Is The Rare Beauty Foundation For You? Read Our Review

Topline On The Rare Beauty True To Myself Natural Matte Longwear Foundation

•Available in 48 shades and various undertones for your perfect match

•Medium buildable coverage

•3-in-1 formula primes, covers and sets with a matte finish

•Infused with sodium hyaluronate and algae extract to calm redness and moisturise

•Whipped, airy breathable texture that melts into your skin

•Infused with soft powders for a soft-focus blur

•True Comfort Antioxidant Complex improves the look and feel of skin over time

Eleanor’s Rare Beauty True To Myself Natural Matte Longwear Foundation review

Shade reviewed: Rare Beauty True To Myself Foundation, £35.00 in 2

I would describe my skin type as normal and balanced, but it does have a tendency to feel dry, especially in winter. I find myself reaching for medium-coverage foundations for most occasions from work to going out for dinner. This is because products with a natural or luminous finish don’t tend to deliver the longevity I need to last all day.

My first impression was that the foundation was quick and easy to dispense. I like the locking button, but I worry that I might forget to lock it before putting it back in my makeup bag (on the plus side, there isn’t a lid, which I would inevitably lose!) As for the texture, I would describe it as almost a mousse; it’s thick but very airy with lots of movement. A little goes a long way – I could probably have used only half a pump on my face. I found it extremely easy to blend and performed well with both a sponge and my fingers.

I really enjoyed the airbrushed finish, which balanced hydration with a very good amount of coverage that still looked natural as it didn’t sink into pores or fine lines. I know that I will enjoy this foundation on hot summer days or holidays – it is a good 2-in-1 solution as you don’t need to bring a powder with you or touch-up throughout the day!

Isabel’s Rare Beauty True To Myself Natural Matte Longwear Foundation review

Shade reviewed: Rare Beauty True To Myself Foundation, £35.00 in 16

I’ve tried my fair share of matte foundations, as I usually reach for long-wear formulas with a decent amount of coverage. I love a full glam look and always want to ensure my makeup lasts. In fact, foundation patching off is my number one makeup pet peeve.

My usual drawbacks with matte foundations are that my skin is left feeling dry, dull and flat, it can be quite hard to maintain vibrancy and glow. I was pleased to discover that this was certainly not the case with Rare Beauty’s new foundation, and I can safely say I’ve discovered a new favourite!

As I applied, I first noticed that the foundation dried down quite quickly and set itself slightly. This was a massive relief, as my makeup looked more 'finished' from the get-go, Plus, when I’m rushing, I hate having to bake my entire face to take away the shine. It didn’t take long for me to cover my face evenly, and one layer was plenty in terms of coverage. The dimension and vibrancy that my skin had were so impressive. I couldn’t believe how healthy my skin looked; I looked like I had already applied blush and bronzer. I was shook - I’ve never had this kind of finish before. My mum also tried it after hearing me rave about it and I have to say, it didn’t settle into any lines whatsoever.

I would class this as a true, longwearing foundation. It gave an airbrushed effect, maintained a healthy glow and did a great job at keeping shine at bay. I’ll be wearing it to day-to-night events, such as weddings and Ascot races this summer. I’d also go as far as to say that I believe in the longevity so much that my usual non-negotiable setting powders and sprays aren't as essential with this foundation.

Lily’s Rare Beauty True To Myself Natural Matte Longwear Foundation review

Shade reviewed: Rare Beauty True To Myself Foundation, £35.00 in 24

Despite having combination–to-oily skin, I’m usually drawn to foundations with a dewy finish, as I love a good glow. To be honest, it's been so long since I’ve worn anything more than a skin tint that the flawless, blurring abilities of the new True To Myself Foundation shocked me in the best way.

I was conscious to make sure I prepped my base with enough hydration, but once I had a play with this foundation, I could feel how nourishing and creamy the texture was. It’s easy to distribute and blend, so I didn’t feel like I had to rush. Compared to other matte foundations that feel quite thin and dry quickly, this feels thick and fluffy so that you can keep blending for a while.

I followed up with the rest of my usual base but realised it looked great with just a light touch of concealer and blush. This foundation felt lightweight and breathable; my skin didn’t feel dry or tight, and I definitely noticed I looked less oily than I usually would in the afternoon. I’d absolutely recommend this product to a friend. It gives a full glam look, but I'm not scared that it will break me out, dry me out, or congest my pores.

Our Verdict On Rare Beauty's True To Myself Natural Matte Longwear Foundation

Whether our reviewers usually reach for matte foundations or not, Rare Beauty’s moisturising formula has an airbrush finish that blew everyone away.

THE PROS: The airy formula was easy to blend, lasted well without needing setting powder and played well with other products.

THE CONS: Although very hydrating, the thick and creamy texture may not be everybody’s preference compared to lighter formulas such as the Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation.

More from Rare Beauty

Famous for its soft-focus formulas, beautiful blushes and led by a superstar that Gen Z grew up idolising, Rare Beauty has long graduated from being dubbed as ‘Selena Gomez’ makeup brand’. In fact, alongside the vegan and cruelty-free beauty products that we can’t get enough of, the Rare Impact Initiative is working to reduce stigma around mental health, offering resources to encourage self-acceptance. If you’re new to the brand or looking to wow someone you love with a special gift, we love the Rare Eau De Parfum, bestselling Soft Pinch Liquid Blush and Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara.