Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation Review
I Rode 14 Miles in Spin Class and This New Bobbi Brown Foundation Was Like "Now What?"
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Let me just start by saying I don't typically wear makeup to the gym. If I'm heading to class after work and happen to be already wearing makeup, I won't take it off, but when setting an alarm for a 7 a.m. Pilates class, I'm not taking extra time to do anything more than brush my teeth and splash water on my face. However, when I learned about this new sweat-resistant Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation SPF 20 ($40), I was instantly curious. I'm all for a makeup routine with the fewest possible steps, and the idea of a foundation that self-sets into a matte finish without the need for a separate actual powder intrigued me.
See, I also have very dry skin (especially in Winter), so it's not just my laziness streamlined routine that makes powder an unlikely step in my process; applying it usually leaves my skin visibly powdery and even somewhat patchy in drier spots.
Could a liquid-to-powder formula actually work on my dry skin after all? And, could this foundation outlast a high-sweat workout like Spinning? Well, I decided to make an exception and set my alarm a bit earlier than my 9:30 a.m. Saturday spin class so I could see for myself. Check out how my experiment went ahead.
Before Spin Class: 9:05 a.m.
When I first opened the tube, I was surprised how lightweight the liquid was. As someone who's used to more of a creamy tinted moisturiser, this was much more viscous. The texture felt extremely soft between my fingers when I rubbed them together but I soon realised it was because it quickly — and I mean quickly — sets, so the softness I was feeling was the powder finish.
To make this a fair test, I didn't apply anything under the foundation that could contribute to it melting off my face during my workout, or lasting longer than it would on its own.
As I gathered from the quick test on my fingers, it's important to work quickly when blending this foundation in to make sure you spread on an even layer before it dries. I simply washed my face and then applied this foundation all over with my fingers, one section at a time. I then added a bit of liquid eyeliner and lip gloss and headed out the door to Spin class. It was next-level windy outside, so I am very determined not to let my eyes start tearing up here (with a special assist from my hood).
Immediately After Spin Class: 10:20 a.m.
While I was in class, I could feel beads of sweat forming, but I didn't touch or wipe my face at all for the full 45 minutes. I grabbed my coat from the coat check and headed immediately outside to snap a pic of the results.
This foundation lasted the entire class! Sure, I could see sweat droplets (mostly on my forehead), but it was a totally different look than the all-over sheen I'd get after a spin class normally with zero makeup on. It was as if the beads of sweat weren't able to make it through the shield of foundation and instead sat on top of my face.
As you can see, there's no streaking or blotchy colour in this closeup look at the sweat on my forehead. (You're welcome.)
I stopped by a store and, by the time I got home, my face was complete dry with no spots or streaks in the foundation (just some settling under the eyes probably due to the lack of primer), and it didn't even look like I had worked out at all. I took a bath but didn't wash my face because this foundation had already passed the first test and I wanted to see how well it would last throughout my day.
Later That Evening: 5:40 p.m.
When I popped out to meet a friend for drinks in the early evening, the makeup still looked like I had just put it on earlier in the day. While I did bathe and change before then, I didn't touch up my makeup at all; this is nine hours after I applied the foundation the first time.
Later That Evening: 5:40 p.m.
Overall, this product impressed me with its staying power, and I can see it working for someone with oily or combination skin year-round. For my dry skin, I'd probably stick to warmer months, or would definitely prep skin with extra moisturiser and a primer (especially under my eyes) next time.
I already prefer applying foundation with my fingers so I can't speak to how it would soak into a beauty blender or brush for anyone who prefers those tools, but I can say that it does set to powder quickly so it's important to move fast. I especially loved that it didn't melt or rub off as much as my tinted moisturisers would during a workout (or by the end of the day), and that my face looked less "wet" when I left the gym.
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation SPF 20
I can't wait to see how this foundation looks when humidity arrives and my skin's a touch darker. I'm wearing "Honey," which closely matches my face now but is a bit darker than my neck currently is. (Note: Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation SPF 20 ($40) comes in 28 shades; I almost always have difficulty finding an undertone match because I'm more olive than yellow and usually yellow is too yellowy and neutral not yellow enough, so it's not that there were too few colour choices available.)
Plus, I now know exactly what product to grab if I want to have perfectly set foundation while I'm also sweating profusely, which could happen just walking around New York City in the Summer, no spin class required.
