The right foundation or concealer can make all the difference, but with so many options, finding your match isn’t always easy.
That’s where the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2025 come in. We’ve rounded up the best-performing bases for our tropical climate, from flawless matte to radiant glow, full coverage to breathable blends. These winners have got you covered – literally.
Best Cushion Foundations
MKUP Poreless Matte Oil Control Cushion Experts’ Choice Editors’ Choice
What it does:
A refreshing and moisturising cushion that won’t clog oily pores, the powder-matte finish controls sebum for a filter-like appearance on the skin. Infused with Capricylic Acid and Glycerine, this cushion controls oil without emphasising pores or texture.
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JUNGSAEMMOOL Essential Skin Nuder Cushion Readers’ Choice
What it does:
The No.1 cushion foundation in Korea, this lightweight cushion offers buildable coverage to reveal your skin’s natural radiance. The textured built-in palette ensures even application on skin for a flawless glow throughout the day.
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Best Lightweight Liquid Foundation
Shu Uemura Unlimited Glow Breathable Care-In Foundation Readers’ Choice
What it does:
This foundation boasts a lightweight, long-lasting glow finish in 24 shades for Asian skin tones. It offers undetectable coverage for 12 hours and includes SPF18 PA+++ for protection. Infused with Japanese white peony, it hydrates and clarifies the skin for a radiant look.
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Best Matte Cushion Foundation
Laneige NEO Cushion Matte SPF 46+ PA++ Readers’ Choice
What it does:
The classic Neo cushion offers up to 50 hours of wear and SPF 46++, featuring over 80% skincare ingredients and 24-hour hydration while maintaining a long-lasting matte finish. It contains 1.5% niacinamide and silica for pore-blurring effects and applies well on all skin types.
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Best Matte Liquid Foundations
Huda Beauty Easy Blur Foundation Experts’ Choice Editors’ Choice
What it does:
This foundation acts like a serum and contains 1.5% niacinamide to smooth your skin and silica to blur pores, giving you natural, airbrushed filter skin. Offering medium-to-buildable coverage, it applies easily and seamlessly on skin of any type and texture.
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Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10 Foundation Readers’ Choice
What it does:
This matte foundation offers long-lasting wear while remaining flawless, with “no need for touch-ups”. It offers buildable medium-to-full coverage, lasting for 24 hours while feeling light and comfortable, and is a favourite of makeup artists for red carpet looks.
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Best Concealer for Blemishes
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer Readers’ Choice
What it does:
A creamy, long-lasting liquid that offers medium to full coverage in 50 soft matte shades. It effectively hides dark circles, blemishes, and redness for a fresh and bright look. The lightweight formula builds easily to full coverage, perfect for concealing imperfections.
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Best Undereye Concealers
Laura Mercier Real Flawless Concealer Experts’ Choice Editors’ Choice
What it does:
This weightless concealer brightens and evens out skin tone while smoothing texture. It reduces dark circles and hides imperfections, blurring pores for a flawless finish. Its serum-infused formula offers seamless, buildable coverage that lasts 16 hours without creasing.
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Tarte Shape Tape™ Ultra Creamy Concealer Readers’ Choice
What it does:
The ultra-creamy version of the iconic Shape Tape Concealer is enhanced with eye cream for 24-hour moisturisation. It provides full coverage with a natural matte finish and uses Cushion Tape technology to smooth out wrinkles.
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Meet the Expert Judges
Our panel of pros brought their insider know-how to help us crown the standouts.
- Ginger Lynette, a seasoned makeup artist with a decade-long career, has worked her magic on celebs, brands, and international campaigns. Her mantra? Enhance, not erase.
- Dr Xu Rongrong, aesthetic doctor at The Urban Clinic, believes great skin starts at home with the right products. Her holistic take blends effective routines with in-clinic precision.
- Dr Ang Sue-May, a dual-accredited Consultant Dermatologist and founder of Shine Dermatology, champions long-term skin health over quick fixes—and knows exactly what ingredients deliver.
- Dr Byron Tee, also from The Urban Clinic, specialises in advanced hair and skincare. His focus is subtle enhancements and real, radiant results.
- Kelly Chew, hairstylist at Chez Vous: HideAway, is the queen of low-maintenance Korean textures. With 12 years of experience, she’s mastered the art of effortless hair that lasts.
- Melvin Tseng, makeup artist, producer, and beauty creator, is a creative force who turns bold visions into beauty statements – think avant-garde looks with an editorial edge.
