Hey, Dolls and Gents

Today, I am going to review the Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation. I have to say that has to be the second most anticipated launch of 2017 after the release of the Fenty Pro Filt'r Foundation by Rihanna. I did a full review of the foundation. 

So, after the launch of this foundation, I went to Sephora to see what shade would fit me the best. Usually, some Sephora doesn't have all the shades available based on demographics in that area. The thing is with the Faux Filter launch, Huda showed swatches of all the shades on models. Honestly, looking at models to see which model you were close to was kind of hard because you weren't sure of the shade and it can look completely different in a photo than real life.

Firstly...here's how  the Huda Beauty #FauxFilter shades work:

• Each has a shade name that is named after sweet treats
• A number which groups them in groups from fair(100's), light (200's), medium (300's), tan (400's) and rich (500's)
• Each group has six shades, lightest being the lowest number and darkest being the highest number in that group...rich for eg.(lighest) 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, and 550 (darkest)
• Each shade name and number is followed by a letter which denotes the shades undertones...
• Cool (B) - beige (pink based with blue tones)/ (R) - red (pink/red based with red undertones)
• Golden (G) - golden based with yellow undertones
• Neutral (N)- neutral undertones

There is also Huda Beauty ultimate Faux Filter brand shade comparison guide which HB team compares their Faux Filter shades alongside some other popular brands, such as Kat Von D, Fenty, MAC etc. While it may deem helpful to some, it is actually very confusing in helping you find your right shade. I used this guide to help me find my shade and I was matched to the last three shades based on the foundations I have used. It didn't really help me narrow it down, but I knew I had to try each shade to find my match.

So, what shades did I chose? I went for Coffee Bean 530R...it's the third darkest shade in the rich group with a red undertone. Based on HB Comparison guide is an equivalent to Fenty 460 and NARS All Day Luminous in New Orleans Dark 2. I actually thought my shade would be Chocolate Truffle, but it is too grey on my skin and I didn't get a sample of this. However, based on HB comparison guide it is equivalent to MAC NW50, which it's not. The last shade is got is Hot Fudge 550R, it's the darkest shade with red undertones. Based on HB comparison guide it is equivalent to Fenty 470, 480, and 490, and Kat Von Lock it in 81 Deep Cool. I would recommend going to your local Sephora and swatching the colours that are closest your skin and work from there. I feel like the guide that HB team provided is off in some of the shade comparisons.

Below are some comparison of Coffee Bean and Hot Fudge and shades of other foundations I have in my collection.



So, what are the claims of this Huda Beauty #Faux Filter Foundation:

Coverage:

• Medium to Full Coverage

What is it:

• A full coverage cream foundation that visibly conceals blemishes and imperfection, for a filter like finish

Finish:

• Radiant, Satin, and Matte finish

Skin Types:

• Suitable for all skin types - Normal, Dry, Oily and Combination

What it does:

• Packed with a high percentage of ultra-refined pigments, the #FauxFilter Foundation visibly smooth's and evens skin texture, diminishing the appearance of blemishes, scars, hyperpigmentation, and redness to create a flawless, airbrushed finish. Enriched with argan oil and centella asiatica—both known for their hydrating properties—this fade-proof formula blends seamlessly with skin leaving it matte, with a hint of sheen for a luminous appearance. Wear it alone for full coverage, or blend it together with the Huda Beauty Complexion Perfection Pre-Makeup Base primer (sold separately) for an even more natural finish.

The cost of this foundation for 1.18 oz (35 mL) is $52 CAD. The HB Complexion Perfection Pre-Makeup Primer is 1.01 oz (30 mL) for $45 CAD and HB Buffing Brush for $32 CAD. You can purchase this foundation at Sephora or Huda Beauty website. So, what are my thoughts after trying out a sample of the foundation? Well, let's break it down.

Packaging

Well, I don't own the foundation. But looking and holding it while in Sephora, I can tell you that it looks sleek and expensive. You would not know it is plastic while it was sitting there until you pick it up. I am not bothered by the plastic bottle, but I know that some people will be bothered. It comes with a pump, which is perfect. The bottle is designed with a black ombre design. There are 35 ml (1.18 oz) of foundation in the bottle. You get more foundation then you do in an average size bottle of 1 oz (30 mL).

Formula, Consistency, and Blendability 

The formula of this foundation is a velvety cream formula. I find that the consistency of this foundation is not too thick, but it is not super runny like the Fenty Pro Filt'r Foundation. Though the consistency between Fenty and Huda is different, Fenty is a liquid and Huda is a cream. I believe that one pump would be enough, but since I got a sample. I used what is equivalent to a pump and a half for my entire face. The foundation applies really nice on the skin and it easily blends out with a brush or beauty blender, it depends on your coverage. After applying the foundation, it did feel a little sticky on the face but it set on my face with a soft matte finish. It is was not flat, but it was not radiant either. I feel like on different skin types that foundation sets to a different finish. I have combination skin with a super oily t-zone. I did set my face with some powder I used the Maybelline Fit Me Loose Powder in Dark.

Longevity

The longevity of this foundation is pretty good. It wore nicely after 12 hours. I did wear this foundation three days straight with different bases to see if it affects the longevity. I can say that it doesn't really affect the longevity, it mostly my t-zone. When I primed my skin properly with all my products and a new trick I learned ( I will talk about it soon), to keep my oils at bay. Though the foundation wears nicely in the face, it is not transferred proof but it is fade-proof. The foundation did not fade anywhere on my face after 12 hours wear. My oils did break down the foundation on my nose after a long day of wear unlike my Fenty Pro Filt'r although my nose got super oily, it didn't break the foundation.  

Issues with #Faux Filter

I have two issues with this foundation. The first thing being the friggin' fragrance of the foundation. Oh man, I can't stand it. I thought I could handle it. Though it would make a beautiful perfume, I rather it not in my foundation. Plus, the scent lingers for a while. No matter what tool you use the brush will always smell like the fragrance. Though the fragrance leaves, it is the initial application that gets me. It also didn't irritate my skin at all, but you are not a fan of scents, you are going to hate this foundation.

My second issues are the shade selection. I was played by the shades online. But I thought the 30 shades was good for light, medium and tan. But, Huda, girl, you can improve by expanding the shade range. If I am the darkest shade (550R) that is a problem. After the Fenty launch, my expectations for shade range has been raised and I will always compare them to Fenty. It is 2017, there is no need for there to be 25 variations of light, medium, and tan. Then give dark skin girls five shade choices. If anyone watches Nyma Tang, you know she does the darkest shade series, where she tests out the darkest shade of foundation no matter the company. Well, Hot Fudge was too light for her and she is darker than me. I expect an expansion of the rich group and most option in undertones, we are not only red and golden, some of us are neutral too.

Verdict

Apart for the fragrance of the foundation when you first and expanding the shade selection I do really like the #Faux Filter foundation so far! The finish of this foundation is gorgeous and it makes your skin look flawless and applies a real-life filter to your face. After all the hard work of trying to find my shade, I have to say the Hot Fudge is the best match to my skin. Coffee Bean is too light, though I may be able to get away with, the undertone to match my body was not right and Chocolate Truffle is too grey or muddy against my red undertones in my skin. I will definitely be buying this foundation and adding it to my collection.

Are you going to try out the #Faux Filter foundation or take a pass? Let me know in the comments below and I will see you in my next post!