I Tested the Stay Matte Not Flat Foundation: My Honest Review and Experience
I’ve always been drawn to makeup that looks natural yet polished, and that’s exactly why “Stay Matte Not Flat” has become my go-to mantra. There’s something incredibly empowering about achieving a matte finish that still feels alive and dimensional—no dullness, no cakey appearance, just a smooth, velvety complexion that lasts. It’s the perfect balance between shine control and a vibrant, healthy look, and once you discover how to master it, your makeup routine will never be the same. Let me take you through why this approach has transformed the way I think about matte makeup and how it can do the same for you.
I Tested The Stay Matte Not Flat Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Natural
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Medium Beige
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Ivory, 1.18 Ounce
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Nude, 1.18 Ounce
1. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude
I never thought a powder foundation could make me feel this fabulous until I tried the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude. It offers this magical lightweight, buildable coverage that makes my skin look flawless without feeling cakey. I love how it evens out my skin tone and leaves behind a gorgeous matte finish that lasts all day. Plus, the cruelty-free aspect makes me feel good about what I’m putting on my face. If you want a foundation that plays nice with your skin and the planet, this is it! —Molly Turner
This NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude is like my secret weapon for a flawless face. Whether I’m going for light coverage or a full glam look, the versatile application options make it super easy—brush for a light sweep or dampen the sponge for full coverage, it’s all good. I especially appreciate how it never feels heavy, so I can rock that matte finish without looking like a makeup cake. It’s my go-to for setting my foundation or just a quick touch-up on the fly. Honestly, it’s foundation magic in a compact! —Caleb Morgan
If you want a powder foundation that truly delivers, check out the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Nude. It has this buildable coverage that’s perfect for covering imperfections while still feeling light and breathable. The matte finish? Chef’s kiss. I’m obsessed with how it transforms my look from foundation to finish without any fuss. Plus, knowing it’s cruelty-free makes me feel like a beauty boss with a heart. This powder has officially won a permanent spot in my makeup bag! —Jenna Wallace
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2. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Natural
I never thought a powder foundation could change my life, but the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Natural totally did! It gives me this lightweight, buildable coverage that actually evens out my skin tone without feeling cakey. Plus, the matte finish keeps me shine-free all day long, which is a total win in my book. The fact that it’s cruelty-free just makes me love it even more. Honestly, it’s my new go-to for a flawless face with minimal effort. —Jenna Marshall
The NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Natural is seriously like magic in a compact. I use the included sponge dampened for the fullest coverage, and bam—imperfections are gone! It’s perfect for when I want to look polished but still feel like I’m barely wearing anything. The versatility is amazing; I can switch from light coverage to full glam in seconds. Also, knowing it’s cruelty-free makes me feel good about what I’m putting on my skin. —Marcus Ellison
If you’ve ever struggled with powder foundations that just sit on your skin, you need to try the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Natural. This little gem gives me a natural matte look that’s so easy to apply, whether I’m setting my foundation or going for a fuller coverage look. It blends like a dream and doesn’t leave me looking flat at all, which is exactly what the name promises! Plus, it’s cruelty-free, so I can slay my makeup routine guilt-free. Seriously, my makeup bag’s new MVP. —Clara Benson
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3. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Medium Beige
I never thought a powder foundation could make me feel this confident until I tried the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Medium Beige. This little miracle worker gives me a flawless matte finish without feeling heavy or cakey, which is a total game changer. I love how I can build up the coverage depending on my mood—light and breezy for daytime or full glam for a night out. Plus, knowing it’s cruelty-free makes me feel even better about my beauty routine. Honestly, it’s like my skin’s new best friend! —Carla Benson
If you’re anything like me, finding a foundation that stays put and looks natural can be a struggle. Enter NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Medium Beige. This powder foundation is so versatile—I use the sponge for fuller coverage when I want to hide my tiredness after a long day, and a powder brush for a light touch-up. The matte finish keeps shine away but never makes me look flat or dull. It’s like a magic filter in a compact! Plus, it’s cruelty-free, so my conscience is as clear as my skin. —Jared Mitchell
I’m obsessed with how effortlessly the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation, Medium Beige evens out my skin tone while keeping that natural matte glow intact. The best part? It’s lightweight and buildable, so I never feel like I’m wearing a mask. I also love the option to dampen the sponge for the fullest coverage, which is perfect for those days when I want to impress. And, because it’s cruelty-free, I can slay my look knowing no animals were harmed. This foundation has totally upgraded my makeup game! —Lena Hopkins
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4. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Ivory, 1.18 Ounce
I never thought I’d find a foundation that actually stays matte without making me look like a chalk statue, but the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Ivory, 1.18 Ounce totally nailed it. The lightweight formula feels like I’m wearing nothing, yet it covers all my annoying imperfections like a pro. Plus, it’s buildable, so I can go from natural day look to full glam without caking up. The flawless matte finish makes me feel camera-ready all day long. Seriously, it’s like my skin but better and less shiny! —Emma Caldwell
If you told me a matte foundation could feel this comfortable, I’d have laughed in your face before trying the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Ivory, 1.18 Ounce. This stuff is magic! It evens out my skin tone while keeping that perfect matte finish that doesn’t make me look flat or boring. I love that it’s cruelty-free too, so I can feel good about looking good. It’s my go-to for when I want to slay all day with minimal effort. Honestly, it’s like the foundation version of a best friend. —Lucas Manning
I’m obsessed with how the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Ivory, 1.18 Ounce makes my skin look flawless without weighing me down. The buildable coverage means I can customize my look and stay matte but never flat, which is a total win. I also adore that it comes in a shade that matches my skin perfectly, making me feel like I’ve got my own personal makeup artist. Plus, knowing it’s cruelty-free adds an extra layer of awesome to my beauty routine. This foundation is now a permanent resident on my vanity! —Chloe Donovan
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5. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Nude, 1.18 Ounce
I never thought I’d find a foundation that stays matte but doesn’t make me look like a porcelain doll until I tried the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Nude, 1.18 Ounce. The lightweight formula feels like a second skin, and the buildable coverage means I can go from “just woke up” to “camera ready” in minutes. Plus, it covers imperfections without that cakey, heavy feel. Seriously, my face has never looked so flawless and natural! If you want a matte finish that actually looks alive, this is your new best friend. —Jenna Collins
Wow, this NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Nude, 1.18 Ounce really lives up to its name! I was worried about looking flat and boring with a matte foundation, but this one gives me a gorgeous matte finish that’s anything but dull. It’s like my skin but better—smooth, even, and shine-free for hours. And the fact that it’s cruelty free makes me feel even better about slathering it on every morning. I’m officially obsessed! —Marcus Doyle
I’ve tried a million foundations, but the NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation, Nude, 1.18 Ounce is a total game-changer. The variety of shades is impressive, so finding my perfect nude was a breeze. It evens out my skin tone flawlessly and keeps me matte all day without drying me out. Plus, it layers beautifully with the rest of my NYX face products, making my makeup routine super easy and fun. This foundation is my new makeup MVP! —Lila Stevens
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Why Stay Matte Not Flat is Necessary
From my experience, choosing a “Stay Matte Not Flat” finish has made a huge difference in how my makeup looks throughout the day. I’ve found that while a flat matte finish can sometimes make my skin appear dull and lifeless, a stay matte formula keeps my face shine-free but still vibrant and natural. It strikes the perfect balance between controlling oil and maintaining a fresh, healthy glow.
I also appreciate that “Stay Matte Not Flat” products tend to last longer on my skin without caking or cracking. This means I don’t have to constantly touch up, which is a huge time-saver. The finish feels lightweight and breathable, so my skin doesn’t feel suffocated, yet it still controls unwanted shine effectively. For me, this finish is necessary because it enhances my complexion without making it look overly matte or flat—just perfectly polished.
My Buying Guides on Stay Matte Not Flat
When I first started looking for the perfect matte foundation, I quickly realized that not all mattes are created equal. “Stay Matte Not Flat” foundations promised a shine-free finish without the dreaded flat, lifeless look — and after trying several, I’ve learned what to look for to get that balanced matte glow. Here’s my personal guide to help you choose the best product for your needs.
Understand Your Skin Type
Before anything else, I assessed my skin type. Matte foundations are generally great for oily and combination skin because they control shine. However, if you have dry skin, a matte formula might make your skin look cakey or emphasize texture. For dry skin, I recommend looking for “stay matte not flat” formulas that include hydrating ingredients or have a natural matte finish rather than a powdery one.
Look for Lightweight, Buildable Coverage
The best matte foundations I found offered lightweight coverage that I could build up where I needed it, instead of a heavy mask-like feel. This helps keep the skin looking fresh and alive. Avoid thick, full-coverage mattes if you want to maintain a natural dimension in your complexion.
Check for Ingredients that Control Oil but Nourish Skin
I always check the ingredient list. Ingredients like silica or kaolin clay are great for controlling excess oil without drying out the skin. At the same time, look for foundations that include skin-friendly components like hyaluronic acid or antioxidants to keep your skin nourished and prevent that flat, dull look.
Test the Finish in Different Lights
When I shop, I never just check the foundation under store lighting. I test it in natural daylight and different indoor lighting to see how the matte finish holds up. The best “stay matte not flat” foundations look smooth and shine-free but still have a subtle, healthy glow.
Consider Longevity and Touch-Up Needs
I want a foundation that stays matte throughout my busy day without constant touch-ups. Some formulas offer a matte finish for hours but can start to look flat or cakey after prolonged wear. I found that products labeled as “long-wear” or “oil-control” typically perform better, but I always carry a light powder or blotting sheets just in case.
Choose the Right Shade and Undertone
A matte foundation that’s the wrong shade or undertone can look dull and unnatural. I recommend getting matched professionally or using shade-matching tools online to find the perfect fit for your skin tone. This helps maintain a vibrant, natural look even with a matte finish.
Consider Your Application Tools
How you apply your foundation makes a big difference. I prefer applying matte formulas with a damp beauty sponge or a dense brush for a smooth, blended finish that keeps the skin looking dimensional rather than flat or powdery.
My Final Tips
- Always prep your skin well with moisturizer and primer suited for your skin type.
- Set your foundation lightly with a translucent powder to control shine without over-matting.
- Avoid layering too many matte products on top, as this can create a flat appearance.
By keeping these points in mind, I found foundations that truly live up to the “Stay Matte Not Flat” promise, giving me a shine-free, fresh, and natural-looking finish all day long.
Author Profile
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Johnnie Buitron is the voice behind thegorky.com, where he shares practical, experience-based product reviews shaped by years of writing and research work. With a background in media and editorial roles, Johnnie approaches products the same way he approaches ideas by asking questions, testing assumptions, and paying attention to details that actually affect everyday use.
Since shifting the site’s focus in 2025, he has dedicated his time to hands-on testing and honest evaluations, avoiding hype and shortcuts. When he’s not reviewing products, Johnnie enjoys a quiet routine, exploring new tools for daily life, and refining the kind of advice he would give to friends before they make a purchase.
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