Fenty Beauty's Newly-Launched Foundation Is Way Better Than the Original
Our honest review of the brand’s Pro Filt’r Fluid Flex Foundation.
Another day, another new foundation. But, unlike a lot of the fresh new additions we’re seeing, Fenty Beauty is harping on the cult following of its discontinued Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation with the launch of the Pro Filt’r Fluid Flex Natural Matte Foundation. While the announcement shocked a lot of beauty fans who swear by the foundation, I was intrigued to know if the launch symbolized a brand new era for Fenty Beauty.
The original Pro Filt’r Foundation, which launched in 2017, undoubtedly influenced the complexion category as a whole — as it served as one of the first foundations to release with 40 shades created with all skin tones in mind. Even though I once religiously used the foundation in high school, I can’t say I’m particularly attached to it, because I’ve dabbled with a lot of new and exciting formulas since then. I am pretty picky when it comes to the foundations in my rotation, and yet, I somehow stumbled upon my new favorite.
What To Know About Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Fluid Flex Foundation
Best for: Lightweight wear, natural finish
Price: $48 USD on Sephora
Rating: 9/10
Why The Hype?
It’s no surprise that the Pro Filt’r Fluid Flex Foundation has a lot to live up to. While Fenty Beauty’s first foundation featured a true matte finish, the new launch boasts a softer “natural matte” finish that’s said to give you that your-skin-but-better look while still controlling shine. Furthermore, the new Fluid Flex Foundation is also lighter and delivers buildable medium coverage, rather than medium-to-full coverage like the original. Most notably, the new foundation claims to move, bend and stretch with your face so it feels undetectable on the skin all day.
How To Use
As for application, Fenty Beauty recommends using one pump for medium coverage and incorporating additional pumps for higher coverage. I started by prepping with moisturizer before shaking the bottle just like the packaging says. I decided to apply one pump to the back of my hand, since I typically prefer a more natural finish. Next, I dotted the formula all over my face and blended it out with a liquid foundation brush, starting from the inside of my face and moving outwards. Lastly, I layered the rest of my products on top as usual and finished off with a setting spray to lock it all in place.
An Honest Review
As someone with normal-to-dry skin, I have come to terms with the fact that matte foundation isn’t for me. Because of this, I was a bit nervous to give the Pro Filt’r Fluid Flex Foundation a try, because of how mattifying the original is. With that being said, I was pleasantly surprised. Rather than leaving my skin feeling dehydrated and flaky, the natural matte finish evened out my skin tone while leaving behind a subtle, natural glow. For me, it’s the perfect combination of matte and dewy, it won’t make you look shiny, but it also won’t accentuate dry skin.
My biggest gripe with most foundations is how they look and feel heavy on my skin. But, the Pro Filt’r Fluid Flex Foundation is super lightweight, almost like a skin tint, both in terms of blendability and how it feels on the skin. Plus, in true Fenty Beauty fashion, the extensive shade range offered endless options for all skin tones and undertones. I usually struggle finding a shade that doesn’t pull yellow or orange on my neutral skin, but I actually got it right on the very first try.
The Final Verdict
If you swear by Fenty Beauty’s discontinued Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation because of its high coverage and true matte finish, you might not resonate with the new Pro Filt’r Fluid Flex Natural Matte Foundation. While it brings an equally large shade range and equally impressive long-wearing qualities, I wouldn’t consider the two similar at all. On the other hand, if you want customizable coverage, matte skin that still looks natural and a formula that goes on like skincare, it’s a must.
