Best of Beauty: All the Foundations and Concealers You'll Ever Need

There's nothing like the right base makeup products to achieve the perfect complexion. Find your match from this year's tried-and-tested foundations and concealers.

LIGHT COVERAGE

Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh

IMAGE ESTEE LAUDER

This ultralight foundation glides on the skin and then melts into it, settling naturally while evening out the skin tone. It's so light; it's like your skin, just better. Rustan’s The Beauty Source

Guerlain Lingere de Peau Aqua Nude Foundation

IMAGE GUERLAIN

This thin, hydrating formula applies like a dream and hides dry patches as it delivers a smooth, bare-skin finish. This is also my foundation go-to when I want to make flaky skin look healthy and glowing. Its SPF 20 is a bonus.  P2,700, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

IMAGE KOH GEN DO

This tried-and-tested mineral foundation delivers a smooth and dewy finish perfect for creating the trendy Japanese glow. P2,400, Beauty Bar branches nationwide  

MEDIUM COVERAGE

Skincolor de La Mer Fluid Foundation

IMAGE LA MER

Our best bet for dry and mature skin, this fluid foundation quenches all the rough patches on our face while delivering potent antioxidants and the La Mer Miracle Broth for supple skin and an evenly toned complexion. P6,650, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

IMAGE ESTEE LAUDER

Count on this buildable coverage foundation for staying power, thanks to its oil-free formulation and semi-matte finish. This lasted us through an early morning shoot to a warm outdoor event and then evening cocktails without transferring or cracking—true to its 15-hour hold promise. This summer, it relaunched with an astounding 56 shades. P2,400, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation

IMAGE NARS

A good pick for daily wear, this breakthrough from Nars has the ability to deliver the right amount of dimension (not too shiny, not too flat) for a fresh looking face all day. A tip: This is best applied with your fingers for the most natural finish. P2,950, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation

IMAGE SMASHBOX

This stick comes with a soft contour end, instantly solving the problem of finding the right bronzing stick to match your foundation shade. Slide the foundation stick over the face and blend away, then shade where needed using the superblendable contour formula—under the jaw, the sides of your nose, below the cheekbones, below your hairline... Beauty Bar branches nationwide  

Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation

IMAGE SHISEIDO

If you want proof that you can pack every skincare essential in an effective foundation formula, this pot is your answer. Immensely hydrating and with SPF 20 and Japanese botanicals, among other anti-aging ingredients, this foundation does make the skin look luminous. Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati

FULL COVERAGE

Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Longwear Foundation

IMAGE LAURA MERCIER

This covers up every imperfection while feeling light and natural on the skin, you’ll forget you’re even wearing foundation. It lasts and settles even better, like you're under perfect lighting all day. P2,450, Rustan's The Beauty Source

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation

IMAGE MAKE UP FOR EVER

Imagine the original and the bestselling Ultra HD liquid foundation getting multifunctional, easier to use, and handy, and you get this equally blendable and creamy stick counterpart that can camouflage like a concealer. Highly recommended for people on-the-go looking for serious coverage. SM Mega Fashion Hall

La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation

IMAGE LA PRAIRIE

Packed with the brand’s Rare Caviar Extracts and more skin-firming and smoothing ingredients, this luxury concealer foundation provides high coverage with a gorgeous dewy finish that doesn’t cake or amplify pores. A true winner that’s worth its price tag. P13,100, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

Stila Stay All Day Foundation and Concealer

IMAGE STILA

This matte finish, oil-free foundation comes in a pump packaging that lets you use its container as a foundation dish, where you dip your sponge instead of using the back of your hand. It comes with a matching concealer, making skin color matching a no-brainer. What we love best about this duo? Even with its matte finish, it still allows the skin’s natural glow to surface.

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15

IMAGE BOBBI BROWN

Whereas many matte-finish, oil-free, full-coverage foundations leave the skin parched halfway through the day, this long-wear formula feels light and supple on the skin, magically hiding marks and neutralizing uneven skin tones without caking. P2,750, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

POWDER

Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral Powder

The best reason to buy this sunscreen powder? It’s the ultimate touch-up and reapplication alternative if you don’t want to ruin your daily makeup with a layer of cream sunblock (Remember, you must reapply sunscreen every two hours!). This mineral powder breakthrough is a game changer, offering an ample SPF 30, apart from other benefits that make it suitable for acne-prone and oily skin. P1,650, SM Megamall

Jane Iredale Powder-Me Sunscreen

IMAGE JANE IREDALE

If you’re looking for coverage in a powder with an effective sunscreen, this dry SPF 30 formula will do the job while setting natural and staying waterproof for 40 minutes. Instead of using the built-in applicator, try a brush or a disposable sponge for a controlled coverage. P2,050, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

 CUSHION | CREAM COMPACT

NARS Aqua Glow Cushion Compact

IMAGE NARS

True to its name, this easy-to-apply portable compact gives the skin a luminous, filter-like finish. The coverage is buildable, and apart from being ultra lightweight, its formula features an Anti-Pollution Complex and SPF 23. P2,100, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

M.A.C Lightful C + Coral Grass Quick Finish Cushion Compact

IMAGE M.A.C

Expect all-day perfection from this hardworking satin-finish compact—with SPF 50 and skin brightening ingredients—that provides more coverage than the usual cushion. What we love best? No streaking, no caking, no sliding off. P2,800, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati

Chanel Oil-in-Cream Compact Foundation Whitening - Thermal Comfort

IMAGE CHANEL

Don’t be fooled by its cushion-like texture, this fluffy winner is a creamy, dreamy foundation made for Asian skin. Infused with precious ume flower oil, its formula hydrates and nourishes the skin, making it perfect for those with dry skin or those in for a luminous glow. P3,950, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

 CONCEALER

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

IMAGE NARS

A little goes a long way with this luminous concealer that’s really more than just a concealer to many makeup junkies. Go shades darker and use it as a contouring product or go lighter to make it a highlighter. It applies so natural on the under-eye and won't crease nor crack. P1,650, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

M.A.C Studio Fix Pro Conceal & Correct Palette

IMAGE M.A.C.

If you’re trying to hide dark spots and pimples, this palette is the answer. With four concealers and two correctors for erasing bumps and uneven patches, you can blend away and just not go wrong. P2,200, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati

Bobbi Brown Instant Full Cover Concealer

IMAGE BOBBI BROWN

The Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit is the holy grail concealer for all skin types, and it looks like this will be its toughest contender in banishing dark circles. It has a thick texture but it surprisingly feels light and natural. P1,900, Rustan’s The Beauty Source

Art direction JP Meneses
Assisted by Sandy Aranas