Rufus R. Noble You’ve probably tried a variety of foundations, whether you’re a total makeup addict with a penchant for Target’s beauty aisle or just a casual fan. The foundation is the foundation of most makeup looks. There are countless foundations on the market, each with a unique formulation, consistency, coverage level and shade range. While the beauty industry has made some progress in including shade options, there is still much to be done.
South Asian women have a wide variety of skin tones. Our unique combination of undertones makes it difficult to match our skin tones. David Maderich, a makeup artist, was my consultant. Maderich is a beauty expert who has worked with many skin types, including Prince and Indian brides. Maderich says that while most Indian skin is yellow, it also contains a mixture of red and purple. You must ensure you hit all of them, or you will look pink or grey.
Best Overall: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF40 Foundation
For many reasons, this foundation is my favorite. This foundation was created with warm undertones and neutral tones in mind. The product’s reef-safe sunscreen doesn’t leave my skin looking grey. It has a dewy finish that melts seamlessly into the skin and offers light, customizable coverage. The niacinamide formula, a natural ingredient in Indian skin, is a bonus because it visibly improves the skin texture and smoothens it as you wear it throughout the day.
Best Weightless: Basma the Foundation Stick
The TikTok favorite foundation offers 40 shades. There are options for warm or neutral undertones. The foundation is lightweight and breathable, providing full coverage. Olivia Hancock, the Byrdie editor, stated that it is easy to forget you are wearing any product on your skin with this product.
Kosas Tinted Face Oil Foundation – Best Satin Finish
Kosas’ range of Face Oil Foundations offers more than just cool, neutral, or warm undertones. You will find that they have olive and golden undertones within their shade range. This is perfect for Indian skin’s mix of yellow, orange, peach and red tones. This medium-buildable coverage is flawless, and I often don’t use my glow-inducing highlighters. Fear not if you are afraid to wear an oil-based foundation. This foundation is lightweight, thanks to the acne-friendly Jojoba oil. This non-greasy formula doesn’t settle in my large pores.
Best Hydrating: Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Liquid Foundation
Although we love the foundation’s 50 colors, Maderich cautions us against using any that contain pink. Choose the foundations with neutral or yellow undertones, and match them to your neck. My Indian friends tend to have a darker skin tone and a deeper neck. Choosing a foundation that has pink undertones can make them stand out. I tell them that matching the foundation with their neck is best. The formula contains hyaluronic and red algae extracts, which provide intense hydration for particularly dry skin. This oil also contains healing sunflower oil, a great addition to my acne-prone skin.
Milk Makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation is the best for Blurring.
The Milk foundation offers a wide range of shades suitable for skin with red undertones. This is a rare and difficult thing to find. Maderich says, “I use a lot of red pigment on Indian skin.” It isn’t easy to find, but it gives a beautiful and natural finish. This foundation was cruelty-free and free of silicone for my sister’s wedding. It gave her flawless, blemish-free coverage for her sensitive skin. The formula’s blurring microspheres diffuse light and create a beautiful effect that photographs beautifully.
Best Everyday Foundation: Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Foundation
This foundation is perfect for everyday use. This foundation provides medium coverage with all-day lasting power. Maderich says, “With this foundation, avoid any that has ‘cool” in its shade name.” These shades will be too pink for Indian skin. These shades with neutral undertones will bring out the natural golden tones in our skin. This formula also contains vitamin C, which instantly gives your skin a radiant glow.
