If you’re anything like me, foundation is a must have. A. Must. Have. My skin is in way better shape that it was only a few months ago, but foundation remains a staple that I simply can’t do without. I have been using foundation since my teen years, but I stuck to creme and powder foundations as liquid seemed so intimidating.
For brown skin, finding the right foundation is always a challenge. I’m pleased to say though, that brands are getting better and better at expanding their shade ranges to include complexions of deeper tones. There is still some way to go but as it is, we have quite a few choices. Unfortunately, not many drug store brands pass the mark for us brown ladies. I keep hearing about the Maybelline Fit Me range of products, but there is no shade to properly match me. What a bummer.
But anyway, lets get into the good stuff. I’m mentioning these seven as I have used and loved most of them for a long time. The others I purchased recently and I am really liking them. There are many more that are raved about, but I can’t gauge for them as I haven’t used them.
Note that my skin type is oily combination and I typically use medium coverage that I can build up to suit my skin needs. I use foundation to even out my skin tone and to cover up a few sun spots and blemishes. Read on to hear about my top choices.
1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
This is my new favorite. I have been hearing about it for years but never got around to trying it. I recently bought it and can’t get enough of it. It’s long lasting and keeps my face matte, but not too matte. It’s medium coverage and not at all thick. This foundation can easily be built up and feels natural on my face. It also does not transfer. Everything I want in a foundation while living in this constant heat. I use my beauty blender to apply this. It gives it that natural pretty finish.
2. Revlon ColorStay Makeup
This was the first liquid face product I tried. I was always afraid of them because I thought they’d be messy and not to mention I had no idea on how to apply it. This foundation performs really well. It has a matte finish and it stays on the face for long hours. It is light to medium coverage but builds well. The shade range is impressive and it was very easy for me to find the right shade for me. It is quite affordable and was my go to foundation when I couldn’t afford high end. It’s also very easy to find as it’s a drugstore brand. There are many resources online where you can do color comparisons if you can’t get to swatch on your own.
3. Black Opal True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF15
This was my first ever foundation and I continue to use it to this day. The coverage is medium to full and it blends like a dream. I use it for contouring and highlighting as well. The finish is dewy, so if that is not what you’re going for, this may not be the best option for you. I have combo oily skin, but I still love this foundation. For it to work for me, I prime and set well and it goes the distance. This is also a drugstore brand and so the price point is encouraging. The beauty blender is my tool of choice for applying any creme foundation.
4. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation
This foundation made it’s rounds on the internet years ago and I was in love with it. I had to have it. It took me quite a while to get it but when I did, it was so worth it. I get loads of compliments when I wear this foundation as it gives me that polished but yet natural look. It looks alot like skin and in photos, it’s a dream. There is no SPF to give a white cast when flash is used and it gives your face an extra oomph. It gives a very natural glow. This foundation is dewy and I would say light to medium coverage. It builds up quite well and stays put. There is a stick version to this that I’m dying to try. The shade range is also quite extensive so finding a shade to match your complexion shouldn’t be too hard. A stippling brush gives me better control when I’m using this product.
5. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
I got introuduced to this foundation 10 years ago and since then I have never gone without it. This foundation does what it says it will. It helps to keep the shine at bay and gives a nice matte finish. One dollop of this foundation goes a long way. It’s more on the thicker side consistency wise but does not feel heavy on the face. Because I don’t need to use a lot, this foundation lasts me eons! As usual with MAC Cosmetics, the shade range is great and it’s easy to get matched if you go in-store. The pricing is middle tier so nothing to overly strain your pocket. For the quality, performance, shade range and ease of application, it’s worth every penny. The beauty blender or a firm stippling brush blends this flawlessly.
6. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Now, for years I used this one incorrectly. I thought it was just a face powder and would put it on top of my liquid foundation. That routine made my makeup bullet proof. It. Did. Not. Budge! But! What I didn’t pay attention to, was the fact that this was in fact a foundation and could work well on it’s own. Let me say that this foundation works like a dream. It’s powder, so application is easy to control. It covers blemishes and other imperfections really well and it does not look cakey on the face. Other powder makeup like blushes and eyeshadows glazes over perfectly. Truth be told though, I still use it over liquid foundation sometimes. I did it for so long, it’s kind of ingrained in me. Any flat topped buffing brush will work well to apply this. I use the one that came in this set.
7. MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Velvet + Mattifying Foundation
If you’re looking for really matte, this should be your next stop. I used this foundation on my wedding day because I knew I needed something long lasting, matte and easy to work with. I needed something that would keep everything in place for the duration of the event. And it did the job perfectly! This foundation is a little on thick side and is more full coverage. I don’t reach for this one as much as the others because this one is really matte and I like a bit of glow (I’m not a matte face then use highlighter for glow kinda girl). This product goes a long way so use a light hand. I use a stippling brush to apply this.
What’s your favorite foundation? Do you have any to add to this list?
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. ~ My Simple Morning Skincare Routine and My Evening Skincare Routine
