The first step to flawless makeup is a flawless base. Foundation acts as a canvas for the rest of your makeup by concealing imperfections, evening out discolouration and enhancing skin texture. But finding the right foundation that works for you — your skin tone, skin type, and lifestyle needs — is a tiresome endeavour that requires sifting through countless formulas and finishes. Whether you’re looking for stick or liquid, sheer or full coverage, let this roundup serve as a starting point (or refresh) for finding your perfect foundation.
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
Coverage: Medium-to-full
Finish: Natural
Skin type: All skin types
The latest addition to NARS’ cult complexion range promises up to 16 hours of lightweight, luminous coverage that makes skin look perfectly balanced and healthy. The breathable formula is enriched with fruit extracts to maintain the radiance of the foundation.
HK$470 available at NARS Hong Kong
Hourglass Vanish Stick
Coverage: Medium-to-full
Finish: Natural, semi-matte
Skin type: All skin types
This innovative stick formula provides the coverage of a concealer and the weightlessness of a powder. The long-wear, waterproof formula adjusts to your body temperature to seamlessly blend into the skin, setting to a soft-focus, undetectable finish.
HK$410 available at JOYCE Beauty
Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation
Coverage: Light-to-medium
Finish: Natural, dewy
Skin Type: All skin types
This luxurious water-based gel-cream foundation provides buildable, lightweight coverage with a dewy, skin-like finish that transfers moisture into the skin without the use of any oil. Botanicals such as aloe, chamomile, rosemary and green tea soothe skin and protect against environmental elements. Great for sensitive skin.
From HK$530 available at net-a-porter.com
La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Natural
Skin Type: All skin types
Synonymous with luxury skincare, La Mer infuses its famous Miracle Broth into a silky, weightless foundation that helps hydrate the skin and soften lines. Sea-sourced Soft Velvet Ferment gives a soft-focus, natural finish that lasts all day with skin-boosting benefits.
HK$950 available at lamer.com.hk
Giorgio Armani Beauty Power Fabric Full Coverage Foundation
Coverage: Medium-to-full
Finish: Matte
Skin Type: Combination, oily
A creamy formula that dries down to a velvet-matte, second-skin finish. Armani Beauty’s Micro-fil Technology features ultra-fine pigments that give the highest coverage payoff with the thinnest and lightest texture. SPF 25 offers substantial sun protection.
HK$540 available at JOYCE Beauty
Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation
Coverage: Sheer-to-medium
Finish: Dewy
Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination
A light and hydrating formula that feels like a lotion and gives a youthful, post-facial glow. It comes in shades that are great for yellow undertones and has a skincare-infused formula featuring Koh Gen Do’s signature T3 Oil blend.
HK$440 available at Koh Gen Do Hong Kong
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Coverage: Full
Finish: Matte
Skin Type: Normal, combination, oily
Rihanna’s game-changing foundation set a new industry standard with a total of 50 shades. The long-wearing, lightweight formula provides buildable medium-to-full coverage with a pore-diffusing, shine-free finish that’s resistant to sweat and humidity.
HK$295 available at sephora.hk
Chanel Vitalumière Aqua
Coverage: light-to-medium
Finish: Natural
Skin Type: All skin types
An ultra-light, refreshing formula that acts like a skin tint with a healthy, radiant finish. It feels weightless on the skin and lasts all day even in the warmer, humid season. The compact packaging is great for travel or on-the-go touchups.
HK$599 available at Chanel Hong Kong
Clè de Peau Radiant Cream Foundation
Coverage: Full
Finish: Dewy
Skin Type: Dry, Normal, Combination
A luxurious full coverage cream foundation that creates a dewy, lustrous complexion. The formula features Golden Silk Essence and Japanese pearl to help moisturise and retexturize the skin while leaving a satin, smooth finish.
HK$980 available at Clè de Peau Hong Kong
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup
Coverage: Medium-to-full
Finish: Natural, semi-matte
Skin type: Normal, combination, oily
It’s a classic for a reason. With proven 24-hour staying power, this oil-free, long-wear formula is sweat proof, weatherproof and has stood the test of time.
HK$360 available at esteelauder.com.hk
Editor
Joanna Fu
