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.