7 Foundations for Every Kind of Skin

Foundation, it’s a tricky business. I’ve dealt with my fair share of foundation horror stories, but, after having experimented with just about every foundation under the sun, I’ve pinned down what works. So today, I wanted to share with you my favourite foundations this summer. These have been mainstays in my makeup bag, and work for different skin types. Before we get into favourites, I wanted to share my favourite foundation tips and tricks:

• • When it comes to finding the right shade, don’t test it on your hand – your face and hand are not the exact same colour, so your skin could end up looking ashy. Instead, literally test it on your neck or face or get colour-matched by a makeup artist.
  • You can apply foundations with a brush, beauty blender, or your fingers. A brush provides full coverage while a beauty blender is great for medium coverage as it absorbs excess product. For the most natural finish, I like to use my fingers because it melts the foundation into my skin.
  • Skincare comes first. I know I always emphasize skincare, but remember, good skin is always the best base for makeup. Of course, some people may have problematic skin, but there are certain things you can do to ensure your skin looks great. The most important tip being to always, always remove your makeup!
  • When applying foundation, don’t forget your jawline, it’s so weird when people just stop at their chin. Blending foundation into your jawline gives it a more natural finish.
  • Check your application in natural light if you’ve applied your foundation in the bathroom.

YSL Touche-Eclat All-In-One Glow Foundation
I should lead with the fact that ‘Touche Eclat’ literally means radiant touch. And considering the fact that the Touche-Eclat concealer is one of the most iconic makeup products in the world, I had a very high expectation for this foundation. And indeed, it lives up to its reputation, giving your skin the most radiant, flawless finish. I personally have never had a YSL product fail me, and this one is no different.

The foundation offers medium coverage with its main ingredients being water, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin E. If you’re not familiar with the latter two ingredients, they’re used in skincare products to promote youthfulness. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties and fights free radicals to combat aging, while hyaluronic acid promotes collagen synthesis.

For best results, apply with either a brush or beauty blender. If you don’t love this product as much as I do, I’ll eat my hat.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
The one thing that celebrities, bloggers, and editors all have agreed on is that this foundation is it. Kim Kardashian has mentioned it by its name, bloggers with the highest street cred have mentioned it time and again, and it’s made the pages of just about every big foundation. Is it worth the hype? In short, yes.

I first tried the Luminous Silk foundation last year, and it truly lives up to its reputation. This foundation is a chameleon. If applied with your fingers, it gives you a dewy finish. But if you want something a little more full-coverage, apply with a beauty blender, and voila! It gives you a satiny, flawless finish without looking cakey – the makings of a great foundation. Think of this guy as the best friend you can always count on.

Dermablend Flawless Creator
What’s special about this foundation is that it contains 33% concentrated pigment. What this means is that it provides great customizable coverage. It’s incredible as a full-coverage product, but, if you prefer a dewy finish, you can also sheer it out by combining it with other products. I’ve combined it with sunscreen, moisturizers, and oils and have loved the end result. It’s a great multi-purpose formula.

Too Faced Perfect Peach Comfort Matte Foundation
With over 90K likes and 2000+ reviews on Sephora.com, the Too Faced Perfect Peach Foundation is in a league of its own. At first, I was hesitant. I’m not usually a matte foundation kinda girl. But this one is just different. It provides a matte finish with no hint of cakeyness. Think celeb on a red carpet.

The foundation also promises long-lasting wear, which is such a common claim that I’m a little wary. But guys, it does not lie. It lasted me from morning until night on a day packed with meetings and events. And last but not least, it actually feels super hydrating on the skin. In short, the reviews on Sephora.com don’t lie. And I should note, this one is especially good if you have imperfections of pimples you’d like to hide.

Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation
One of my all-time favourites, old faithful never fails me. It promises 15 hour wear and it truly delivers. I personally find that this one blends best with a beauty blender and has a very lightweight feel. It’s medium coverage with a velvetty finish, and is my go-to on days where I have some redness or imperfections which I want to hide. While I prefer a dewy look, this one is by no means cakey. Every time I wear it, it looks like I put a filter on my face!

YSL Touche Eclat Le Teint Foundation
Yes, another YSL foundation – I couldn’t help myself. This one is perfect for someone looking for light to medium coverage. It offers a sheer, lightweight finish – perfect for summertime wear when you want a really natural look. And speaking of summertime, the foundation does not separate if you sweat – very important for hot days. I should add that this one looks best when applied with a brush or beauty blender.

Nude by Nature Radiant Loose Powder Foundation
Not only does Nude by Nature have an amazing line of products, it is also an all-natural brand. That means no parabens or harmful chemicals. Guys, in the world of beauty, that’s seriously amazing. And, it’s available in drugstores!

While I’m usually a fan of powder foundations, I absolutely loved this one. It’s a great buildable product which provides an airbrush finish.  To be honest, at first, I did not expect a mineral powder to give me proper coverage. But I was floored by the results!I personally don’t need full coverage, but I wore it on a day where I had some redness and I could not believe how well it covered it up! And not only does it cover every imperfection on the skin, it also adds a gorgeous illuminating glow.

This one is, without a doubt, my favourite drugstore find!