Best Makeup Foundations Perfectly Suited for Indian Skin Tones

The EstablishedPublished on May 30, 2024

Looking for the best makeup foundation in India? 8 picks that are perfectly suited for Indian skin tones

Explore India's Best Makeup Foundation trends for radiant skin. Read the Full Story on the Established.

No-foundation makeup looks no more

The key to acing a great make-up look lies in the application and appearance of your base make-up. Think about this—your lashes are on fleek, and you’ve perfected your lip; however, a muddy or cakey base can take your make-up from fab to drab in seconds. While a lightweight BB cream or skin tint could be your choice of base make-up for daily wear, on some occasions, in order to achieve some extra coverage, a foundation is what you need. Thick, unwieldy foundations usually make application seem tedious. If you’re looking for one that does the job while allowing your skin to appear as natural as possible, here’s a list of some of the best foundations in India.

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 Foundation Want a dewy and fresh look? Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation is a water-based formula that provides a surge of hydration, leaving your skin plump and glowy all day. The oil-free formula blends seamlessly for a second-skin finish that minimises imperfections. Moreover, SPF 15 protects your skin from sun damage. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation is perfect for those looking for a natural, healthy-looking complexion with a touch of glow.Priced at: ₹4,900Available at: Nykaa, Tira, Sephora, TataCliQ — **Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 Foundation**
Want a dewy and fresh look? Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation is a water-based formula that provides a surge of hydration, leaving your skin plump and glowy all day. The oil-free formula blends seamlessly for a second-skin finish that minimises imperfections. Moreover, SPF 15 protects your skin from sun damage. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation is perfect for those looking for a natural, healthy-looking complexion with a touch of glow.
**Priced at:** ₹4,900
**Available at:** Nykaa, Tira, Sephora, TataCliQ

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation Charlotte Tilbury's globally famous Airbrush Flawless Foundation's luxurious formula isn't just makeup; it's a filter in a bottle. Get buildable coverage that minimises pores and imperfections. With a weightless feel and a collection of 44 shades, achieve a close-to-natural finish that lasts all day. It is infused with hyaluronic acid that helps hydrate your skin.Priced at: ₹4,600 Available at: Nykaa — **Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation**
Charlotte Tilbury's globally famous Airbrush Flawless Foundation's luxurious formula isn't just makeup; it's a filter in a bottle. Get buildable coverage that minimises pores and imperfections. With a weightless feel and a collection of 44 shades, achieve a close-to-natural finish that lasts all day. It is infused with hyaluronic acid that helps hydrate your skin.
**Priced at:** ₹4,600
**Available at:** Nykaa

Huda Beauty Fauxfilter Luminous Matte Full Coverage Liquid Foundation#FauxFilter Luminous Matte is your key to lustrous skin and full-coverage perfection. This lightweight liquid foundation is one of the best makeup foundations in India as it melts into the skin, blurring imperfections for a smooth finish. Sweat, rain, or humidity won't budge on this foundation. With over 40 shades to choose from, its oil-control properties keep you shine-free all day.Priced at: ₹3,600Available at: Nykaa, Tira, Sephora — **Huda Beauty Fauxfilter Luminous Matte Full Coverage Liquid Foundation**
#FauxFilter Luminous Matte is your key to lustrous skin and full-coverage perfection. This lightweight liquid foundation is one of the best makeup foundations in India as it melts into the skin, blurring imperfections for a smooth finish. Sweat, rain, or humidity won't budge on this foundation. With over 40 shades to choose from, its oil-control properties keep you shine-free all day.
**Priced at:** ₹3,600
**Available at:** Nykaa, Tira, Sephora

Kay Beauty Hydrating FoundationWith over 20 shades of foundation designed for every Indian skin tone and undertone, Kay Beauty Hydrating Foundation is one of the best makeup foundations in India. Its buildable coverage from natural to full lets you blur imperfections or rock a dewy glow. This lightweight, buttery product melts in, hydrates, and feels like a second skin. Priced at: ₹950Available at: Nykaa — **Kay Beauty Hydrating Foundation**
With over 20 shades of foundation designed for every Indian skin tone and undertone, Kay Beauty Hydrating Foundation is one of the best makeup foundations in India. Its buildable coverage from natural to full lets you blur imperfections or rock a dewy glow. This lightweight, buttery product melts in, hydrates, and feels like a second skin.
**Priced at:** ₹950
**Available at:** Nykaa

L’Oréal Paris True Match FoundationThis lightweight formula infused with hyaluronic acid is considered one of the best makeup foundations in India. It is made with up to six pigments for the most precise match for your skin. It adapts to any skin colour and texture, blurring imperfections and leaving a glow. L’Oréal Paris True Match Foundation locks in moisture for 24-hour hydration, keeping your skin feeling fresh. It is available in 47 true-to-skin shades and has a formula suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.Priced at: ₹1,099Available at: Nykaa, Tira, TataCliQ — **L’Oréal Paris True Match Foundation**
This lightweight formula infused with hyaluronic acid is considered one of the best makeup foundations in India. It is made with up to six pigments for the most precise match for your skin. It adapts to any skin colour and texture, blurring imperfections and leaving a glow.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Foundation locks in moisture for 24-hour hydration, keeping your skin feeling fresh. It is available in 47 true-to-skin shades and has a formula suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
**Priced at:** ₹1,099
**Available at:** Nykaa, Tira, TataCliQ

M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 The iconic M.A.C Studio Fix Foundation is a favourite among most makeup artists for a reason. Get a natural-matte finish, with buildable medium-to-full coverage that controls shine for up to 24 hours. Boasting a massive range of 63 shades, this foundation caters to every skin tone. Priced at: ₹3,600Available at: Nykaa, Tira, Sephora — **M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15**
The iconic M.A.C Studio Fix Foundation is a favourite among most makeup artists for a reason. Get a natural-matte finish, with buildable medium-to-full coverage that controls shine for up to 24 hours. Boasting a massive range of 63 shades, this foundation caters to every skin tone.
**Priced at:** ₹3,600
**Available at:** Nykaa, Tira, Sephora

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte+Poreless Liquid Foundation 16H Oil ControlWant a natural, flawless look that complements your skin perfectly? Maybelline Fit Me, is one of the best makeup foundation in India for those who are searching for a quality product within a budget. This matte-finish foundation is oil-free, minimises pores and controls shine for up to 16 hours. With a super-blendable formula and a wide range of shades, Fit Me gives you natural-looking coverage that feels comfortable all day. It's perfect for normal, oily, and even acne-prone skinPriced at: ₹600Available at: Nykaa, Tira — **Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte+Poreless Liquid Foundation 16H Oil Control**
Want a natural, flawless look that complements your skin perfectly? Maybelline Fit Me, is one of the best makeup foundation in India for those who are searching for a quality product within a budget. This matte-finish foundation is oil-free, minimises pores and controls shine for up to 16 hours. With a super-blendable formula and a wide range of shades, Fit Me gives you natural-looking coverage that feels comfortable all day. It's perfect for normal, oily, and even acne-prone skin
**Priced at:** ₹600
**Available at:**
Nykaa, Tira

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-PlaceEstée Lauder Double Wear stays put, delivering a high-coverage, long-lasting formula. This oil-free foundation comes in more than 55 shades and controls shine all day, making it perfect for both oily and combination skin types. It also offers medium-to-full coverage for a natural, matte finish that lasts. It's dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic, and free of fragrance and common irritants. Priced at: ₹4,300Available at: Nykaa, Tira, Sephora — **Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place**
Estée Lauder Double Wear stays put, delivering a high-coverage, long-lasting formula. This oil-free foundation comes in more than 55 shades and controls shine all day, making it perfect for both oily and combination skin types. It also offers medium-to-full coverage for a natural, matte finish that lasts. It's dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic, and free of fragrance and common irritants.
**Priced at:** ₹4,300
**Available at:** Nykaa, Tira, Sephora

How to test foundation shades before making a purchase

Are you tired of makeup meltdowns and filter fails? Here are three easy steps to finding your perfect match.

Know Your Undertone (cool, warm, neutral): Foundations come in a range of undertones—cool, warm, and neutral. This hidden layer adds a subtle colour cast to your skin, enabling you to pick the right shade for your skin tone. Here's a quick trick: a peek at the veins on your wrist under natural light. Greenish veins hint at a warm undertone, while blue or purple suggest cool. Can't decide? You're likely neutral. Knowing your undertone narrows down the shade selection and saves you precious time at the store.
Swatch on Your Jawline in Natural Light: Apply test shades to your jawline, where your face meets your neck. This area is a great indicator of your overall skin tone and avoids misleading results. Blend the swatches slightly and let them dry for a few minutes. Why? Some foundations oxidise, or they darken a bit after application. This sneaky trick can help you avoid a mismatched orange cast later in the day.
Test 2-3 Shades and Blend: Harsh lighting in most stores can play tricks on your eyes. Ideally, test foundations in natural light, but if that's not possible, head outside after your shopping trip for a final verdict. Does the shade seamlessly blend into your skin, or does it leave an obvious line of demarcation? Test 2-3 shades and blend them out. The one that disappears into your skin, not just on your face but also on your neck, is the one for you.

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