Delivers a natural soft-matte look that controls oil and blurs pores for all-day wear.
If you want a true soft-matte foundation that keeps oil in check without looking flat, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation earns its hype. Here is how it wears, who it suits, and the tricks that make it look airbrushed all day.
Overview
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation put shade range on the map. With an expansive lineup across light, medium, tan, deep, and deep rich skin tones, it makes finding a closer match far more realistic than most competitors. The formula is oil free, buildable from medium to full, and dries down to a soft matte finish that looks polished rather than chalky. It is designed to be sweat and humidity resistant, and it holds up impressively well under long workdays and warm weather.
The texture is a thin liquid that sets quickly. The first few seconds are forgiving enough to blend, but this is not a foundation you can dot all over your face and stroll away before smoothing. Work in sections and you will be rewarded with a blurred, even canvas that still looks like skin. The finish lives up to the name soft matte. It reduces shine and the look of pores, yet it does not erase every natural highlight of your face.
The packaging is a frosted glass bottle with a pump, and the standard Fenty size is 32 ml, slightly more than the typical 30 ml foundation. It is photo friendly since it has no built in sunscreen to cause flashback. If you rely on SPF, apply a separate sunscreen underneath and let it set before foundation.
Two callouts shape the experience. First, the formula can dry down a touch deeper than it appears wet, so shade matching benefits from a three to five minute wait before you decide. Second, prep matters. A smooth, lightly moisturized base makes a noticeable difference in how it sits on the skin, especially around dry patches or textured areas.
Who it’s for
This is a strong match for normal to oily and combination skin that wants a soft matte finish and reliable wear time. If your T zone gets shiny by lunchtime, Pro Filt’r can stretch that timeline well into the afternoon without heavy blotting or powdering. It is also a solid pick if you prefer medium coverage that builds to full for events or photos.
If your skin is dry or dehydrated, you can still make it work, but you will need to prep. A hydrating moisturizer, a smoothing but non drying primer, and a damp sponge application go a long way. Those with active flaking or eczema will likely prefer a hydrating foundation instead, since this formula can cling to rough spots.
Fenty’s shade range is a genuine advantage for anyone who struggles to find undertones that lean golden, olive, or truly cool in deeper depths. If you are sensitive to fragrance, note that there is a light, cosmetic scent that fades after application. It is oil free and said to be noncomedogenic, which many acne prone users appreciate, though any complexion product can be a trigger for some. Patch testing is always wise if your skin is reactive.
How it feels and performs
On first pump, the formula is thin and silky, with a fluid slip that spreads easily. You can feel a quick set begin within 30 seconds, so working in small sections is key. One pump delivers a solid medium coverage. Two pumps move it into full coverage without turning mask like, as long as you keep the layers thin.
Finish: true soft matte. It knocks down shine, minimizes the look of pores, and smooths over minor texture. It does not feel heavy or tight once it sets, but it is not dewy. If you prefer a glow, use a luminous primer under the perimeter of the face and keep mattifying products where you get oily.
Crew-tested wear time is where Pro Filt’r shines. On combination skin with a notably oily T zone, the base stays controlled for 5 to 6 hours before a gentle blot is helpful. After blotting and a light dusting of powder, it continues to look polished through a 10 to 12 hour day. On normal skin, the finish remains consistent with little to no touch up. On very oily skin, plan for blotting midday, but there is no patchy meltdown, only gradual shine that looks like skin, not like separation.
In heat and humidity, the formula holds up far better than most non waterproof matte options. It resists the softening and slippage that often happens around the nose and upper lip, and it does not pool into pores. It is not fully transfer proof, especially against tight masks or collars, but transfer is moderate rather than dramatic.
Coverage is flexible and forgiving. One thin layer evens out discoloration and redness without erasing freckles. A second light layer on the center of the face or over blemishes creates a true canvas that photographs beautifully. Because it sets fast, brushes that buff and a sponge that presses are both effective. If you see streaks from a brush, simply bounce a damp sponge over the top to perfect the blend.
Pores and texture are handled well, particularly when paired with a soft blurring primer on the T zone. The formula’s soft focus effect gently smooths the look of larger pores and fine lines. That said, if you have active dryness or flakes around the nose or chin, it can cling. A light chemical exfoliation the night before and a nourishing moisturizer in the morning reduce this risk dramatically.
Oxidation is a common question with this foundation. In practice, what you will notice is a dry down that deepens by roughly a quarter to a half shade within a few minutes. That dry down is consistent, which means once it sets, it stays stable in color rather than continuing to darken throughout the day. The fix is simple. Shade match on your jaw, wait three to five minutes, then check again in natural light. If you are between two shades, choose the lighter one.
The scent is light and cosmetic, present during application and gone after the set. Most will not notice it after a few minutes. If you are highly sensitive to fragrance, this is worth noting. Removal is easy with an oil cleanser or balm followed by a gentle gel cleanser. Because of the long wear polymers, a thorough double cleanse leaves less residue in pores and on brushes.
How to use for best results
A small amount, smart prep, and quick blending are the secrets to a smooth, long wearing result. The steps below work for most skin types and maximize the soft matte finish without heaviness.
- Prep the canvas: Cleanse, then moisturize according to your skin type. Give moisturizer a few minutes to sink in so the foundation does not fight with slip on the surface.
- Prime with intention: Use a light, pore blurring or mattifying primer on the T zone if you get oily. If you are combination or dry, use a hydrating primer on the cheeks and jaw, and keep mattifying products only where you shine.
- Shake the bottle: The formula separates slightly in the bottle. A thorough shake makes the texture more even and the shade more accurate.
- Apply in thin layers: Start with one pump for the whole face. Dot on one cheek and blend, then move to the next area. Build coverage only where you need it to keep the finish skin like.
- Choose your tool wisely: A dense buffing brush gives the most coverage. A damp sponge gives a softer, more forgiving blend and is ideal if you lean dry. Fingers work in a pinch, but move quickly.
- Set strategically: Lightly set the T zone with a finely milled translucent powder. Leave the perimeter of the face powder free to keep it natural. If you want more hold, a light mist of setting spray locks everything in.
- Touch up like a pro: Blot oil first with a tissue or blotting paper, then add the smallest amount of powder. Press, do not rub, to avoid disturbing the base.
Customization tips: If you want to sheer it out for daytime, mix half a pump with a drop of moisturizer or hydrating primer and apply with a damp sponge. To boost coverage on stubborn spots, let a thin layer set for a minute, then tap a second layer only on that area. For a soft glow, add a liquid illuminator under the foundation on the high points of the face and keep powder minimal.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Expansive shade range with thoughtful undertones, oil control without heaviness, buildable medium to full coverage, impressive wear time in heat and humidity, photo friendly with no sunscreen flashback, and a hygienic pump that dispenses a consistent amount.
- Cons: Can cling to dry patches, sets fast so you must work quickly, slight dry down deeper than it looks wet which complicates shade matching, has a light cosmetic fragrance, and is not fully transfer proof on masks or collars.
Final verdict
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation delivers what it promises for the right skin type. It controls shine, blurs the look of pores, and lasts a full day with minimal maintenance. The coverage is flexible enough to wear light for the office and build to full for photos without turning heavy. Its few caveats are solvable with good prep and technique.
If your skin is normal to oily or combination, and you like a polished, soft matte finish, this is an easy recommendation. If you are dry, you can still make it look beautiful with a hydrating base and a damp sponge, though Fenty’s hydrating option or another radiant formula may be simpler for daily wear. The shade range is an undeniable strength, and if you take the time to match after dry down, you will likely find a near perfect fit.
Bottom line: a modern matte that behaves well in real life. It respects texture, plays nicely with primers and setting products, and keeps you looking pulled together long after lunch. Use thin layers, prep well, and let the formula do the heavy lifting.
See also
If shine control is your top priority, our updated guide to the Best Foundation for Oily Skin highlights how Pro Filt’r stacks up among long wear mattes, and those dealing with visible texture may prefer picks in our Best Foundation for Large Pores. For a sweat tested rival with a different feel, read our hands on Urban Decay Face Bond Waterproof Foundation Review.
Comparing legends before you commit is smart, so you might also check our Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation Review for a classic alternative. And if you are buying online, use the tips in How to Pick Your Foundation Shade Online Without Regret to get a precise match even with the dry down factor.
FAQ
Does Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte oxidize, and how should I pick a shade?
It dries down a little deeper within a few minutes, roughly a quarter to a half shade. Shade match on your jaw in natural light, wait three to five minutes, then decide. If you are between two shades, choose the lighter one to account for dry down. Focus on undertone first, then depth. When in doubt, you can fine tune with a light dusting of bronzer or by mixing a drop of a shade adjuster.
Is Pro Filt’r Soft Matte good for acne prone or sensitive skin?
The formula is oil free and said to be noncomedogenic, which is usually friendly to acne prone skin. Many find it does not clog pores when removed properly. That said, it contains a light cosmetic fragrance that some sensitive users may dislike. Patch test on the side of your face for a full day, and always double cleanse at night to remove long wear pigments and film formers.
What primer and tools work best with this foundation?
Use a pore blurring or mattifying primer on the T zone if you get oily, and a hydrating primer on drier areas. Apply in thin layers. For the most coverage, buff with a dense brush, then press a damp sponge over top to erase streaks. For a softer, more forgiving look, use a damp sponge from start to finish. Always shake the bottle well and work in small sections so it does not set before you blend.
How long does it really last, and is it transfer proof?
Expect 8 to 12 hours of good wear depending on skin type and climate, with a blot around hour 5 to 6 on oily T zones. It resists sweat and humidity better than most non waterproof mattes, but it is not fully transfer proof. If masks or collars are an issue, set the T zone with a light powder and finish with setting spray, then blot instead of rubbing if you need to touch the face.
Is it safe for flash photography, and does it contain SPF?
It is photo friendly because it does not contain SPF that would cause flashback. That is great for events and evening photos. During the day, wear a separate broad spectrum sunscreen under your makeup, let it set for a few minutes, then apply Pro Filt’r to avoid pilling or uneven texture.
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