Most liked positive review

Gives SoftFlex vibes ♥♥♥

*** Product bought with my own money *** (I don't trust reviews on products received as gift, too often they are offered in exchange for fake high rating. I don't do this, I purchase my products, thus my reviews are truly my own, without compromises). Application method : sponge PROS : - slightly ...thicker-than-liquid texture that glides easily on skin, - stays true-to-tone once set, - dries neither too fast nor to slowly, - sets to a natural matte finish, - better shine control than the previous formula, though not as outstanding as the SoftFlex formula, - only minor creasing, - good transfer-resistance (although not astonishing), - ALMOST fragrance-free, - long-lasting. CONS : - slightly creases and settles into fine/expression lines IMMEDIATELY after application which requires immediate setting with powder on some areas like under the eyes, forehead and smile lines, - medium coverage at best, - non-calibrated shades between "oily" and "dry" formulas, - erratic pattern in the shade range and in the numbering system COMMENTS : I have very oily skin but I can wear indifferently this foundation in both Oily/Combination skin and Normal/Dry skin formulas. Honestly, calling one for oily skin and the other one for dry skin is a nonsense as the latter is not moisturizing in the least, in my opinion these are just twice the same product with only a few tweaks in the formulas to produce slighty different finishes and coverage levels. I've been using Colorstay for 16 years (I began with the SoftFlex formulas when they lauched in 2008). The SoftFlex formula was outstanding, it had iron-like lasting power and was 100% transfer-resistant. Then came the Time Release formula in 2011 (a complete formula change, especially the emulsifying ingredients)… and my 3 years love-story stopped there as the 2011 formulas (both "oily" and "dry") were absolutely horrendous on me, creasing like crazy and transferring onto everything like they never actually set. Between 2011 and 2022 there were some tweaks in the formulas but nothing major nor noticeable. This 2022 formula for oily skin is actually an improvement (for me) over the previous formula. It's better long-lasting and better transfer-resistant than the previous formula, though not quite as good as the SoftFlex formula. As usual, I wear the shade 150 Buff in the "oily" formula, as this has always been my best match. The match is so outstanding than if I miss an area I don't see anything weird, I don't see the foundation at all when I apply it on an area without redness, and on redness-prone area I've just the feeling I'm applying a redness eraser. None of Revlon's competitors has ever produced such a pale shade with olive undertone, most of the time they are too orange or too pink (when I'm lucky I find a true yellow based formula taht I can wear, but it's rare). It has a slightly thicker-than-liquid texture that glides easily on skin (even when spread with a brush). I do prefer a sponge as it meshes better with the skin. It dries neither too slowly nor too fast (and never to the point it flash-dries upon contact with the skin, like a competitor's formula do). It sets to a natural matte finish (more matte than the previous formula), which is an improvement as it is designed for oily skins with unwanted shine. During the setting time it tends to slightly crease on some areas like under the eyes (I don't use concealer, foundation is enough), on the forehead and the smile lines (mine are almost non existent but the slightest creasing emphasizes that this area is not as young as it used to be 20 years ago). So, once blended I dab a clean brush (or my finger) remove any excess product and speed-up the setting process (finger is better for this point), then immediately set with a translucent loose powder. I don't rush to powder the rest of my face as no creasing occurs anywhere else. The color ever-so-slighly darkens during the setting time (which is common, so don't rely on wet swatches to choose your match) but it's barely noticeable with this new formula. Then it stays true-to-tone during its weartime, The previous formula also used to redden while setting, this one doesn't. The shine control is good and, as strange as it sounds, is better with "dry" formula because of its powdery finish. The former Softflex formula for oily skin was much more absorbent and had a far better shine control. Although the word "fragrance" do not appear in the ingredient lists, both formulas are fragranced as they contain ethylene brassylate. While this ingredient gives a gorgeous warm, comforting distinct smell, neither flowery nor sugary (it's found in many foundations from Revlon and competitors) it does not have any other purpose than perfuming. Fortunately, the smell is much lighter than it used to be and is now barely noticeable (I have a sensitive nose, I smell it but it's much much lighter than before). Nonetheless it's something to note for the most sensitive skins/eyes amongst us. The shades are not calibrated between "oily" to "dry" formulas. As an example, Buff in "oily" formula tends to be more olive and half a shade lighter than Buff in "dry" formula. And finally a comment on the chaotic numbering system. The pattern in the shades range has always been the same : the smaller the number the lighter the shade, the bigger the number the darker the shade. But with some new shades launches that occured a few years ago, this pattern is not reliable anymore. I tried the shades 135 Vanilla and 140 Oatmeal, thinking they would be at least as pale as 150 Buff as their numbers are smaller… but nope, they are at least 2 shades darker. On the arms swatches pictures provided by Revlon, the shades are not even listed in ascending order of numbers, and the "smaller number but darker shade" occurs for many other shades than mine. Colorstay has made a huge come back in my bathroom for the better (and everyday use) ♥♥♥