Foundation Review: L’Oreal MagicSmooth Soufflé

I wasn’t in the market for a new foundation since I am in love with my current one. When I walked into Walgreens and saw L’Oreal MagicSmooth Soufflé foundation reduced from $15.99 to $7.99 though, I had to pick it up. I didn’t even think to ask why it was reduced so much, have they stopped making it? (It is still for sale on the L’Oreal website as well as in my local drugstores, so I’m assuming not?)

This isn’t a new foundation, by any means, I’m pretty sure that it has been on the market for a while. I actually remember seeing commercials for it, thinking “Why would you call a foundation ‘soufflé’..who would ever want to put that on their face?”, I can eat my words now. I’m actually not a fan of the whipped foundations, Maybelline Dream Mousse, anyone? I used that a total of twice before I had to stop, I was that unimpressed with it.

I purchased the foundation in 510 Light Ivory, I’m a MAC NC15, the Classic Ivory seemed a little too muddy for me. I have read a few reviews that claim the shades are somewhat off compared to other brands, which explains why the Classic Ivory seemed too dark for me. After trying the MagicSmooth Soufflé out for an entire week, I’m here to dish on the pros and cons of this foundation. Hang in there with me, this won’t take very long..

If you saw my post from last week, which included a Face of the Day, you’ve already seen my full face using this foundation, if not I will post it for you now:

The Pros:

• The Price- $7.99 down from $15.99.. that’s pretty damn good, if you ask me.
• Velvet-like Texture makes this foundation feel fluffy and lightweight.
• Matte Finish is always a plus with any foundation..I don’t want to look oily as the day goes on
• Buildable Coverage allows you to cover up any problem areas and get your desired coverage.
• Doesn’t set into creases and fine lines

The Cons:

• It does this little number when you attempt to rub it into your skin with your fingertips-

(Clumping into little disgusting foundation balls that just start flaking off)

• The smell isn’t the most pleasant thing in the world, although it’s tolerable.
• Unless you’re applying this foundation with either a beauty blender, a brush, or some kind of sponge, you’re going to get the clumps pictured above. If you don’t, I’d love to know how, because I played around with application for an entire week. The easiest way for me to apply was with my Sonia Kashuk blender sponge.
• While this is marketed as a “lightweight foundation”, my skin felt suffocated! I looked forward to washing it off everyday. It felt very cakey on my skin.
• It’s not extremely blendable, which again brings me back to those gross clumps.
• The Formula…Although it feels very velvet-like on your fingertips or swatching, it wasn’t nearly as comfortable during application, at least for me.
• The biggest con of all? My skin is destroyed:

Remember how I said it felt extremely cakey and that my face felt suffocated? Yeah..my skin decided to tell me how it really felt! Both of those pictures are straight out of the camera, in my bathroom, which has the best lighting since it’s late. My skin has never been extremely acne prone, I get the occasional girly time breakout as well as small stress ones, never like this. Trust me, my face feels as sad as I look in these pictures. I wouldn’t recommend this foundation to anyone with sensitive skin. Actually, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. I will say that, of course, everyone’s skin is different and there are some people out there who enjoy this foundation.

My final consensus? I will never purchase this foundation again, and the pot that I did purchase is now in the trashcan.