We love bare skin. Tinted moisturiser too. A lick of BB cream and a puff of powder on the T-Zone? That was our makeup happy place for the longest time. But lately we haven’t been looking as fresh as we’d like, and are preparing to face facts: it’s time to up our coverage game and invest in a foundation.
Happily, the latest launches mean we don’t have to forgo the weightless feel, easy blending and real-skin look of our old barely-there base. We now have all that plus full-voltage glow, double the blemish blurring and longer-lasting wear. What took so long?
Something to remember when you’re looking for ‘The One’. Rather than test on the back of your hand, trace a stripe of foundation from the centre of your cheek down to your jaw line. That way you’ll see how it works on the ruddiest and the palest areas of skin.
Click on for the best foundations that will leave you with a fresh but flawless face...
Because you like your skin to breathe…
Well, so does Mr Armani, because makeup doesn’t get much lighter (or more like skincare) than this. A paradox all around, this is an oil-based foundation that feels like water yet is hugely nourishing, even on dry skin (very oily skin might prefer something with less slip). Stroke it on with your fingers for fresh, pretty and gleaming coverage that’s so invisible even you won’t believe it’s really there.
Armani Maestro Glow Nourishing Fusion Makeup Bi-Phase Elixir SPF30, available in 9 shades, £40
Because you can never find the right shade…
Top line information is that this glossy and lightweight base was created to give skin the look of being bathed in candlelight. All true – skin looks evenly toned, dewy and alive, but equally important news is that it comes in 24 shades, from palest Cashew to darkest Espresso with undertones throughout the range divvied into cool, neutral or warm. You’re Team Mercier now, huh?
Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation, available in 24 shades, £35
Because you just can’t be bothered…
So what could be less faff than crayoning on a few lines of coverage and blending in with your fingers? Not much, which is why this portable twist-up stick is a joy to use. The blending is fast and easy thanks to a creamy texture that moves easily over the skin and dries to a budge-proof finish but never feels stiff. And anything in crayon form is officially instant makeup fun, no?
Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick, available in 10 shades, £23 (available from April)
Because you’re happy with tinted moisturiser, thanks…
Ahhh, brave words in the face of a new launch from Nars, a brand that consistently raises the bar when it comes to base. Besides, this sits somewhere between tinted moisturiser and foundation, i.e. it looks like real skin but with a semi-matte and shine-free finish (imagine your favourite tinted moisturiser but with glow rather than gleam, and less need for concealer). Consider this your gateway.
Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30, available in 12 shades, £30
Because it all disappears by lunchtime anyway…
Dior’s got this: an oil-free foundation that dries to a smooth and flexible film on the surface of the skin and contains two types of powdery particles – one to reflect the light (aka create glow) and another to absorb shine. The result is a gently matte finish that stays in place for longer than you’re used to. And to really up your long-lasting game, there’s a primer and powder launching alongside.
Dior Diorskin Forever Fluid Foundation, available in 12 shades, £33
Because you don’t want to look made-up…
We’re not here to talk about fragrance, but have you smelled this? All rosy-fresh, which is just how you’ll look thanks to minerals that bounce light around to create an outdoorsy yet impeccable glow, and soft-focus powders that cover imperfections without looking like actual coverage. Oh, and in case you get a little too outdoorsy it has sweat resistant properties too (yes, Chanel just admitted that sometimes, we sweat).
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation SPF 25, available in 14 shades (9 in the UK), £36
Because you’ve overdone it in the past…
For the habitually heavy-handed, here’s a base that’s pretty hard to over-apply. Inspired by YSL’s legendary highlighter pen (the original Touche Éclat), its light-reflective properties mean you don’t need much to perk up flat skin and disguise an irregular tone. It’s beautifully fluid so easy to layer, and if you really need hand-holding there’s an accompanying brush (£32.50) that helps you measure out the perfect dose.
Touche Éclat Le Teint Foundation, available in 22 shades, £32.50
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