very good drugstore option . 💜
Wednesday Wild says
May 23, 2019 at 1:31 pmI really wanted to try this but my skin gets shiny and oily really fast.
The Newbury Girl says
May 23, 2019 at 5:48 pmHmm – a mattifying setting powder may help this to last longer on your skin!! Also, tried to leave you a comment on your LUSH review 💜but not sure if it went to spam.
makeup_by_makena says
May 23, 2019 at 11:08 pmMy mom has used this foundation for forever and swears by it — it was the very first ‘big girl’ makeup product I owned. Although I haven’t used it in a while, it is really good. I swear by the True Match Lumi formula and Pro Glow! Thanks for reminding me of this! xoxo
The Newbury Girl says
May 24, 2019 at 11:07 amAhhh I ~wish~ I could wear luminous foundations but my skin is so oily that they’d probably slip off my face within an hour or two lol! Love dewy primers paired with matte foundations though! 💜
makeup_by_makena says
May 27, 2019 at 8:49 pmAw oh no haha! Have you tried the Wet N Wild Photo Focus or L’Oreal Pro Matte? I’ve tried both and think they would be great for oily skin. xoxo
The Newbury Girl says
May 27, 2019 at 8:59 pmlol I HATE the Wet n Wild Photo Focus – it breaks apart on my face within 2-3 hours of wear-time X_X.
makeup_by_makena says
May 28, 2019 at 5:21 pmOh no sorry haha. Is it not matte enough? I really like it as long as I exfoliate but it does feel too thick compared to my other faves.
The Newbury Girl says
May 28, 2019 at 8:06 pmlol so I didn’t like anything about the foundation sadly – it wasn’t matte, wasn’t full coverage, and wasn’t long wearing no matter how I used it or set it on my face ☹️
makeup_by_makena says
May 29, 2019 at 6:31 pmIt’s crazy how the same makeup product works so differently on different people. Thanks for reading and supporting my blog! xoxo
winterxlife says
May 24, 2019 at 5:18 amSuch a good idea for a series, the possibilities are so vast! I never used True Match but my ride-or-die for years was Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse, though I haven’t used that one for a good 8-9 years now.
Current fave, actually has been since about 2014, is Illamasqua’s Skin Base, but drugstore-wise I reach a lot for Makeup Revolution’s stick foundation lately.
Looking forward to what you’re going to cover next 😊 x
The Newbury Girl says
May 24, 2019 at 11:03 amThank you so much! 💜 I’ve actually never tried any of the foundations you mentioned! Illamasqua has been on my list of brands I want to try for so long though, so I’ll have to check of this Foundation! ☺️
winterxlife says
May 24, 2019 at 11:28 amI swear by it because my skin can be quite fussy and it’s always been perfect, plus a little goes a long way which kind of makes the heavier price tag a bit better to bear! Let me know if you end up trying it, I do love an Illamasqua convert 😊 x
Thesacredspaceap says
May 25, 2019 at 1:06 amThis foundation sounds like it might suit me! I am always on the hunt for a different foundation. My go to has always been NYX however it now instantly makes my skin really dry and it sadly looks horrible now.
Great review thank you!
Alyssa ❤
THESACREDSPACEAP.COM
The Newbury Girl says
May 27, 2019 at 8:18 pmAw thank you so much – and oh no!!! I hate it when products really stop working correctly. A hydrating primer may help to make the NYX foundation work better, but I really do love this foundation and think it is worth trying given how affordable it is! 🙂
Simone says
May 25, 2019 at 2:28 pmThis series idea is amazing!!
The Newbury Girl says
May 27, 2019 at 8:18 pmahhh thank you! <3
genuasaram says
May 25, 2019 at 7:11 pmHey hun..I have followed your blog…please may you follow my blog also as I am just starting out and would sincerely appreciate it
..lotsa love xoxo
kattieh says
May 26, 2019 at 1:47 amIts Interesting seeing reviews like this! I love products that have good wear time, but I find it really hard to find the correct shade. I think I need to go and get a foundation matched to my skin properly! I love foundations that don’t seem like they clog, but I do struggle with ones that go oily feeling! It always makes me feel like I’m shining!
The Newbury Girl says
May 27, 2019 at 8:20 pmomg I understand that struggle 100% – I have oily skin so even a matte foundation will look shiny on me by the end of the day!
Shanz says
May 26, 2019 at 9:31 pmLooks like a really great foundation. I also love those lights with the quote on it! So cute!
Shanice | @faithnturtles
The Newbury Girl says
May 27, 2019 at 8:20 pmAw thank you – I really love this lightbox! <3
Nancy says
May 27, 2019 at 3:06 pmI love it when people bring back some throwbacks. Even though we want to work on innovating for the future, we still want to be reminded of some of the good things in the past that we might’ve forgotten about. The pricing is really good – the packaging definitely looks like a throwback, hehe. Even though the weartime isn’t the best, it still does the job. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
The Newbury Girl says
May 27, 2019 at 8:21 pmI agree – it is definitely good to innovate, but some products do still stand the test of time! 🙂
misswongx says
May 27, 2019 at 8:14 pmHaha is it terrible of me of not wanting to try foundations out based on their packaging? I hate foundations that doesn’t come with a pump because I always end up pouring out more than I need!
The Newbury Girl says
May 27, 2019 at 8:23 pmNot at all!! It is so frustrating to use a foundation without a pump because of how wasteful it can be!!
Hunida says
June 3, 2019 at 6:13 pmI’ve never had a foundation bottle like this one but I did always wonder how people got the product out. It sounds difficult lol. Looking forward to seeing more posts & products from this series. 🙂
antonia_ says
June 18, 2019 at 8:55 amThis review was so helpful! Great post
The Newbury Girl says
June 18, 2019 at 5:44 pmThank you so much <3 Glad you found this helpful!
betterdayweb says
June 23, 2019 at 4:46 amI have never tried this before, but I want to try it now 😉
My favorite foundation is the Nilens Jord- Second Skin Serum Foundation! It is water based so I am not afraid of looking oily at all, and it just gives me a beautiful natural looking skin 🙂
The Newbury Girl says
June 24, 2019 at 5:33 pmOhh I’ve ever heard of Nilens Jord, so i’m going to have to look into this! I’ve been loving more natural skin lately!!
betterdayweb says
June 25, 2019 at 2:23 amThey have a really Nice concept without parabens, fragrance and so on. I would defenitely recommend it!