6 Inclusive Foundation Ranges Hitting Shelves This Summer
For the first few years of my beauty obsession, foundation was one of the only products that I had never tried or had any interest in trying. Aside from the fact that MAC was the only place I’d even tried foundation - I love them, but the look they go for is so far from natural - but in my teens, my skin was super bright and mostly clear, and I didn’t want to mess that up. I had my problem areas around my chin and sides of my face that remained that way for years, but those were almost invisible to me, as I usually focused on the center of my face.
However, my point of view began to change the further I delved into my study of and passion for makeup artistry. I learned that some of my favorite products at the time - blush and highlight - were not going to stay put if I hadn’t built a good base for them to cling to. I saw the complexions of people like Rihanna, Beyonce, and Lauren London, and although they were lighter than me, I knew there had to be some way for me to get that look that was both parts dewy and soft looking, without being straight up shiny. And from there began my experimentation with complexion products.
Source: Fenty Beauty
Today, however, with the help of YouTube and the influx of available products in stores, budding makeup lovers learn quickly not only the purpose of foundation but also all the techniques and how to use it. And makeup brands are scurrying and climbing over each other to rise to the challenge and meet the demand for inclusive complexion products in assorted shades and formulas. Everyone is trying to be the first to break something new. As a result, we the black consumers benefit by finally having an abundance of choices to consider every year. Over the last couple of months alone, a multitude of brands have released or announced new formulas for us to choose from. Let’s look at a few.
FENTY Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation
When Rihanna released her first, groundbreaking foundation product everyone loved it. But many of the remarks were about how matte it was. For some, matte is their thing. For me, I always have loved a more natural or even a (controlled) dewy situation. With the Queen of flawlessly radiant skin at the helm, Fenty has now released a hydrating formula of their iconic foundation, in just as many shades as the first release.
In Stores: August 15
Available for $35 in Sephora, Harvey Nichols, and on FentyBeauty.com
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Luminous Foundation
Source: Anastasia Beverly Hills
As one of the most exciting and fresh makeup brands of our time, Anastasia Beverly Hills has given us quite a few of our favorite cult products and makeup trends to date. From glow kits to blush palettes and even their first foundation, the Cream Stick, Norvina (the brand’s president) knows how to keep us coming back for more. But through all of their releases, the only foundation they had to date was their matte finish cream stick, which was received with mixed reviews. In 2016, when the stick released, 30 shades was a monumental feat and unheard of. How different from now! Therefore, the brand has responded not only responded to the need for more shades, by giving us 50 (yes, fifty) in the new product, but has also responded to the need for more than a matte formula in foundations, especially with winter knocking at our door. Its other claims to fame are being vegan, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, dermatolist-tested, suitable for sensitive skin and long-wearing.
In stores: Now, since August 4
Available for $38 in Sephora, Ulta, Dillards, on AnastasiaBeverlyHills.com and soon to be on Beautylish.com.
Source: Dose of Colors
DOSE OF COLORS Meet Your Hue Foundation
To be honest, the last brand I expected skin products from was Dose of Colors. For no particular reason, other than the fact that I’ve just always known them for their fun shadows and palettes, and their colorful lip products. I should have known, though, because is a cosmetics line really complete without at least one item in every category? Dose brings us their definition of complexion with the Meet Your Hue foundation. Described as “medium-to-full buildable coverage, natural matte finish, skin-like feel” this product is also available in a whopping 42 shades, with six shade categories, seven shades per category. It also claims to be vegan, paraben, cruelty, talc and fragrance free. Even though I’m not a fan of matte finishes, Dose of Colors’ reputation proceeds them, and I am tempted to try!
In Stores: Now, since July 17
Available for $36 in Ulta, and at DoseofColors.com
Source: Charlotte Tilbury
CHARLOTTE TILBURY Airbrush Flawless Finish
Renowned makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s cosmetics brand has always been lauded and praised among the big names in the beauty community. Her skin care products like the Magic Cream have a cult following in the industry. Her complexion products as well, like the Magic Foundation, the Light wonder, and even the Hollywood Flawless Filter primer have also received lots of accolades. Many of my faves rave about these. However, the flaw in these amazing products has always been the lack of shades. While the Magic Foundation came in 20 shades, the Light Wonder came in only 8. Rightfully, Tilbury is now giving us 44 shades in what appears to be another epic skin product. Claims include “pore-less finish, reduction of the appearance of wrinkles by up to 22% after 8 weeks of use, moisturizes for up to 24 hours, cool fresh feeling on skin, protection from everyday pollutants, humidity and sweat proof and transfer resistance,” just to name a few.
In Stores: August 22
Available for $44 on CharlotteTilbury.com and anywhere her products are sold (Beautylish.com, Sephora, Selfridges)
Source: Cocoa Swatches
URBAN DECAY Stay Naked Foundation
Urban Decay has been around for a long time, and known as one of the edgiest brands out there. But more than being edgy, the brand is trusted for having quality eyeshadows and liners especially, and for ushering in the age of nudes in the nude palette craze, which I still don’t think is over. Although they are not necessarily known for their complexion products like some other brands, Urban has quietly amassed quite the arsenal of foundations for consumers to choose from. One of my favorite YouTubers, The Fancy Face, swears by their foundation powders. The baby of the bunch of six foundations, the Stay Naked, is a liquid matte formula offering 24 hour wear, waterproof, breatheable and flexible coverage that also is lightweight and resembles skin. As sister to the All Nighter foundation, which is also matte and long wearing, the Stay Naked offers medium, buildable coverage which is much less intense and daunting to use.
In Stores: Now, since August 1
Available for $39 in Sephora, Nordstrom, Belk, Macy’s JCPenney and UrbanDecay.com
Source: Nordstrom
MAC Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick
Last. but not least, we have every black girl’s safe space; the place we run when we all hope is lost, MAC. Although MAC artists can sometimes be hit or miss when it comes to beating your face, the products themselves have always spoken for themselves. Formerly known as brand mainly for pro-artists, they’ve had an assortment of complexion formulas in pretty much every shade for as long as I can remember. And for that, MAC will always be my go-to, my trusted makeup haven. Having said that, the newest release (exclusive to Nordstrom) is the Soft-Matte Studio Fix Foundation Stick. I wonder how a stick form of the classic studio fix foundation will differ from the original formulas. I guess we just have to try it! Claims include “ buildable medium coverage, ultra-blendable formula, natural shine-free finish that lasts 24 hours, instantly hydrating, won't cake, streak, crease or settle into fine lines.” Sounds amazing!
In Stores: Now
Available for $31 in Nordstrom (stores and online) exclusively
Cover Image Source: Sarah Krick Photography
