elf Soft Glam Satin Foundation vs. Flawless Satin Foundation At A Glance
• The original foundation has more shades.
• The new foundation comes in squeeze tube instead of the unreliable glass pump.
• The old foundation is skin-like and no fuss.
• The new foundation costs $2 more with slightly more product.
If you are thinking that elf Cosmetics finally has a real foundation that is not a CC cream, you are wrong! They now has two satin foundations in their lineup, and that is confusing. This deep comparison review will set you straight with your cash.
Details & Claims
When it comes to elf Flawless Satin Foundation vs. Soft Glam Satin Foundation, you should know that this is not a re-release or reformulation. elf how has two satin foundations side-by-side in their lineup. Flawless Satin comes in 40 shades for $6 each. The glass pump bottle contains .68 fl oz or 20 mL of product, which is slightly below the standard size.
Soft Glam comes in 36 shades for $8 each. The squeeze tube packaging contains 1 fl oz or 30 mL, which is standard size.
Both foundations are available from the same retailers, which are elf’s website, Amazon, Ulta, Walmart, and Target. You should be able to find the most common shades of Soft Glam in-stores. You will need to shop online to get access to the full shade range. Flawless Satin is usually not sold in stores anymore as elf prioritizes new releases.
To shop Soft Glam:
To shop Flawless Satin:
Soft Glam claims to be a long-lasting, medium buildable coverage foundation that should never get cakey. Flawless Satin claims to have a lightweight finish that naturally blends into the skin and hydrates. It also has buildable medium-to-full coverage for a semi-matte (satin) finish that should be smooth as silk.
Flawless Satin should improve uneven skintone and texture, while Soft Glam is for all skin types. The key ingredient for Soft Glam is 1% hibiscus for hydration. The key ingredient for Flawless Satin is glycerin to hydrate and soften the skin. Soft Glam goes on to tout pomegranate, blueberry, and goji berry as addtional skin-loving ingredients. They both have glycerin in the ingredient list, as well as silicones and water. Neither foundation is truly water based.
Both of these foundations can be applied with your favorite brush or sponge with buffing motions.
Swatches & Shades Compared
I have shade 11 Fair Neutral in Soft Glam, and Natural in Flawless Satin. My bottle of Flawless Satin is so old that it actually shows the old shade name of Porcelain. elf renamed all of the shades and introduced new ones. Porcelain used to be the lightest shade, but, they have two shades that now come before it. You can see these shades side-by-side below in the swatches.
Comparison Review
I have been wearing Flawless Satin since college and it is one of my-all-time favorites. That is many years of use going into this review! First, the packaging for Soft Glam is better with the squeeze tube. The pump for Flawless Satin does not always work well and is inconsistent. I have gone through a few bottles and some work, others do not.
Soft Glam dispenses in a way that a trained eye like mine can tell that it is going to be thick, heavy, and matte. Flawless Satin dispenses more like a serum foundation. With that being said, Soft Glam is drier and really needs a wet sponge for application. Flawless Satin can go with any tool.
I have to do a lot of trial and error to get Soft Glam to look good. It requires the right combo of primer and powder, and it does need hydrating layers. Any matte base is a no-go. That makes this foundation very fussy. If you are short on time, you will not reach for this. It does like the elf Power Grip Primer.
It ends up sitting on top of the skin and getting super crunchy in smile lines. The finish is satin, but leans more matte and dry. It is buildable medium to full coverage. You can see more in my elf Soft Glam Satin Foundation review. Below you can see me wearing Soft Glam not set with powder.
Flawless Satin works no matter what you layer it with! It is a true no-fuss foundation. Heck, I was using it back when I knew very little about makeup and it looks great. It has a very skin-like, lightweight finish that is a fresh satin. It holds up well all day with minimal wear and tear. It has medium coverage and easily evens out redness and blemishes. It acts like a high-end foundation but at a fraction of the cost. Below you can see me wearing Flawless Satin not set with powder.
Both foundations come in an impressive range of skintones, have skin-loving hydrating ingredients, and will not clog pores. The prices and ounces are similar. Flawless Satin is great for all skin types including mature. I cannot recommend Soft Glam for mature skin. Below you can see the full details compared.
| elf Soft Glam Satin Foundation vs. Flawless Satin Foundation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Categories | Soft Glam | Satin Foundation |
| Price | $8 | $6 |
| Size | 1 fl oz or 30 mL | .68 fl oz or 20 mL |
| Packaging | Squeeze tube | Glass pump |
| Shade Range | 36 shades | 40 shades |
| Retailers | elf, Amazon, Ulta, Walmart, Target | elf, Amazon, Ulta, Walmart, Target |
| Finish | Satin | Satin |
| Coverage | Medium | Medium-to-full |
| Key Ingredients | 1% hydrating hibiscus complex | Glycerin |
When it comes down to it, I hope that elf will not discontinue Flawless Satin. It is so much better in every category. The new foundation is almost a joke in comparison. It comes off as an attention or money grab, as people usually go bananas to try new foundation. elf does not need any of this. It is a shame, as the rest of their product lineup is strong.
Shop The Foundation
This comparison review has reminded me of how much I love the elf Flawless Satin Foundation! You should pick it over the Soft Glam Satin Foundation any day. Which is your favorite? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
