This is the first time I write a full review based on a small sample. I usually don't. For most things I find it difficult to form a fair view based on a sample. But I was given a very decent size of Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation (enough for a week's use) and there are some interesting thoughts I would like to share.
Claims
Claims from the Bobbi Brown website:
A 16-hour wear, full coverage foundation with a natural, multidimensional matte finish that's comfortable, breathable and weightless. Created through a high speed cold fusion process, this ultra-silky emulsion features a perfectly balanced blend of skin-loving ingredients, oil controlling actives and skin-true pigments. Incredibly smooth and blendable, it glides on with a second-skin feel and multidimensional matte finish. Pigments are precisely balanced through artistry expertise to skin's top tones and undertones to deliver the most natural-looking shade range for all skin tones.
Ideal for normal to oily skin.
This foundation comes with SPF 15.
My experience
I was matched to 'Beige", a medium beige with neutral undertones.It is certainly a good match. For comparison, some of my other foundation colours are MAC NC 25; Giorgio Armani LSF 5 / 5.5; Estee Lauder Double Wear in Ecru (winter) / Desert Beige (summer).
For background, my skin type is normal. I like to feel that my skin can breathe, so on a daily basis I prefer to wear a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream. I usually only wear foundation on special occasions. My current favourites are Giorgio Armani LSF for a dewy finish, and Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear for a semi-matte finish.
I have been wearing this Bobbi Brown foundation for a week. What I like most about this foundation is the gorgeous texture. It feels like a thin water-gel that has been lightly whipped. Very workable and blendable on skin even using just fingers. I am also very impressed that it does not cling onto dry skin at all, and this is rare for a long-wear, high coverage foundation.
The following picture shows the result of this foundation after a quick 2-minute application. I applied it like a moisturiser without spending much effort to blend and the result is very presentable. It is quite pigmented - only one layer is needed for medium coverage (though it's not one that I could get away without any concealer). Additional layers can be added for a fuller coverage with no cakiness. Although Bobbi Brown called it a "matte" foundation, I think it is at most semi-matte. It does not give you that powdery finish (if you are into that look) but that's completely fine with me. I always prefer foundations that let some natural radiance to show.
Left: not wearing any foundation, concealer or powder; Right: after wearing Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation in Beige, with no powder and no concealer. No editing or filter was used in either picture.
This foundation stays put most of the day, except I don't find it has very good oil-controlling properties. My nose looks shiny after 4 hours. No big dramas as it can certainly be rescued by simple blotting and powdering, but there are other long wear foundations (e.g. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear , Estee Lauder Double Wear) that do not require me to blot at all. I am surprised that Bobbi Brown says this foundation suits normal to oily skin. From my experience, I would say it is more suitable for normal to dry skin.
Top: freshly applied Bobbi Brown Skin Long-wear Weightless Foundation. Bottom: 4 hours later. Requires blotting and powder on the nose but stays put everywhere else.
Pros
Gorgeous water-gel texture
Effortless to blend
Does not cling onto dry skin
Comfortable and weightless all day
Good coverage
Long-wearing (except for oily areas)
Does not settle into pores
Minimal creasing into lines
Dose not cake
Semi-matte but allow natural glow and radiance to come through
Subtle fragrance, next to none
Cons
Requires blotting / touching up on the nose after a few hours (I don't have oily skin)
Recommendation
Contrary to what is claimed by Bobbi Brown (suits normal to oily skin), I think this foundation is more suitable for normal to dry skin. There are very few "matte" foundations I have tried that do not accentuate dry skin, and this is one of them. If you have oily skin, try using a mattifying / oil-controlling primer underneath.
Overall rating 4/5