This was a really nice foundation. When I first started using it, it was extremely cakey, not matter how much I shook the bottle, let my moisturizer soak in, used primer, etc. After a few uses, it got MUCH better. I prefer foundations with a pump, but like most drugstore foundations, this didn't have one. I did really like the spatula, that definitely adds to the score on packaging quality. It's light weight and makes your skin look nice. I just wanted something with more coverage, but I may go back to it in the future.

* ABOUT MY SKIN *
- I have combination skin. My t-zone is an oil slick, and I have normal/dry skin everywhere else, with dark acne scars and hyperpigmentation on my chin. Any active acne tends to be very red as well, and my cheeks tend to get a bit red.
- I am Asian with yellow undertones. My colour in MAC (SFF) is NC35.


* PACKAGING & PRICE *
Rimmel Clean Finish Matte comes in a glass bottle with a plastic screw cap. The cap has a spatula attached to it to help you scoop out the product, which I think is awesome. I believe I paid around $6 (CAD) for this foundation at Wal-Mart, which makes it VERY cheap compared to other drugstore foundations. It is available in 8 shades.


* FORMULA, COLOUR & APPLICATION *
Clean Finish Matte has a thick, almost whipped consistency. I can see why they decided to include the spatula with the lid, it would probably be hard to get it out otherwise! There is a faint scent, like with most Rimmel products, but it dissipates once applied. The colour I purchased for myself was Nude, which is the same colour as the Lasting Finish 25 Hour foundation by Rimmel which I have (and love!). Nude is a perfect match for NC35, and it is quite warm/yellow on me, which is a good thing. I have tried applying this with my fingers, 3 different brushes, a regular sponge, and a Beautyblender dupe. It is quite thick and needs to be blended in quickly, so I would suggest working in sections. It feels nice and creamy on the skin, and doesn't drag even though the formula is thicker than most.


* COVERAGE & STAYING POWER *
The coverage of this foundation is very good. It is medium to full depending on how you apply it. It feels very lightweight on the skin. I originally bought this foundation because I thought this would be like Rimmel's version of Revlon Colorstay, since Revlon doesn't make a good match for me in Canada. I love my Lasting Finish but it is more satin than matte on me. I don't like how this foundation applies and I don't like how it acts on my face. I don't know if it's my techniques, or my skin, but I just can't get this to work. With every way I have applied it, I have not gotten a good finish. It is super cakey and it's a little patchy on me. I thought maybe the formula was just too dry to be used with a brush, but I used it with 2 different types of DAMP sponges and even damp brushes and it looked better at first, until it settled and dried into a patchy mess. I tried different moisturizers underneath and still no luck. I have had to take it off immediately every time I've tried it. I left it on once for about 8 hours around the house once just to see if the finish would change but it didn't. It even made the oily parts of my face patchy! On the plus side, it did stay very matte on my oily t-zone, and I did not powder.


* FINAL THOUGHTS *
I wish that this worked for me. The colour match is great, the product is dirt cheap and the packaging is actually decent. I just can't get this to apply on my face without looking cakey or patchy. It did not seem to oxidize on me or transfer excessively either. I don't think that this would be suitable for drier or even normal skins, as it is quite matte. The shade range for this line is not very wide, so those with deeper or fairer complexions may have a harder time finding a match. It's worth a shot, especially because it's super cheap, but I ended up returning this. continued >>

Not bad for a cheap purchase. It claims not to break your face out, but it seems anything I put on my face for a whole day clogs my pores. I like the feel and color of this foundation, it made my skin look much better without being too greasy.

Zero coverage. Didn't do zilch to even out skin tone. And this after having to apply 2x the amount that I use on other liquid foundation brands. Cheap? Sure. But surely that is no excuse to sell a product that does absolutely nothing!

I love the way this feels on my skin! One major issue; the lightest color isn't light enough. Ivory looks like a fail as a tanner for me. If only Rimmel had stuff for pale skin!

Never again. I would put it on then maybe 15 minutes later it'd start to pool in clumps on my face. 2nd Rimmel foundation I've tried that I've absolutely hated.

this was an ok foundation. it sets way too fast in my opinion. I had to apply the foundation in sections- first my forehead then one cheek and then another...i like a foundation i can really blend in and this foundation sets to fast to be properly blended. Does not leave skin 100 percent poreless as it claims.

Very handy packaging. I wish all foundation came with such a useful spatula! Overall, I found this product okay. Your skin WILL blotch if you don't work quickly and work in very small sections. I also have the clean finish foundation that isn't the matte one (white cap) and found that this product comes out looking best when mixed together. It doesn't look dewey and you have a clean smooth finish. A previous reviewer said to apply with a damp sponge, I tried it and it didn't work for me. I guess just try your own application methods to find what work for you. It's an okay product, I'm not 100% happy with it but for the $3 I paid, I'm not complaining. I'll keep looking for another oily skin- friendly foundation.

Bought this kind of on a whim. I don't usually wear foundation but I really liked that the product was dispensed with a spatula so I thought I'd give it a try. I have to say I LOVE it. I have oily cheeks and this TOTALLY keeps them at bay. Like other matte fndts that I've tried, it dries kind of fast so you have to work in sections. My favorite way to apply it is by mixing equal parts of it with my moisturizer and putting it on with my fingers. For $4 I'm satisfied and would totally repurchase. Also, I have acne prone skin and it hasn't broken me out.

I have tried many drugstore foundations, but this one is my favorite. It matches my skin tone perfectly, it doesn't make me look oily, its light, its matte, i love it. It does not give a lot of coverage but it does what i need which is to even out my skin tone. Under my eyes i still use a concealer but this foundation does the rest. The spatula it comes with is really unique and it helps keep the bottle clean. This is the cheapest and best foundation i have tried, i will be repurchasing this item.