When it comes to beauty product loyalty, there tends to be a generational divide: People like my mom, who sits on the cusp of the Baby Boomer generation and Gen X, often use the same products for years, while Millennials and Gen Z are usually eager to try what’s new. It’s rare to find a product that holds up across a wide age gap. But according to my mom and I, Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation is one of the ones that does.
I'm 28 and have been using this foundation since high school, meaning it's been a mainstay in my beauty routine for more than a decade. It's got all the things I look for: it's noncomedogenic, buildable, hydrating, long-wearing and has SPF. Plus, I just like how it looks, as my preference is medium coverage with a dewy finish.
As for my mom, she shares my sentiments: "In all my years, I’ve never stuck to a foundation this long,” she told me. She's a self-proclaimed "sun worshipper" and likes that the SPF has kept her mature skin protected each day without needing the added step of sunscreen. Like me, she also appreciates that it's suitable for everyday wear and special occasions since you can layer it up for a heavier look when needed.
Recently, I cleared up my acne-prone skin and realized that through all of my skin's changes, the one product I've never changed is my foundation. That was a signal to me that it's a product worth sharing.
Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid Foundation
What we like
- Hydrating
- SPF 18
- Buildable coverage
Something to note
- Leaves a dewy finish
- Limited range of deep shades
Shades: 23 | Finishes: 2 | Coverage: Medium, buildable | Key ingredients: Octinoxate sunscreen, glycerin
Why I tried Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid FoundationI started using this foundation in high school when I had two main criteria: I needed a product that had light-to-medium coverage for everyday wear and I needed it to be affordable. This fits both requirements. Plus, it's easy to find at most drugstores (I wasn't using Amazon.com back then).
My skin typeI’ve struggled with acne-prone skin for as long as I can remember. In high school, my acne was mostly on my forehead and chin, and I cleared it up within a year with a round of Accutane. But in my early twenties, cystic, hormonal acne returned and spread across my jawline. Again, I treated it with an Accutane prescription.
Throughout my skin journey, a liquid foundation has always felt like my best bet — you can go for sheer coverage in places where you don’t need much, or layer it up in places where you have more inflammation, redness or hyperpigmentation. Fit Me Dewy + Smooth is also noncomedogenic, so I trust that it isn't going to cause me more acne.
Why my mom with mature skin likes Maybelline Dewy + Smooth Liquid FoundationDiffering from me, my mom has completely clear (enviable!) skin. That said, she has maturing skin and is very dry, but she's as loyal to Fit Me Dewy + Smooth as I am. When I asked her why she had kept using it for so long, she was quick to call out that this foundation lasts for hours. "In all my years, I've never stuck to a foundation this long," she told me. "I wear it every day, but I also wear it to weddings," she added, speaking to the fact that you can build it up for added coverage on special occasions.
How I apply Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid FoundationMy mom and I are both big fans of simplifying when it comes to beauty, so I prefer to apply Fit Me with my fingertips, starting at the center of my face and adding more product as needed. However, if you prefer to use a brush or makeup sponge, those work too. As far as liquid foundations go, the texture is pretty standard, so whatever tools you'd normally go for will work just fine.
Why I like Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid FoundationIt has SPFWhen I asked my mom what she likes about this foundation, the first thing she mentioned was that it means she doesn't have to worry about adding a layer of sunscreen before she applies her makeup. Both of us favor a straightforward beauty routine, so the fact that this is a two-in-one foundation and sunscreen product is a win in our books. Since I have very fair skin, sunscreen is a top priority, especially on the face. After wearing this for so long, my face and neck are distinctly paler than my body — the SPF is working! My mom has a slightly darker complexion and spends more time in the sun, but she's seen the same effect (and from my view, the anti-aging benefits of SPF are doing their job).
It's buildableAnother thing my mom and I agree on is how buildable this foundation is. If you apply just a little bit, it almost works like a BB cream, leaving a light wash of color. If you apply a full face, it's medium coverage. That said, for special events and nights out, I'll go in with a second layer, which gives me full coverage, almost completely covering up my freckles. I like that I have these options all within a single product.
This foundation blends easily into the skin on its own, but it also blends well with other products. Case in point: When I'm going for an extra dewy look, particularly in the summer, I'll add a few drops of a liquid highlighter like Glossier's Futuredew (though most liquid highlighters or serums will work) to lend my skin a little extra glow. I also like that I can mix in a darker shade of Fit Me if I get a summer tan, allowing me to customize my shade.
It stood the test of time through changes in my skin's textureWhile I have had several experiences with acne, my skin is in a great spot now and through it all, I've never once thought to change my foundation. Whether you're dry, oily, acne-prone or clear — it does the trick.
Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Foundation comes in two finishes: "Dewy + Smooth" and "Matte + Poreless." The former was designed for normal to dry skin, while the latter is for normal to oily, per the brand.
While my skin is quite oily, I prefer the Dewy + Smooth version. For me, Matte + Poreless was simply too matte — it ended up looking a bit patchy and didn’t blend as evenly as I like. In my experience, it also appears more opaque, which, as someone with a lot of freckles, I don’t love; my makeup looks more natural when they can peek through a bit. And I think the dewiness actually works well because it mimics my skin’s natural texture rather than resisting it. As for my mom, who has dry skin, she loves that it's hydrating. Normally, makeup can go a bit patchy on her and adhere to the dryness, but this always leaves her face looking smooth.
That said, if you’re looking for a super matte finish, Fit Me Dewy + Smooth probably isn’t the foundation for you. Personally, I set it with powder on high shine areas like the center of my forehead, under my eyes, under my nostrils and on my chin. But I like the shine it lends to my cheeks and the bridge of my nose, as those are spots where I’d add highlighter anyway.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Oil-Free Foundation
Shades: 40 | Finishes: 2 | Coverage: Medium, buildable | Key ingredients: SPF
Products I pair with Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid FoundationGlossier Stretch Balm Concealer
What we like
- Buildable
- Online shade matching
- Fragrance free
Something to note
- Dewy, glowy finish
Shades: 32 | Finishes: 1 | Coverage: Buildable | Key ingredients: Avocado oil, jojoba oil
Like Fit Me Dewy + Smooth, this balm-like concealer has a creamy finish that pairs perfectly with my foundation. I wear Fit Me Dewy + Smooth in 110 Porcelain and Glossier Stretch Balm Concealer in Light 2.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
What we like
- Mattifying
- Oil-free
- Suitable for all skin types
Something to note
- Full size is expensive
Shades: 4 | Finishes: Matte | Sizes: Mini and standard | Coverage: Translucent or very light | Key ingredients: Vitamin C and E powders
Because this foundation has such a dewy finish, I like to set my forehead, chin, under my eyes, and under my nostrils with translucent powder. That way my cheeks keep the shine, while my T-zone stays in check.
Glossier Futuredew
Shades: 1 (sheer) | Versions: Liquid and solid | Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, grape seed oil, sugarcane squalane
For an extra glow at events or during the summer, I love adding a pump of Futuredew to my foundation. I apply both on the back of my hand and blend them together with my fingers before applying the blended products to my face directly.
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Erica Marrison is an editorial assistant at Shop TODAY, where she covers fashion, beauty, deals and more. She contributes to a range of franchises, including Shop This List, which was a finalist for a 2024 Digiday Award.
