Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker serum foundation review

What is claims:
"What it is:
A serum foundation formulated with chameleon pigments, an innovative color-match technology that goes on white and instantly adjusts to match your unique and changing natural skintone as it balances and nourishes the skin.


What it does:
This is the only foundation you'll need year-round to provide age-defying undetectable coverage. The breakthrough serum foundation suspends over fine lines and wrinkles to smooth and correct visible signs of aging. The one-of-a-kind Organic Argan Oil infused formula strengthens and balances your skin while keeping oily areas shine-free, and dry spots naturally moisturized for totally flawless, younger looking skin." (Source: Sephora.com)

I'm not a regular foundation user and certainly not a liquid foundation fan. I find this form of foundation messy to apply and has too much coverage for my liking. Even though I put a light layer, I feel like I have something on my skin and that it's going to transfer on anything that touches my face. Plus, after a few hours, I find the part around my nose and forehead shiny - even with setting powder. Also, I have a very hard time finding the right shade since my face is about 1 or 2 shade lighter than my neck and I hate it when it's apparent when you take pictures (I mean, you can see that the person is wearing foundation because the color is off!).

I got interested into this product after I've seen Ilikeweylie's foundation tutorial. I liked the luminous finish it gave her and she also mentioned that she noticed some improvements on her skin after using this. The research began! After reading reviews and watched the (very) few videos on it, I decided to try it. A lot of people where complaining that the foundation turned orange on them. I know that when they first launched the product, there were only 2 shades available - light/medium and medium/dark - but now they also offer it fair/light.

 swatch of the serum foundation (click to enlarge pictures)

So I walk into my local Sephora, I knew they carried this brand but never really took a look at it and I think it's the only place that carries Josie Maran product in Montreal. I'm a NC20 in MAC so when I swatch a foundation, I always start by the lightest shade available or the 2nd lightest shade. First impression? The texture is so freaking amazingly light! It feels like a face lotion but less runny! It blended out nicely too! I decided to swatch the light/medium too, just in case. It turned out very orange on me. So I guess that the orangy shade that people where talking about is due to a color mismatch. The fair/light shade blends out and matches perfectly my skintone - which is very rare for a liquid foundation. In pictures, you can't see the difference of color between my face and neck (YAY!).

JM matchmaker in fair/light slightly blended out. See how good the match is? My face is lighter than my hand, but it still does match perfectly to my face skintone!

I like to apply it with my fingers and it's not streaky. There's a slight sheen right after application, but it absorbs into your skin within a few minutes (I think it's because of the argan oil). This foundation does what it claims : it balances and nourishes. I have combo skin (oily on the T-zone) and it didn't make it shiny after a full day. My dry cheeks feels comfortable and overall my skin is very smooth. It didn't cause any breakouts either or itchiness. I don't have any fine lines or wrinkles to hide so I can't pronounce myself on this aspect... Yet! =P It provides a sheer/light coverage that is buildable to a medium coverage without looking cakey. It diffuses the redness of a pimple but won't hide it, but it does a good job at evening out your skin.

My only complaint is the pump. It's a very very cheap plastic that can come off easily if you're not careful (but you can easily put it back on too..). When I first tried it at home, it wasn't working and it didn't pump anything out. I totally went "WTF?!?!" and played a bit with it and finally made it work! Wheew.. The bottle looks tiny but it's the same quantity that you would get for any other foundation, 30mL (1oz). Don't get fooled by the bottle! It's not because the packaging is bigger that you get more =)

Overall:

Packaging: 3.5/5 For the price, the pump can be way better!
Product: 5/5 Love it! I don't mind that it doesn't have SPF =)

 Price: 55$CAN
Would I repurchase? I'm very tempted to say yes, but it takes me forever to finish a foundation (I never finished one actually.. hahaha). I would recommend this for someone who wants a very light coverage for people with dry to combo skin. If you have very oily skin, I would recommend you to ask a sample of it and test it out.

 Here's a foundation routine that includes JM's argan serum foundation =)


I hope it was helpful!
Love,
-S