I feel like Maybelline is probably my favourite drugstore makeup brand… I know they’re arguably boring and they’ve been round for way too long, but they make some great products and along with Rimmel, L’Oreal and Max Factor I feel like Boots and Superdrug wouldn’t be the same without them. And so when they launch something new I feel the need always to try it!
And recently they came out with a new line of their Superstay Foundation (an old and longstanding favourite foundation of mine); the Maybelline Superstay Active Wear Foundation.
And this is the claim on their website:
Combat the clock for up to 30-hour performance with this active long lasting foundation that feels lightweight and breathable. It’s transfer-resistant, water-resistant and sweat-resistant. When it comes to high-pigment foundation with a weightless, natural finish, this comfortable matte foundation goes above and beyond to transform the look of your skin. It features an oil-free formula that doesn’t clog pores and is dermatologist tested. For all skin types.
Read More: Review | Maybelline Super Stay Foundation
Price & Packaging (& Shade Range)
At £10.99 a bottle it’s £1 more than the original foundation in the line (at £9.99), but about on par with everything else at the drugstore. You get 30m of product, which is pretty standard, and is comes in the same bottle as their original line, but with black lettering (as opposed to white). It also comes with a pretty decent pump, which makes it a winner in my book!
There are 20 shades in the range from Alabaster to Mocha. And I have shade 3 True Ivory. And while the foundation does go dark and light, I feel like at this point… there really should be more than 20 shades available! Totally appreciate they may not be able to stock every shade in every Superdrug (as some of them are tiny), but they should at least be available on line. Especially when there are brands out there with 40+ shade ranges!
Read More: New | Maybelline SuperStay Multi Use Foundation Stick
Formula
This is a fairly thick, nearing on moussey style texture – you know when you get a pump out and it sits there looking pretty on your hand? However, I find it blends out easily and doesn’t dry too fast so you do have time to move it around. It’s definitely a medium to high coverage foundation that covers most things, and so it feels like you only need to pair it with a more brightening/light weight concealer for under your eyes. On first application it looks pretty good and I find it doesn’t appear to oxidise much on my skin.
There are a few claims on the foundation…. let’s see what matches up – while it claims to be transfer resistant, it transfers as much as any other foundations in my collection. However, while I haven’t exactly showered in it, I have been caught out in the rain in it, and it seems to hold up pretty well.
However…. what I don’t like about this foundation, and why it therefore won’t become my everyday or new favourite… is that it seems to sit on top of the skin. And while I know all foundations do… I mean like you can really see it on your skin. It’s like it’s not blending in properly or sitting weirdly with primers and it doesn’t look natural or skin like at all…. and it only gets worse as the day goes on.
Overall Thoughts
The original foundation, while super high coverage and a little bit heavy, made your skin look flawless and was that perfect foundation for events (ha who remembers those) and days you wanted your makeup to cover anything and everything! However, this one… while equally high coverage, and easy to apply…. just doesn’t look the same! And so I would say if you’re wanting a new high coverage Maybelline foundation, then go for the original one! It’s also a quid cheaper!
Have you tried this? If so, what did you think?
Katie x
Thanks for this helpful review! I hate when foundation doesn’t look flawless. That’s the whole purpose, right?
OMG yes! It sat on my skin really weirdly! x
I haven’t used this, but always have struggled with foundation so hardly use it. Thank you for sharing your opinions on it x
I find if you’re not used to foundations, CC creams are really nice! x
Thanks for this honest review. I hate when a foundations just completely sits on the skin. It’s a shame because I saw this one has a pump & was like yess! but I also prefer a foundation that blends more & feels more lightweight.
Max Factor (as a complete curveball) have some really nice foundations! Their 3 in 1 foundation is the same as the Milani one, and it’s good coverage without being too heavy x
This is an interesting review, it’s frustrating when a foundation sits on top of your skin! X
OMG 100%.. like I want to look like I’m not wearing foundation and just naturally have flawless skin… haha! x
Thank you for being so honest with this review on this foundation, it’s not nice when the foundation just sits on top of the skin rather than blending in x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
oh 100% I really didn’t get on with this one x
Great review. I love Maybelline, though I tend to now just stick to their pressed powders. I’ve thought about going back to their foundations, but I definitely want something that would blend and slightly absorb into my complexion. Thanks for this information!
No problem! I haven’t tried some of their ‘classic’ foundations in years, but I tend to prefer L’Oreal or Max Factor for their base products like foundations & concealers. x
I only started wearing foundation the other day and Maybelline superstay is what I use. love it.
http://sophieatieno.com
The original Superstay foundation is a firm fav of mine! x
I’m hopeless with make up and always enjoy reading recommendations on foundation. I used maybeline products in the past – years ago I loved their lipsticks. But I haven’t tried their foundation. I’m pleased to hear that their foundations do over great coverage. As you recommend, I’ll be trying the original product – both at a great price!
Ashley xxx
https://lellalee.com
Maybelline have some great products! I just personally didn’t get on with this one, the original foundation is a great one though! x
Great review! I prefer foundation that looks natural on skin.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
oh 100%! x
Thanks for giving such an honest review. It’s a shame when products aren’t what you hope them to be!
Oh I know! Wish you could return them like you can with clothes! haha x
Good to know the original is better. When Maybelline get’s it right, they get it *really* right. Btw… 30 hours…? Why- who? Not even my past student self would need it, all the times I was awake for 30 hours+ to finish a project there’s wasn’t even time to think about applying makeup.
Oh I just ignore those claims… because I want my foundation to look good all day… but I’m not going to wear it for more than 12 hours, and I wouldn’t do that to my skin even for a testing purpose! haha x
I also love Maybelline – their mascaras are my favourite from the drugstore. It’s a shame this foundation didn’t work as well as the original!
Molly xx
https://volumesofbeauty.com/
Yeah! Especially as they’re usually such a good brand! x
I haven’t tried this foundation and it’s true no one would really wear foundation for over 24hours. It’s shame that this foundation only has 20 shades. Maybe their next foundation will have not shades
OMG who wears foundation for more than one day of being awake (so like 14 hours)!? x
Great review, Katie! This would be good for a long day I guess like a wedding? I do love lightweight foundations for sure so I’m not sure I’d buy this! Maybelline isn’t my fav drugstore brand but I do love their mascaras! Thank you for sharing xx
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Yeah I know what you mean, Maybelline used to be one of my favourite brands, but there are now so many amazing drugstore brands out there releasing so many amazing products they’ve dropped by the wayside a bit! x
Great review!! It really painted a picture of exactly what this foundation is like. (Also, both Maybelline and L’Oreal are two of my fave drugstore brands as well!)
They just come out with so many amazing products! x
What a great review! The original superstay is my absolute fav, though. I want full coverage all day every day haha! I appreciate the honest thoughts xx
Oh I LOVE the original Superstay! It’s on my ‘to buy again’ list as I finished mine a while back! x