Quick Verdict: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless is still one of the most reliable affordable foundations for oily and acne-prone skin. It gives a smoothing, buildable finish, is easy to find across Australia, and holds up well for everyday wear, though the packaging and slight oxidisation are worth keeping in mind.
At A Glance:
- Best suited to oily, combination, and acne-prone skin
- Medium, buildable coverage with a smoothing finish
- Usually around $10 to $25 AUD depending on sales
- Widely available at Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, supermarkets, and online
- Can oxidise slightly depending on powder pairing
- Packaging could definitely be improved
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The Maybelline Matte + Poreless liquid foundation is a product I’ve been using for well over a decade, even before there were two separate Fit Me formulas.
It’s one of those foundations that has stayed consistently popular, especially among people with acne-prone or textured skin, largely because of how smoothing and wearable it is.
I’ve worn this foundation through active breakouts, acne scarring phases, filming days, long workdays, and also when my skin has been relatively clear, so I feel like I’ve tested it in pretty much every scenario.
It’s also accessible. You can find it at most Australian retailers, and when it goes on sale it often drops to around the $10 mark, which is feeling increasingly rare for drugstore makeup these days.
A bottle tends to last well because the formula is flexible and buildable, but the packaging still feels overdue for an update. Without a pump it can get messy and waste product, so I know a lot of us are hoping a tube or pump version eventually lands in Australia.
So let’s get into the full review, how the 12-hour wear claims actually hold up, and whether the Matte + Poreless finish still deserves its cult favourite status.
The Shades, Undertones, And Inclusivity
There’s a wide shade and undertone range overall, though I have noticed some oxidisation so try to opt for a share lighter. I also think deeper shades can be harder to find depending on the retailer. For the widest shade selection, Amazon often has more options available.
In this review I wore shade 118. It’s slightly too deep for me and a little more yellow-warm than my undertone, though I can make it work with the right product pairings.
I would love to see continued shade expansion, especially deeper tones along with more light olive options.
Read: 6 of The Best Foundations for Light Olive and Fair Olive Skin Tones (Tested on Middle Eastern Skin)
Texture, Application And First Impressions
The texture feels light but still smoothing. It blends easily and builds well without going heavy. I’d describe the coverage as a comfortable medium but still buildable to full coverage.
One thing I like is that it has a good natural set-down, so I often skip primer entirely. It still gives a smooth look across pores and textured areas, which is why I think it works well for acne-prone skin.
Read: Best Foundations For Acne-Prone Skin (Tried, Tested, and Breakout-Safe)
Wear Test: How It Performs Throughout The Day
Longevity has always been strong for me. With the right powder pairing, it easily lasts a full workday. I’d say about 8 to 10 hours is the sweet spot.
Transfer is minimal, oil control is decent, and pores look softened throughout the day. I do notice that certain powders can darken the foundation slightly, which is something to keep in mind when setting.
Overall, it holds up well without feeling heavy or uncomfortable.
My Before And After
Is It Good For Oily, Acne-Prone Or Dry Skin?
For oily skin, there’s good oil control, especially when paired with powder. I definitely recommend setting strategically rather than all over if you don’t need it.
For acne-prone skin, I personally don’t find it breaks me out. It cleanses off easily and doesn’t cling or feel like it’s sitting heavily on the skin.
For dry or flaky skin, this probably isn’t the best option. I’d suggest the Dewy and Smooth version instead. A lot of my dry-skin friends swear by that formula.
Read: Acne Prone, Sensitive Skin Review of Naked Sunday’s BeautyScreen Peptide Skin Tint
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Very affordable, especially on sale
- Easy to find almost anywhere
- Buildable medium coverage
- Smoothing and pore-blurring effect
- Good everyday foundation option
Cons:
- Packaging is frustrating and wastes product
- Some oxidisation depending on powder pairing
- Not ideal for flaky or very dry skin
Who I Think This Foundation Is Best For
I think this is perfect for someone wanting an affordable, acne-prone skin-friendly foundation that’s easy to replace and reliable.
It’s a great everyday base and honestly one of the drugstore foundations I recommend the most, especially for anyone hunting for a solid budget holy grail.
The Rest Of The Fit Me Range
Does The Maybelline Fit Me Powder Pair Well With It?
The Matte + Poreless pressed powder pairs nicely with the foundation. I usually suggest going one shade lighter because pigmented powders can deepen the overall look of the base.
You also don’t always need to set your entire face. That really depends on your skin type.
I’ve also worn the pressed powder on its own over concealer before and really liked the finish. It gives a smooth, natural look.
Does The Fit Me Concealer Pair Well With The Foundation?
The Fit Me concealer is a very popular pick in its own right. It comes in a single finish (not split into dewy / matte) and is often described as a comparable dupe for the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer.
It’s definitely worth trying if you’re after an affordable concealer that’s designed to pair naturally with the Fit Me foundation.
The shade range also aligns closely with the foundation shades, which makes matching a lot easier. Overall, it’s a solid all-rounder that most people tend to enjoy.
If you have very dry under-eyes, you might prefer the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer instead, as that formula leans more hydrating. But generally, Maybelline does reliable concealers across the board.
What About The Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder?
I haven’t personally tried the Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder yet, but it’s designed as a lightweight setting powder that helps control shine while keeping the skin looking natural rather than flat.
It’s typically recommended for setting foundation without adding heavy coverage (it’s slightly tinted rather than pigmented), especially through the T-zone where oil tends to come through first.
It generally pairs best with lighter application techniques, like pressing it in with a fluffy brush or small puff rather than packing it on.
What About The Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation?
If you have dry, normal, or slightly dehydrated skin, the Fit Me Dewy + Smooth foundation is usually the better option over Matte + Poreless. It’s designed to give more hydration, a softer glow, and a less powdery finish overall. It’s still extremely smoothing, though.
I personally tend to stick with Matte + Poreless because of my skin type, but a lot of my dry-skin friends genuinely love the Dewy + Smooth formula.
It tends to sit more comfortably on skin that struggles with flakiness or tightness, and it can give that healthy, natural sheen without looking greasy.
I spotted @the.opalista using the Dewy + Smooth version, check out her reel below:
Where To Buy Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless In Australia
Maybelline’s foundation range, including Fit Me Matte + Poreless, is widely available across Australia. You’ll find it stocked at retailers like Adore Beauty, Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Woolworths, and Coles, which makes it one of the easiest foundations to repurchase when you run out.
If you’re still finding your shade match, I’d definitely recommend swatching in person at Priceline or Chemist Warehouse first, where they have testers to try, though shade range may vary at stores.
Once you know your shade, it becomes an easy grab during your regular grocery shop at Woolworths or Coles, or something simple to add to an Adore Beauty order.
Final Verdict: Is Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Still Worth Buying?
Absolutely. I’ve been repurchasing it for around 10 years and can easily see myself repurchasing it for another 10.
I’d welcome packaging improvements and continued shade expansion, but overall it still holds up as a dependable, affordable foundation that does what it promises.
Do you have any drugstore foundations you swear by? I’d love to know.
Feel welcome to comment below.
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