When it comes to finding the right foundation there’s so much to consider – powder versus liquid versus stick, matte or dewy finish and then there’s coverage – sheer, medium or full.
None of these matters however, if you can’t find the perfect shade.
For too long we were subjected to an excruciatingly tone-deaf offering of colours which was usually limited to light, medium and dark, or three very similar shades of tan.
In recent years brands have started expanding their shades to be more diverse and inclusive.
Leading the pack, as per usual, was Rihanna and the launch of her line, Fenty Beauty.
With 40 different foundation shades catering to ALL skin tones Fenty sparked the beauty industry’s very own makeover.
“It was important that every woman felt included in this brand,” Rihanna told TIME.
“We are all so different, with our own unique skin tones, so we started with the 40 foundation shades out the gate.”
It’s a no brainer that Fenty is at the top of our list when it comes to brands offering the best and biggest colour ranges in foundation. Peep the cult brand plus the full list below.
FENTY
Fenty Beauty
Fenty’s best-seeling foundation, Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, is a soft matte finish with buildable coverage so you can keep things sheer and natural or build it up for a big night out. It now comes in a whopping 50 shades, ten more since its initial launch.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, $53, shop the range at Sephora in store or online.
Too Faced
Too Faced
With a coconut water base and a hyaluronic acid, Too Faced’s Born This Way is an ultra-hydrating foundation with feel luxuriously light weight on the skin but still give great coverage. Plus, it comes in 35 different shade options from ‘Swan’ to ‘Cocoa’.
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation , $64, shop it at Mecca in store or online.
NYX
NYX
With a whopping 43 shades in the range we can’t go past NYX’s Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation. They also offer a tinted moisturiser, Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil, in 12 shades which is much more than the usual three offered by some brands.
NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation, $29.95, shop it here.
NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil, $25.95, available here.
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bareMinerals
Bareminerals
If you prefer a powder foundation, bareMinerals has got you covered with their Original SPF 15 Foundation. Buildable according to the coverage you desire, it’s also available in 30 shades.
bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation, $51, available at Mecca in store and online.
Estee
Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation is a cult favourite and for good reason. Promising “”worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity” the oil-free and fragrance-free formula won’t melt off your face by the end of the day leaving you feeling like a horror movie villain.
In 2018 the beloved foundation line expanded to 56 shades – catering to all undertones and skin colours.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Make-Up, $60, available at AdoreBeauty, Sephora, and Estee Lauder.
Maybelline
Maybelline
The name says it all when it comes to Maybelline’s Fit Me foundation. A god-send for those with oily skin wanting to avoid that 3pm shine that’s clearly not the result of highlighter, it contains micro-powders (despite being liquid) to combat oil.
There are 40 shades on offer so you can find your right fit.
Maybelline Fit Me foundation, $21.95, shop it here.
