Late December of 2022 I had an unplanned for Makeup Crisis. I discovered that my preferred foundation, Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Flawless Coverage Foundation was discontinued. I may have perhaps discovered it sooner, but I had purchased several bottles the last time I was in a store and was finally nearing the end of my supply.

Why Maybelline, why???

The higher end product it was meant to dupe by IT cosmetics makes my skin break out. And, it’s way more expensive. I wear foundation every day, with my makeup habits I can’t afford expensive foundations.

Now, for someone in their 20’s with firm and supple skin, this really wouldn’t be that big of a deal. The market is inundated with products at every price point that can get the job done no problem. But if you are in your 40’s? Nope. Not just any foundation will do or you can end up looking worse with makeup on than without.

I am 47, and what I have discovered in the past several months is that at this age, I’ve become the Goldilocks of drugstore foundations. My preferred foundation is glowy, has a minimum of SPF 30, and is medium to full coverage. Yes, I already put on a separate SPF, but with skin this fair and a history of some lesions headed to the dark side, I like as much layered coverage as possible.

Because some of my loved ones are also in need of foundation that flatters maturing skin, I am giving my breakdown of the products I have been using as I have tried to find an adequate replacement for the Maybelline Dream Urban. Not one of them meets all of my personal preferences criteria- though none of them made me personally break out- but some of them definitely worked better than others for me personally.

The first one I tried was Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Natural Radiance Foundation. This was a Crypt Keeper converting disaster and if you are over the age of 30 I really don’t think you should waste your time (or your money) trying this product. A friend saw me the first day I tried it and commented on how much it aged me and did not look flattering on my skin. Couldn’t agree more. This product made my lines under my eyes seem like valleys and this product makes me look at least 15 years older than I do without makeup. Even mixing it with other products to thin it down didn’t work, this one looked so bad I couldn’t bring myself to finish the tube. The first pick below is the first day I tried the Juvia’s Place foundation, the second is two days later, same eye, no makeup.

The next product I tried was L’Oreal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation, and this one isn’t bad. My main concerns about this foundation are that it’s slightly glowier than I like and that it appears to be getting harder to find in the stores, which can be a precursor to a product being discontinued. I feel like the coverage is good, it doesn’t enhance my lines, and it has all the SPF I want in my foundation and is currently my preferred replacement for those days where I want to wear a very dramatic eye look.

I also tried Revlon Illuminance Foundation (No SPF) around the same time, and for this product, it’s definitely too glowy. It doesn’t matter how much powder I put on it, and I was caking it on to get through the bottle, it still would glow through like someone sprayed my face down with a light mist of water or oil. The color was flattering, the coverage was lighter than I preferred, and in order for it to not rub off when I put on my other face products I had to use a setting spray on it before I could powder, blush, bronze, and highlight.

I also tried the Maybelline Dream Radiant Liquid Foundation. The glow is still slightly more than I want, but my biggest gripe for this foundation is the coverage is really best for natural looks and there is no added SPF. Otherwise I think it’s pretty flattering and I am happy to use it for days where I don’t want my makeup to be so dramatic.

Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation isn’t bad, but it makes the lines on my forehead seem more pronounced. L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Liquid Foundation also glows to the heavens no matter how much powder I set it with, and it can rub off in spots with powder product application.

And Maybelline, if you’re reading this? I would hope you were canceling that Dream Urban foundation product for lower sales and not because glowier serum foundations are the current trend. Because if there were good sales…I don’t know, maybe bring it back? Even a middle-aged Goldilocks of Drugstore Foundations wants to look her best.