
I can remember where I was when I first heard the term “foundation wardrobe”. I was in a bookstore on my lunch break, flipping through the pages of Funmi Fetto’s debut book, Palette: A Black Beauty Bible, and came across a passage where she talked about having four or five foundations in rotation at any one time, because, like bras, you “need” a different one depending on the situation. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but now, fast forward almost five years, and I’m the person with four or five foundations in rotation at any one time. So, as such, I wanted to share all the foundations I have and the different kinds of foundations you “need” in your collection.
Note: I put need in quotations because you don’t really neeed four or five foundations, but these are the different kinds of foundations to know if you have a particular need… you get the point.
Introducing my foundation wardrobe
A foundation wardrobe needn’t be complicated. At most, you really only need about two: something matte and something dewy. If you like to have options, then throwing in a couple more, like a tinted moisturiser, something heavier and something lightweight, will nicely round out any foundation collection. A foundation wardrobe should also take changes to your skin tone into account, which means having two shades: one for summer and one for winter. As an unintentional foundation collector, I own two of my favourite foundations in two shades, so I’m covered all year round, no matter if I’m tanned or not. That also means I can experiment and play around with other types and formulations.

Matte foundation
My foundation collection would not be complete without the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup. While this foundation had always been one I’d wanted to try (I first discovered it waaay back in about 2015/2016 when I was an unemployed master’s graduate with no way to afford it), it wasn’t until 2022 that I actually tried it for the very first time. Promising a beautiful skin-like matte finish, up to 16-hour wear and a hint of SPF protection (SPF10), this foundation has been my go-to for the last three years. I wear the shades 6W1 Sandalwood and 6W2 Nutmeg, which means I have something for when I’m tanned and a little paler. A matte foundation like this is a must because it’s extremely forgiving in the warmer summer months and also allows you to go hours without reapplying or touching up throughout the day. Top tip: make sure you prep with a hydrating skincare routine because this foundation can get quite dry – especially in winter.

Dewy foundation
Ah, a dewy foundation. Something slick, that leaves you with the most natural glass skin, that feels like it’s your skin in a bottle, and that doesn’t feel too much or too drying. Truth be told, I don’t really wear a lot of dewy foundation, but when I do, I love the Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation in 14 Neutral and the Tropic Liquid Radiance Adaptogen Serum Foundation in Shade 9.

Both look absolutely stunning on the skin, are buildable – so, perfect for my hyperpigmentation girlies who don’t want a matte finish – and work well for day or night. I tend to wear these from winter to spring/early summer when I’m less likely to be sweating too much and when I want to look suuuper glowy and bright (I’m prone to looking quite dull, grey and dry). Because these are dewy and tend to move around (read: transfer), a good setting powder is a must.
Foundation stick
I hadn’t realised the true importance of a foundation stick until I recently bought the Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick in 14 Deep. Now, don’t get me wrong, having already owned the Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick (in Atelier XII and Atelier XIII), I knew that a foundation stick was super convenient, easy to use and gave great coverage; but it hadn’t properly clicked. Being able to quickly draw a few streaks across your face and blend in with a brush or sponge without first having to transfer product to the back of your hand or a palette is truly such a blessing, and one I just hadn’t properly appreciated. I have foundation sticks in two formulations that suit my skin for different needs: a creamy foundation and a lightweight, dewy foundation. I love using a stick if I want buildable coverage in less time (I’m lazy and a girl on the go 😉), I want a quick makeup look, or I don’t know what I want to do with my face. Top tip: make sure you’re powdering and setting your face well because these foundations transfer.

Tinted moisturiser
And then there’s the tinted moisturiser. These are supposed to be lightweight, low to medium coverage and are best for those days when foundation feels a bit much. I like my tinted moisturisers to be kind of like a dewy foundation/concealer hybrid that gives coverage and long(ish) wear – at least a couple of hours, so the typical tinted moisturiser descriptor doesn’t quiiiiite apply, but hey ho. Over the years, I’ve tried out different kinds, but the only one that gets my seal of approval is the Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser. It gives coverage, full-day wear, a gorgeous glow (with SPF20 protection), and pretty much applies like a foundation, which I love. Laura Mercier recently updated the formula and released a new version of this tinted moisturiser. I’ve got it on my list, so watch this space.

Wishlist Foundation Wardrobe Additions
I couldn’t leave without sharing a couple of foundations I would love to add to my collection. However, as these have been on my list for the last few years, I doubt I’ll get them anytime soon, but a girl sure can dream.
alice
xo
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