8 new foundations to try - and how to find the right one for you

SINGAPORE – Foundations are drawing renewed attention, with a preference for more natural-looking but long-wearing bases dominating everyday make-up routines.

This new wave of launches sees brands refreshing cult favourites while introducing new-generation formulas that promise better wear, lighter textures and skincare benefits – reflecting a shift towards foundations that are no longer just about coverage.

Finding the right one can feel overwhelming. Where should you even begin?

Freelance make-up artist Chloe Liu says the starting point is understanding your skin. “First, identify your undertone – whether warm or cool, and your skin type.”

When testing shades, the 30-year-old advises swatching along the jawline rather than the face alone, so the colour blends naturally into the neck.

She says a common mistake is choosing a shade that is one to two tones lighter in pursuit of a brighter complexion. As the day goes on and natural oils surface, this can cause the foundation to oxidise or take on a greyish cast.

Bridal and editorial make-up artist Sim Ann Lin says the type of foundation you choose should depend on your skin type.

“For dry or dehydrated skin, go for fluid, luminous formulas. They reduce the look of flakiness,” adds the 26-year-old. “For oily or combination skin, a soft matt finish helps control shine while still looking natural.”

She says that less is more when it comes to foundation, noting that one pump is usually enough. When applying, Ms Sim suggests working in thin layers and allowing the product to settle into the skin.

The Straits Times rounds up eight new foundations to try.

Nars Natural Matte Longwear Foundation ($85 for 30ml)

Nars has launched a new base to deliver a soft-focus, skin-like matt finish with medium to full coverage.

The formula is designed for long wear, claiming up to 24 hours of oil and shine control, while remaining comfortable on the skin. It is said to be resistant to sweat, humidity and transfer, and helps blur the appearance of pores and uneven texture.

The lightweight, fluid formula combines fine powders to diffuse the look of imperfections, with oil-absorbing particles to keep shine in check.

Skincare ingredients have also been incorporated. They include niacinamide to improve skin texture, anti-ageing molecule dipeptide to balance sebum production and micro greens to improve skin elasticity.

The foundation comes in 25 shades, including Asia-exclusive tones such as Yangyang, Kailash and Gion, with a range of undertones.

Info: Available at Nars boutiques and counters, narscosmetics.com and sephora.sg

Clarins Double Serum Foundation ($98 for 30ml)

Clarins’ Double Serum Foundation builds on the brand’s best-selling Double Serum, combining make-up with skincare in a single step.

At the heart of the formula is a dual-phase system, housed in a dual-chamber bottle. The two components are dispensed and blended upon application.

One side focuses on coverage – using pigments and light-reflecting particles to smooth and enhance radiance – while the other dispenses a serum that aims to improve skin texture and glow over time.

The foundation incorporates a mix of plant-based ingredients, including turmeric extract and stabilised papain – which is derived from papaya and supports skin renewal – and 14 active ingredients.

Available in 18 shades, the foundation offers buildable medium to full coverage with a lightweight, breathable formula that maintains comfort for up to 12 hours.

Accompanying the launch is a Gua Sha Inspired Foundation Brush ($60), designed to follow the contours of the face for more precise application.

Info: Available at Clarins boutiques and counters, and clarins.com.sg

Dior Forever Skin Glow and Skin Wear Foundations ($103 for 30ml)

Dior has refreshed its foundation line with two updated formulas that offer a choice between a more radiant finish and a longer-wearing, soft-focus look.

Skin Glow delivers buildable medium to high coverage with a finish that reflects light for a brighter complexion.

Skin Wear, by contrast, is designed for longevity and oil control. It offers similar coverage, but focuses on a more diffused look to blur imperfections. The fluid, breathable formula is said to stay in place without turning dry or patchy.

Both formulas are infused with hyaluronic acid to maintain hydration, niacinamide to refine the look of pores and peptides to support smoother-looking skin.

There are 32 shades, with updated pigments designed for a closer match across different skin tones and undertones.

Info: Available at Dior Beauty boutiques and counters, dior.com and sephora.sg

Hermes Plein Air Luminous Matte Skincare Foundation ($205 for 33ml)

Hermes has introduced its Plein Air Foundation, marking the French luxury house’s first liquid foundation, with a focus on a natural, skin-like finish.

The formula offers medium coverage with a luminous matt effect that helps even out the complexion with a subtle radiance. It sits lightly on the skin, improving the look of pores, fine lines and signs of fatigue.

The fluid texture blends easily for a second-skin result, and is designed to last up to 16 hours. It is said to be resistant to heat, humidity and perspiration.

Positioned as a skincare-led formula suitable for all skin types, the foundation contains an 82 per cent skincare base and 71 per cent ingredients of natural origin. Key ingredients include niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and white mulberry extract to help plump the skin and protect it from environmental stress.

Choose from 34 shades, with cool, neutral and warm undertones for a more precise match.

The launch is accompanied by the Perfecting Primer ($155) to prep the skin, the Le Perfecteur Brush ($197) and a metal palette with applicator ($355) – designed for more controlled and even application.

Info: Available at Hermes boutiques at Liat Towers, Marina Bay Sands and Takashimaya, and hermes.com

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($105 for 30ml)

After 25 years, Armani Beauty has updated its Luminous Silk Foundation, refining the long-standing formula with added skincare elements while keeping its signature skin-like finish.

The foundation offers buildable medium coverage with a lightweight texture. Its soft-focus, light-reflecting finish gives the complexion a more natural glow while smoothing uneven texture.

The updated formula now includes glycerin for hydration and niacinamide, alongside floral extracts that help boost radiance and plump the skin over time.

It is said to last up to 24 hours while maintaining a fresh, comfortable feel on the skin.

The range has been expanded to 44 shades and includes 18 new additions, with updated pigments to better match a wider range of skin tones, particularly for deeper and olive complexions. It is available in 20 shades in Singapore.

Layer it over the Luminous Silk Illuminating Primer ($95), a lightweight gel that can be used to prep the skin or mixed with the foundation for a more luminous finish.

Info: Available at Armani Beauty boutiques and counters at Tangs and Isetan Scotts

Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation ($99 for 35ml)

American cosmetics brand Hourglass has introduced its Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation, building on its discontinued Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint. This upgraded version features a more hydrating, medium-coverage formula, that includes SPF 30 protection.

The foundation offers buildable medium coverage with a luminous finish. The creamy texture does not settle into fine lines, giving a more even-looking complexion without appearing heavy.

Designed to last for up to 12 hours, it is said to resist transfer and creasing, maintaining its original hue without oxidising after application.

Hydration is a key focus – the formula contains hyaluronic microspheres that help retain moisture and improve skin texture with continued use. Find it in 16 shades, with undertones spanning neutral, cool, warm and olive.

Info: Available at Hourglass counters and sephora.sg

Tom Ford Architecture Radiance Hydrating Cushion Foundation SPF 50/PA+++ ($118 for 12g)

Prefer a cushion format for easy reapplication throughout the day? Available in nine shades, Tom Ford Beauty’s Architecture Radiance Hydrating Cushion Foundation SPF 50/PA+++ is designed for quick touch-ups, while offering coverage and sun protection.

The formula provides buildable medium to full coverage. Applied with the included dome-shaped sponge, it allows for controlled layering, making it easier to adjust coverage across different areas of the face.

The formula is said to hold up for up to 12 hours and resist sweat, humidity and water. It includes kakadu plum extract, a source of vitamin C, which helps improve brightness and evenness, while maintaining moisture.

The high level of sun protection helps to guard against UV damage.

Info: Available at Tom Ford Beauty counters at Marina Bay Sands, Tang Plaza and Takashimaya, and sephora.sg

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Longwear Matte Foundation ($82 for 30ml)

Few products command the global reverence bestowed on Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation. After 29 years, the brand has updated it for a thinner, more fluid texture that allows the product to be applied in lighter layers and built up gradually.

Coverage remains buildable from medium to full, but the finish is said to be less rigid than before, sitting more naturally on the skin. The formula spreads more easily and is slower to set, making it easier to blend and adjust without looking heavy or overly matt.

It is said to last up to 36 hours, resisting heat, humidity, sweat and water. The foundation also holds its colour throughout wear without fading or oxidising, and is formulated to avoid caking, creasing or settling into fine lines.

The update also introduces added skincare benefits, with ingredients said to help maintain the skin’s oil and moisture balance.

Hyaluronic acid and glycerin support hydration, alongside niacinamide and marine-derived ingredients that help regulate oil and refine the look of pores. The formula also includes SPF 10/PA++ protection.

It is available in 36 shades, with updated pigments designed to improve colour accuracy across different skin tones and undertones.

Info: Available at Estee Lauder boutiques and counters, and takashimaya.com.sg