Her World Beauty Awards 2019 Winners: Foundation

All about the base

1/20

Shade, tone, coverage, finish – finding the perfect foundation for your skin type is no mean feat.

Trailling the thousands of different foundations to find “The One” will cost you a bomb, and probably wouldn’t do your skin any favours.

To help you with your search, we tested out some of the best foundations in the market vigorously against each other to find the cream of the crop.

So whether you prefer something light and natural or something more high coverage to erase any blemish or dark circles, we have the perfect match for you.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Best care-for-your skin cushion foundation (Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice) - Dior Prestige Le Cushion Teint de Rose, $140

2/20

It blends well, sits well, and gives a natural skin like finish as it evens and brightens skin tone while keeping the complexion
smooth and plumped. The medium, buildable coverage lasts many hours.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HYDRATING

Best cushion foundation for k-dewy skin (Editors’ Choice) - La Mer The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation SPF20, $160

3/20

With this, your skin has a natural-looking dewy glow. The sponge picks up just the right amount with each pat. It feels comfortable, especially if you prefer light coverage.

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Best cushion foundation soft blur (Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice) - Laneige Layering Cover Cushion & Concealing Base, $43

4/20

One side is a foundation, the other side is a concealer. The
former covers imperfections in a semi-matte finish, softly
blurring them out.

The concealer covers light to medium blemishes nicely. Skin looks amazingly smooth.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HYDRATING

Best liquid foundation matte finish (Editors’ Choice) - Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-longwear Foundation, $80

5/20

The matte finish lasts at least eight hours without streaking or fading. It’s lightweight and easily blendable,although it dries
quickly on skin.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Best liquid foundation matte finish (Readers’ Choice) - Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Makeup SPF10/PA++, $70

6/20

This will give you at least eight hours of beautiful coverage. In
fact, it looks flawless even without touchups at the end of a 20-hour day – and on combination skin too.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HYDRATING

Best cushion foundation soft glow (Editors’ Choice) - Nars Aqua Glow Cushion Foundation, $66

7/20

Wonderful buildable coverage with a very subtle – not – glow. If you have oilier skin, take the time to blend it in so it
doesn’t end up looking patchy.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HYDRATING

Best cushion foundation soft glow (Readers’ Choice) - Chanel Vitalumiere Glow Luminous Touch Foundation, $90

8/20

The glow is more dewy than soft, imparting a pinkish radiance. It is hydrating and covers imperfections well, but some testers found the texture a little too slick.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Best liquid foundation soft glow - Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Fluid Foundation Second-skin Glow Breathable Perfection, $72

9/20

The finish is truly second skin-like, with a soft, natural glow. It covers imperfections, doesn’t cake or streak, and is long-lasting. Ticks all the boxes.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Best liquid foundation soft glow (Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice) - Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF30/ PA++, $70

10/20

Has a matte finish that covers blemishes like freckles well. Instead of a dewy glow, skin looks radiant and healthy – although it does look like you’re wearing foundation.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HYDRATING

Best liquid foundation natural finish (Readers’ Choice) - M.A.C Studio Waterweight SPF30 Foundation, $64

11/20

Perfect for those with fairly good skin. The sheer to medium coverage will even out skin tone but not cover spots or zits completely.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Best liquid foundation soft matte (Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice) - Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation, $65

12/20

Lightweight, blendable, breathable and really comfortable even when layered on. The finish is a perfect soft matte that looks smooth and natural around lines and pores, not powdery or cakey. It comes in 21 shades. 

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Best party-all-night liquid foundation (Editors’ Choice) - YSL Beaute All Hours Foundation, $98

13/20

A full-coverage foundation that covers acne scars well. It has great lasting power about 10 hours without fading or streaking. All you need beyond this is a quick touch-up around the nose and chin.

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Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, $68

14/20

Our tester had it on for close to 15 hours and her face still looked decently matte. It takes more effort to blend the thicker cream texture into skin, but the payoff is that a concealer isn’t necessary.

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Best liquid foudation dewy finish (Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice) - Sephora Collection Glow Perfection Foundation, $26

15/20

It’s high-coverage and hydrating. To ensure streak-free blending, apply with a sponge, not your fingers, and take time to work it into your skin.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Best cushion foundation soft matte (Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice) - Hera Black Cushion, $75

16/20

A truly natural finish that controls shine all day – skin looks matte and fresh even after 14 hours of wear. You get high coverage with one layer. Those with dry skin may want to apply a moisturising primer
under the foundation.

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Best cushion foundation natural finish - Kose Infinity Cushion Serum Glow, $82 (the refill is $60)

17/20

Covers slight blemishes and redness, and evens out skin tone in a natural way. The dewy foundation lasts a whole day without becoming patchy or streaking.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Best cushion foundation (Editors’ Choice) - CNP Laboratory Propolis Ampule in Cushion, $54

18/20

A value-for-money product with high coverage (no concealer needed) and skincare properties (propolis is moisturising). It lights up the complexion and has a satiny finish that falls between dewy and matte.

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Best cushion foundation (Readers’ Choice) - Aprilskin Perfect Magic Cover Fit Cushion, $47

19/20

Light to medium coverage with slightly watery texture. Skin looks natural and dewy.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HYDRATING

Best liquid foundation (Editors’ Choice & Readers’ Choice) - L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-matte Foundation, $29.90

20/20

The texture is not too heavy or thick, and covers blemishes and redness reasonably well without caking. For a more even finish, prep the skin with a primer first. Skin stays fresh and matte for about 10 hours.

ALSO READ: HER WORLD BEAUTY AWARDS 2019: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR