Almay Clear Complexion Makeup Foundation Review!

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

-This soothing Makeup works with salicylic acid, a proven blemish clearing ingredient to prevent future breakouts.
-Infused with meadowsweet to help purify skin as well as aloe and chamomile to protect against dryness and reduce the appearance of redness.
-Helps eliminates oil all day to banish unwanted shine so you get flawless, natural coverage that is perfect for everyday.

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup is available in a very small variety of shades. There are seven shades in total: Ivory, Buff, Naked, Neutral, Beige, Sand and Warm.

I chose the shade Buff, which is a light, warm peachy-beige. It's a good match for my skin when I have no tan - around MAC NC15-20 coloring.

I picked this foundation up about a month ago at my local drugstore on the clearance rack for a couple of dollars. Apparently, Almay revamped the packaging for the product, and the new and improved packaging includes a pump - yay! I'm unaware at this time if the formula has been changed in any way. I emailed Almay, and am currently awaiting a response. I'll update this post once I know for sure. (Update 2/6: I received a response from Almay and they said, "To address your inquiry, some ingredients in the Clear Complexion Liquid Makeup have been changed and added." Kind of bummed to hear that, but I'll pick up a bottle in the near future and see how it compares.)

This foundation is targeted for oily or acne-prone/problematic skin as it contains salicylic acid, which is an ingredient found in most acne medications to help clear and prevent acne blemishes. For oily skin, it may help control oil, but for dry to normal skin types, it can be drying.

My skin is normal (not dry or oily), but sensitive and prone to breakouts, and I find that it can dry out my skin if worn too often. I try to alternate this foundation with another during the week, wearing it only a few days.

The consistency is creamy, somewhat similar to Revlon Colorstay or Maybelline Superstay, but not as thick. I don't have any problems with the foundation drying too quickly or caking during application, and the application is smooth. I like using a stippling brush to apply the foundation, and then going over it with a large buffer brush to blend it all in. The finish is satiny, but soon after (about 10 mins later) dries to a semi-matte/matte. I barely have to set with a powder, just mainly under my eyes. After 6 hours, my face is still matte when wearing this!

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in "Buff"

The coverage is a good medium that is buildable, but not quite a full. It covers my imperfections well - but an additional concealer may be necessary for full coverage of red blemishes.

For the perfect full coverage that doesn't look heavy, here is what I'll do:
-Apply Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer to my under-eyes and Coastal Scents Camo Quad to any spots/blemishes using a standard foundation brush with "tapping" motions (not brushing).
-Pour a little foundation on a clean surface and dip the tip of a duo-fiber stippling brush in the product. Then, in light motions, stipple the product all over my face (making sure not to disturb the areas I applied concealer).
-Use a large fluffy synthetic brush to lightly buff and blend the foundation further.
-For additional coverage (which isn't very necessary at this point, but to look completely flawless..) I'll take a kabuki brush and swirl it in a powder foundation, such as MAC Studio Fix Powder, and buff it into my face.
Perfect and long lasting!

The lasting power is quite good. On me it lasts a good 8-10 hours.

(After 8 hours of wear)

There aren't many choices for a good long-lasting foundation at the drugstore, and I would consider this foundation one of the better ones. I will continue using this foundation, and I'll make sure to let you know if my opinion about it changes in the future!

Ingredient List: Active Ingredient: Salicylic Acid (0.6%). Other Ingredients: Aqua ((Water) Eau), Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxsilicate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Talc, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Alumina, Methoxypropylgluconamide, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Fomes Officinalis (Mushroom) Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Flower Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Trisiloxane, Phytantriol, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Silica, Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Methicone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947).

PROS: Controls oil very well, good medium coverage, blends well, good lasting power.
CONS: Limited shade selection, can cause dryness if used every day, can accentuate dryness if skin isn't moisturized/primed.
PACKAGING: The old bottle was bulky and difficult to pour the foundation out, but the packaging now includes a pump (more sanitary, more convenient, less mess) and is less bulky!
OVERALL: This is actually a good foundation, and I'd recommend it for oily and/or acne-prone skin types, with light to medium skin, who would like to even out their skin & camouflage minor skin imperfections. Even though it is targeted for oily skin, I've read reviews where it has worked well for dry skin types. For those with dry skin, I'd recommend applying a light water-based moisturizer beforehand, or, moisturizing your skin once you wash your face in the evening to keep your skin hydrated. For those that find this foundation too heavy, mixing in a couple drops of moisturizer or applying with a damp sponge will sheer it out quite nice.

Have you tried this foundation? Do you own any favorite products from Almay?