We love it when a brand's not too proud to listen to its customers, make changes and innovate to deliver bigger and better products. Case in point? The Fenty Beauty Soft’Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation. The new launch is the biggest from Fenty's complexion category this year. Released in the same 50 shades as the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte (and matched, so the shade numbers are consistent), it offers up a long-wearing, waterproof, transfer-resistant formula that still gives a golden hour-worthy glow and delivers a hit of skincare, too.
If you're thinking a glowy Fenty base sounds familiar, that's because the brand's Pro Filt'r Hydrating Foundation used to fill the spot before it began to be phased out toward the end of last year, following feedback that it was perhaps a little too nourishing. Some fans were devastated, calling for RiRi to reconsider, but the singer was resolute in building a formula that balanced radiance with longevity.
Now that she's ready to reclaim the category, Rihanna shared in the brand's press release: “We spent a long time perfecting the formula for Soft’Lit. To get that perfect amount of luminosity that’s not too greasy, we needed to make sure that the formula not only delivered the right amount of coverage, but delivered skin-enhancing ingredients to brighten and hydrate and mimic the beauty of skin. We created that special level of radiance mixed with the high-performance wear Fenty Beauty foundation is known for.”
The new base promises to balance oil while also boosting glow with easy-gleam oils, polymers and powders, alongside skin-perking cyperus papyrus leaf extract and kakadu plum extract. Plus it's designed to improve skin discolouration and dark spots over time. The purpose of the medium-buildable coverage is to serve up long-lasting lit-from-within radiance, whilst swerving shine and oiliness.
Obviously, we had to put it to the test. So five GLAMOUR team members got their hands on the formula early to share feedback. Here's how it went down…
The product:
Chrissie, GLAMOUR's Creative Producer
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Shade: 420
The new Fenty Beauty Soft'Lit Foundation is a game-changer. As someone who struggled with the heaviness of the Pro Filt'r Matte foundation, I was pleasantly surprised by the airy, silky texture of this formula. It offers a light, buildable coverage that effortlessly glides across the skin, imparting a natural radiance without feeling cakey or suffocating.
Of course Fenty always wins when it comes to the impeccable shade range. The match was on point (after I used the shade finder on the website) and blended into my natural complexion seamlessly.
The staying power is as impressive throughout the day without oxidising or settling into fine lines. You have the option to go for a sheer coverage or build it up for a more polished look if you prefer. This foundation delivers versatility without compromising on comfort. In summary, Soft Lit has earned its place as a must-have in my makeup bag. Love love loves it!
Rating: 10/10
Elle, GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor
Shade: 225
I'm a dry-skinned girl so glowy foundations are already my jam, but there's a fine line between a foundation that feels quenching and one that buries your face in goo. This doesn't feel weightless on skin like a tinted moisturiser – it has the oomph of a foundation that you know plans to stick around – but it doesn't feel heavy either. I like that its buildable, so you can sheer it down or layer it up depending on how much coverage you need. I like that it mostly lasts the distance (aside from losing a little on my chin towards the end of the day) and I like that it gives a healthy glow without heading into shiny territory. She's a triple threat.
Rating: 8/10
Robyn, GLAMOUR's Social Media Manager
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Shade: 315
I've always detested how foundation sits on my skin — clogged pores, hidden freckles, and that perpetual "don’t touch my face" tackiness – however, intrigued by the rave reviews surrounding Fenty Foundation, I dared to break my foundation boycott.
To my surprise, the first triumph came with the shade match. Utilising Fenty's online shade match tool, I was seriously impressed at how seamlessly it blended with my complexion, which has rich warm, yellow tones that are often overlooked by other brands. The formula glided on effortlessly, akin to a moisturiser, smoothing over every contour and crevice of my skin. I only needed a couple of pumps to cover my whole face.
Initially, it did leave that dreaded wet sensation I hate, but refusing to resort to powder, I waited, and after about an hour the foundation seamlessly melded into my skin, leaving it nourished and dewy. The true beauty lay in how it preserved my skin's natural texture. It evened out my complexion while letting my freckles and rosiness shine through, eliminating the need to painstakingly reconstruct shadows and highlights. It was as if I had achieved flawless skin without sacrificing the things that make my skin naturally pretty.
Rating: 9/10
Georgia, GLAMOUR's Fashion Commerce Writer
Shade: 185
I have dry acne-prone skin, so prefer a full coverage foundation with a bit of glow. This just might be it. It goes on super easily and blends out like a dream (which is something I always look for as I have such varying skin tones from my vitiligo), and it’s definitely buildable if you need it to be. It didn’t budge when I applied the rest of my makeup, wore pretty well throughout the day – though did slide a bit around my T-zone – and with 50 shades available you’d really struggle not to find yours. We love to see it.
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Rating: 8/10
Denise, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer
Shade: 125
There's nothing that my dry skin loves more than a hydrating foundation with a luminous finish and skin-loving ingredients. Naturally, when I got my hands on the latest complexion launch from Fenty Beauty, I was beyond excited. As expected, the formula felt incredibly weightless and hydrating on the skin, but what impressed me most was the finish. It delivered the perfect balance of dewiness and lit-from-within glow without the greasy feel. Rest assured, I will be wearing this all year round.
Rating: 9/10
For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk
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