How to Get Better Results with Revlon PhotoReady Foundation

Revlon PhotoReady foundation reminds me of MAC Studio Fix and Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover foundations. I have used both high-end matte finish foundations, but they are expensive. I was surprised to see Revlon come out with a rival foundation at such an affordable price ($14 for a 30 ml bottle). I was even more surprised to see negative reviews for Revlon PhotoReady foundation. I find the foundation to be one of the best makeup products on the market.

Many users had similar complaints with skin dryness and a bland (ghostly) appearance when Revlon PhotoReady was applied. All matte finish, photo-ready foundations will have the same appearance. You can get better results with Revlon PhotoReady by making small changes. Here are tips on how I use Revlon PhotoReady for a perfect airbrush and right in every light foundation.

Dryness

Dryness from using Revlon PhotoReady appears from the foundation as well as dry skin itself. If you are prone to having dry skin, then you will have it with most foundations and especially with high-definition matte finishes. Cleanse and scrub your skin to remove dead skin cells. This greatly reduces appearance of dry skin after any foundation is applied. It also gives your skin an overall healthier appearance.

Moisturize well before applying Revlon PhotoReady. I use an oily and heavy moisturizers such as Nivea creams. The thickness of Nivea adds a moisture barrier to my skin, helping to stop Revlon PhotoReady from creating dry skin spots.

Using a foundation primer is a good idea for high-definition matte foundation. Smashbox makes great foundation primers that help create that airbrushed, photo-ready skin appearance. Revlon makes a foundation primer that is inexpensive and works almost as well as Smashbox. Revlon's foundation primer costs a lot less than Smashbox.

Coverage

Revlon PhotoReady is advertised as high-definition foundation with an airbrushed finish. The matte dewy appearance from high-definition foundations can be altered to specific coverage you wish to have.

Control the amount of coverage by applying Revlon PhotoReady foundation in layers. Apply with fingertips for a full-coverage airbrushed look. Apply layers with a foundation sponge for a softer and translucent coverage.

Dispense a pea size amount of foundation at a time. The pump dispenser is in particular handy when it comes to coverage control.

Pump Dispenser

I was particularly impressed with Revlon PhotoReady pump dispenser. The pump has a fine tip at the end, which helps control the amount of foundation dispensed. It is not like other store brand foundation dispensers, as the pump is easier to control.

Better dispense control helps to determine the amount of coverage a woman requires for the day. Or if a woman is in the mood for a softer look instead of full-coverage matte foundation appearance.

Ghostly Appearance

You will have a ghostly appearance being that Revlon PhotoReady is a matte finish foundation. All airbrushed high-definition foundations will appear flat and ghost-like when applied. Applying less matte foundation with a sponge will also help.

Remember, a foundation is just a stepping stone to the way your makeup will appear. Makeup foundation evens out skin tone and covers up imperfections. Combat this Revlon PhotoReady issue by applying a bronzer or a skin highlighter. Apply a pink or peach blush if you do not like to use face bronzers.

A good choice is a highlighter multi-color palette such as Fresh Picked Allover Colour by Clinique.

Sheen and Sparkles

Revlon PhotoReady has light reflecting micro-sparkles, which some reviewers have called glitter. Darker shades, when I applied them to my hands, had more sparkle than lighter. My particular shade reflects light outdoors but never in indoor light. Some do not like the amount of sparkle or claim that PhotoReady does not have enough of the sparkly sheen.

Remove sparkle by touching you face with blotting sheets. Do not rub blotting sheets over your foundation. Apply a sheet to skin and rub your fingertips over it. Many makeup brands carry oil-blotting or excess foundation blotting sheets. You can find these products in the supermarket and are inexpensive.

Add sparkle by using blush, face highlighters or illuminating finishing products. Stila makes a great illuminating finishing powder and liquid illuminizer. I use Stila's All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer for special occasions and nighttime events.

Revlon PhotoReady is a great foundation that rivals some of the high end products. It creates an airbrushed dewy skin and its results can be easily adjusted to your liking. Revlon PhotoReady costs $14, while high-end foundations with similar results cost as much as $40 a bottle.

Resources:

Product Review: Revlon Photoready Foundation

Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer

Makeupalley Reviews of Revlon PhotoReady

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation Makeup Review