A lot people, perhaps, you including, have their holy-grail, absolutely-cannot-live-without-it makeup products. This right here, is mine; THE best foundation for oily skin: Makeup Forever Mat Velvet+.
I’m sure you guys already how much I love this foundation, because I do mention in every time I get a chance, but I don’t believe I’ve ever done a full review on it before. Even though my skin is dry right now (I know that I’m probably repeating myself, but I really want to get my point across-my skin didn’t suddenly change, I’m usually extremely oily, but right now I’m using a prescription cream that’s turning my skin into a dry mess) I still love using Makeup Forever’s Mat Velvet+, I just mix it with a bit of a moisturizer (love mixing it with MAC Strobe Cream), but please be warned- if you have any dry patches on your skin, you will NOT get along with this baby, this works the best with oily skin.
Now, I know that there are quite a lot great foundations out there that are awesome for oily skin, like Revlon’s Colorstay, Estee Lauder’s Double Wear, or Kat Von D’s Lock It Tattoo foundation. All of these have one thing in common though; they’re heavy, very fast-drying and need to be buffed in quite quickly. I’ve always wanted to try one of those light, feathery foundations that leave a subtle glow on your skin and make you look like Victoria’s Secret model, but the truth is, it’s hard to get that look when your skin is problematic. All “dewy” foundations would leave me looking like I submerged my face in a bucket of oil after a minute or two, and all “matte” ones always leave my skin looking flat and a bit “cakey” after a few hours. Not Mat Velvet+.
What’s really unusual about this foundation is that its’ extremely light-feeling, yet it provides a very buildable coverage. When wearing this on my skin, I can actually feel it breath, it looks natural and I don’t have to worry about my makeup melting off at the same time. This foundation is shine controlling, water-resistant and oil-free. It’s pretty much the only foundation that I dare to put on my skin during warm summer days. Another thing that I love about this foundation? It’s the only foundation that matches my skin tone perfectly (I’m number 30 “Porcelain”, in the summer I also use 35 “Vanilla”), it’s very hard for me to find a foundation that matches my fair skin tone without having awkward pink undertones and Matte Velvet+ takes the cake. I find that this foundation works the best with a wet beauty blender. Packaging is also a huge plus, even though it doesn’t have a pump, getting the foundation out is easy, even when you’re running low.
Have you guys tried this foundation? What’s your favorite base for oily skin?
30 Comments
Andrea Nine
April 22, 2015 at 8:38 amThis looks like a winner and I will have to try. Stumbled upon your blog. Very nice and sweet!!
livingoncloudandreanine.blogspot.com
Paula
April 22, 2015 at 8:26 pmThanks Andrea!
Biana @Blovedboston
April 22, 2015 at 8:40 amI haven’t tried this particular foundation, but I have tried others by the brand and love it!! Thanks for sharing your review! xo, Biana – BlovedBoston
Paula
April 22, 2015 at 8:27 pmI love their HD foundation as well, their powders are pretty awesome too :)
Rowena @ rolala loves
April 22, 2015 at 10:14 amThe properties of this foundation sound fantastic. The fact that it feels extremely light while providing buildable coverage would make it worth trying. Thanks for your review!
Paula
April 22, 2015 at 8:27 pmThanks Rowena ;)
Shannon
April 22, 2015 at 10:35 amOkay I think you have convinced me that I need to try this foundation! I have super oily skin too so that sounds perfect!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Paula
April 23, 2015 at 6:53 pm:)
Brenda BusyBee
April 22, 2015 at 11:15 amThis sounds amazing! I love foundation that have a matte finish and good coverage so this sounds like one I would definitely like. I have been using (and loooooving) the Clarins Everlasting Foundation+ which sounds similar to this. Have you tried it? :) x
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Paula
April 23, 2015 at 7:24 amHaven’t tried that one, but I did read a few reviews and I’m intrigued! I’m definitely trying it when my skin adjusts to the tretinoin cream and isn’t as dry. xx
Josie
April 22, 2015 at 4:34 pmIt’s so great when you find your perfect foundation! I’ve got very dry skin though so this probably wouldn’t be good for me…shame, because it sounds awesome! x
Josie’s Journal
Paula
April 23, 2015 at 7:21 amYes it is, especially when you have skin like mine hehe :)
Seven Mins
April 22, 2015 at 4:58 pmI’ve been looking for a matte, but lightweight foundation like this for ages, thanks for the great review!
http://www.sevenminsblog.com
Paula
April 23, 2015 at 7:21 amThanks for reading Vanessa!
Gemma (@MsMakeupMagpie)
April 22, 2015 at 8:19 pmIf I didn’t have dry skin, I’d be all over this as it sounds amazing! I can’t wait for MUFE to launch over here so I can try more of their products xx
Gemma | Miss Makeup Magpie
Paula
April 23, 2015 at 7:20 amAh yes, this definitely doesn’t work well with dry skin types. You should definitely try their HD foundation once it’s available in the UK, it’s pretty amazing. Thanks so much for your comment Gemma!
Ashley
April 23, 2015 at 8:02 amHmmm, I need to give Mat Velvet+ a shot! Would be especially good in the summer when the humidity in KC is crazy and my face seems to oil up so quickly.
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Paula
April 23, 2015 at 6:54 pmI love using this in the summer!
Brooke
April 23, 2015 at 12:48 pmI need to give this a shot ASAP, I love anything Make Up Forever so I was already sold before even reading :)
xoxo
http://brookiewords.blogspot.com/
Paula
April 23, 2015 at 6:49 pm:)
Jasmine
April 23, 2015 at 3:48 pmI’ve heard so much about MUFE, especially their foundations! I will definitely be picking this one up when Debenhams start stocking their stuff :) xx
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Paula
April 23, 2015 at 6:48 pmOhhh how exciting! :D
Fashstyleliv
April 23, 2015 at 6:40 pmI am absolutely in love with my MUFE HD foundation although it tends to tip into the dewy side of things sometimes. This lovely Mat+ definitely sounds right down my alley and I can’t wait for May 19th when MUFE will be officially launched in Debenhams!! I can feel my bank balance screaming already!!!…xx
Paula
April 23, 2015 at 6:56 pmI love the HD one too, but it does get quite oily on me! OOhh that’s so exciting, I bet you can’t wait! I know how hard it is for you guys to get a hold of some products, so happy that MUFE will finally be available! :)
Jill
April 26, 2015 at 11:10 pmThe only foundation I have found that stays on my skin all day and has a pretty good color match for me is Estee Lauder Double Wear. How does this one compare to the Double Wear’s staying power? I have extremely oily skin so the ELDW does not usually look cakey on me, unless I’m having a really bad flaky skin day.
Paula
April 29, 2015 at 3:05 pmSorry Jill, I just noticed your comment today! This feels much lighter than DW, but I’d say that DW is a bit more long lasting than this.
Eli Dumas
May 5, 2015 at 12:31 pmI’m still on the hunt for the perfect foundation for very oily skin. I had high expectations for the Mat Velvet + but it didn’t work out for me. I haven’t tried the ELDW although I’ve been using and loving their skincare range for the longest time. Thanks for sharing :)
Paula
May 5, 2015 at 12:50 pmAww sorry this didn’t work for you! If you have very oily skin, you definitely need to dry the DW.
lauren miller
October 7, 2019 at 4:25 pmHi! I stumbled upon your article, and I too used Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet #30 – and now that it is discontinued, I was curious if you found a foundation that was close to this? I am on the hunt!
Paula
October 8, 2019 at 3:56 amUnfortunately, no! I wasn’t able to find anything similar. It sucks when such a good product is discontinued. :( I quite like Dior’s Backstage- I mentioned it on the blog a few times. I’m not as oily as I was though, I’m more on the combo/dry side, so not sure how it would work with very oily skin. Estee Lauder’s Double Wear is what I go for when my skin feels more on the oily side, although it’s not as thin and easy to work with as this MUFE was.