Best foundation for best color match
This is easy since Fenty Beauty by Rihanna pretty much revolutionized the shade selection thinking in one blow by introducing 40(!) shades to her collection. Now, this may come as a surprise to many, but cosmetics industry isn't really evil and racist in its product development. They are simply looking at production cost vs. sales figures and a small shade selection makes always more sense than a big one. This has left a gaping whole in the market to create a good match to darker skin tones (a majority of the population on this globe of ours I might add) that is now filling up fast. Good news is that with more selection comes competition and so comes also better quality.So here's my pick: though I salute Fenty Beauty for it's incredible prowess and ability to transform the industry, I find that the highest quality foundation with the best shade selection comes from Huda Beauty. It's #FauxFilter Foundation has 30 shades and it retails for about 40 €. The range not only caters for all skin tones from fair to dark, it also compliments different undertones which is a big plus for us scandinavian pale girls (who tend to look orange if the undertone is wrong). The texture is light, a little luminous with a matte finish. It's full coverage, so make sure the shade you choose is right! Get it here.
Best foundation for oily, normal and dry skin
How foundation feels is easily as important as how it looks. Since this depends mostly on your skin type, here are my best picks for each skin type.
Best foundation for oily skin this year came from Smashbox. The Camera Ready BB Water is incredibly light as it is, as the name suggest, water. Bye bye thick and pasty matte foundations that oily skin types have suffered through for so many years. Finally a light texture, buildable coverage and a matte finish.
Best foundation for dry skin is one that seems to divide opinions: Makeup Forever Water Blend. This is (again!) a water based formula so very sheer and light – not for those looking for full coverage. It is however incredibly hydrating and I appreciate the slightly gel like formula. It truly helps those with genuinely dry skin.
Best foundation for normal skin comes from Too Faced. The Born This Way foundation is a real multitasker as it suits virtually any skin type. It helps control shine on hot and humid days and hydrates on these cold winter months. So again for us scandinavian girls this is a holy grail, one foundation that works year round.
Best foudation for best texture
Fluid, mousse, drops, gel, water and everything between. 2017 was a year of foundation textures and I for one love trying and reviewing new innovations. Sometimes however the innovation goes before usability which of course is not the point. So to find the best texture I looked at skin feel, usability, application and how well the foundation lasted on my skin. Some of the novelties fell quite short of my demands so be sure to sample your texture foundation before buying. These innovative foundation textures can be pretty pricey so you want to make sure you get what you ordered.
The best new texture for a foundation was developed by Maybelline. The parent company of the brand, L'Oreal, is renowned for it's ability to develop the best foundations on the market and this shows in their favor especially on the market isles. Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation's texture is light and fluffy, it applies very well and doesn't oxidize on your face. And the price is incredible for the quality. Just make sure you pick the right shade as this one does have quite good coverage.
Best foundation overall 2017
I had to include this since there's always that one product that wows every industry pro and beauty editor out there. In my role as beauty editor for ELLE magazine I got to sample this early on and having spent years practically with my hands elbows deep in foundation development I knew that this one was special from our first encounter.
If you are a fan of Korean makeup you know, that Korean foundation is pretty much the best there is, so this might not come as a surprise to you. The best foundation for 2017 is Etude house double lasting foundation SPF 34++. It is not the easiest to get your hands on but well worth the trouble. The texture is dreamy light, it blends in an instant, lasts all day without setting to fine lines or starting to oxidize and the price is miles away from the luxury brands that usually deliver this type of products. Don't let the packaging fool you, this foundation is going to change the world.
That's my list for best foundations 2017. Did I miss anything? Let me know!