Revlon ColorStay Foundation, €17.79. No press samples featured Disclosure policy here.
Revlon ColorStay Foundation is a proper base. No glow, no tint, no skin care fusion. It’s full-on war paint; exactly the kind of thing that the Irish market goes wild for. We’ll dabble in BB creams, but full-coverage is our mainstay.

The shade range, which is the reason I even gave it a chance, is extensive. I’m shade one, Porcelain, and there are 12 more colours in the range.
Its consistency is reassuringly gloopy. You’ve only got to look at it to know that it’s gonna mask every blemish it meets. I use a buffing brush to make faster work of application – you’d be ages getting this to blend with a flat brush or fingers.
The matte finish is strong in this one, and because the coverage totally washes out colour, it can look a flat. I beat that by adding light and shade – MAC Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfinish, Topshop Highlighter in Crescent Moon or Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light work well. I apply a lot, so I get the shimmer I like on top of the coverage and longevity.
I don’t think you’d want coverage any heavier than this, unless you moonlight as a mime. I skipped concealer in the above picture, aside from some Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Bisque around the eyes.
Of my chemist brand favourites, this is the guy to go to for balls-out concealing and perfecting.

Emma
I freakin’ think that Revlon Colorstay is one of the best foundations of all time! If you are going somewhere and you need a high coverage foundation that will last forever, it’s your fella.
I used to wear it all the time when I was younger and I still have a bottle lying around just in case even though I never really use it. It’s also got an amazing shade range. And there is one for dry and oily skin. What’s not to love?!
Alright, that’s the end of my crazy fangirl ranting!
Shireen L. Platt
I stayed away from this due to the matte finish and high coverage, it just never looks good on my skin. I even tried my mum’s Estee Lauder Double Wear and my face look plastic.
Honestly I am surprise at how natural it looks on your face, maybe the buffing brush made a difference?
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Lorraine Haigney
Hm. I think it’s probably the extra powders I’ve added. I went much heavier with contour and highlighter than I usually do, because this NEEDS dimension.
Also, I’m very freckled and your skin looks totally clear – that could contribute to it. Whatever base you have on in the pix I’ve seen is working, I wouldn’t worry about it!
LindaLibraLoca
I remember owning a bottle of this one and really loving it, I can’t remember why I stopped…
Sunny
Oh wow, I’ve got to say this looks very natural for a full-coverage foundation! I really like the finish as well. Your skin looks perfect but not made-up! It’s interesting to know that the Irish market prefers full-coverage foundations. Here in Belgium “natural” is the big thing. Most women I see around don’t wear much makeup at all!
Lorraine Haigney
Ah Sunny, you wouldn’t believe the grasp full coverage has! It’s dropped a bit in recent years, but is still on top. It’s probably to do with the Celtic complexion – people try to cover freckles and ruddy cheeks, when other cultures embrace those things.
Corinne
It looks great! I need a better coverage mascara, I bet this wouldn’t be too far out of my price range either!
Corinne x
Lorraine Haigney
It’s a little bit pricer that a lot of chemist foundations, but not crazy money. I’d say it’d be under 15 pounds, English money.
Beti
The foundation looks really nice on you 🙂 I’ve heard very good things about this foundation but I’ve never tried it. From the drugstore I really like the L’oreal True Match and I know some people say that the finish is similar to this one.
Lorraine Haigney
I love True Match too! Think it’s worlds away from this one, much more creamy and has a dewier finish. Definitely comes out on top.
Sharon Leavy
It looks great on you! It looked like a mask on me when I bought it – but that was a few years ago when the only brush I owned was a single eyeshadow brush! Must give it another go sometime, I’ve always liked Revlon. Their Skinlights foundation was the bomb, I bought the new version and it’s not the same at all 🙁
Paula
(a) I love this foundation, it’s my favourite one from the pharmacy/ chemist and (b) your skin looks fab in that photo, missus!