In today’s world, a woman has to have a makeup for every open door, new opportunity, or personal fashion statement. Makeup allows women to present themselves to enhance our natural beauty and shine from inside out. Like most women, I’ve tried several foundations from multiple companies at the pharmacy as well as at make-up counters.
Living in Florida, keeps me selective in the types of foundations I select to try and generally because make-up at a local pharmacy or superstore is cheaper than at the counters at department stores, I generally “test” more of these lower priced products. Due to the heat and humidity in the summer, I have found two foundation products that suit my needs, one by Cover Girl: CG Smoothers, which is an SPF 15 tinted moisture, a light foundation, and Revlon’s Color Stay Active, a light makeup that is also SP5, but slightly higher, 25.
The CoverGirl CG Smoothers runs about $7.99 for a tube with 40ml or 1.35 fl oz. For the Revlon Color Stay for a 1 fl oz tube it runs about 12.99.
I have found both products, the CG Smoothers and the Revlon Color Stay to match my skin tone evenly with light application. The CG Smoothers has three color selections between Fair and Light, Light and Medium, and Medium and Dark. The Revlon Color Stay Active has more color choices, that follow the numbers and colors of their other foundation products.
The CG Smoothers is a tinted moisturizer, where the Revlon Color Stay Active is more of a light foundation. The CG Smoothers does go on like a moisturizer, with a light color. The Revlon Color Stay is more firm, with more of a matte finish, rather than the moisturized finish left after applying CG Smoothers. After both products, I finish off with alight powder, but it isn’t as necessary with the Color Stay Active because the finish is more smooth. The CG Smoother application leaves my face still feeling a little wet and I have to let the foundation set or dry for about a minute before applying any powder or blush.
Both products have great appeal to me. The CG Smoothers is great for a day that isn’t too humid and if I don’t have any breakouts because if offers me a light coverage and doesn’t feel too heavy on my face. It is a sunscreen and tinted moisturizer in one, which is oil free and doesn’t clog pores. It’s slightly cheaper than the Revlon Color Stay, but I do find that in comparison, I use a little more. Because it is a moisturizer, it is thinner and more comes out with a light squeeze compared to the Revlon Color Stay.
The Revlon Color Stay is also a sunscreen, oil-free and doesn’t clog pores. It is thicker than the CG Smoothers, even a little thicker than some other foundations, but it is also meant for active women, including athletes. This appeals to me because I do regularly attend the gym, which this makeup doesn’t fail me through. It is easy to apply, applies evenly and naturally. It offers a more matte finish, which doesn’t necessarily need additional powder. It offers a bit more coverage than the CG Smoothers, so I prefer to use this if I have any breakouts. With the Florida heat and humidity on a constant rise, as summer approaches, I’ve found this makeup to last much longer than the CG Smoothers without any touchups. I can make it to about mid-day with the CG Smoothers before needing to apply any additional powder, where with the Revlon Color Stay Active, I’ve not had to touch up at all. I’ve even gone swimming with this product and came out of the water with a good amount of makeup left.
Both make-ups do wash off well and easily with soap and water, but the Revlon Color Stay Active is great for having a manicured face participating in any outdoor activities.
Overall, I think I give my thumbs up to the Revlon Color Stay Active because it lasts longer, uses much less in an application than the CG Smoothers, which allows for the tube to last longer, offsetting the cost of the more expensive product. I like that I don’t have to worry about looking unkempt or unfinished with the Revlon Color Stay Active, so I can feel beautiful inside and out.
