Hannah Baxter is the Beauty Director at Marie Claire, with previous experience at The Zoe Report, Coveteur, and Bust Magazine, covering beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle. She also authors the Marie Claire newsletter, Face Forward.

Seasonal Makeup Shifts & The New Rare Beauty Foundation

As temperatures rise, a shift in makeup routines is often necessary to combat excess shine. With warmer spring weather predicted, Marie Claire editors decided to test the new Rare Beauty True to Myself Natural Matte Longwear Foundation. This launch follows the success of the brand’s Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation.

Selena Gomez's Vision for the Foundation

“I love the way my skin looks on set, so I wanted to create a foundation that gives me that same blurred, velvety look but is easy and comfortable enough for every day,” stated the brand founder, Selena Gomez, according to brand literature. The team at Marie Claire was eager to see if the new formulation could deliver a flawless finish.

First Impressions & Formula Details

The Rare Beauty True to Myself Natural Matte Longwear Foundation is described as a “self-priming and self-setting foundation with breathable medium to full coverage and a natural matte finish.” This contrasts with the Liquid Touch foundation, which focuses on evening skin tone and smoothing pores. The new formula offers more robust coverage.

Shade Range & Key Ingredients

The foundation is available in 48 shades, encompassing a wide range of peach, neutral, and golden undertones. The formula features True Comfort ComplexTM, a blend of sodium hyaluronate, ginger root, and algae extract, designed to support the skin barrier and promote an eight-hour fresh look, particularly for normal, oily, or combination skin types.

Editor Reviews: Performance & Wear

Initial swatching of shades 2, 4, 5, and 6 revealed shade 4 as the best match for one editor. Despite a general preference for lighter coverage, the editor found the foundation didn’t crack or flake, even on areas with irritation. However, the coverage felt slightly intense, requiring a minimal amount of product.

Another editor noted the foundation provided even coverage without appearing heavy, even after extended wear. She suggested it would be ideal for occasions requiring long-lasting wear without shine.

Mixed Reactions to the Matte Finish

One editor, typically avoiding matte foundations, was surprised by the longevity and comfortable feel. She paired it with a hydrating mist to counteract the matte effect. Another editor praised the blendability and soft satin-matte finish, noting it didn’t flatten the skin’s natural dimension and layered well with other products.

A final editor found the texture thick and offering full coverage, recommending it for those who appreciate a matte finish. She also noted the importance of finding the right shade match.

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