SINGAPORE, Oct 16 — Searching for the perfect foundation is like looking for the ultimate undergarment — it has to have the perfect fit, finish and texture, and suit your lifestyle to a tee. For the past few years, the global trend in foundations has moved decisively towards lighter textures and a more natural effect, spurred on by the near flawless, almost-bare complexions models have been sporting on the runways at all the major fashion capitals.
This huge and still-growing desire for the no-make-up make-up look has resulted in the global popularity of the BB cream and its successor, the BB cushion. Both are innovations from the South Korean beauty market, one of the fastest-growing worldwide, largely because of the Korean woman’s obsession with achieving that glowing, ultra-natural complexion popularised by Korean actresses and K-pop stars.
Although the idea of a skin-tone-correcting, glow-enhancing BB cream or cushion seems perfect for Singapore’s tropical climate, many women have found that these tend to cake into fine lines and pores with perspiration, and look shiny (as opposed to radiant) in our high temperatures and humidity. Joanna Lam, PR and digital assistant manager for Yves Saint Laurent Beaute, affirmed: “The market is now leaning towards the matte trend, which is a change from the Korean dewy-glow complexion trend — and everyone wants a super long-lasting yet lightweight formula.
“The trend now is also to have the ‘barely-there’ make-up look. Hence the demand now is for something that can provide coverage but still look super natural on the skin. Especially in Singapore, we see a demand for new textures that are more humid weather-friendly, allowing more breathability for the skin. We are seeking a high-performance foundation but the finish still has to be very soft and natural.”
To that end, beauty brands have turned to cutting-edge technology to create the ultimate high-tech foundation, one that offers customisable coverage, a natural finish and weightless feel while packing skincare benefits to boot. In short, it has to work like an elastic second-skin, creating a flawless yet bare-faced effect with a gravity-defying lightness. “We see more investment in technology to come up with a foundation that can answer all these demands,” said Lam.
The French fashion and beauty label had launched its Le Teint Encre De Peau Fusion Ink Foundation in Singapore in March amid great hype; it reportedly garnered a pre-launch waitlist at Selfridges in London when it was launched in Europe last year. The innovative textured base features a blend of oils, fatty acids and minerals that feels weightless on the skin while absorbing sebum for a luminous-matte effect. In the same month, make-up artist brand Nars also unveiled its All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, which combines advanced flexible polymers and green and gold pigments to give full coverage and 16 hours of no-budge wear — all in an oil-free solution.
Regarded as leaders in innovation for base make-up, a handful of beauty giants such as Shu Uemura, Dior and M.A.C have launched their ultra-fluid versions, heralding a new post-BB era in the cosmetics industry. And for the average Singaporean woman who is not endowed with naturally flawless skin yet dislikes the feel of heavy makeup, this is one effortless make-up trend that is easy to embrace.
Weightless wonders
Our pick of the five most innovative, feather-weight foundations spearheading the trend
1. Shu Uemura skin:FIT cosmetic water foundation (S$62 — RM186 — inclusive of application sponge)
In terms of texture, this was the most weightless of the lot. The bi-phase, oil-free formulation contains skin-refining “cosmetic water” infused with mint and pomegranate extracts and a Triple Powder Complex that controls excess sebum. Shake the watery fluid in the bottle to mix before blending with a sponge or your fingers for a sheer, matte finish that actually looks like your own complexion, but better. We instantly forgot we were wearing make-up, but 10 hours later, our skin was still even-toned and semi-matte. Those who need more coverage for to conceal blemishes and enlarged pores should look elsewhere — or save this for weekends and beach holidays.
2.M.A.C Studio Waterweight Foundation (S$62)
The newest of the lot, this new addition to the dropper-bottle foundations offerings was actually not as runny as the others on this list, but it also gave the most flattering satin finish for combination-skin types. Its medium coverage and silky, hydrating texture makes this a great everyday foundation for those with normal to dry skin types.
3. YSL Beaute Le Teint Encre De Peau Fusion Ink Foundation (S$89)
We were intrigued by the texture — a gorgeously velvety-yet-feathery-light fluid that slips onto the skin like silk. It has a sheer-to-medium coverage that effectively evened out our freckly skin and minimised the look of open pores, while still achieving that barely-there make-up effect. This was also one of the most hardy, lasting 10 hours without noticeable fading.
4. Diorskin Nude Air Ultra-Fluid Serum Foundation SPF25/PA++ (S$88)
More pigmented and creamier than the others, this serum foundation is loaded with volatile oils (that helps it to blend evenly and evaporates quickly after application for an airy feel) and is talc-free, which minimises caking and smearing. It also gives a glowy, dewy look that doesn’t cross over the line to shiny, but is also not as long-lasting.
5.Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (S$75)
“I challenged our chemists to invent two technologies that work together to create something entirely new, a foundation that’s high-coverage, long-wearing — and truly weightless. It’s a very unexpected and exciting formula. You can perfect the skin without the weight or look of traditional foundation,” said celebrity make-up artist and Nars founder Francois Nars. And this truly is revolutionary, combining high coverage with a watery-fluid texture for a finish that is polished but natural, and so comfortable that we barely registered it on our skin. — TODAY
