A new generation of face bases is revolutionising how you apply makeup. More than ‘just’ a foundation, they’re so kind to your skin that they could rival your serum in terms of pore-perfecting benefits. Blemish-busting, wrinkle-smoothing, oil-reducing… These foundations can do it all, working double duty to give you all-day care and flawless coverage in just one step. So, how do you choose the best foundation for your skin type? It all comes down to the skin concerns you’re aiming to treat. Keep scrolling for bases with benefits, designed to target everything from breakouts to fine lines.
Foundation for mature skin: Total Radiance Foundation
Your skin is beautiful at every age, and as it evolves, so should your makeup routine. For mature skin, that means finding a base that deeply hydrates while reawakening your glow. As time goes by, your natural collagen levels deplete, which can lead to dullness, dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. But with a richer foundation, like Total Radiance Foundation, you can keep skin plump, moisturised and exquisitely luminous. The nourishing base is infused with Skingencell1P, our unique ingredient that improves skin texture – right now and in the future. Instantly quenching yet wonderfully weightless, it also glides over lines instead of settling into creases of skin. So, not only do you enjoy the cosseting benefits of a cream-like foundation, but the medium coverage appears perfectly even, blurring and smoothing wrinkles as you glide it on.
Foundation for dry skin: Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation SPF30
Dry skin goes hand in hand with dullness, so you want a base that tops up hydration and veils your complexion in a radiant glow. Enter Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation SPF30. Infused with Fermented Kefir+, it helps to strengthen the skin barrier’s function*, while the serum-like texture gives your skin a healthy, glowing finish with 24-hour hydration**. Perfect for parched pores. Meanwhile, a dose of Niacinamide helps to brighten uneven skin tone, bestowing long-term luminosity for bare skin that looks smoother in just one week*. And that’s just the skincare benefits. Revitalessence also boasts a truly dewy finish, with medium coverage that disguises dryness while gliding comfortably over parched pores.
Foundation for oily skin: Synchro Skin Self Refreshing Foundation
The biggest makeup challenge for oily skin? Finding a foundation that lasts. Shine can break down your base, so look to a weightless formula that stands the test of time. NEW Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation does that and more with ActiveForce™ Technology, an anti-shine innovation that resists heat, humidity and oil for a just-applied finish all day. So, the flawless coverage you apply in the morning stays in place no matter your plans, keeping shine under control and blemishes covered from morning until night. Plus, Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation is now climate adaptive, meaning it protects your skin against blue light, UV rays and pollutant particles. Pollution is one of the common aggressors that can trigger the overproduction of sebum, so you’re not just disguising oil but keeping one of its key causes at bay.
Foundation for tired skin: Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
When you’re tired and run-down, one of the first places it shows is on your skin. Dullness, sagging and redness are all signs of fatigue that call for soothing care, as well as coverage you can build up where you need it most. Add some luminosity, and you’ve got a base that answers every one of your stressed-out skin’s goals. That’s where the NEW Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation comes in. Illuminating skin in any light, this medium-to-full coverage, buildable base camouflages redness and tired complexions with radiant microcrystals and light-reflective luminous pearls. And as you wear it, Argan Oil and Glycerin nourish and comfort your skin, while the skincare-boosted blend targets fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and loss of hydration. Plus, you don’t need to worry about daily aggressors further irritating your skin; Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation is now Climate Adaptive. That means it not only resists sweat, heat and oil, but also the blue light, UV rays and pollution that can cause daily damage.
How do I apply foundation?
If you’re applying a powder foundation, the rules are simple: blend your base from the centre of your face outwards, and dab a little extra anywhere you want more coverage. But if you’re using a cream or liquid foundation, your technique may need some extra attention. Follow these three steps to ace your base and enjoy long-lasting wear.
1. Prime and perfect
Start with a makeup primer – preferably one that enhances your foundation’s benefits. For example, if you’re going glowy with your base, try Revitalessence Skin Glow Primer. Apply it all over your skin, adding a little extra where your makeup tends to fade throughout the day. Primer acts like an anchor for the rest of your look, keeping it in one place from morning to night.
2. Start in the centre
Use fingertips to create five dots with your liquid foundation: one on each cheek, one on the nose, one on the forehead and one on the chin. The goal is to add the most coverage to the centre of your face and blend it outwards.
3. Choose your blending technique
Fingertips, brush or sponge: which one should you use? It all depends on the finish you want from your foundation. The warmth of fingertips gives the most natural look, allowing you to press and blend makeup into every crevice, lending a sheer finish that you can build up as you please. A brush is great for medium coverage and speedy, easy, mess-free application. Meanwhile, a blending sponge can help you create full coverage, while buffing the edges for a seamless finish.
4. Finish with concealer
You can apply concealer before foundation if you prefer, but adding it last lets you see where it’s really needed. You may find some blemishes are easily camouflaged by your foundation, letting you skip a layer and enjoy a lighter base.
And don’t forget…
Whether it’s a powder, cream or liquid, make sure you blend foundation beyond the jawline, down onto your neck. If you have short hair or you’re wearing it up, you may also want to dot a drop of your base onto your ears for a flawless shade match.
How can I make my foundation last longer?
Primer is the key to long-lasting foundation, so don’t forget this step. It comes after moisturising but before foundation or concealer – and it can really enhance the finish of your skin. Try Revitalessence Skin Glow Primer for unrivalled radiance, Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer for soft-focus, velvety skin, and Infinite Treatment Primer SPF30 to boost hydration and disguise pores.
How do I clean a foundation brush?
Makeup brushes need regular cleansing to stay fresh and bacteria-free, so follow these three simple steps at least once per week to keep your best tools intact.
1. Rinse with water
Run your brush under lukewarm water, making sure it’s the bristles you’re cleaning and not the handle. Getting the handle wet can loosen the glue that holds your brush together.
2. Use a brush soap
Massage a specialised makeup brush cleanser into the bristles, again avoiding the handle. Lather up, rinse and repeat until the water runs clean.
3. Gently squeeze and dry
Squeeze out excess water from the bristles, and then lay your foundation brush flat on a clean, dry towel. Leave it overnight so it’s ready to use again in the morning.
What’s my colour undertone?
Shopping for the perfect foundation shade doesn’t have to be confusing. One key step is figuring out your skin’s undertone, so you can choose between cool, warm or neutral bases.
Choose a warm-toned foundation if: you have greenish veins and your skin has a peach, yellow or golden undertone. Choose a cool-toned foundation if: you have blue or purple veins and your skin has a pink or blue undertone. Choose a neutral-toned foundation if: you can’t distinguish between warm or cool undertones because you feel you have a balance of the two.
What do I use before and after foundation?
Before foundation:
- Skincare : After cleansing your skin, apply your softeners, serums, moisturisers and SPF to prep and perfect. Discover our guide to the right order to apply your skincare.
- Primer : Once your skincare has absorbed, apply your go-to primer, taking care to layer up on the areas where foundation tends to fade.
After foundation:
- Concealer : Once your foundation has been applied, you’ll be able to target your concealer where you feel you need it most. Focus it under the eyes and on blemishes to create a flawless look.
- Powder : Before you move on to bronzer and blusher, apply a setting powder to any areas you feel are shiny. Just a light dusting of Synchro Skin Invisible Silk Loose Powder leaves your complexion smoother and polished.
Now you know how to pick the best foundation for your skin type, learn how to reapply sunscreen over makeup for all-day, complete protection.
*Consumer tested on 109 women **Based on an instrumental study of 27 women
