Dermablend

Dermablend At-A-Glance 
   Strengths: None of note.
   Weaknesses: Please refer to the individual product reviews below because almost every one has its own problems and distinct weaknesses; the makeup provides substantial coverage but the tradeoffs may not be worth it.

   The only reason to consider this line is if you have complexion issues that demand serious coverage. Skin care from Dermablend was clearly an afterthought, because what was produced is a barely passable lot that is easily replaced by products from other lines and in all price ranges. Dermablend is owned by L’Oreal, whose own makeup collection is far superior (though none of their foundations offer opaque coverage).

   For more information on Dermablend, owned by L'Oreal, call (877) 900-6700 or visit www.dermablend.com.

   Dermablend is one of the original opaque makeup products designed to cover serious skin discolorations such as scars, birthmarks, and vitiligo. Their core products remain the pairing of Cover Creme followed by an application of Loose Setting Powder. The main problem with this system is that in exchange for hiding your flaws, the thick texture looks obvious and greasy on the skin. Even the before-and-after images published in Dermablend literature and on their Web site make it obvious that the subjects’ skin is heavily made up.
   Dermablend does not disappoint if you have something to hide, but in public (especially in daylight), it will be no secret to others that you’re wearing heavy-duty makeup. The concept is well-meaning, but from a reviewer’s standpoint, rating these products is a tough call; whether or not to use makeup to camouflage rather than to enhance skin is a personal decision. The need for this type of makeup is intertwined with potentially delicate self-esteem issues. However, if using such cosmetics to conceal what bothers you about your skin increases your self-esteem, I’m all for it. When it came to rating Dermablend’s products, I compared them directly to similar niche products rather than using the makeup-at-large approach I take with mainstream cosmetic lines. Dermablend is worth exploring if you can tolerate the unavoidable tradeoffs in exchange for concealing what’s bothersome about your skin.
   As for the ancillary products in this line, L’Oreal has not made much of a dent since acquiring Dermablend in late 2000. Their former, not-too-impressive Melasyn products are gone, and the newest items, which are less specialized than the core products mentioned above, don’t have much going for them to promote the brand to mass appeal status.