The best foundation for Indian skin costs Rs 575
The MVPs of the makeup world pick their favourites from luxury brands and drugstore finds
You don’t know struggle till you’ve had to shop for the best foundation for Indian skin (by the end of which you are covered in so many swatches, you look like an art installation). And you’ve not known defeat till you’ve sweat all of the overpriced foundation off while waiting for a rickshaw. To add to this, we have our infamous Sephora aunties. One swish of a powder brush is all they need to put local train maushis and parlour didis to shame.
With all odds against them, how do poor little makeup amateurs make their way to the other side – the magical land where hyperpigmentation, blemishes and blotchy skin don’t exist? It’s simple. You turn to the makeup MVPs.
We asked our favourite celebrity makeup artists to pick the best foundation for Indian skin (both, luxury and budget) and they did not disappoint. Their recommendations have survived the test on models, Bollywood stars and brides across different weather conditions and skin types, so you know they’re telling you the truth.
The best foundation for Indian skin
Painting faces for Diana Penty, Disha Patani and Mira Kapoor, designing the beauty look on Sabyasachi campaigns and bagging makeup artist of the year at the Vogue Beauty Awards, Marianna may actually have an extra pair of arms she’s not telling us about. What she is spilling though, is her pick for the best foundation for Indian skin.
Luxury: Luminous Silk Foundation by Giorgio Armani
“I’ve been using this foundation for years. It has medium coverage that you can build up for full coverage. Also, I love its luminous natural finish and the fact that it isn’t cakey or sticky.” Approx Rs 4,500
Budget: Total Control Drop Foundation by NYX Professional Makeup
“This product is great because all you need is a few drops for your entire face. Also, it is super light weight and has a lovely matt finish.” Rs 1250
The talented maestro behind Lisa Haydon’s headlining look for Amit Agarwal’s recent presentation at Lakme Fashion Week, she has worked her magic on the likes of Vidya Balan, Kangana Ranaut, and Bipasha Basu.
Luxury: Luminous Silk Foundation by Giorgio Armani
“This product works best for Indian skin tones and it gives a medium to heavy coverage. The beauty of this foundation is that it it is luminous, but still has a matte finish, which means that you don’t have to powder your face too much.” Approx Rs 4,500
Budget: Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation by Maybelline New York
“The best part about Fit Me foundations is the number of shades they have. This makes it very easy for the customer to find their skin tone. If you don’t find your exact skin tone, it’s very easy to mix a few and get the perfect shade. The coverage is great too, and the affordable price is an added bonus.” Rs 575
Her client list includes top influencers like Anam C, heiress Tania Shroff and comedian Aditi Mittal. She’s as adept at creating the perfect wedding look as she is at mastering full-fledged editorial spreads.
Luxury: Luminous Silk Foundation by Giorgio Armani
“The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is a staple in my kit. It’s a lightweight foundation and gives the most natural looking, beautiful and radiant finish to the skin. It has medium coverage and is easily buildable and can be blended with great ease too. Their shade range has something for every skin tone and undertone. Shades such as 5.75, 6, 6.25, 7and 7.5 are shades that I stock up on for Indian skin as these are slightly warmer tones.” Approx Rs 4,500
Budget: Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation by Maybelline New York
“Maybelline is one of the most loved drugstore brands in India. I love their wide range of products and the fact that they are budget-friendly. They provide quality products for a price that is suited for every makeup lover.” Rs 575
Handling clients as diverse as musician Lisa Mishra, style influencer Santoshi Shetty, chef Pooja Dhingra and heiress Ananya Birla means Gandhi needs to be able to juggle between quirky, understated, glamorous and traditional with equal ease.
Luxury: HD Invisible Cover Foundation by Make Up For Ever
“I love Make Up For Ever because of its versatility. You can achieve the most natural sheer look and a face with full coverage using the same foundation. It doesn’t matter if you’re using your fingers, a blender or a brush, the foundation always blends seamlessly. 127 fair, 335 fair medium , 375 medium, 410 medium dark , and 425 dark are the shades best suited for Indian skin tones.” Rs 3,700
Budget: Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation by Maybelline New York
“Fit Me is a my choice for the best foundation for Indian skin, especially if you’re on a budget. It’s thin and spreads easily without leaving the skin patchy. The shades I would recommend are 128, 220, 228, 230, 235, 238, 310, and 322. However, I would recommend people with sensitive skin pick luxury foundations over budget buys.” Rs 575
A favourite with India’s top modelling agencies, she’s especially talented at working with multiple skin tones and face shapes.
Luxury: Luminous Silk Foundation by Giorgio Armani
I adore this foundation because it gives coverage while still making the skin luminous. Also they do 0.5 and 0.75 shades, which usually have warmer undertones that suit the Indian skin tone. Approx Rs 4,500
Budget: Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation by Maybelline New York
To be honest, I haven’t used too many budget brands. But I have tried Maybelline Fit Me and it worked well for me. Rs 575
Stylist: Divya Gursahani; Makeup: Riddhima Sharma; Hair: Krisann Figueiredo; Model: Asu Longkumer/ A Little Fly, Ishit Yamini/Toabh. On Asu: Top, Redempress. On Ishit: Top, Mango