Our fave foundations for humid climates

Are you looking for the best foundation to withstand Singapore’s heat and humidity? Cushion foundation, liquid foundation, BB cream: it can be difficult to find a wearable one in this climate. This month, the EL team spill the beans on their favourite face foundations.

Astalift Luminous Essence Liquid, $67

This makeup line by Astalift is designed to reflect light to improve the look of your skin. The packaging is very 1940’s Movie Star – red, gold and black. The bottle has a pump dispenser which I love (no mess or dried product at the top of the bottle) and one pump is the perfect amount for face coverage.

I was not expecting it to be so liquid, but the formula is also moisturising so it spreads across the face easily. There are four shades available; I have OC-10, which looked a little lighter than my skin tone to start with. But, after patting it in like I would a moisturiser, it seemed to sink in with no residue. It feels like I have just put a cream moisturiser on – my face is initially a little shiny and taut, as if I’ve just taken off a peel-off mask, but it calms down after a few minutes. Looking from different angles, it does seem to make the skin tone appear more even too. And my skin feels soft.

Using a primer underneath helps to build more coverage, but on WFH days I would happily just use this as my daily sunscreen as it has a moderate sun protection level of SPF25.

– Danielle Rossetti

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation, $55

I’m usually a liquid-over-powder foundation person because my skin is quite dry. The Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation holds very well in terms of coverage and humidity. It’s perfect for those who don’t want to look sweaty – this is quite an accomplishment, considering the weather recently. The powder is a good solution for those who like to go for both light and full coverage looks. The powder builds easily although I would recommend using a brush rather than the sponge it comes with, if you want to get full coverage. The sponge was good for touch-ups.

-Michaela Bisset

Covermark Skin Bright Cream CC, $58

In the 1920s, American Lydia O’Leary developed Covermark to cover a birthmark on her face. The products are still all designed to cover imperfections and create the vision of clear, even skin tone.

I don’t wear heavy foundations if I can help it, especially in Singapore, and the tinted CC cream is a great alternative. It feels light going on, but actually evens out the skin tone a little. It has an SPF50, which does not sting my sensitive skin, so it is now my go-to final skincare product each morning. It does wear off throughout the day, so I have also been adding the Covermark Moisturecoat Gel which is designed to seal in your foundation – it is quite white when applied, but it settles in and seems to keep the skin tone even for longer.

–  Danielle Rossetti

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation, $60

Tarte Babassu Foundcealer, $60

I like and use both of these Tarte Cosmetics products – I usually buy the Foundcealer when they don’t have my shade in the other. I have tried plenty of others but these have worked well for a few years now. Sometimes I struggle to get the right colour at Sephora. I apply it with a brush or hands, and it always goes on pretty smoothly, and it stays on for most of the day – at least, it used to before we had to wear masks!

– Rebecca Bisset

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Louisa Lim

Former journalist Louisa has been living in Singapore with her husband and two boys for the past five years. She loves adventure travel (Trans-Siberian Express, anyone?), bath bombs and game nights. She hopes to work with minority communities in remote locations one day but is currently writing about fashion and beauty to fund her online shopping addiction.