These long-lasting foundations claim to make your skin look flawless throughout the day and most of the night, whatever the activity and however hot and humid it is. We put them to the test here
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Text: Vanessa Chia, Herworld.com/Additional Reporting: Arissa Ha
Comes in: 24 shades
The Promise: A second-skin foundation that is matte, waterproof and lasts up to 24 hours.
The Reality: This is our current go-to foundation. It’s super lightweight – it feels like you’re wearing nothing on the skin, yet still allows buildable coverage so you can conceal what you need to hide with ease. It’s great when the weather is unbearably hot and humid, because the last thing you need is something heavy on the skin.
And after a full day out running errands, skin looks pretty much the same, with some parts around the nose and chin looking a little bare due to lots of sweating.
Available at Urban Decay boutique and Sephora stores.
Comes in: 12 Shades
The Promise: A buildable full coverage foundation that lasts for a full 24 hours. Contains a unique technology that resists sweat, oil and motion.
The Reality: Goes on really smoothly and keeps skin looking natural. The lightweight formula also feels like you’re wearing almost nothing, even when layered. Minimal touch-up is needed, but using loose powder to set the foundation is beneficial if you’ve got combination skin, as it can start to shine after lunch.
Comes in: 7 shades
The Promise: Provides full coverage and protects skin against environmental stressors for up to 16 hours.
The Reality: Skin looks instantly brighter and more radiant. It wears really easily, sits comfortably on the skin and is great when you’re looking a little tired.
Better suited for normal skins though, as oilier skins might find the finish a little too dewy. It can also get a little shiny (not the right kind sadly) by mid-day, especially if you’ve spent a bit more time outside.
Available at Nars boutiques and counters, and Sephora stores.
Comes in: 33 shades
The Promise: A 24-hour long-wearing medium-coverage multi-use foundation stick.
The Reality: Who knew a foundation stick could be so creamy and comfortable? Unlike the foundation sticks of the past, this applies easily and doesn’t drag or tug at the skin. Just apply straight on and blend.
One of the easiest foundations we’ve used ever. Wore it to a K-pop concert and it lasted the whole night. Best bit? It also doubles as a concealer to cover up unsightly blemishes and even dark under-eye circles.
Available at M.A.C boutiques and counters.
Comes in: 12 shades
The Promise: The liquid equivalent of the brand’s iconic Black Cushion, this lightweight foundation gives full coverage while keeping complexion flawless, up to 24 hours.
The Reality: The semi-matte finish is ideal for Singapore’s humidity as it doesn’t leave complexions looking too flat, but instead has a soft glow that looks natural.
And just like the cushion equivalent, this truly lasts, despite a day of meetings at different locations and errand-running all across town. Plus, a little goes a long way, and it even hides blemishes too.
Available at the Hera boutique and counter.
Comes in: 12 shades
The Promise: A hybrid formula that applies like a cream and settles into a soft powder finish with long-lasting powers up to 12 hours.
The Reality: Glides onto the skin and blends out really easy, leaving a semi-matte finish. Complexion looks flawless with lines and uneven skin tone concealed. In short, you look like you, just better. And with this, it is possible to go mostly touchup-free throughout the day too.
Available at Cle de Peau Beaute boutique and counters.
Comes in: 30 shades
The Promise: A long-wearing and comfortable foundation that lasts up to 24 hours, resisting heat, humidity and sebum.
The Reality: The creamy texture applies well, sits ultra-comfortably on the skin and most importantly, doesn’t cake, which a lot of full coverage foundations tend to do. The buildable medium-to-full coverage means you can go as light or full as you want with ease. Other than a slight separating around the nose area, which is understandable when the weather is so hot, makeup stays looking clean and fresh, even at the end of the day.
Available at Chanel Beauty boutiques and counters.
Comes in: 40 shades
The Promise: A long-lasting liquid foundation that delivers a velveteen-matte finish for up to 24 hours.
The Reality: Not the most lightweight of textures, but it applies well. The buildable coverage also allows you to cover blemishes and the odd spot or two easily (although a concealer for dark circles is still needed).
The velvet-matte finish is perfect for combination skins as it doesn’t look too dry nor dewy. The staying power is pretty great too, keeping the complexion looking fresh throughout the day, except for laughing lines and the area around the nose.
Available at Sephora stores.
Comes in: 5 shades
The Promise: Full coverage foundation with a matte finish, and stays put for up to 24 hours.
The Reality: The same powers as the iconic All Hours Liquid Foundation, but in a handy cushion compact, which means touch-ups anytime, anywhere.
It feels comfortable on the skin, doesn’t look too shiny, especially on combination and oilier skins, and yet still keeps complexion looking fresh all day. Even after a day of running errands and meetings, makeup looks as good as it did in the morning.
