Review: Revlon Photoready Compact Makeup Ivory

I've always had a problem with what are called cream foundations. Most are very drying on me and they tend to cake. While many have full coverage, that coverage usually involves layers; multiple skin swipes + dry skin makes for an unsightly mess on my face. Fine when my skin is looking good but horrible when I actually need the coverage. I bet you can already sense how I feel about this Revlon foundation.

Revlon Photoready Compact Makeup (10 grams/.35oz) claims "complete coverage" and "superior blendability" with a "lightweight powder finish". The first thing I want to mention is the color of the cream in the compact is a bit different to how it appears on the face. I don't know how, but the Ivory, while scary in the pan, is a pretty good match for my skin tone, similar to the regular Photoready makeup.

See what I mean regarding the color (especially the sliver of the used sponge on the left)? It looks way too dark, but I will agree with Revlon that this is very light and very easy to apply. A slightly pressured swirling motion will release the cream from behind the screen. Personally, I don't really like this as you are basically required to use a sponge and with cream/liquids you are going to need to replace said sponge with every use. You can't really use a wet sponge as the water might seep under the screen and cause bacteria to grow.

When applied, this foundation is very light. You can hardly feel it being applied to your skin. So if you dislike heavy makeup, this may be for you. It also blends in very easily which is nice. My only qualm is seconds after I applied this, it looked dry and patchy. And to add another layer for more coverage? Even more dry and more patchy. After awhile, my skin starts feeling slightly tight, especially around my cheeks.

Photoready Compact Makeup applied - nice color, eh? This is 1 application all over and a second on my bad spots (the chin).

But this is how it looks close up! It doesn't even look like skin! It looks like I have textured spackle on my face and it's already collected around my blemishes.

Basically it makes my face look dry and crusty.

This is going back. Unfortunately, it looks like this doesn't really work on super oily skin either as Ms. Nouveau Cheap also had a problem with this. I think the only people that this will suite are those with normal to slightly oily (or shall I say healthy looking?) skin that don't really need heavy coverage. A light layer of this might look better than trying to build it up like I did to coverage spots and redness. But then again, I'd imagine a tinted moisturizer would be more pleasant if you don't need heavy coverage or maybe just some concealer.

The only pluses are the SPF 20 and the cool screen that manages to be more of an annoyance. At least with the regular liquid Photoready you can apply it with a damp sponge or brush.