Foundations are the base makeup product. You need to make your skin look like an even canvas before you put on cute colors. But choosing foundations can be tricky as hell. You get the finish right, but not the shade. Then it doesn’t last long at all. It’s too much of a headache. Although it is recommended to buy foundation offline for shade purposes, it is also a must that you do your research before a salesperson shoves an expensive product down your throat. In this post, I am going to give you my top foundation recommendations – those that I have loved and would repurchase if need be.
Table of Contents
Best Foundations For Indian Skin Tones
1. Maybelline Fit Me Poreless Matte Foundation
This is the most selling foundation from our beloved drugstore brand, Maybelline. It has a whole range of shades and undertones to match Indian and brown girls. It is readily available online and offline, with huge discounts. And you even have a mini version that you can get for testing or traveling purposes. It’s got a good amount of coverage, it’s easy on the skin, and is good for dry skin as well, although it is marketed as being matte.
But the product has two cons that one needs to worry about. One is that the product transfers – onto your clothes and even to your phones while you speak. This can be taken care of if you properly set it with a setting powder though. The other thing is – it’s not very long-lasting and fades away sooner than other foundations. But then this makes it an ideal choice for an everyday subtle no-makeup makeup look.
Some find this foundation to be oxidizing – get darker by two shades so go for a shade lighter after testing your skin shade. In all, this is one of the most usable foundations out there for someone who is just getting into makeup.
Full Review & Swatches: Maybelline Fit Me Matte Foundation
2. Lakme 9 to 5 Primer+Matte Perfect Cover Foundation
Another fantastic foundation for beginners in India with reasonable prices. This Lakme 9 to 5 rimer+Matte Perfect Cover Foundation is truly matte and is great for oily skin types. It has a decent shade range that matches many Indian skin tones. It offers medium coverage and gives you a picture-ready look with just this foundation.
The texture is a bit thicker than the Maybelline and it needs quick blending, otherwise it can be a bit patchy and streaky. And the strong floral fragrance is a major turn-off.
Still, this is one of the most versatile foundations for anyone who doesn’t enjoy a heavy foundation or makeup feeling. College-going girls will especially enjoy this if their budget is tight.
Full Review & Swatches: Lakme 9to5 Primer+Matte Perfect Cover Foundation compared with the Maybelline Fit Me
3. L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
This foundation got everyone into the drugstore scene a few years ago. It is one of the most used and raved-about makeup products in every other influencer’s routine. And yes, it does deserve all the hype.
Given the medium-high coverage it gives, the foundation is very thin and breathable. You won’t feel like you are using foundation. Also, it can hold up to more than 16 hours, which is impeccable and great for a bride. The product has a patented technology that gives it a fresh feeling from time to time, so it doesn’t oxidize and get chalky. And it looks great for photography.
The only downside – its a true matte finish foundation, so it can stick to dry patches and proper skin prepping and quick blending of the foundation is mandatory for a good finish.
Full Review & Swatches: L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
4. Milani Conceal Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation
This is an underrated gem. A foundation with a yellow and golden undertone and shade range specifically made for people like us. This foundation is on the high coverage side.
Yes, it can be a little expensive for a drugstore product, but this will be an investment for acne-prone people or people who have major hyperpigmentation and marks on their skin that they need to cover. You will also not need any concealer when using this.
The beautiful soft matte finish looks great on all skin types.
Full Review & Swatches: Milani Conceal Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation
5. Nykaa SKINgenius Sculpting and Hydrating Foundation
Nykaa Cosmetics came up with this perfect everyday foundation for dry-skin folks.
It blends effortlessly even with fingers, doesn’t look cakey, has a good shade range for Indian skin tones, and you can use it without looking made up. If you are looking for a foundation for everyday use, then this can be a good option. The Hyaluronic Acid in it hydrates the skin and makes your skin glow with a natural, dewy look.
It has medium coverage and averages about 8 hours of staying power without setting, which can be a benchmark for a dewy product like this.
The downside – the nozzle applicator becomes messy after a while – but the affordable price beats this minuscule con.
Full Review & Swatches: Nykaa SKINgenius Sculpting and Hydrating Foundation
6. Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation
Smashbox is good for someone who has an olive skin tone. Although expensive, if you find yellow foundations too orange and neutral too pink then you might have an olive skin tone like me, and this foundation has a lot of olive undertones in between the shades. Medium coverage with very good staying power is also one of its USPs.
It can get oxidized, and it is not hydrating at all, so make sure to prep your skin first and use a hydrating powder. It can also slightly transfer into your clothes and phones.
Review & Swatches: Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation
7. Nars Sheer Glow Foundation
This foundation is one of my holy grails, so I have a list of pros to talk about.
It has medium coverage with a satin finish. It doesn’t make oily skin oily or dry skin dry. It works with every sunscreen and primer I have ever used, doesn’t oxidize and also lasts a whole day of dancing and clubbing. You can use your fingers when using this product, and you don’t even need to set it because it can set on its own and doesn’t move after 15 minutes.
It is wonderful to see warm yellow foundations on the market, and right now they are available in India as well!
Full Review & Swatches: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation
8. Giorgio Armani Silk Foundation
Every red carpet and every celebrity makeup artist uses the Giorgio Armani Silk Luminous Foundation.
It is one of the high-end foundations that looks the same after the whole day or daily hazards. It self-sets and doesn’t move at all. It doesn’t oxidize and you won’t look like you are wearing a foundation. It is truly skin-like.
The product doesn’t cover a lot, but you can build up the coverage if you want to. It doesn’t look patchy doing that.
It does have alcohol in the formula, which I am not a fan of, and it is very expensive, but if you can get your hands on it, then my! This is a foundation worth investing in.
Full Review & Swatches: Giorgio Armani Silk Luminous Foundation
9. Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
A powder foundation can be your best friend if you are always in a hurry, like me, or travel a lot. This powder foundation from MAC is used by every bridal makeup brand in town. It gives insane coverage, can be used on the go, has a matte finish, and doesn’t oxidize at all.
It also has a whole range of shades with undertones known to mankind, so that is something I often think about! Haha, jokes aside, MAC has been killing it since my mom’s time, and even my mom’s an avid user of this powder foundation because, unlike other liquid products, it doesn’t get into her fine lines.
10. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Do you need a high-coverage, long-lasting foundation for oily and acne-prone skin? Then Estee Lauder is the one for you. This is the foundation for brides and bridesmaids who are going to be up and running for 16 hours straight because it will not budge.
It is a true matte and flat foundation, so even if you have oily skin, you need to prepare your skin before putting it to the test. It has a lot of shade ranges and undertones to choose from, which is nice and appropriate for the amount we are paying. Get this on sale or offline.
11. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury is an iconic makeup guru who has come up with this matte foundation for your special needs. It is also very warm-toned and yellow, which is great for Indian skin tones. It gives an airbrushed look – like your pores have gone away.
But you need to heavily hydrate your skin before using this one because it can be very drying, depending on your skin type. But it is very long-lasting and photographs beautifully under harsh light.
This is the list of the best foundations available in the beauty world right now, so take your pick and let us know what you want to get from your next foundation wishlist.
Parama Sarkar is an enthusiastic skincare aficionado with a pen mightier than a wrinkle cream! She has been writing beauty content for TheBeautyInsideout for more than 5 years. She has a keen interest in Korean Beauty and loves experimenting and sharing her beauty experiences with us.
