These are the five lightweight foundations you need to survive this fickle weather
When it comes to face bases, I have a bias for lightweight foundations. I love how it evens out my skin tone without covering too many imperfections, thus allowing my skin to still look like skin. The light to medium coverage is also great for everyday wear as it fades more gracefully and is not as fussy as full coverage foundation can be. Weather-wise, lightweight formulas are just perfect for the fickle super-hot-then-suddenly-wet season we’re currently experiencing, as these lightweight foundations literally feel like nothing on the skin.
Give your full coverage foundation a break, and find your new daily base! We’ve listed five that we love and swear by from both drugstore and luxury brands. For reference, I have normal to dry skin, and match to MAC NC20 or the middle shade in most K-Beauty brands.
L’Oreal Infallible 24hr Fresh Wear Foundation (P650 from department stores)
L’Oreal Infallible 24hr Fresh Wear Foundation is matte, but not flat! It’s the latest addition to the brand’s well-loved Infallible line, and true to its claims, I didn’t feel the need to set with powder after application since it didn’t add shine to my face. Liz shares that she can wear this for up to 9 hours with minimal fading, and it never feels sticky. One con for me though is that I don’t have an exact shade match and need to mix 130 True Beige and 150 Radiant Beige in 2:1 ratio for it suit my skin tone.
Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Anti-Pollution Foundation (P675 from department stores)
If you want a more skin-like finish, the Revlon PhotoReady Candid Foundation is my pick for you! This new foundation from Revlon boasts of anti-pollution technology and protects skin from the blue light of your computer screen and phone. Do not be fooled by the creamy consistency - it spreads and applies so easily that one pump is all I need for my whole face, and I can just apply using my hands. Staying power is up to 12 hours for Liz who has oilier skin than mine. Plus points to this for not having any discernible scent and having my shade in 230 Bare Natural!
Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh (P2,400 from Estee Lauder)
For that extra glowing skin without the wet and sticky feel, Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Nude Water Fresh is my HG. This has a very watery consistency, and you have to make sure to shake it well before dispensing. The formula clings so well to my skin, and it amazingly feels matte but looks dewy! It even has the uncanny ability to stay put and look great even after hours of wear. The shade Desert Beige is a perfect match for my skin.
MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation (about P2,500 from MAC)
If you like a watery consistency with a chok-chok finish, the MAC Studio Waterweight comes in a dropper bottle. It’s a pretty unique way of dispensing foundation as most simply use a pump, but it’s necessary considering how watery the product is compared to the creaminess of other MAC foundations. The medium coverage is able to cover some of my skin discolorations, but allows my skin to peek through for a more natural look. The shade NC20 fits my skin perfectly.
Make Up For Ever Water Blend Face & Body Foundation (P2,700 from Make Up For Ever)
Lightweight, both in terms of feel and coverage, the Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation is formulated with 80% water. The pigments seem to be suspended in the liquid and you have to give it a good shake to make sure that you have the right consistency for application. The light coverage evens out my skin tone - think of it as your skin but better! I found that the shade Y325 is a bit too yellow for me, but it’s not obvious once I put the rest of my makeup on.
Have you tried using lightweight foundations? Do you prefer them over heavy, full coverage formulas? Let us know your faves!
Photography by Nicole Quindara
