Beauty on a Shoestring: Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse

I’ve gushed long and often about my love of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. But for all its greatness, it does have one fatal flaw: the price. Thanks to a lifetime of dental drama that had another flame-up last year, 2013 may see a record number of “Beauty on a Shoestring” posts as I tighten the belt on my beauty budget.

When my bottle of Luminous Silk dried up late last year, I was forced to find an affordable alternative for a daily foundation. Sad, I know. But this beauty tale has a happy ending. I’m ecstatic to report that I have found an outstanding drugstore brand foundation that has exceeded all my expectations. Let me tell you about Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation.

Maybelline has a whole line of “Dream” makeup products. There is the Dream Smooth Mousse and the Dream Matte Mousse; both come in a jar and have a cream-to-powder finish. Then there is the Dream Nude Airfoam, a lightweight foam that includes SPF 16. If you’re into the BB cream craze, Maybelline’s got one of those for you, too, with their Dream Fresh BB. I chose the Dream Liquid Mousse, because it seemed the most suitable for my dry skin.

THE GOOD: This foundation comes in a glass bottle with an easy-to-use pump, something that isn’t always a given for drugstore brand cosmetics. Per the Maybelline website, “Air-whipped liquid provides perfecting coverage for 100% poreless skin” and is “Oil-free, fragrance-free,  Dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested, non-comedogenic – won’t clog pores, safe for sensitive skin”.  As you can see from my photo below, Dream Liquid Mousse comes out of the pump in a viscous dollop, but I promise it applies to your face with a silky texture.

While the website states that you can apply with your fingertips, I prefer to use my foundation brush. True to its name, the liquid mousse blends easily into a smooth, even finish with medium coverage. This foundation feels light and looks flawless.

THE BAD: This is not a full coverage foundation, so at times when my rosacea is acting up, I’ll still see some redness. The formula of this foundation doesn’t really build. However, the luminous finish does a sufficient job of camouflaging blemishes. Also, I don’t find this foundation to be quite as long wearing as the Armani Luminous Silk I used to use.

THE VERDICT: Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation really is a dream! It applies easily and has a flawless finish on your skin. And I haven’t yet mentioned perhaps the best part. At my local H-E-B grocery store, this foundation costs $7.94. Amazing! For that steal of a price, I may never go back to Armani.

Images: Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse, swatch of foundation and self-portrait – author’s own