Walking down the makeup aisle or scrolling online can be confusing. There are so many foundations! But one brand that always gets people talking is Fenty Beauty by Rihanna.
Fenty Beauty changed the game when it launched. It promised a shade for everyone, and it delivered. But with great choice comes a big question: which type of Fenty foundation is right for you?
The two biggest heroes are the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation and the Eaze Drop’ Blurring Skin Tint. They are completely different. One is a full-coverage matte, and the other is a light, hydrating skin tint.
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Choosing the wrong one can leave your skin looking dry and cakey, or shiny and oily. You don’t want that!
Don’t worry. This guide will make it simple. We will look at each foundation closely, so you can decide which one will become your new best friend.
Let’s Meet the Contenders: A Quick Introduction
Before we dive deep, let’s meet our two stars.
- Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation: This is the original icon. It’s famous for its matte (non-shiny) finish and amazing staying power. It’s like a filter in a bottle.
- Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint: This is the easy-going little sister. It’s lightweight, hydrating, and gives you a natural, “my-skin-but-better” look. It’s perfect for a low-maintenance day.
Think of it like this: Pro Filt’r is for a big night out or when you want full glam. Eaze Drop is for everyday errands, work, or a fresh weekend look.
Now, let’s get into the details.
Round 1: Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation – The Full Coverage Powerhouse
This foundation is a legend for a reason. But it’s not for everyone. Let’s see what it’s all about.
Who Is This For?
- Oily and Combination Skin: If your skin gets shiny during the day, this foundation is your hero. It controls oil and keeps you looking matte for hours.
- Anyone Who Loves Full Coverage: It covers everything – redness, blemishes, dark spots. You won’t need much concealer with this one.
- Special Occasion Makeup: Going to a wedding, a party, or anywhere you’ll be in photos? This foundation won’t let you down. It doesn’t flash back in pictures (that white cast some foundations give).
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What Does It Feel Like On?
It has a liquid texture that dries down to a soft, powder-like finish. It doesn’t feel heavy, but you know you’re wearing makeup. Once it’s on, it doesn’t move! You can check out all the shades on the Fenty Beauty UK website.
How to Apply It for the Best Results
This foundation can be tricky if you don’t prepare your skin. Follow these steps:
- Moisturise Well: Even if you have oily skin, use a light, oil-free moisturiser. Let it sink in for a few minutes. A good option is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel.
- Use a Primer: A primer creates a smooth base. For this foundation, a pore-blurring primer works best. Try the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer – it’s affordable and brilliant.
- Work Fast: This foundation dries quickly. Don’t dot it all over your face first. Instead, put a little on the back of your hand. Apply it to one section of your face at a time (like one cheek, then the other) and blend it in straight away with a dense brush or a damp makeup sponge.
- Set It: Since it’s matte, you might not need powder. But if you have very oily skin, lightly set your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) with a translucent powder.
Round 2: Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint – The Everyday Hero
If the Pro Filt’r sounds like too much hard work, you’ll love the Eaze Drop. It’s the complete opposite.
Who Is This For?
- Dry and Normal Skin: It’s hydrating and gives a dewy, fresh finish. It won’t cling to dry patches.
- Anyone Who Hates the Feeling of Makeup: It’s incredibly lightweight. You will barely feel it on your skin.
- Makeup Beginners: It’s almost impossible to mess up. It’s very forgiving and easy to blend.
- For “No-Makeup” Makeup Days: It evens out your skin tone without looking like you’re wearing a mask.
What Does It Feel Like On?
It feels like a light, watery serum. It gives a natural, skin-like finish with a subtle glow. It’s not shiny; it’s radiant. You can see the natural finish on the Boots website, which often has offers.
How to Apply It for the Best Results
This one is much easier!
- Skincare is Key: Because it’s so light, your skin will show through. Make sure your skin is well-moisturised. A hydrating serum under your moisturiser will give you a gorgeous glow.
- Use Your Fingers: The best tool for this product is your fingers! The warmth of your hands helps it melt into your skin perfectly. You can also use a sponge for a sheerer application.
- Build Slowly: You can build it up in areas where you need a bit more coverage. Just pat a little more onto a blemish or redness.
- You Don’t Need Powder: Unless you have oily areas, you can skip powder to let that natural glow shine through.
The Ultimate Showdown: A Simple Comparison Table
| Feature | Pro Filt’r Soft Matte | Eaze Drop Skin Tint |
| Coverage | Full, buildable coverage | Light, buildable coverage |
| Finish | Soft, powdery matte | Natural, skin-like, radiant |
| Best For | Oily, Combination Skin | Dry, Normal, Sensitive Skin |
| Feel | Lightweight, but you feel it | Barely-there, weightless |
| Skill Level | Needs a bit of practice | Beginner-friendly |
| Best For | Long days, events, photos | Everyday wear, quick routine |
What About Other Skin Types?
If You Have Mature Skin:
The Eaze Drop Skin Tint is usually the better choice. As we get older, our skin can get drier and fine lines can appear. A heavy, matte foundation can settle into these lines and make them more noticeable. The hydrating, light formula of Eaze Drop gives a fresher, more youthful look.
If You Have Sensitive or Acne-Prone Skin:
Both are non-comedogenic (meaning they won’t clog pores), but the Eaze Drop is often gentler because it has fewer pigments and a simpler formula. Always do a patch test on your jawline before using any new product all over your face. The British Skin Foundation is a great resource for advice.
How to Find Your Perfect Shade (The Most Important Step!)
Fenty is famous for its shade range, but it can be overwhelming. Here’s how to get it right.
- Know Your Undertone: This is the secret key. Look at the veins on your wrist.
- Cool Undertone: Your veins look blue or purple. Look for Fenty shades with a C (for Cool).
- Warm Undertone: Your veins look green. Look for Fenty shades with a W (for Warm).
- Neutral Undertone: Your veins look like a mix of blue and green. Look for Fenty shades with an N (for Neutral).
- Use Online Tools: The Fenty Beauty website has a great shade finder quiz. Also, websites like Findation can suggest your Fenty shade if you already know your shade in another brand.
- Get a Sample: If you can, visit a Boots or Harvey Nichols counter that stocks Fenty Beauty. Ask the assistant to help you colour match and try a sample. Seeing how the foundation looks in natural daylight is the best test.
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
For Pro Filt’r (The Matte One):
- MISTAKE: Applying too much product. TIP: Start with one pump. You can always add more.
- MISTAKE: Using it on dry, unprepared skin. TIP: Exfoliate and moisturise regularly to create a smooth canvas.
For Eaze Drop (The Skin Tint):
- MISTAKE: Shaking the bottle too hard. TIP: Gently roll the bottle between your hands to mix it.
- MISTAKE: Expecting full coverage. TIP: Remember, it’s a tint. Use a concealer for any spots or dark circles you want to cover more.
The Final Verdict: Which One Will You Choose?
So, after all this, which Fenty Beauty foundation is the one for you?
- Choose the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation if… you have oily skin, you love a full-glam look, and you need your makeup to last all day and night without budging.
- Choose the Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint if… you have dry or normal skin, you prefer a natural, low-maintenance look, and you want something quick and easy that feels like nothing on your skin.
Both are amazing products, but they serve very different purposes. The good news is, you can’t really go wrong. Now you have the knowledge to pick the perfect one for your unique skin.
Happy foundation shopping!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. I have combination skin – an oily T-zone but dry cheeks. Which Fenty foundation should I choose?
This is the most common dilemma, and the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. For combination skin, your approach matters more than the product alone. You could use Pro Filt’r all over, but only powder your oily T-zone, leaving your cheeks with the natural matte finish. Alternatively, you could use Eaze Drop all over for comfort and then strategically spot-conceal and powder only your oily areas. The best solution is often to mix them: use Eaze Drop for an all-over base and then apply a tiny amount of Pro Filt’r just to your T-zone for extra oil control and coverage where you need it most.
2. How can I prevent the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation from looking cakey or emphasizing texture?
The cakey effect usually comes from two things: skin preparation and application. First, skincare is non-negotiable. Gently exfoliate 1-2 times a week and always use a hydrating, non-oily moisturiser to create a smooth canvas. Second, less is more. Start with half a pump, not a full one. Use a damp beauty sponge to stipple and press the product into your skin rather than wiping or dragging it, which can create a streaky, heavy layer. Finally, avoid piling on powder; only set where absolutely necessary.
3. Can I build the Eaze Drop Skin Tint to a medium coverage, or is it strictly light?
You can absolutely build Eaze Drop to a light-medium coverage, but it requires a specific technique. Instead of applying multiple wet layers (which can slide around), apply one thin layer all over and let it set for a minute. Then, take a tiny extra amount and only pat it onto the areas where you need more coverage (like redness around the nose or under-eye circles). Using a small, dense concealer brush for this second step gives you more precision without disturbing the first layer.
4. What is the main difference in ingredients between these two foundations that causes such different finishes?
The core difference lies in the base and the pigments. Pro Filt’r has a higher concentration of absorbing powders and long-wearing polymers. It’s designed to create a mesh-like film on the skin that controls oil and provides full coverage. Eaze Drop has a higher water content and includes hydrating agents like glycerin. Its pigments are often “coated” to allow them to lay more smoothly and diffusely on the skin, creating a blurred, light-reflective effect rather than a flat, opaque matte one.
5. My skin is both dry and mature. I’m worried about both clinging to dry patches and settling into fine lines. Which is safer?
For dry and mature skin, the Eaze Drop Skin Tint is almost always the safer and more flattering choice. Its hydrating, fluid formula is less likely to cling to dry patches or emphasise wrinkles. The key is in the finish; its radiant, skin-like quality reflects light, which can make lines appear softer. Pro Filt’r, being a flat matte, can make the skin look less plump and can settle into fine lines if not perfectly prepped. With Eaze Drop, you maintain a youthful, fresh-looking glow.
6. How do the shade ranges compare between the two formulas? Do they match exactly?
While Fenty’s shade numbering system (e.g., 140, 290) is consistent across both lines, the finish can make the same shade look slightly different. A shade in the matte Pro Filt’r can appear a touch lighter or more flat once it dries down, whereas the same shade in the radiant Eaze Drop might look a hint darker or more neutral because of the light-reflecting properties. It’s highly recommended to get colour-matched for each formula separately, especially if you are buying online.
7. Is there a significant difference in longevity and wear throughout the day?
Yes, there is a clear trade-off. Pro Filt’r is engineered for maximum longevity. It’s designed to withstand heat, humidity, and oils for up to 12 hours, making it ideal for long days or events. Eaze Drop, while long-wearing for a skin tint, is not designed for that level of endurance. It will naturally fade more gracefully over 6-8 hours, but you may need to blot oily areas or touch up around the nose. Its beauty is in how it wears off—evenly and without patchiness.
8. What is the best primer to use under each foundation to maximize its effect?
Pairing the right primer is crucial. For Pro Filt’r, a gripping, pore-blurring primer is best. It creates a smooth, slightly tacky base for the matte formula to adhere to. Try the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer for a water-based option. For Eaze Drop, you want a hydrating or radiant primer. A silicone-based blurring primer can sometimes disrupt the natural finish. A great choice is the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter applied underneath for an extra glow.
9. Can I use a setting powder with the Eaze Drop Skin Tint without ruining the dewy finish?
Absolutely, but the technique and type of powder are key. Avoid heavy, fully-matte powders. Instead, use a finely-milled translucent pressing powder or a radiant finishing powder. Use a small, fluffy brush, tap off the excess, and only press (don’t sweep) the powder into the areas that get oily, like your T-zone. This will set the makeup without mattifying the entire face, preserving the dewiness on your cheeks.
10. If I can only afford one, which Fenty foundation is the most versatile for creating different looks?
This depends on your skin type, but for most people, the Eaze Drop Skin Tint offers more versatility. It’s easier to “build up” a skin tint for more coverage than it is to “sheer out” a full-coverage matte foundation. With Eaze Drop, you can achieve a true no-makeup day, build it to a medium coverage, or use it as a base and then add full coverage concealer only where needed. Pro Filt’r is brilliant at what it does, but its function is more specialized towards one specific, full-glam look.
