Review of L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Compact Makeup by Aque
This the new creme compact foundation L'oreal is offering in its True Match line. Like the True Match liquid foundation, this comes in 20 odd different shades, catagorized by warm, cool or neutral, so hopefully there's a shade that works for you.
I travel a lot for work, short one or two day trips where I fly with just a carryon & carrying my usual liquid foundation on a plane is just a bad idea, so I've been on a hunt to find something that I can easily carry through security, works for my skin tone & doesn't cost a fortune given its going to probably be something I only use intermittently, rather than replace my usual Px custom blend. I like the True Match pressed powder (again because its easy to carry in a briefcase) & W3 is a pretty decent match for me, so I though W3 in the compact creme makeup would be a good bet. However, looking at the colors in this product, it seems that the warm colors at least run dark compared to the matching pressed powders, so look carefully when you select. I ended up picking the W2 makeup based on how it looked next to the W3 powder (the W3 makeup was far darker & didn't look like a good match) & it works pretty well for me, though in the summer with a tan I may need the W3 instead.
Based on wearing this for two days on my current work trip, I quite like this. The compact (a new, more modern clear plastic design than the grey plastic ones for Truematch powder & blush) is convenient, with a small mirror & one of the white round True Match sponges for application. The actual product is oil-free & spf 17. It applies fairly sheerly & blends well with a dry sponge to give pretty light, natural looking coverage that evens out my skin tone well. You do need to carefully & quickly blend this or it looks blotchy, but it dries to a very natural finish when you are done. I haven't tried applying with a brush, but I assume you can get somewhat better coverage if you use one. The makeup for me (I've sensitive, but pretty normal skin) didn't result in any oilies by the end of the day (& today was a long, long day) and I didn't need to touch up with the makeup during the day (just a little powder a couple of times).
I'll update further as I use this more, but so far it looks like a nice option for the specific need I have when traveling given the color match. I've always been a bit wary of compact foundations because the last one I used (years ago, by Clinique) broke me out badly, so I see how it does. Two warnings - look carefully at the colors, if you've got a current True Match color it may not be the same in this product & if you need heavy coverage this probably won't provide it. Retail on the product (for just under 9 grams) runs about $11 depending on where you get it - widely available on BOGO right now (I got it at my CVS as a BOGO plus a $3 coupon off).