Choosing the right foundation shade can be such a daunting task. After sampling innumerable swatches at the store, I usually finalize two samples on each vertical half of my face, come home and have a look at both sides in natural light and my regular mirror without the glaring store lighting. I leave it on for few hours to let it settle and check for longevity and then I make a decision. So here is a list of my favourite foundations. Of course, I have sampled and owned a lot more than my list here. I would definitely repurchase these though. I have mentioned the shade that suits me most so you get a rough idea, considering I have medium fair skin with olive undertones and an Indian lineage. Please note the characteristics mentioned here are not the manufacturers’ claims, but merely my personal observations and experience with these products.

1. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation {NC25}

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Matte finish

Medium to full buildable coverage

Long wearing; lasts all day

Stays true in harsh Chennai summers outdoors at 42 degrees celcius

Controls oil and shine

Applicator required, provided in the kit itself

Requires primer or moisturizer especially under eye area or it streaks a bit there

Does not cake or dry out

Vast colour palette; NC25 is my perfect fit

Available in 15gm travel friendly compact case; not liquid so no need to ziplock it for airplane travel

Quite Expensive

Quick and easy as no powder is required to set this foundation; makes it very travel friendly too

2. MAC studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 {NC 30}

Matte finish

Medium to full buildable coverage

Long wearing

Blends easily with fingertips itself; no applicator required

Contains SPF 15

Performs almost equally well without any primer or moisturizer

Does not cake, streak or dry out

Vast colour palette. NC 30 is my perfect fit.

Available in 30ml bulky glass bottles only

Expensive

They encourage you to buy the pump separately, which I never cared to do. I simply keep the bottle inverted always.

3. Bobbi Brown BB cream SPF 35 {Fair}

Extremely Natural undetectable finish

Sheer translucent non-buildable coverage

Extremely easy to blend

Contains SPF 35

Does not require a primer or moisturizer

Does not cake, streak or dry out

Available in 40ml travel friendly tubes

Very Expensive

It’s not really a foundation; but can be used as one if you want to achieve that natural look

4. Maybelline Fit Me Matte Poreless {128 Warm Nude}

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Natural Matte finish

Medium to full buildable coverage

Long wearing

Blends easily with fingertips itself; no applicator required

Performs almost equally well without any primer or moisturizer

Does not cake, streak or dry out

Controls shine

Refines pores

Good variety of shades, 17shades for the glass bottle and 6 bestsellers for the smaller tubes. I like 128Warm Nude.

Available in 2 sizes 50gm glass bottle and 18gm tube

Very Pocket friendly

5. L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation {3D/3W Golden Beige}

Natural Matte finish

Medium coverage

Long wearing

Blends very easily with fingertips itself; no applicator required

Performs almost equally well without any primer or moisturizer

Does not cake, streak or dry out

Controls shine

Fairly decent shade palette; I like 3D3W Golden Beige. I have been using this foundation{same W3 and W4 shades} since over 12 years.

Available in 30ml glass bottles

Moderately Priced

DISCLAIMER: All information and media posted on this blog has been corroborated by me. I have put in a lot of effort, time and careful consideration to create articles, reviews, tutorials etc. All of my content is original and protected by copyright law. Please do not use my content or pictures/videos without my explicit permission. This blog solely manifests my own personal opinions and is uninfluenced by any company, brand or external party. I do not promote any brand or product and am not compensated by any of these. I personally own and have purchased every product that I have used, sampled and/or reviewed. I cannot guarantee that these products will work in the same way they have worked for me. Please exercise caution and keep your specific conditions/skin, hair and body type in mind while trying out new products. Some of my articles may become obsolete or perhaps the article has content derived from past experiences and/or memories. Hence, I cannot guarantee that the information is recent or relevant. I am not a licensed professional and do not hold any certificates in the topics posted. If you require any clarifications regarding my content, please feel free to contact me at ruelham@hotmail.com