Welcome to Internet Famous, a monthly series in which we ask our Instagram followers to vote on a viral beauty product that's taken social media by storm. Then the beauty team will take the winning pick for a spin and share their reviews—pictures included.
Look, I have a good relationship with my readers, which is exactly why I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't introduce you to my skin's new BFF. She's luminous, breathable, and buildable; she's got your face covered, quite literally, for hours on end; and she's the most considerate. (She's made with something called MoistureGrip technology, which basically means she does everything in her power to keep skin hydrated for 12 hours using a blend of vegan squalene and grape seed oil.)
And like any true BFF would, she makes me want to try new things—like become an everyday foundation person. What's her name? SurrealSkin Liquid Foundation ($42) by Makeup by Mario.
This foundation has probably already graced your For You page on TikTok. Maybe you've heard the rumors that it's made with glitter or that it's not good for oily skin types. I wanted to put those rumors to rest once and for all, so I did what anyone would do and had a group of my co-workers put it to the test. Spoiler: They're hooked. Keep scrolling to see our reviews.
Aniyah Morinia, Editor
"I'm completely blown away by this foundation. I've watched more TikTok reviews about this product than I'd like to admit, and I was fearful that it wasn't worth the hype. But the flawless base that it's given me is evidence enough. It has the coverage of a foundation and the lightweight yet buildable formula of a skin tint. I prefer a dewy finish, so this is perfect for me. My boss even said my skin looked airbrushed when I sent her pictures, which is the best compliment I could receive."
Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor
"I didn't want to use any additional products with this foundation to see how it would photograph by itself. I did like how it applied, but I felt like it actually emphasized pores and skin texture instead of blurring it out like I typically like a foundation to do. It's also definitely more of a medium-coverage formula, which is great for those who are looking for something that's sheer, but if you have texture or acne scars like I do, this may not be your favorite formula. You can build it up, but even when I did that, it still emphasized my skin texture and was a bit dry. Overall, I have mixed feelings about this one. I did like how weightless it felt on the skin, but it didn't quite sit right on my particular complexion. I love Makeup by Mario and have been obsessed with the Ethereal Eyes Palette since its recent launch, but the foundation didn't quite hit for me."
Caitie Schlisserman, Sr. Beauty Director, Branded Content
"I don't think I've ever been as obsessed with a foundation as I am with this one. Ever. To be fair, I've never been a real foundation girlie—I usually save it for special occasions, but this formula has me second-guessing my ways. Shade 8N ended up being a near perfect match, and I'm still not over it. The formula is thick but super lightweight—one pump was all I needed to cover my entire face with a brush. What's so appealing is that it completely melts into skin and is perfectly buildable depending on the amount of coverage you desire."
Katie Berohn, Beauty Editor
"I used the online shade matcher to find my shade, and while it's not far off, it's not a perfect match. Ideally, I would use 2N since my skin leans more neutral than warm. But the foundation is flexible enough to still look good on my skin! I love how dewy it leaves me, and it genuinely doesn't budge throughout the day. The coverage is really buildable, so it's nice that you can make it as sheer or as full-coverage as you need it to be. I really love that it has hydrating ingredients, so it gives your skin a glow from the inside out."
Maya Thomas, Assistant Beauty Editor
"Whenever I see an online shade matcher, I love giving it a try. Unfortunately, most tend to match me with a shade that leans too yellow or blue (I have red undertones), and I end up having to test the foundation in person to determine which shade actually works for me. In the case of Makeup by Mario, however, my foundation options were the perfect match for my summer and winter shades! I'm a huge fan of how lightweight and breathable the formula is and how smoothly it goes on. I wanted a more natural, dewy look, so I opted for light coverage. I think it does an amazing job at giving my skin that perfect no-makeup makeup look with a gorgeous, glowing finish."
Kaitlyn McLintock, Associate Beauty Editor
"The online shade matcher gave me a shade that was close enough but not perfect. Still, I was happy with the match. Even though it was a little too dark for me, it was nothing I couldn't fix with some concealer. I liked how natural it looked despite the amount of coverage it offered. (My rosacea was almost completely disguised!) It also felt nice and lightweight on my skin. There was no pilling, creasing, or smudging, and it lasted all day."
Up next: TikTok Was Right—This Mascara Has Curling and Lifting Superpowers
