Build A Firm Foundation

Create a flawless canvas for your face with these primers, foundations and powders.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Create a flawless canvas for your face with these primers, foundations and powders.

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Ace of Base

Fake a glow, keep oil under control, hide pigmentation and protect skin against sun damage – these days, foundations do more than just even out the skin tone.

From left to right, up to down: 

LANEIGE Water Glow Gel Foundation, $59 (35 g). 

Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Encre De Peau All Hours Foundation, $92 (25 ml). 

Shu Uemura Lightbulb Essence Foundation SPF 45 PA+++, $88 (30 ml). 

ORBIS Perfect UV Liquid Foundation SPF50 PA++++, $30 (30 ml). 

Clarins Everlasting Foundation+ SPF15, $60 (30 ml). 

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Fake Good Skin

● Try using more than one foundation – wear an oil-control foundation on the T-zone to keep shine at bay and a hydrating foundation on your cheeks if they’re dry.

● To avoid the cakey feeling, don’t use a foundation with more coverage than you actually need. Turn to concealers when you want to cover flaws. 

● If choosing the right makeup brush is too confusing, try the 13rushes Universal Do-It-All Brush, $39.90. It applies everything from sunscreen, primers and foundations to powders. 

From left to right:

Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation, $80 (30 ml). 

Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation SPF 20, $74 (30 ml). 

M.A.C Studio Waterweight Foundation SPF 30 PA++, $62 (30 ml).

BECCA Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme, $68 (30 ml). 

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Aqua Nude Foundation SPF 20, $81 (30 ml).

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Let Loose

Finely milled and weightless on skin, loose powder forms an invisible veil on the skin and sets the foundation to prevent it from straying. Use a fluffy powder brush to dust it on, or a puff to gently roll on skin without messing up the foundation beneath it. 

From up to down, left to right:

Dior DiorSkin Nude Air Loose Powder, $88

Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder, $49

Estée Lauder Perfecting Loose Powder, $62

Make Up Store Wonder Powder, $69

NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder, $60

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Prime Time

The function of primers is simple: Optimising the skin’s texture and colour so that foundation goes on smoothly and stays on all day. There’s a wide selection of primers to target different skin concerns, ranging from filling in lines and pores to colour-correcting and mattifying. 

From up to down, left to right:

Cover FX Blurring Primer, $59 (30 ml). 

Marc Jacobs Beauty Undercover Perfecting Coconut Primer, $69 (22 ml). 

Astalift White Perfect UV Clear Solution, $72 (30 g). 

Sisley Instant Glow Primer, $106 (30 ml). 

RMK Makeup Base, $57 (30 ml). 

Tom Ford Beauty Illuminating Primer, $100 (30 ml). 

Burberry Beauty Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base, $70 (30 ml). 

STYLING: ARISSA HA

PHOTOS: VERNON WONG

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