As an Oily Girl, I Have to Wear Matte Foundations—These Are My Favourites
Photo:
@keeksreid
Such a fail-safe option if you are just exploring the matte-foundation options, as it’s a very liquidy texture, making it pretty easy to blend. It’s available in 60 shades and is a medium to full coverage. I honestly don’t know anyone who wouldn’t recommend this as a great matte foundation.
One of the best budget foundations out there, in my humble opinion. It mattifies, but it’s lightweight, so you can still see your natural texture. I first tried this after buying it in New York before it was available over here and have been raving about it ever since.
I promise you only need a drop of this foundation for stunning coverage. The pigment is so good I find I get the best results from this using a damp beauty sponge to blend in. Don’t use more than one pump, as it’ll be heavier than you want with no extra coverage.
This was the first foundation I ever bought (let’s forget about Dream Matte Mousse, shall we?), and I still have it in my collection. It’s lightweight but offers up to full, matte coverage with no caking in 67 shades. Try the MAC website "try-on" service if you're unsure of your perfect shade match.
Since they changed the formula of this, it’s become one of my favourite "going-out" foundations. They removed the fragrance so it's better for easily irritated skin and rejigged the colour offering. The texture is like a whipped mousse and blends really effortlessly. You have tens of shades to pick from, and if you used the old formula, the Huda website will rematch you.
Weightless is the right way to describe this foundation. It’s light but gives medium coverage and doesn’t mask your skin. It's available in 50 shades with nine shade intensities and seven undertones, so you're bound to find your match.
Powder foundations often get a bad rap because past iterations have been so cakey, but don't let that put you off this Fenty find. I will often apply this just on my T-zone and blend as a powder/foundation hybrid. I love the blurred effect it gives the skin without looking 2D.
A matte foundation that still gives radiance? It doesn’t make sense, and then you try this, and you’re like, "Oh! I get it." I would call this super full coverage, though, so I reserve it for picture-heavy occasions. It lasts all day with little need for blotting or touch-ups.
The matte lover's answer to an everyday foundation, this medium-coverage base is a treat to apply and contains hydrating hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture without your skin looking slick. It blends easily, and while it definitely needs blotting by the end of the day for me, it's the most natural matte of the bunch.
The original CC cream from It didn’t work for my oily skin, but this iteration is perfect. It feels easy to wear but covers redness and any shine with the full-coverage finish.
Another great inexpensive pick that rivals the more luxe buys, this offering for L’Oréal gives the skin even, matte coverage and is transfer-proof to boot!
This creamy formula blends into a matte finish that isn’t overly drying and lasts all day with minimal touch-ups. It's available in a whopping 45 shades, and if you're on the hunt for a concealer too, the Ultra Wear offering pairs perfectly.