Anastasia Beverly Hills ~
Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second-Skin Matte Foundation. All Day Impeccable.
• $46.00 at ABH •
At 37, my mature combination skin has its fair share of challenges. Some days, my T-zone can get oily, while other times, my cheeks and around my mouth feel dry and tight. And of course, there are fine lines, pores, and some areas of uneven texture that I prefer to blur rather than emphasize.
Finding a foundation that strikes the perfect balance between hydration and oil control, while also smoothing out texture and staying put throughout the day, has been a struggle—until now.
When I heard about the new Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second-Skin Matte Foundation, I knew I had to try it. A foundation that claims to deliver medium-to-full coverage, long-wearing performance, hydration, and blurring technology? It sounded like a dream, but would it live up to the hype?
After wearing it every single day for a week, testing it in different conditions, and pairing it with various primers and powders, I have some serious thoughts. Spoiler alert: this foundation has quickly earned a top spot in my routine.
First Impressions: Luxe Packaging & Lightweight Feel.
From the moment I unboxed it, I could tell this was a luxury foundation. The sleek, custom-molded bottle with a pump dispenser feels high-end and sophisticated, exactly what I expect from Anastasia Beverly Hills. I appreciate that the pump design makes it easy to control how much product I use, minimizing waste.
At first swatch, the formula feels incredibly lightweight. Since it's a water-based foundation, it blends effortlessly and doesn’t feel heavy or thick. I noticed right away that even though it’s a matte foundation, it has a velvety, natural finish that doesn’t look dry or flat.
As someone with combination skin, this was already a good sign—it didn’t instantly cling to my dry areas, nor did it feel overly dewy in my T-zone. So far, so good.
Shade Match & Oxidation Test.
With 25 flexible shades and undertones, I was able to find a near-perfect match for my skin tone. I went with a shade that matched my neutral undertones, and it blended in seamlessly.
One of my biggest concerns with foundation is oxidation—there’s nothing worse than applying the perfect shade, only to have it turn too dark or too orange a few hours later. Good news: this foundation stays true to color. Even after wearing it for hours, it didn’t darken or shift.
Another plus? No flashback. I tested this foundation under various lighting conditions, including flash photography, and my complexion looked smooth and even—no weird white cast, just a beautiful, skin-like finish.
Application: Brush vs. Sponge—Which Works Best?
I experimented with different application methods to see how the formula performed:
1. With a Foundation Brush (Full Coverage, Polished Look).
• Using a dense foundation brush, I was able to achieve a smooth, full-coverage look with just one to two pumps.
• It spread easily, and I found that it blended quickly without streaks.
• The brush method is perfect when I want a more polished, perfected finish for an event or long workday.
2. With a Damp Beauty Sponge (Natural, Skin-Like Finish).
• The sponge method provided slightly lighter coverage, making it look more like second skin.
• This method worked beautifully for no-makeup makeup days where I still wanted coverage without a full glam look.
• The formula builds effortlessly, so I was able to add extra coverage where needed without it looking cakey.
Coverage & Wear Test: How It Held Up Throughout the Day.
• $46.00 at ABH •
A foundation that claims 12-hour wear needs to back it up, so I put it through several real-life scenarios:
1. A Busy Workday (8+ Hours of Wear).
• By the end of my workday, my skin still looked smooth, even, and natural.
• My T-zone had a slight glow, but not greasy or oily, which is rare for me.
• The foundation didn’t separate or break apart, even in areas where my skin is more textured.
2. Dinner Out & Photography Test.
• Under restaurant lighting, my skin looked flawless—no caking, no dryness, just a natural, soft-matte glow.
• In flash photography, there was zero white cast, and my complexion appeared smooth and even.
3. Light Workout (Water-Resistant Test).
• I wore this foundation during a light workout, and surprisingly, it held up well.
• Even though I was sweating, it didn’t melt or separate.
• The water-resistant claim is definitely true—this foundation sticks without feeling heavy.
Key Ingredients That Make a Difference.
What makes this foundation unique is that it's infused with skin-loving ingredients that help enhance your complexion over time:
• Hyaluronic Acid – Keeps skin hydrated, plump, and fresh all day.
• Bixa Orellana – Blurs pores and imperfections for a real-life filter effect.
• Phytoglycogen – Helps skin look radiant, youthful, and healthy.
Unlike many matte foundations, this one is free of parabens, sulfates, fragrance, mineral oils, and phthalates, making it ideal for sensitive skin types.
How It Works for Combination & Mature Skin.
• $46.00 at ABH •
Since my skin is mature and combination, I wanted to see if this foundation truly worked for both dry and oily areas.
• Oily Areas (T-Zone): Stayed matte but not flat; no excess shine, no separation.
• Dry Areas (Cheeks, Around Mouth): Felt hydrated and smooth; no dry patches or cakiness.
• Fine Lines & Pores: Blurred beautifully—didn’t settle or emphasize texture.
It’s rare to find a matte foundation that doesn’t dry out my skin, but this one is the perfect balance of mattifying and hydrating.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
After a full week of testing, I can confidently say that the Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second-Skin Matte Foundation is one of the best foundations I’ve tried for mature combination skin.
What I Love:
• Weightless, comfortable wear (feels like second skin).
• Blurring technology smooths fine lines & pores.
• Long-wearing and water-resistant (holds up for 12+ hours).
• No oxidation or flashback (stays true to color).
• Matte, but not drying (perfect for mature skin).
With 25 flexible shades, a soft-matte finish, and skincare-infused ingredients, this foundation checks every box for me. Whether I’m going for full glam or an everyday natural look, this foundation adapts to my skin’s needs.
Would I repurchase?
100% YES. Anastasia Beverly Hills truly nailed this formula, and I can see it becoming a holy grail in my collection.
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
If you’re looking for a foundation that blurs, smooths, hydrates, and lasts all day, this one is absolutely worth trying.
• $46.00 at ABH •
~ Written by Rachael Tam.
~ Photos by Rachael Tam.
~ Brand - Anastasia Beverly Hills.
~ For collaboration requests, email me at - bfh.artistry@gmail.com.
~ My Linktree link - https://linktr.ee/rachaeltam.
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