The Maybelline Fit Me Line: What to get + the complete shade matrix

When a makeup line is getting so much praise and hype, it totally sucks when it’s not available locally. Our options are limited to asking relatives abroad to get it for us (a challenge if they're not into makeup) or finding a local reseller (often with the price bumped up). I thought that such would be our fate with the famous Maybelline Fit Me Line, which has been the topic of so much online buzz this past year or so. Luckily, we no longer have to worry about getting our hands on these bestsellers because #FitMeMatteIsHere in the Philippines!  

Beauty addicts and makeup artists alike have been raving about the Fit Me line for providing good staying power and having a wide range of shades to choose from - they even added new shades last May! The Matte + Poreless promise feels especially suitable for the hot and/or humid rainy weather we have all year. Now, these products are recommended for normal to oily skin types, and to help you decide which one to get, here's a quick guide to finding your perfect fit!

The star of the line is the Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation (P399), which delivers a natural-looking and luminous finish that looks and feels comparable to some pricier brands. It has a buildable light to medium coverage that lasts up to 12 hours on my dry skin. I still had to blot every five to 6 hours though as I still have an oily t-zone; you will need to blot a bit earlier and more often if you have a combination/oily skin type. While the full range is not available here, the current 10 shade options should give a relatively close match. I found mine in #228 Soft Tan. (Editor's Note: I am also 228 Soft Tan; my MAC shade is NC35 for your reference. - Liz)

Get this if you:

• Have oily to combination skin
• Have a lot of discoloration (blemishes, redness, etc.)
• Need something long-wearing but don't mind the occasional retouch

Pair the liquid foundation with the Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Powder (P399) and your skin will stay shine-free for around 4 to 6 hours, depending your skin type. The powder has a blurring effect, a matte finish, and eight shades to complement the foundation. I use the shade Natural Beige which gives a brightening effect on the liquid foundation once it oxidizes.

Get this if you:

• Have dry to oily skin (it suits all skin types)
• Want a powder that has some coverage for both setting and retouching

For busy bees who are always on the go, you may want to check out the Fit Me Stick Foundation (P399). It's a mattifying cream foundation in a convenient stick that you can just swipe, blend, and be good to go. There are eight shades available. 

This foundation stick provides a light to medium coverage that blurs out my pores but does not cover the redness around the nose, plus some visible veins. This needs to be followed up with concealer as the coverage may not be enough for those with obvious discoloration. This is less long-wearing than the liquid foundation at around eight hours, with a retouch required at the five hour mark. 

Get this if you:

• Have combination to dry skin
• Have good skin with minor discoloration
• Don't have a lot of time to spend on makeup during the morning rush hour

From left: Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Foundation, Concealer, Foundation Stick, Pressed Powder

Also in the Fit Me collection is the Fit Me Concealer (P199), which was included in BeautyMNL's Best Makeup Products of 2016. There are four shades available locally. The formula is lightweight and easy to blend, though it kind of disappears quickly. I actually want to get an extra tube to keep in my bag as I find it necessary to retouch. It doesn’t stay on the entire day but I like that you can build up along the way. This might work best for those with light under eye circles . 

Get this if you:

• Need a lightweight, brightening concealer for your under eyes
• Don't mind the occasional retouch

Everything from Maybelline's new line is affordable and promising but finding a shade match can be a bit confusing as the shades don't quite match by number. Ideally you want to swatch the product on your skin to check but as a guide, Maybelline also has a handy shade matrix to show how each shade relates to one another.

For online shoppers, you can find the Fit Me collection at the Maybelline official store in Lazada. If you're a swatch first gal like me, visiting a Watsons store or a Robinsons Department Store is your best bet to get your hands on one (or all!) of these amazing base makeup must-haves. For a full list of store availability, check out this list from the Maybelline Philippines Facebook page.

Have you found your Maybelline Fit? Which Fit Me product are you looking forward to trying?