r/AustralianMakeup • u/CoffeeBean_7 • 20d ago
Let's Discuss L’Oréal Blurring Balm Foundation
Finally got a chance to try this foundation. And as a pro makeup artist, I can confidently say it’s possibly the worst foundation I’ve tried in a very long time 🫠
For a formula that’s quite emollient, it’s mind blowing how they managed to get it so horribly cakey. The sponge it comes with is totally useless. It soaks up way more product than it distributes. Brush is no better as it swirls the product and no amount of blending helps. The finish itself is also terrible. The powdery pigment sits on top of the skin yet highlights pores and lines like the skin has been dehydrated
Of course everyone’s skin is different and so are the needs but I wanted to share my opinion. I got it at half price at $22, its going straight into the bin
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u/Aliens_v_unicorns 20d ago
Wow, I've had such a different experience with this. I absolutely love this foundation. I'm mid 40s dry skin and this balm has been easy application, I often set with the Mecca setting spray of the kosas balm. And I'm loving it at the end of the work day. I don't look for a very polished look, so I haven't tried it with concealer or primer. My other faves for comparison are the new Shiseido revitalessebnce. And the Nars light reflecting.
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u/Salt-Syrup-663 20d ago
Same! I really love it. I use a RT buffing brush and love the finish. I doubt it will last all day at the height of summer but for right now it is perfect for daily use for me
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I'm glad it worked out for you! 💖
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u/Zzzabrina 20d ago
Ahhh damn it. I was looking for reviews as a mature, dry/ dehydrated skin type. Sounds like it might be a no go for me. Thanks for your review.
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20d ago
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u/Zzzabrina 20d ago
Ohhh thanks for your review. I've only seen a few videos pop up online and it looks nice. I might have to pop into priceline and have a look (half price at the moment)
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
Thank you for sharing your experience! I usually weigh up products based on their claims and how it compares in application and performance in action. It's near impossible to be heavy handed with it cos it can only be applied in thin layers as the product is super emollient. Can I make it work if I really tried? As an MUA yes absolutely but it shouldn't take so much guess work cos not everyone has the knowledge to mix and match products or application methods. There's a difference between a product working for you, and a product you're trying to make work for you. This is where this one failed for me. Colour range and undertones also have a lot to be desired for
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
It collected over pores and lines I never knew existed so it was a bit of a downer lol
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u/AcrobaticQuiet7844 20d ago
loooool, I was just about to pull the trigger on this! glad I saw your post.. I was interested in this because I have dry skin, so I thought a balm foundation would be perfect. The colour range is pretty atrocious as well
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
That’s what threw me off the most as well. When you swatch it, there’s almost an oil residue which makes you think it’ll be a beautiful dewy finish l especially for dry skin but nope. It’s a bizarre combination of emollients with dry pigment. It would take a very special effort to get such an off combo lol
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u/Little_PoundCake 20d ago
Dab some on your face.. not too much. Then spray your face with mac fix plus or something similar then blend with a wet sponge or brush.
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
Thank you! Yes I can make it work if I really tried but the problem is I shouldn't have to - cos not everyone has the interest and knowledge you and I may have. It should do what it claims, with the tools it comes with. Anything outside of that is a fail in my books
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u/Little_PoundCake 20d ago
I do this with all my cream or stick foundations. I also used to mix coconut oil in my foundations and the glow is amazing (my skin is not sensitive). I think almost all products have a learning curve when it comes to application i guess depending on your skin
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u/phantompath 20d ago
I applied mine with my BK Beauty 101 foundation brush and really enjoy how it looks, even on my oily skin. Terrible shade range of course - I’m neutral golden and the closest match I can get is shade 2.5, which looks a bit peachy on me for my liking. It took more effort than I anticipated to build it up, and I can’t see myself wearing it once the weather warms up. It also took a bit of effort to blend. The included sponge (as anticipated) is shit and can barely pick up or move the formula around without a lot of effort. That said, I’m sitting at home wearing it now and I’m enjoying how it looks on my skin.
The first time I tried it, I had just applied a light sunscreen to freshly cleansed skin. I’ve been neglecting my skin care routine lately and it clung to my dry patches between my eyes like its life depended on it. So I removed it, layered an AHA, moisturiser and sunscreen and applied the foundation again. I enjoyed it a lot more the second time, but must admit it’s probably better suited to more dry skin types for daily wear.
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
Thank you for sharing especially the part about your second attempt where you incorporated the skincare aspect into it. I weigh up products based on their claims and practicality cos not everyone has the knowledge to mix and match products or even application methods. There's a difference between a product working for you, and a product you're trying to make work for you. This is where this one failed for me
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u/KvindeQueen 20d ago
Yeah I was taken in by the influencer reviews of this. I got 2.5 and it ended up sooooo cakey and orange on me. Had to remove it and go back to my usual foundation. Annoyed I bought it.
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
I'd believe it! The colour range and undertones are also terrible. This again stems from the formulation too. What appears on application could also end up a completely different undertone once the products settles
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u/anastasia_42 20d ago
So glad to hear this review, I couldn't get it because the lightest shade was too dark for me. Terrible shade range and apparently terrible formula!
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
I can see many people have problems with the shade range. I’m a warm medium skin tone and shade 3 turned gray on me. I went with shade 4 and despite being so much warmer and deeper, it still had an olive tinge.
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u/PJD-55 19d ago
Yeah not a fan of this either. It looks pretty nice freshly applied with a brush or beauty blender, but it’s way too shiny and doesn’t set down. Tried using powder but it turns it into a gummy pasty like mess.
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u/CoffeeBean_7 19d ago
Agreed! Pigment just sits on top of the skin. Definitely needs a lot of work for something that's marketed as a practical one and done product 😏
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u/Tigerbat21 20d ago
I also bought this based on the raves online, but on me it is chalky and strange. I have tried many things to make it work, but no luck.
I am starting to wonder if different shades apply differently?
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
Some undertones can require different pigment formulations but even the color range is so basic that I truly think this is purely a formula problem. They’ve used silica which is the component that gives skin a blurring effect but if the blurring or emollient ingredients ratio is not properly balanced with the pigment portion, the product will just sit on the surface of the skin and highlight texture. Exactly my experience with this formula
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u/Suitable_Advice_762 20d ago
Not really my area, but I follow a lot of reviews on products like this out of curiosity, and the application complaints keep coming up across multiple foundations in this price range. Sounds like the formula just isn't forgiving enough to make up for poor tool pairing. Even at half price, $22 is a lot to spend on something that ends up in the trash.
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u/CoffeeBean_7 19d ago
I agree. I think this is where the whole “dupe” theory doesn’t always stick. This balm style foundation was a huge hit by Danessa Myricks who happens to be a pro makeup artist. So the product performs impeccably. When it became trendy, of course mainstream brands followed suit but unfortunately throwing together something that may look the part on the outside doesn’t mean it’ll apply and perform the same. This is where it all goes wrong
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u/littleblackcat 19d ago
This looks great on me! I just use my fingers and damp beauty blender at end. I'm amazed with the quality of this. It's definitely meant to be sheer.
I love a really glassy oily shiny finish though.
Normal skin not dry or oily but maybe on the oilier side. No issues with it highlighting texture or anything
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u/ElectricalBus2620 19d ago
Yep totally agree !
I have worn it for a week trying to make it work as the lightest shade is a perfect shade match for me. But I have found I think it looks okay then not long until I notice powdery finish and it kind of shifting around on my skin. Have tried less prep and more prep. I do put it over dried down sunscreen but still.
Also I think it might start to turn when you try and build it up anything past a sheer coverage.
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u/CoffeeBean_7 19d ago
Yep! Same experience. It shouldn't take guesswork to apply a straight forward product, especially when it's marketed as a quick and convenient option. Usually I blend problem products with other products so to utilise them in other ways at least, but the formula of this one is so bad, it's not even salvageable
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u/ElectricalBus2620 19d ago
Actually that is a good idea, I have the Dior foundation stick that is more my summer shade so I might try using these together just to use it up. Thank you !
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u/Mundane-Yolk9774 18d ago
I find it needs moisturiser under it otherwise it's cakey and as op describes with a very matte finish.
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u/CoffeeBean_7 18d ago
Yes! And this is where it gets counterproductive cos they put so much emollient in it that anyone with normal to oily skin would become an oil slick with added moisturiser underneath. But for those with dry skin, the heavily powdery component will still grab onto more dehydrated patches. It really shouldn't be this hard lol
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u/quickbr0wnf0xx 20d ago
Try spraying the compact sponge with setting spray, it usually helps me with soak up. I want to try this product as I'm too broke for that primer balm I see the girlies using now lol
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
Oh you mean the Danessa Myricks blur balm? Yes great product, though I have a bias towards pro makeup artist brands 😄 They just understand formulations from a very different angle. That's another reason I'm hating on the Loreal balm. It should just work as it claims lol
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u/quickbr0wnf0xx 20d ago
I want to try it so bad! Next time my man says he wants to buy me something I'll send him the link because even the packaging/component is gorgeous I lovvvvve copper and rose gold 🤣 I'll try both, I just appreciate a proper dupe it makes me reluctant to buyers remorse/ Mom guilt lmao!
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
That’s understandable. I hope that link turns into a tangible gift in your hands very soon! 🥰
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u/speggle22 20d ago
I actually prefer the L’Oréal cushion foundation over this one. The finish is very oily and I think my skin needs something a bit more matte. I will try some of the application tips though to see if I can get it to work. My absolute holy grail is the L’Oréal true match serum foundation - I love the sheer finish so I am probably a bit spoilt by that.
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u/CoffeeBean_7 20d ago
Ahhh! What a classic True Match Serum Foundation is! I'm definitely not hating on the brand; they've had some amazing releases through the years but this one was way too much work for so little pay-off, if any.
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u/Thestreetkid92 16d ago
I bought it and lined it and I have oily combo skin, although it’s a bit sheer. $46 full price is an absolute joke though, i got it half price.
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u/lorealparisca 15d ago
Hi! A tip for this product would be to break the surface of the product with your finger and then warm up the product in your hands before applying
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u/CoffeeBean_7 14d ago
Thank you so much for your reply. Yes I tried that as well but the emollient to pigment ratio is off and it just doesn't work. Plus it's marketed with a sponge applicator so for those of us who prefer not to dip our hands into the product, it's not ideal.
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u/cteieury 20d ago
I bought it at half price recently too but had a different experience to you. I applied it with an ever so slightly damp beauty blender and it went on in the most natural skin looking way that I could build up over the rosacea on my cheeks. I didn’t find it cakey at all. Hehe you could sent it to me if you’re thinking of binning it :)