If you’re a drugstore makeup shopper, then the L’Oreal True Match foundation is probably no stranger to you. It’s been praised for being one of the few drugstore foundation lines that nearly everyone can find a match in, which is no easy feat. Even though it was still a drugstore favorite, the foundation just got the update it deserved!
You’ll notice the packaging makeover first– finally, this classic foundation now has a pump to make application so much easier, and so much less messy.
We also have a different shade name system– you’ll find the letters C, W, an N corresponding to cool, warm, or neutral undertones, and numbers from 0.5 (Light) to 12 (Deep) to indicate the shade level. I personally find this so much more helpful than weird names like “warm bisque” or “cool toffee,” don’t you?
Finally, the new foundation formula is vegan and made with clean ingredients, meeting the standards for the Conscious Beauty label at Ulta. It’s fragrance and alcohol free, as well, which is great news for my sensitive skin.
After trying a few shades (swatched above), I landed on N3 as my perfect shade. As someone with a neutral undertone, it’s incredibly difficult to find truly neutral foundations. So many lean too yellow or olive on me, but N3 is imperceptible on my skin once blended.
And let’s talk about blending, because it is called the L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation, after all. The consistency of this foundation is on the thinner side, and when paired with a great skin tone match, it seriously becomes invisible on the skin. There’s no telling where the foundation stops and starts. It looks natural, with a soft matte finish that just looks like normal skin.
The coverage definitely reaches its max at medium. While it is slightly buildable, you’ll need to layer with concealer if you have really dark or red spots you want to completely conceal.
As far as performance goes, this foundation is pretty dang impressive. Paired with the e.l.f. Woah Glow Sunscreen Primer, I tapped out at 14 hours of smooth, fade-free wear… and only because I was desperate to go to sleep! The only hint that I had been wearing it for a while was very subtle creasing in my laugh lines and the fine lines between my brows. I believe this could be remedied with the right primer and powder.
Other than that, there was no splotchiness, hardly any noticeable fading, and my skin still looked smooth. Honestly, I was floored!
The L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation has definitely re-entered the chat in 2023. This update has brought it up to speed with some of the other viral foundation releases over the past few years, solidifying its place as one of the best at the drugstore.
Briana sellers
Yes!!! New is AWFUL!! I need to buy up alll of the old. So Casey
Kars933
I hate the new bottle. I’ve been using the stuff since it first came out and the bottle kept squirting out in weird directions and it’s stained my clothes and a couple of other things… Then I couldn’t get the rest of the stuff out of the bottle so it lasted me way less time than it usually does. I usually have to buy every 3 months but I had to buy it after a month, and I didn’t even put on makeup that much this month. I totally want the old bottle back
Ann
I loved the sunscreen in the other formula. It doesn’t look like this formula has it. Am I wrong? Why would you take out such a wonderful ingredient?
Miranda
I too love when foundation has a boost of SPF, though I also know with sensitive skin a lot of people are picky about the sunscreen they use (chemical vs. mineral) so sometimes it can be better to separate the two for best results for your own skin needs.
Nicole Pearce
The new formula is killing my skin so gutted it was my holy grail but since Feb this year every bottle I’ve had since breaks me out I’ve had to go to maybelline fit me which isn’t my favorite colour like 1n was for me in true match but for the breakouts it was causing I’ve had no choice. Loreal why?
Helen
I’ve used it for years but the new blend is awful. Really dry and does not cover well. Going back to revlon
Carolyn M
The new formula is horrid! It cakes, and the colors are not the same as the old version – N2 has a yellow cast to it which looks terrible on me. The new pump? A joke. After I use it and set the jar on the counter, more makeup leaks out the nozzle, wasting product and making a mess. If this wasn’t bad enough, the new bottle takes up more precious room in the allowable “liquids” bag on airplanes, and leaks even more in flight. Please, go back to the original formula, packaging, and colors!
Cindy Mc
Totally agree with June007!!!
June007
Super unhappy with the change. I used Almay Clear Complexion for 20 years to so. They changed the formula and I started breaking out like crazy. Tried 10 others that didn’t work for me, then I found Loreal True Match and while I wished the coverage had been a little better, it worked, it was blendable and most importantly, it didn’t cause me to break out. Now they’ve gone and changed the formula and I’m breaking out again and the color (N1) is a bit darker as others have complained. My opinion is that if you’ve had a best-selling product for TWENTY-NINE YEARS, what part of anyone’s brain thinks it will be a good idea to change it. It was best-selling for a REASON. Leave it alone. If you want to experiment with a new formula, release it as a new product and leave the original best-selling product alone. Sooooo disappointed.
Miranda
All good points, June! Finding a good foundation is hard so change can be frustrating. I hadn’t tried the original, so I can’t speak to the formula change but I do know their goal was to fine tune the shade range which is so important. I’m sorry the new one isn’t working fro you!
Dawn
Agree!! Horrible!! Super dry and cakes terribly! I’ve used L’Oreal Tru Match for over 20 years and loved it! I can’t stand this new formula!
Ashley
While the color may match, to be honest it looks cakey on your skin.
Miranda
Hm, I don’t see what you’re seeing! I think it looks and feels incredibly skin-like.
Christie
I think it looks great on you! I stumbled upon on your blog when I was looking for makeup alternatives to the old Origins foundation. I appreciate this post and the good info!
Jacqueline P
Please Please bring back the original bottle and forumula. I have been using Loreal since my teen tears . I am 50 now. I cant find my shade the W7 Carmel Beige color match foundation Anywhere. I tried the new W7 in the new bottle. Not the same shade or formula. Where can I buy a couple of bottles of the original bottle W7 Carmel beige shade???? Please help Jacqueline P
Miranda
Stores will probably be selling the old packaging until it’s sold out and they replace it all with the new one, but that time window is definitely closing. After that you’ll probably have to look at stores like TJ Maxx, Big Lots, or online.
Dawn
I hate this new formula! If enough of us complain, would they consider going back to the old formula? This one is so drying and cakey. I doubt they’d ever even consider going back because the old formula is clearly more expensive to make, so that’s why they changed it.