A sheer foundation is the exact opposite of the “matte” and “full coverage” qualities that are more commonly associated with foundations. Why should you seriously consider these sheer foundations? They have water-like, or sometimes gel-like textures that spread really easily on the skin, offering the sheerest veil of skin-enhancing colour and a whole lot of glow.
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As mentioned, these aren’t meant to make skin look matte, so they aren’t the best for oily complexions. However, if you have an oily skin type but want to try the lighter coverage these sheer foundations offer, just apply a good makeup primer to balance out your skin first. (Try Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer, $48 (32 ml)). And because of the lack of coverage, sheer foundations won’t work if you want to cover blemishes, pigmentation or scars.
However, sheer foundations are perfect if you have normal to dry skin and are also great for mature skin as they do not cake and settle into lines and wrinkles. Ready to enhance your complexion instead of covering it?
Text: Melissa Chew / Additional reporting: Arissa Ha
Like foundation and highlighter rolled into one, this water-like foundation barely requires any blending as it spreads so easily. It gives equal amounts of subtle coverage and natural glow, so you don’t need anything else for a lovely, luminous finish.
The first foundation with the brand’s microfluid technology, which makes it possible to unite water- and oil-soluble phases in the product so you get ultra micro oil ingredients in a water-like coating. This gives the foundation a luminous finish, skin-nourishing properties plus the weightlessness and freshness of a water-based texture. Divine.
Perfect for giving skin a translucent lit-from-within look, this Japanese brand’s foundation has a high concentration of skincare serum with pigments for the sheerest coverage. This serum contains ceramides and peony extract to moisturise and firm the skin. A bonus: It also has SPF 28/PA+++ and its price tag is totally wallet-friendly too.
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This goes on the skin like silk and immediately brings radiance back to the complexion. We love how it plumps the skin and subtly corrects the skin tone, thanks to the signature Meteorites multi-coloured pigments.
The water-gel texture of this foundation makes it feel like skincare when you spread it on your skin. It also has ingredients to hydrate and improve the elasticity of your skin. And the best part is that you get the added benefit of a dewy, glowy and more flawless-looking complexion.
This lightweight liquid spreads like a dream on the skin, giving it an instant glowing finish. The best part? Its coverage can be built up without looking cakey. It also has hydrating and skin brightening skincare benefits.
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This latest iteration of the Shiseido Synchro Skin line has the added function of staying exactly where you apply it. Besides being able to adjust how matte or radiant it looks according to the moisture levels of your skin, this foundation is also touted to be “motion-proof”. This means it won’t settle into expression lines, how awesome is that?
This great one-step skin perfector lights up the skin, smooths out slight skin tone imperfections and veils uneven texture. There are also multiple skincare benefits from peptides (for anti-ageing), vitamins (to nourish) and skin moisturisers (to hydrate).
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