TRIED, TESTED AND APPROVED BY THE CLEO CREW .
Giorgio Armani Beauty Power Fabric Foundation Balm, $120
“If you like the convenience of a cushion foundation, but don’t care for dewy, sheer-to-medium coverage, this foundation is for you. I usually swipe it on, but on days when I want more coverage, I pat on the balm, which goes on like a cream, but sets to a velvety matte finish. I have dry skin, so I don’t need to powder to set it, and there is no slipping and sliding even in this extreme heat and humidity.”
Beauty Editor
Beautyblender Bounce™ Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation, $60
“It’s supposed to give a flawless finish and it did for a while. After lunch, the foundation had slipped off on oilier areas such as my nose and chin—maybe because I skipped primer? The good news is, the foundation doesn’t dry too quickly after application so it’s easy to blend. It leaves a velvety finish, so if you don’t like a super matte or glowy finish and are looking for something in between, this could be it. Also, it boasts a range of shades and undertones, so you should be able to find one for your skin tone.”
Shu Uemura Unlimited Breatheable Lasting Fluid Foundation, $72
“Is this really a foundation? It blends so well! Although it felt barely-there, it gave enough coverage to neutralise the redness on my face. The formula doesn’t budge, so I didn’t need to touch up before heading out at night.”
Associate Editor
HERA Black Foundation, $75
“The formula is weightless and glides on my skin like a dream. It leaves a very natural semi-matte finish, and provides enough coverage to hide small blemishes and lighten dark eye circles. The foundation also survived a hot and humid afternoon outdoors without oxidising—in fact, it still looked fresh, even though I was perspiring like mad in the heat.”
Associate Editor
Guerlain L’Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation, $94
“I’m generally averse to anything that contains strong fragrance, but surprisingly, I liked the scent of this foundation. More importantly, it delivers the glow its namesake promises. I started with a thin layer to balance out my complexion. It didn’t provide enough coverage, so I added another layer, which concealed most of my imperfections while retaining the glow. This lasted through a late-night dinner with friends, so this is definitely going to be one of my go-to foundations.”
We tried out loads more foundations with different finishes. Here’s our verdict!
