lilah b. is – in my mind – a leader when it comes to clean, minimalist, and innovative beauty products. I’ve so far had the pleasure of trying out their Divine Duo cheek tints, Glisten + Glow illuminator, and Flawless Finish Foundation – all new faves in my makeup routine. I probably reach for the latter most often, especially on ‘no-makeup makeup’ days. It also works amazingly well as a radiance-boosting finishing powder over top of liquid foundations. However, as I mentioned in my review, it doesn’t provide that much coverage – instead, it functions more as a satiny sheer veil.
Lo and behold, shortly after posting my review, lilah b. released a brand new foundation formula – the Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation. I couldn’t wait to take it for a spin, and after playing around with different application methods, I quickly fell in love. It has all the benefits of a powder foundation when it comes to the speed and ease of application, only with the greater coverage, a smoother, more hydrating formula, and a more polished, fall/winter-friendly matte finish. Here are my thoughts on the formula, along with a little before & after!
“lilah b. embodies the philosophy of ‘With less, you are more’ with their streamlined multipurpose collection of color. Simplify your beauty routine with their healthy, good-for-you formulations and achieve a finished, flawless look with fewer products.”
lilah b. Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation
As opposed to the sheerer Flawless Finish Foundation, lilah b.’s Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation provides medium to near-full coverage and a matte finish (rather than satin). In the pan, it has one of the most unique, lightweight, creamy textures – it feels like a cream + mousse + powder, all rolled into one. Blended out with a brush, it helps to conceal, as well as smooth and even out skin tone/texture thanks to a hefty dose of emollients plus nutrient-rich avocado oil, rosehip seed oil, and aloe.
The formula is cruelty-free, vegan, and free of synthetic fragrances, sulfates, parabens, phthalates and gluten.
Ingredients: Triethylhexanoin, Caprylyl Methicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Olymethylsilsesquioxane, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Microcrystalline Wax, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Wax, Dimethicone, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol. May Contain (+/-): Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
Swatches of lilah b. Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation in b.original (left) and b.natural (right). Both are a bit on the neutral side with subtle peach undertones.
There are currently five shades available:
- b. original: light w/ cool undertones (shown above)
- b. natural: light-medium w/ cool to neutral undertones (shown above)
- b. classic: medium w/ neutral undertones
- b. pure: medium-dark w/ neutral to warm undertones
- b. timeless: dark w/ warm undertones
lilah b. Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation Review
As seems to be the theme with almost all of lilah b.’s formulas, the Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation feels very luxurious when it comes to texture. The lightweight cream formula is neither dry, nor slippery or oily. Rather, with silicone at the top of the ingredients list, it feels silky-smooth and has plenty of slip, making it easy to pick up out of the pan and blend out with a brush. Unlike a powder (which can sometimes give the skin a temporary powdery/chalky look), and unlike a cream (which can sometimes leave the skin with a bit of a sheen and an oily/tacky feel), it creates a smooth yet weightless finish that mimics the supple yet semi-matte look of real skin.
Coverage-wise, on me, one layer hides facial redness and provides light coverage, while two layers provides medium coverage. Even with a few extra layers, the formula builds up well without looking cakey or heavy. For the fastest and most natural-looking application, I highly recommend grabbing lilah b.’s retractable brush (designed specifically for this foundation, and also compact and travel-friendly!), or a similar densely-packed, dome-tipped synthetic brush for buffing it in. Gently swipe the brush over the foundation and then buff into skin using small circular motions. A sponge would also work well too.
Swatch of lilah b. Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation in b.natural (applying it with the lilah b.Retractable Crème Foundation Brush)
Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation is recommended for all skin types. I have combination skin – dry around the inner cheeks, normal on the outer cheeks and chin, and oily in T-zone – so I was able to test it out across full spectrum. On the driest parts, the formula does often stick to dry patches and flakes. For that reason, I always make sure to exfoliate beforehand, and then apply it over freshly moisturized skin. Then on my oiliest areas, unfortunately, the formula doesn’t absorb sebum, so a setting powder is a must for me (I’ve been loving this one – it’s best setting powder I’ve tried to far when it comes to finish and especially oil-absorption!). Other than that, the foundation stays put for most the day (I got 8 hours today so far, and didn’t use setting powder) and doesn’t oxidize.
Before & after using lilah b. Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation in b.natural (for reference, I have NC25 skin and it’s the perfect match)
Wearing lilah b. Flawless Finish Foundation in b.natural, lilah b. Divine Duo in b.memorable on lips, lilah b. Palette Perfection Eye Quad in b.envied on eyes (used gold & green shades on lid), Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush in Ecstasy
Overall, if you’re on the market for a formula that you can apply as quickly and easily as a powder, while reaping all the benefits of a higher coverage cream formula, this is worth trying out. Same goes if you tried out the lilah b. Flawless Finish Foundation but found yourself wanting more coverage.
Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus & Sephora (US & CA)
Shop at Nordstrom…
What are your thoughts on lilah b.’s Marvelous Matte Crème Foundation?
