It’s true: for your face to look its best, you’ll have to first ace your base. Primers, for example, help create an even canvas so that your foundation can glide on better, and last longer. There’s one for every concern – be it to blur blemishes, for hydration, to add glow… the list goes on (and we’ve tried them all). Concealers (aka a girl’s best friend) are the ones that take away bad decisions from last night. We’ve got that covered too. Lastly, we’ve also tested powders – ones that really seal your makeup deal.
Click to check out the base makeup winners for Her World’s Beauty Awards 2019.
For more information on the annual Beauty Awards, click here.
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Hera Magic Starter in Rose, $62
This feels cool and refreshing, and has a soft-glow finish. Skin feels hydrated, looks brighter, pores are filled in, and makeup glides on well.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019 WINNERS: BRIGHTENING SKINCARE
Editors’ Choice: Erborian CC Red Correct SPF25, $62
Glides on, hydrates well and smooths skin too, making this a winner. It’s best for balancing redness because of the green tint, yet it doesn’t make you look pasty.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: LIPS
Readers’ Choice: 3ina The Matte & Smooth Face Primer, $29
Our tester has a very oily T-zone and loved how this primer kept her makeup in place all day, controlling the oil on her forehead yet not drying out her cheeks.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019 WINNERS: BRIGHTENING SKINCARE
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Pearl Primer, $54
Gives a soft glow with a pore- and pigmentation-blurring effect that makes skin look flawless for up to 10 hours.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: LIPS
Editors’ Choice: Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser, $126
Delivers the right amount of skin-brightening and colour coverage for those who like a barely-there finish.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019 WINNERS: BRIGHTENING SKINCARE
Readers’ Choice: Etude House Active Proof Liquid Fitting Base SPF50+/PA++++, $15.90
It glides on, blends easily and gives good coverage (one tester even used it in place of foundation).
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: LIPS
Editors’ Choice: Erborian Bamboo Matte Cream, $35
Skin feels soft, smooth and shine-free. Unlike other mattifying primers, it will not cake your foundation. It is also hydrating, with a mild “green” scent.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019 WINNERS: BRIGHTENING SKINCARE
Readers’ Choice: Nyx Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Primer (Velvet Matte Finish), $26
Leaves skin looking velvety-matte and shine-free for a few hours. It spreads and blends easily.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: LIPS
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, $46
It has a lovely whipped texture that blends easily to cover blemishes. Even when layered on, it doesn’t crease or cake.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019 WINNERS: BRIGHTENING SKINCARE
Editors’ Choice: Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer, $105
It has good coverage for all sorts of imperfections. Just a little is needed as it blends so easily. Bonus: There’s no mess as it’s in stick form.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: LIPS
Readers’ Choice: Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-longwear Concealer, $49
This softly blurs out imperfections like wrinkles and enlarged pores to make skin look airbrushed. It’s really easy to blend too.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019 WINNERS: BRIGHTENING SKINCARE
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder, $50
It sets any cream or liquid base, leaving a soft-blur matte effect. Skin looks luminous and flawless, and isn’t cakey even after several touch-ups over the course of the day.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: LIPS
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice Sulwhasoo Powder for Cushion, $78
Created to set cushion foundation, the super-fine powder absorbs excess sebum and gives skin a pretty, dewy finish. It gives a radiant glow to more tanned skin.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019 WINNERS: BRIGHTENING SKINCARE
Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice: Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, $76
It melts into skin for a smooth, airbrushed finish that doesn’t crease, crack or flake. Skin looks natural and flawless, not powdery or cakey.
ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: LIPS