This article was first published on 28 December 2021.
In Singapore's hot weather, it's inevitable that you'd have to deal with oiliness and sweat by midday. Now that we have to wear face masks whenever we step out of our homes, it's a recipe for a makeup disaster if you don't use the right products. To help you with this dilemma, we curated some of the best matte foundations made for oily skin types. These will help control shine and even be transfer-proof under your face masks.
What is in a matte foundation?
Matte foundations are perfect for oily and blemish-prone skin.
Matte foundations typically contain silica powder that is responsible for their quick-drying and shine-free properties. It absorbs the excess sebum that our skin produces throughout the day, so your skin stays matte longer compared to non-matte formulations.
Some brands would swap out silica powder for clay as a mattifying agent. Similar to clay masks, clay-infused matte foundations draw out the oil that causes shininess throughout the day.
Curious to know what matte foundations made the cut? Read on.
1. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation. (fentybeauty.com)
Like the look of matte foundations but prefer a more lightweight feeling? The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation might be your best bet. It has a "light-as-air" texture that diffuses the look of pores and controls shine.
Why it's great: It also has an oil-free formula made with climate-adaptive technology, allowing it to hold up to sweat and humidity.
You can choose from its 50 available shades at Sephora Singapore. It's priced at SGD62 per 32ML.
2. Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15. (sephora.sg)
If you prefer your complexion products to have some extra skin-caring benefits, then the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 is right up your alley. It has a balanced blend of skin-loving ingredients (moisturising glycerin), oil-controlling actives (marine sugar cane algae extract and natural mineral powders) and skin-true pigments in its formula.
Why it's great: It also helps conceal any redness or discolouration, diffuse the look of your pores, and resist humidity and sweat for up to 16 hours.
You can find it on Sephora.sg, where it’s currently available in 10 shades and priced at SGD86 per 30ML.
3. NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation
NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation. (sephora.sg)
For folks whose skin types lean more to the oily-combination side of the spectrum, you need to look for a matte foundation with some hydrating ingredients. The NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation contains sustainable micro-algae extract to help balance out any developing shine, while hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin. It is also formulated with some unique powders that make the soft matte formula shine- and transfer-proof.
Why it's great: It also has an anti-oxidation quality that prevents the foundation from shifting shades as the hours pass by.
If you want to get your hands on this must-have, head over to Sephora Singapore stores or website as soon as you can. It's priced at SGD62 per 45ML and comes in 24 shades.
4. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF10 Foundation
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF10 Foundation. (sephora.sg)
The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF10 Foundation is one of the best matte foundations for oily skin because of its oil-free and oil-controlling formula. It is formulated to be lightweight, long-wearing (up to 24 hours, if needed!), and buildable so you can cover up any imperfections with a true-to-tone colour.
Why it's great: It's also waterproof and transfer-resistant — perfect for Singapore's hot and humid weather.
It’s available on Sephora.sg as well as at Sephora Singapore stores and Estée Lauder boutiques island-wide. It's priced at SGD78 per 30ML and comes in 35 shades.
5. Laneige Neo Matte Foundation
Laneige Neo Matte Foundation.
One of the newer recommendations on this list, the Laneige Neo Matte Foundation offers sheer coverage for gals who want to wear just a little bit of makeup for the day. It has a 48-hour long-wearing, lightweight, and sweat-resistant formula that gives your skin a flawlessly radiant matte appearance.
Why it's great: It is formulated with an Electro-filter that protects your skin from fine dust that cause ageing and breakouts.
It’s available on Sephora.sg for SGD67 per 30ML and comes in seven shades.
6. shu uemura Unlimited Breathable Lasting Fluid Foundation
shu uemura Unlimited Breathable Lasting Fluid Foundation. (sephora.sg)
If "lightweight" and "full coverage" are your criteria for the best matte foundation, you'll find it in the cult-fave shu uemura Unlimited Breathable Lasting Fluid Foundation. It has a semi-matte and natural finish that makes your skin look like you're not wearing any foundation at all.
Why it's great: It also has a long-wearing formula that barely needs any touch-ups throughout the day.
You can purchase it at Sephora Singapore stores and website for SGD79 per 35ML. It comes in 15 shades.
7. KVD Beauty Lock-It Liquid Foundation
KVD Beauty Lock-It Liquid Foundation. (sephora.sg)
In need of a heavy-duty matte foundation? You can't go wrong with the KVD Beauty Lock-It Liquid Foundation. The full-coverage vegan liquid foundation can cover everything from blemishes to redness to tattoos with a small amount of product.
Why it's great: As its name suggests, this foundation is "locked-in" to your skin once applied. No mask transfer here!
You can find this budge-proof foundation on Sephora.sg.
8. Too Faced Born This Way Matte 24 Hour Long-Wear Foundation
Too Faced Born This Way Matte 24 Hour Long-Wear Foundation. (sephora.sg)
The Too Faced Born This Way Matte 24 Hour Long-Wear Foundation has a cream-to-powder, oil-free, 24-hour matte formula that helps your skin look picture-perfect for up to 24 hours.
Why it's great: It's lightweight, gives full coverage and is non-oxidising too.
Sephora.sg where it's priced at SGD59 per 30ML and comes in 35 shades.
9. MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. (sephora.sg)
Powder foundations are another way to achieve a matte complexion if you have oily skin. The absence of liquids and oils helps to keep any shine at bay. One of the best powder foundations is the MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation which provides professional makeup quality at a reasonable price point. The medium to full coverage pressed powder foundation claims to control oil and shine for up to eight hours as well as provide a finish with no caking, settling, streaking or oxidising for up to 12 hours.
Why it's great: It also has the added benefit of reducing the appearance of pores for a smooth finish.
Head over to the MAC Cosmetics official Lazada store or Sephora Singapore e-store to add it to your cart now. It's priced at SGD66 per 15G and comes in 12 shades.
10. One/Size Turn Up The Base Versatile Powder Foundation
One/Size Turn Up The Base Versatile Powder Foundation. (sephora.sg)
For another good matte powder foundation, consider picking up the One/Size Turn Up The Base Versatile Powder Foundation. It has medium to full buildable coverage and a soft matte finish that promises to last up to 12 hours. Plus, it also delivers when it comes to shade range, covering a wide variety of fair, medium, and deep skin tones
Why it's great: This vegan product can also be used to blot excess oil, set foundation, and touch up complexion.
It's available at Sephora Singapore for SGD63 per 8G and comes in 31 shades.
11. Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Liquid Foundation
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Liquid Foundation. (sephora.sg)
Still want your skin to have a little bit of glow? The Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Liquid Foundation has a life-proof formula that can hold up against water, sweat, humidity, fading, and transferring.
Why it's great: It's been tested in the hot climate of Dubai, so it will certainly hold up in Singapore's humid weather too.
You can pick it up through Sephora Singapore's website where it's priced at SGD66 per 35ML. It comes in 39 shades.
12. Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation
Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation. (sephora.sg)
If you need something more sheer but still matte, pick up the Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation. Its weightless and waterproof formula seamlessly blends into your skin and creates sheer to medium coverage. It keeps your skin hydrated yet shine-free with its Auto-Balancing Technololgy, so it feels like you're wearing nothing at all.
Why it's great: It has Perfecting Colour Technology that covers any sallowness or dullness in your skin tone.
It's priced at SGD7 per 30ML at Sephora, where it comes in 14 shades.
13. L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Matte Cover Liquid Foundation SPF20
L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Matte Cover Liquid Foundation SPF20. (watsons.com.sg)
If you're on a budget, you can't go wrong with the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Matte Cover Liquid Foundation SPF20. This drugstore matte foundation promises to provide all-day matte coverage and shine control that stands up against water, sweat, and heat. Did we mention it's still breathable and lightweight after hours?
Why it's great: It offers some level of sun protection, in addition to your regular sunscreen.
It's priced at SGD33.85 per 35ML at Watsons, where it comes in seven shades.
You can keep shine at bay with these mattifying moisturisers.
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