Foundation is one of the most essential makeup products for girls in India. It provides a base for the rest of your makeup, creating a smooth and flawless canvas for your desired look. Whether you want to achieve a natural, no-makeup look or a full-glam look, a good foundation is a must-have. However, with so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right foundation for your skin. In this ultimate buying guide, we have rounded up the top 10 must-have foundations for girls in India to make your search easier.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Foundation
Skin Type
The first step to finding the perfect foundation is to determine your skin type. Different skin types have different needs and require different formulations. If you have oily skin, you will need a foundation that controls shine and keeps your makeup in place. For dry skin, a hydrating formula is essential to prevent flakiness and patchiness. Sensitive skin requires a gentle approach with non-irritating ingredients, and acne-prone skin needs a non-comedogenic formula that won’t clog pores.
Undertone
Another crucial factor to consider while buying a foundation is your undertone. Knowing your undertone helps in finding a foundation that matches your skin perfectly. Undertone refers to the underlying tone of your skin, which can be warm, cool, or neutral. For warm undertones, foundations with yellow or golden tones work best, whereas cool undertones look best with foundations with pink or blue undertones. Those with neutral undertones have a mix of both and can go for foundations with beige or neutral undertones.
Coverage
Every foundation offers a different level of coverage, from sheer to full coverage. Sheer foundations give a light coverage, allowing the natural skin to show through, while full coverage foundations offer maximum coverage for blemishes and imperfections. Depending on your preference and the occasion, you can choose a foundation with the desired coverage.
Finish
The finish of the foundation refers to the overall look it gives to the skin. Some foundations have a matte finish, which is perfect for those who want to control shine and oiliness. Others have a dewy finish, which gives a radiant and healthy glow to the skin. It is essential to consider your skin type and the result you want to achieve when deciding on the finish of your foundation.
Top 10 Long-Lasting Foundations for Oily Skin in India
L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation
With a lightweight and breathable formula, this long-wearing foundation is perfect for oily skin. It provides a buildable medium to full coverage with a matte finish that lasts for up to 24 hours.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
This cult-favorite foundation is a go-to for many oily-skinned beauties. It has a natural, matte finish and a lightweight formula that controls shine and blurs the appearance of pores.
Lakme 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Perfect Cover Foundation
This budget-friendly foundation has a primer infused formula that smoothens the skin’s surface and gives a matte finish. It also offers medium coverage and lasts for up to 12 hours.
PAC HD Liquid Foundation
This high-definition foundation has a silky, oil-free formula that blends seamlessly into the skin. It provides buildable coverage and controls oil for a long-lasting matte finish.
Love, Indus It’s All Here 4-in-1 Foundation
This versatile foundation offers buildable coverage and can also be used as a concealer, highlighter, and contour. Its long-wearing formula gives a natural, matte finish that is perfect for oily skin.
Colorbar Full Cover Makeup Stick
This full-coverage stick foundation is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. Its creamy formula blends easily, covers imperfections, and controls shine for a flawless, matte finish.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
A tried-and-tested favorite, this foundation offers long-lasting coverage for up to 24 hours. It has a lightweight, oil-free formula that controls oil and sweat, making it perfect for hot and humid Indian weather.
The Body Shop Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation
Formulated with tea tree oil and clay, this foundation targets blemishes and imperfections while providing a matte finish. Its lightweight formula is non-comedogenic, making it ideal for oily, acne-prone skin.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
This high-performance, long-lasting foundation offers medium to full coverage with a matte finish. Its oil-controlling formula keeps shine at bay and gives a flawless complexion.
SUGAR Cosmetics Ace Of Face Stick Foundation
The creamy, highly-pigmented formula of this stick foundation offers medium to full coverage with a natural matte finish. It is enriched with vitamin E and has long-wearing power, making it ideal for oily skin.
Best Foundations for Dry Skin
Maybelline SuperStay Full Coverage Foundation
This hydrating foundation has a lightweight, full coverage formula that lasts for up to 24 hours. It provides a flawless, natural finish without emphasizing dry patches.
Revlon Colorstay Whipped Crème Makeup
With its whipped crème formula, this foundation is perfect for dry skin. It has a buildable coverage and a satin finish that gives a smooth and hydrated look to the skin.
Innisfree My Foundation
Infused with Jeju green tea extract, this hydrating foundation provides buildable coverage with a natural, dewy finish. It also has SPF 31 PA++ for added sun protection.
The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation
Enriched with rose water and aloe vera, this hydrating foundation creates a smooth and plump canvas. It provides a medium coverage with a natural, moisture-rich finish.
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15
This lightweight, moisturizing formula provides a sheer to medium coverage with a natural, healthy look. It also has SPF 15 for sun protection, making it perfect for daily wear.
Lightweight and Breathable Foundations for Sensitive Skin
BareMinerals BarePRO Performance Wear Powder Foundation
This formula contains 90% vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy and gentle choice for sensitive skin. It provides buildable coverage with a natural matte finish.
Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15
Formulated by dermatologists, this foundation is fragrance-free and allergy-tested, making it suitable for sensitive skin. It also has SPF 15 for added protection.
The Ordinary Serum Foundation
With a lightweight, buildable formula, this foundation is perfect for those with sensitive skin. It is vegan and cruelty-free, and provides a natural, skin-like finish.
NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation
This customizable foundation allows you to control the coverage and the finish according to your preference. Its lightweight formula feels like second skin and is suitable for sensitive skin.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
This iconic foundation has a lightweight, hydrating formula that provides buildable coverage with a luminous, natural finish. It is suitable for sensitive skin and has a luxurious feel.
Foundation Options for Acne-Prone Skin
Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup
This non-comedogenic, oil-free formula is perfect for those with acne-prone skin. It contains salicylic acid which helps in treating and preventing breakouts, while also providing a natural, matte finish.
L’Occitane Pivoine Eau De Parfum
Infused with peony extract, this foundation is gentle on the skin and perfect for acne-prone skin. It also has a lightweight and buildable formula with a satin, radiant finish.
Tarte Cosmetics Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation
Formulated with Amazonian clay and vitamins A and E, this foundation provides full coverage without clogging pores. It also controls oil and shine for up to 12 hours.
Cover FX Power Play Foundation
With a non-comedogenic formula, this foundation is suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin. It provides full coverage with a matte finish and also contains hyaluronic acid for hydration.
Kat Von D Vegan Beauty Lock-It Foundation
This full-coverage, transfer-resistant foundation is perfect for covering acne and blemishes. It has a vegan and cruelty-free formula that is gentle on the skin and provides a matte finish.
Top 10 Budget-friendly Foundations for Girls in India
Garnier Skin Naturals BB Cream
This budget-friendly BB cream is perfect for daily wear. It provides light coverage, hydration, and sun protection, all in one.
Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation
Another budget-friendly option from Maybelline, this foundation has a dewy formula that provides light to medium coverage with a radiant finish.
Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation
With a buildable coverage formula, this foundation offers a natural, flawless finish at an affordable price. It is also cruelty-free and vegan.
Colorbar Perfect Match Beauty Balm
This multitasking beauty balm provides light coverage, hydration, and SPF 20, making it perfect for an everyday, no-makeup look.
NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation
This long-wearing, buildable foundation provides a matte finish at a budget-friendly price. It is also cruelty-free and vegan.
Maybelline Dream Satin Skin Liquid Foundation
This lightweight foundation provides medium to full coverage with a satin finish. It is also suitable for dry skin and has a budget-friendly price.
Lakme Absolute Skin Natural Mousse
The lightweight, whipped formula of this mousse foundation provides buildable coverage with a natural, matte finish. It also has SPF 8 for sun protection.
Miss Claire Full Coverage Makeup + Concealer
This full-coverage, budget-friendly foundation is perfect for those looking for high coverage on a budget. It also doubles as a concealer for a flawless finish.
Lotus Herbals NaturalBlend Swift Makeup Stick
This stick foundation is a convenient and affordable option for those on-the-go. Its formula is enriched with natural ingredients and provides light to medium coverage.
Wet n Wild Photofocus Dewy Foundation
This hydrating, dewy foundation is perfect for dry skin and gives a natural, radiant finish. It is also cruelty-free and vegan.
High-End Luxury Foundations Worth Splurging On
Huda Beauty FauxFilter Foundation
This full-coverage foundation is perfect for special occasions and photoshoots. It offers a flawless, airbrushed finish and is available in a wide range of shades.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
This highly-raved about foundation has a buildable matte formula that looks like second skin. It is available in an impressive range of shades and offers long-wearing, full coverage.
Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect Makeup
Enriched with skincare benefits, this foundation provides a natural, matte finish with buildable coverage. It also contains SPF 35 for sun protection.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup
This lightweight, breathable foundation provides a natural, sheer to medium coverage with a luminous finish. Its long-wearing formula is perfect for everyday wear.
Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation
This light-reflecting, moisturizing foundation creates a natural, luminous look. It has a breathable formula that provides light to medium coverage and also contains skincare benefits.
Foundation Shades for Indian Skin Tones
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
With a wide range of shades, this foundation is suitable for most Indian skin tones. It has a lightweight, buildable formula with a natural matte finish.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
This affordable foundation also has a wide shade range, with options for different Indian skin tones. It has a lightweight, buildable formula with a natural matte finish.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Fenty Beauty has become a cult-favorite among Indian beauty enthusiasts, thanks to its wide range of shades that cater to different skin tones. This long-wearing, full coverage foundation is available in 50 shades.
Lakme Absolute Mattreal Mousse Foundation
This lightweight, affordable foundation has a shade range that caters to light to medium Indian skin tones. It provides a natural, matte finish and is ideal for daily wear.
The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation
Enriched with rose water and aloe vera, this foundation is suitable for light to medium Indian skin tones. It provides a medium coverage with a natural, dewy finish.
Tips and Tricks for Applying Foundation Like a Pro
Prep your skin
Before applying foundation, it is essential to prep your skin by cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing. This will ensure a smooth and even application.
Use a primer
Priming your skin can make a huge difference in the way your foundation looks and lasts throughout the day. Use a primer that suits your skin type to create a smooth base for your foundation.
Choose the right tools
The tool you use to apply your foundation can make a significant difference in the outcome. For liquid foundations, a beauty sponge or a foundation brush works best, while for powder foundations, a dense brush or a powder puff is ideal.
Match the shade to your jawline
When choosing a foundation, swatch it on your jawline rather than on your hand to get an accurate match. This will help in avoiding a noticeable line between your face and neck.
Blend, blend, blend
To achieve a natural and seamless look, make sure to blend the foundation thoroughly. Use tapping motions rather than swiping for a flawless finish.
Set your foundation
To ensure longevity of your foundation, set it with a translucent powder. This will also control shine and make your makeup last longer.
In conclusion, foundation is an essential makeup product that can elevate your overall look. With the variety of options available in the market, it is important to consider factors like skin type, undertone, coverage, and finish before investing in a foundation. Our ultimate buying guide of the top 10 must-have foundations for girls in India covers all these aspects and provides budget-friendly as well as luxury options to cater to different needs and preferences. With the added tips and tricks for flawless application, we hope this guide helps you find your perfect foundation match and achieve a flawless complexion.