Ace the base: A list of foundations, skin tints, concealers and more
Editor’s Note: Finding the perfect foundation, skin tint, and concealer for Indian skin is no mean task. It must match your skin tone, blend well, hide imperfections, and also look dewy. It gets more complicated in the sweaty months. So, we asked the splainer fam for their trusty recommendations. For good measure, they threw in some tips and reccos for primers and setting mists too!
Foundations faves
- Fenty: Charanya loves Miss Riri’s Pro Filt’r Soft Latte Longwear Foundation as it is her perfect match and gives great coverage. (Price: Rs 4,800)
- Huda Beauty: If you’re looking for a high coverage foundation, Afsheen suggests Huda Beauty’s Faux Filter Liquid Foundation. She says it “blends beautifully, though with a bit of effort.” OTOH, Aishhwariya likes to use Huda Beauty’s Easy Blur Foundation. (Price: Rs 3,650)
- Estée Lauder: Roshni prefers to wear Estée Lauder’s Double Wear waterproof liquid foundation—mixed with a few drops of Elf Soft Glam Satin Foundation—as it “adds a dewy soft finish.” She says the combo is “like wall putty: it’s durable and fills holes and crevices.” The best bit: “You end up looking glowy and dewy but the makeup stays put the whole day.” Noor also gives the foundation a glowing review: “[G]ives a skin-like finish, while covering pigmentation and problem areas. They also last a very long time on the skin.” (Price: Rs 4,500)
- Too Faced Born This Way Foundation: Sumedha rarely uses foundation but she says this one “does not feel cakey.” (Price: Rs 3,850)
- Chanel: Nivriti loves the water-based Les Beiges foundation for the summers. It is her most expensive foundation product, but also her everyday wear. For high coverage and functions, she likes to use the NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation. (Price: Chanel: Rs 6,550, Nars: $45)
- The Body Shop: Our Deputy Advisory Editor, Aarthi, has been using The Body Shop makeup products for years and currently swears by the Fresh Nude Foundation. The reason: “I love it as they have a shade range for every undertone and it is vegan and cruelty-free.” Pro tip: The foundation oxidises a little, so don’t worry if you take a while to figure out your shade match. (Price: 2,195)
Concealers recommendations
- Bobbi Brown: Insiyah loves the Skin Corrector Stick from the brand. She says, “it’s easy to use and offers great coverage.” It’s also got a wide range of colours to choose from. (Price: Rs 3,450)
- Kay Beauty: Charanya finds the Kay Beauty HD Liquid Concealer of decent quality, especially for the price. (Price: Rs 722)
- NYX Professional Makeup: Roshni loves the NYX Bare With Me Concealer and Calm Serum for “its dewy finish and durability”. (Price: Rs 500)
- NARS Cosmetics: Sumedha and Noor’s choice is the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. Sumedha likes it for its enduring quality of “not making her undereyes look grey.” It also comes in many shades. Noor claims it “hides dark circles, looks natural and doesn’t crease”. (Price: Rs 3,000)
- Rare Beauty: Aishhwariya really likes the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Lightening Concealer because of its “inclusivity and colour options for darker skin”. She also says that it blends like a dream. (Price: Rs 2,800)
- Swiss Beauty: Vasavi uses and likes the Liquid Concealer. It’s great coverage especially at the price point. (Price: Rs 249)
- Maybelline: Noor also likes the Maybelline Eraser Eye for its great coverage and creamy texture. (Price: Rs 729)
- Juicy Chemistry: Our Advisory Editor, Prachi, swears by the Concealer. It’s easy to use and carry. It blends perfectly and is also buildable. It lasts a long time, too! (Price: Rs 400)
Skin tints and BB cream picks
- Love Child by Masaba: As a makeup beginner, Insiyah prefers tints over foundations and she loves the Skip Everything Blurring Serum Skin Tint. (Price: Rs 1,600)
- Smashbox: Sumedha recommends the Halo All in One tinted moisturiser as it “very lightweight”. (Price: Rs 1710 for mini)
- Maybelline New York: For a budget buy, Priyanjali suggests the Fit Me Fresh Tint which has SPF 50 and Vitamin C. The best part: it is light and it absorbs well! (Price: Rs 449)
- L.A. Girl: When foundation feels too heavy, Swati wears L.A. Girl HD PRO BB Cream. (Price: Rs 850)
- Forest Essential: Yup, the brand also has skin tints. Nivriti recommends it as it has SPF and is creamy and glowy. (Price: Rs 3,250)
- Laura Mercier: Aarthi has recently switched to Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer which has SPF 30 and gives her the right amount of glow while hiding her pigmentation. (Price: Rs 2,590)
Setting sprays and primers
- Roshni recommends the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray for the final step of the makeup regimen. (Price: Rs 3,700)
- Aishhwariya says that the Elf Cosmetics Power Grip Primer is the best there is, and it’s not too expensive. (Price: Rs 1,300)
- Vasavi recommends the Swiss Beauty Highlighting Primer to set the base for your makeup. (Price: Rs 429)
- Noor says that “a good powder and setting spray make your makeup last well in the summer season”. A good primer also helps. Swati recommends silicon-based primers and moisturisers that mattify your skin.
- Prachi loves the MAC Prep+Prime Fix+ Matte. It works as both a primer and a setting spray. She also loves the Foxtale Glow Toner + Makeup Setting Spray, which does double duty and leaves you with a lovely sheen. (Price: MAC: Rs 2,700, Foxtale: Rs 395)
- For Prachi, The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer has been a game-changer. It glides effortlessly and mattifies your skin like no other in the summer. (Price: Rs 700)
- Nivriti recommends using the Benefit Cosmetics Setting Powder for every step of the way for a smooth makeup finish. (Price: Rs 1,990)
- Here’s a budget option from Vasavi—who likes the Swiss Beauty Glow Primer as it “blends well with the foundation and gives a natural glow”. (Price: Rs 429)
- Aarthi likes to start her makeup with a moisturizer and the Smashbox Primer and finishes it off with the Mac Fix it spray. She calls them her ‘Holy Grail’. (Price: Smashbox: Rs 1,650, Mac: 1,600)
