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12 brands with more than 20 shades of foundations, besides Fenty Beauty

By
22 December, 2017
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Foundation is arguably the most important step in everyone’s makeup routine. It helps even out skin discolouration and tone, diminish the look of fine lines and pores, and creates an even base for any other cosmetics products to be layered upon it.

Yet, many foundations are sorely lacking in medium to deep shades, making it hard for those with darker skin tones to find their perfect match.

This was why when pop star Rihanna debuts her cosmetic brand Fenty Beauty and released 40 shades in its Pro Filtr Soft Matte Longwear Foundation line, it became the talk of the cosmetics town. Many – especially those with deeper skin tones – said they could finally find a foundation in their shade!

And if you’re looking for options other than Fenty Beauty, you’re on the right article. We’ve compiled 12 other brands that carry more than 20 shades of foundations, and that are readily available in Singapore, to help you find your perfect shade. Go look your best!

In This Article
  1. 1. 3ina
  2. 3. Cover FX
  3. 4. Estée Lauder
  4. 5. Hourglass
  5. 7. Marc Jacobs
  6. 8. Make Up For Ever
  7. 9. NARS
  8. 10. Tarte
  9. 11. Too Faced
  11. 12. Urban Decay
  13. Other honourable mentions

1. 3ina

3ina may be a new brand in Singapore, but the European brand is well-loved in the countries they are available in, for their inclusivity and affordable prices.

Their signature foundation, the 3in1 Foundation 216, has 24 shades in the collection. A multi-tasking product, this doesn’t just serve as a long-wearing foundation, but also triples up as a primer and concealer. Best applied with either a sponge or brush, this foundation is raved about by reviewers for its amazing coverage even on troubled skin and great value-for-money.

The 3ina boutique is located at #B2-67 ION Orchard Mall (along the underpass that leads to Tangs Orchard), and the 3in1 Foundation 216 retails at SGD33.

2. Becca

Becca’s Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme has 20 shades, while Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation has 19 shades. The Ultimate Coverage has 21% pigment and 22% water that provides water-resistant full coverage for any skin type, while Ever-Matte – as its name suggests – is targeted at combo/oily skin, and reduces the look of pores and fine lines.

Reviews are mixed on Sephora.sg. Some claim that Becca’s foundations are their holy grails, while some decry at how badly the foundation worked for them.

Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme (1.01oz/30ml) retails for SGD68 while Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation (1.35oz/40ml) retails for SGD64.

3. Cover FX

An amazing thing about Cover FX is its commitment to providing quality products for a global audience. As such, the brand provides over 40 shades (most of them are available in Sephora) across its different foundation offerings. These shades are also standardised across the board, making it easier for you to remember which foundation shade to use regardless of the product.

You can also pick up the Custom Cover Drops in the shade closest to your skin tone, to mix it with your favourite moisturisers or primer.

Custom Cover Drops is sold at SGD68 (0.5oz/15ml), Pressed Mineral Foundation at SGD56 (0.42oz/12g), Natural Finish Oil Free Foundation at SGD65 (1.0oz/30ml), Cover Click at SGD28 (0.2oz/5.5g), and Total Cover Cream Foundation SPF30 at SGD65 (0.35oz/10g).

4. Estée Lauder

With over 38 shades, Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup touts to last over 24 hours (we don’t recommend wearing foundation for so long, though!), while providing medium to full semi-matte finish.

I have used this before and I can tell you that this foundation feels lightweight but packs a punch in its coverage (and somehow still look natural). Some users on the Estée Lauder website claim that this foundation is drying on them, so people with drier skin types should try a sample first if possible.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup is available at all Estée Lauder stores and counters, and at Sephora, retailing at SGD68 (1.0oz/30ml).

5. Hourglass

You can find 22 shades in the Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation and 26 shades in the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick. Both products are available at Sephora.

The former claims to have a innovative oil-free liquid-to-powder technology that contains Cashmere Kaolinite Clay, which can absorb 75% its weight in oil, thereby giving a flawless matte (but not flat) finish. The latter, on the other hand, contains twice the regular amount of pigments, making it able to double up a a high-coverage concealer.

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation costs SGD92 (1.0oz/30ml) and Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick costs SGD76 (0.25oz/7.2g) at Sephora.

6. Kat Von D

With 32 shades, Kat Von D’s Lock-It Foundation has 21% pigments that work for any skin type to give you full coverage. Its velvety matte finish also promises to last for 24 hours and be transfer-resistant.

You can reduce its coverage with the Lock-It Hydrating Primer or any primer/moisturiser if you want light to medium coverage or more glowy finish. However, the shade range seems to be more catered to the fair to medium skin tones, with about only about six shades for deeper skin tones.

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation retails at SGD56 (1.0oz/30ml) and is available at Sephora.

7. Marc Jacobs

The Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate by Marc Jacobs Beauty has 22 shades, and a little goes a long way when it comes to this foundation. A tiny amount is sufficient to provide full coverage, so start off with a light hand or  you’ll run the risk of getting a heavy and cakey finish.

But when used right, this is suitable for all skin types, and gives a radiant satin matte finish that looks natural. Similar to Kat Von D’s Lock-It Foundation, the shades appear to cater more to fair to medium skin tones. The picture above features their darkest shade – 86 Cocoa Deep.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate (0.75oz/22ml) retails at SGD86, and is available at Sephora.

8. Make Up For Ever

Make Up For Ever has the most extensive shade ranges across its different foundation lines – Ultra HD Foundation (their most famous!) has 40 shades, Ultra HD Stick Foundation has 21 shades, Water Blend Face & Body Foundation and Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation both have 20 shades. These foundations are all suited for any skin type, but Matte Velvet Skin is more suited those with oily skin type.

The full range of products can be found at the Make Up For Ever Pro Loft (36 Armenian Street, #01-06), Make Up For Ever Boutique at Downtown Gallery (6A Shenton Way, #01-06), and selected stocks at Sephora stores and Sephora.sg.

9. NARS

You can also consider these NARS foundations that have 20 shades: Velvet Matte Foundation Stick, All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, and the OG Sheer Glow Foundation.

Note that Sephora doesn’t carry the full range of products, so it might be a better idea to check out NARS counters if you’d like to have more options.

We recommend the Velvet Matte Stick (SGD70) for oilier skin types and the Sheer Glow Foundation (SGD74, 1.0oz, 30ml) for normal to dry skin. All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (SGD76 for 1.0oz, 30ml) is good for all skin types.

10. Tarte

Known for its eco-friendly and cruelty-free makeup that works, Tarte has two foundations that have more than 20 shades. The first is the Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation, which has 25 shades and uses Amazonian clay to provide a natural matte finish. The second foundation is the Water Foundation SPF 15 that is available in 20 shades.

Water Foundation boasts to be full coverage while containing 20 percent water, which helps hydrate and reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores. Both these foundations contain antioxidants such as Vitamin E to help combat against free radical damage that can age your skin.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation retails for SGD48 (1.7oz/50ml) and Tarte Water Foundation SPF 15 costs SGD64 (1.0oz/30ml). Both are available at Sephora.

11. Too Faced

Too Faced only has one foundation that offers more than 20 shades – Born This Way Foundation, with 24 shades. We have the impression that this foundation a significant number of shades for deeper and darker skin tones.

Nourished with coconut water, the Born This Way Foundation hydrates the skin sufficiently and can be used on all skin types. You can also get medium-to-full coverage with natural-looking, radiant finish. Personally, Born This Way did not work well with my super oily skin, so do try a sample if you have the same skin type.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation retails for SGD61 (1.0oz/30ml) at Sephora.

12. Urban Decay

Urban Decay has two foundations – All Nighter Liquid Foundation has 24 shades and Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup has 28 shades.

All Nighter is known for its ull coverage matte finish and has three times the amount of pigment as compared to Naked Skin. Naked Skin on the other hand, will give you a luminous demi-matte finish that feels weightless and looks natural. Their shade system works as such: .0 have warm undertones, .25 have neutral, .5 have pink, while .75 have golden undertones.

Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation retails at SGD62 (1.0oz/30ml) while Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup retails at SGD62 (1.0oz/30ml). Both are available at all the Urban Decay free-standing stores and at Sephora.

 

Other honourable mentions

While we were researching for this article, we realised that many brands actually do have foundations that span over 20 shades.

However, most of these are unavailable in stores here, making it harder for us to test out the shades before purchasing. We have decided to list them here so you can check them out through your favourite online retailers or when you go overseas.

The list includes: