In the world of "holy grail" foundations, few names carry as much weight as the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation. Naturally, when I was hunting for a new base, I was looking forward to finally putting this icon, this legend, this must-have to the test! The promise of a natural-looking finish was particularly appealing, especially since I’m currently in my "I don't wear any makeup, I woke up like this" phase. However, as any seasoned blogger knows, a cult following doesn't always translate to a universal fit.
After putting this mid-luxury staple to the test on my skin, I found that the reality fell short of the marketing. Between the texture issues and the application struggles, the final result was disappointing enough to make me regret the purchase, but I’ll discuss all the details in today’s review.
24-hour wear and natural-looking coverage so undetectable, they’ll think you were BORN THIS WAY.
About Product Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
The legendary, original foundation (oh yes, it was very trendy back in 2015) was designed to give the coveted "my skin but better" look without looking like you are actually wearing any foundation. The new, improved formula was introduced in the 2024 relaunch.
"Undetectable," many claimed it to be – and the inclusion of a skin-loving trio of Alpine Rose for radiance, Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, and Coconut Water to replenish moisture may lead us to believe it. There are also 30 shades with various undertones to choose from, what a delight!
My little bottle of foundation proudly states: natural finish, buildable coverage, and a lightweight formula. Let's put it to the test and see if the product's claims are true.
- Where to buy?
You can buy it via Sephora, Cult Beauty, or the official Too Faced website. For a price of $48, you'll get a classic 30 ml./ 1 oz. of the product.
Packaging:
The foundation comes in a very pretty glass bottle with a blurred effect and an embossed golden Too Faced logo on the cap. It also features a convenient pump dispenser that dispenses the exact amount of product you need. If you need just a tiny dot of foundation – gently press the pump halfway in; for a full dose of the foundation, click it all the way in.
Texture and Scent:
The texture of a foundation is my number one priority – even more important than the inclusion of skincare ingredients, believe it or not. Born This Way foundation is quite thick yet creamy. The consistency is uniform, with a high pigment count in the formula. It feels smooth, but at the same time, it isn't the easiest to blend into the skin.
The formula is oil-free, and no mineral or plant-derived oils are spotted, which is a lovely touch for those of us who struggle with acne and comedones. It also seems to be water-resistant, if not waterproof. I did a 'sprinkle it generously with water' test on my hand and face while wearing the foundation, and it held up well. The oxidation test was also passed; the color didn't change, staying the same throughout the day. Smudge-proof it is not, maybe only if paired with a good primer and set with a powder.
The scent is creamy but slightly chemical, reminding me of wall paint or a canvas primer. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it’s not the nicest aroma. The good thing is that it disappears after application.
Ingredients:
The marketing for this "flawless natural finish" foundation hinges on three key ingredients: sodium hyaluronate for plump, hydrated skin throughout the day; Alpine Rose extract for its antioxidant properties; and coconut juice, which provides the skin with essential electrolytes and amino acids.
For added conditioning, the formula includes vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate) and glycerin. This ester form of vitamin E also acts as a stabilizer, preventing the foundation from oxidizing or changing color.
My Experience With the Born This Way Foundation
For my skin tone, I chose the shade poetically called Swan, which is described as very fair with neutral undertones. The shade is beautiful; it matches my natural skin very closely, but there are a few flaws to the formula of the Born This Way foundation as well.
For the very first application, I used the Real Techniques brush #241, also known as the Seamless Complexion brush. The foundation applied streaky, and it was hard to spread the texture over the surface of the skin. The second time, I used my fingers to apply and blend the foundation, which ended up too patchy and very uneven. Please note that I used a small amount of product on moisturized and exfoliated skin, as I wanted to achieve natural coverage.
One thin layer of this foundation looks smooth, yet it leaves a somewhat powdery finish on the skin. When I attempted to build the coverage with a second layer, the application became difficult and applied unevenly. It seems the Born This Way formula sets too quickly; the high pigment load (which feels almost like a concealer at times) contradicts the marketed "Flawless Natural Finish." Consequently, the final look appears cakey rather than seamless. I understand that makeup will always look like makeup, but I just expected a better result.
To set the face, I applied a light dusting of MAC Blot Powder, but this only exacerbated the issues, dramatically emphasizing peach fuzz and dry patches. And the coverage still wasn`t enough to cover up red spots. The pros: it feels truly lightweight on the skin, lightly moisturizes, and leaves the skin smooth and nice to the touch.
Final Verdict…
Hydration: 👍👍👍👎(6/10)
Texture: 👍👍👍👎(4/10)
Overall: 👍👍👍👎 (5/10)
I usually prefer not to write about products that didn’t work for me, but I felt it was important to suggest testing this one in-store before committing. The price point is significant, and to be honest, I regret the purchase.
It’s always a surprise when a product’s performance contradicts its marketing. While it is advertised as being natural-looking, it is anything but. Though the medium-to-full coverage is definitely there, the formula doesn’t layer well on my dry-to-combination skin. Instead, it tends to emphasize imperfections, particularly sebaceous filaments on the nose, forehead dryness, and peach fuzz, which looks horrendous.
I truly wanted to fall in love with the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, but it’s proving difficult. I even tried applying it with a damp sponge, but that only seemed to lift the initial layer and create a patchy finish. The only way it works for me is if I apply a very tiny amount and quickly dab it in with warm fingers, carefully blending the edges. However, this amount isn't enough to cover the redness, and layering more just doesn't seem possible. While I appreciate that "a little goes a long way," something here just isn't clicking.
How a budget-friendly drugstore BB cream can work better than this mid-luxury product remains a total mystery to me. It serves as a reminder that a higher price tag doesn't always guarantee a superior formula for every skin type. Maybe I just had a bad skin day, or I don't know how to work with the product?
