Rihanna didn’t just enter the beauty industry two years ago — she disrupted it. Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation shook the makeup world to its core with a whopping 40 shades, prompting many other brands to expand their ranges or launch new, more diverse shades of foundation. One small step for RiRi, a large leap for the beauty industry.
Inclusivity aside, pros, editors, and customers felt the product was a hit thanks to its long-lasting formula and matte finish. Of course, those with dry skin were left wanting more, sometimes even taking to social media to share their longing for a hydrating version. "My dry skin cannot deal with the Pro Filt’r, it’s way too matte," tweeted one user. Well, Rihanna listened.
Fenty Beauty just announced a sister to the cult classic called the Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation. It has the same buildable and long-lasting coverage in the exact same 50 shades (yep, the original 40 shades have been expanded), but deliver a hydrating finish instead. So how is it? The foundation doesn’t come out until August 15 but we were able to have a few R29 staffers give it a go ahead of its release. Their unfiltered opinions, ahead.
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Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 450
"As a lover of all Fenty products, I was super excited to try out this foundation. However, I was already a fan of the first foundation since I go for a more matte finish with coverage. This one has more of a dewy consistency, but it still provided me with full coverage, which I didn’t expect. This is definitely great for summertime skin!" — Anissa Richmond, Supervising Producer
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 310
"I am not an avid makeup user, but this foundation was so light, yet actually provided coverage, that it had me feeling myself all day. The coverage was amazing and it had my skin GLISTENING. The compliments I received throughout the day definitely made me want to start wearing foundation consistently — especially this one." — Victor Maldonado, AP Analyst in Finance
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 210
"I, naturally, had extremely high expectations for this foundation. I love the previous Fenty foundation formula, which managed to stay matte and actually stuck onto my face for 12+ hours at a time. This one, I have to say, I loved even more. With a velvet finish that left my face still feeling moisturized and glowy after an entire workday, I already know this is what I’ll be rocking well into winter. One downside is that I do feel like it transferred onto my fingers and anything else my face touched easier than the other formula, but with a good setting spray, I’m sure that’s a problem that can be solved." — Rachel Lubitz, Senior Beauty Writer
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 235
"As a daily tinted moisturizer or CC cream gal (especially in the summer), this foundation was such a great alternative. I loved that it felt super light on my skin and went on really smoothly with a brush or my fingers. It allowed my natural skin to still shine through. I was amazed that I only had to powder my T-zone once during the day — even through humid NYC weather!" — Yuki Mizuma, Assistant Photo Research Editor
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 310
"While it might not be a popular opinion, the matte Fenty foundation was not my cup of tea — it just wasn’t ideal for the dry areas on my combination skin. That’s why I was beyond excited to try this hydrating formula and, let me say, this is exactly what Fenty needed. It feels so comfortable and gives skin this natural finish that stays put — even in summer heat. My oiler spots did get too oily towards the end of the day, but nothing a little powder can’t easily fix." — Thatiana Diaz, Beauty Writer
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 390
"As someone who rarely wears makeup (unless I’m going out out at night), I can confidently say that I finally found a lightweight foundation that works for me. This foundation gave me the no-makeup makeup look I need for those days when my face is just not cooperating. It even felt like I was putting on tinted moisturizer. Plus, it was refreshing to easily find a shade that matches my skin, which is not usually the case. But my favorite thing about the product was that it lasted all day." — Hildiana Cano, Human Resources Manager
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 420
"I wanted to like this formula so bad. The original Fenty foundation is too matte for my taste, so something that’s creamy and hydrating seemed like it’d be a much better fit — but that wasn’t the case for me.
When I first applied it, it felt great. The coverage is nice and the formula is creamy. But after about two hours, the oiliness started to show through, and it continued throughout the day. (I don’t really have oily skin, either.) By 5 p.m. my chin, forehead, and cheeks were beaming — and not in a good way. I had to add a layer of powder and use a sponge to take down the shine. However I would try this product again. Next time, I’m going to apply with a wet sponge over a brush to see if that helps cut the shiny finish." — Jessica Cruel, Deputy Beauty Director
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 220
"As someone with very oily skin, I’ll admit I was a little skeptical when I saw the word ‘hydrating’ on the packaging. However, Rih didn’t do me dirty in the least bit. The shade was a near-perfect match to my olive complexion and the finish was virtually undetectable. Skin goals in a tube, truly." — Karina Hoshikawa, Beauty & Wellness Market Writer
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 345
"Unpopular opinion: I am not a fan of Fenty Pro Filt’r Matte Foundation. But I had high hopes when I learned that the brand was releasing a new hydrating formula. This one, unlike the OG one, didn’t oxidize or make my complexion look orange. It provided blendable, medium coverage that I was able to build in select areas. It went on like butter with the Fenty foundation brush and disappeared into my skin. I also loved that it left behind just a little dewiness. I did not set my skin with powder before this photo was taken and I did feel like it transferred slightly when I touched my face. Overall, I’m in love with how even and smooth this made my skin look. I can’t say it would replace all my holy-grail foundations, but it’s definitely one I’m keeping around to power through these hot summer days." – Aimee Simeon, Beauty Writer
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation in Shade 230
“Normal-to-dry is a pretty broad category when you’re talking about skin type, but I’m right in there, closer to normal than dry. In the summer, my morning routine does not include foundation — just hyaluronic acid serum followed by moisturizer and tinted sunscreen — but on a day that I needed a little bit more coverage, I would definitely use the new hydrating Pro Filter Foundation. I used it by first squirting a drop or two on the back of my hand and used a brush to buff it into my skin. The result was a pore-less finish that’s just a little more than I’m used to, but still feels super light, and has this dewy finish that keeps the skin looking like skin. I’d definitely wear it if I was getting my picture taken.” — Megan Decker, Beauty Writer
Fenty PRO FILT’R Hydrating Longwear Foundation, $35, available at Fenty Beauty
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Source: Refinery29 – Thatiana Diaz