NYX Stay Matte but Not Flat Foundation

Since we've gotten into the warmer weather I knew it was going to be about that time that I needed to try out a matte foundation. I remembered hearing about the NYX Stay Matte but Not Flat liquid foundation and I've always been pretty impressed with NYX as a whole so I decided to give it a go.

This product is about $7.49 and you actually get 1.18 fl.oz., which is more than your typical 1.0 oz. foundation. 

One thing I love about NYX is their color range. For most of their products they have a lot of color options available and the undertones are just right, at least they always are for me. My skin is neutral toned and foundations that I buy are almost always too pink toned or too yellow and they just don't look right. This color, which by the way is SMF01 Ivory, is a PERFECT match for my skin in color and undertone. I don't think I've ever had a foundation with as perfect of a match so I am extremely pleased with that.

As far as staying matte and not flat, when you first put it on, your face will look flat. As with most NYX products, this one is pretty pigmented and it's a medium coverage, I'd say. I find that the best way to apply this foundation is actually with a foundation brush. I thought that a wet beauty blender would be the way to go with a product like this so that my face wouldn't look too flat from the start, but it actually breaks down the foundation and it doesn't go on evenly. To apply it, I get a small amount on my brush and blend it across my face with the brush the best I can and then I go around my face on the areas where I see brush strokes and smooth it out with my dry beauty blender. 

The foundation brush helps me to only put on a thin layer and even though some of my blemishes/old acne marks show through slightly, I just use a concealer to cover them to my liking. Because this foundation has a matte finish, it's prone to looking cakey so the foundation brush/light layer routine help combat that. 

I've noticed that it does have good staying power. I was in very hot weather for an extended period of time last week and my face got SUPER shiny, but for your regular days of work or what have you, it does hold up well. You may have to blot once (if you don't powder), but other than that it should last you the entire day.

I have had a few dry areas on my skin because of more breakouts than normal and this foundation definitely does accentuate that, but overall, I think I would repurchase this. It's a perfect match for my skin and has a nice finish once you find the way you like to apply it.

How do you guys feel about matte foundations?

I hope you all enjoy your 4th of July weekend!