Nothing feels more malagkit than when your foundation, sweat, oil, and pollution start to settle on your face. These, coupled with the hot summer days and the long-wear of face masks, can feel quite heavy and irritating. Thank goodness for the existence of lightweight foundations! They keep you glammed up with light to medium coverage sans the heaviness.
However, it can be tricky to choose a lightweight foundation, especially since it can make or break your makeup look. Of course, we understand that you want the best. To help you with this, we prepared a buying guide reviewed by visual and makeup artist Ida Siasoco and the best lightweight foundations you can purchase online. We've also included tips for an easy touch-up!
Makeup artist and hairstylist since 2017 and has worked on various commercial and editorial projects. Likes to put glitter on everything and believes that "you can never put too much blush".
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
The first thing you have to consider is your shade. This may be the most challenging part of buying a foundation. It can be embarrassing to see your face lighter or darker than your neck and the rest of your body. And in the end, you might even spend more than you intend to for another suitable shade. To avoid these, check out our pointers below.
It would be best if you take note of your undertone. The good news is that there's no need for any fancy instrument to do this! Take a look at the visible veins on your wrist. If they appear bluish, you have a cool undertone.
On the other hand, if you have greenish veins, you have a warm undertone. If you observe that you have both bluish and greenish veins, then you should opt for foundations that have neutral undertones.
You can identify your shade by swatching your foundation on your neck or jawline. Make sure that you are doing this in natural light. You can go for foundations that are lighter than your skin, since some tend to oxidize. This is brought about by the chemical reaction that makes your foundation darker when pigments react with your face's natural oils.
Of course, this was safe during pre-COVID days. But fret not! Shopping for foundations online is more manageable now. Just enter the shade of your previous foundation in the Findation website, and it will look for its matching shade from different brands.
Some makeup lines like Maybelline and L’Oreal also offer virtual testers. Simply turn on your front camera and try on the different shades on their websites. Now, you never have to worry about shade mismatch when you receive your orders!
The next thing you have to think about is your foundation finish. Picking a finish will significantly depend on your skin type. Here are different options to choose from.
For those with oily skin, your main goal should be lessening the shine in your face. A matte finish foundation can help you with this. It is formulated without any ingredients that can further add to your shine.
This type of finish can also help control oil and lessen the occurrence of clogged pores and breakouts. Plus, they feel lightweight on the skin and will leave your face looking smooth and shine-free all day.
Dewy finish foundations started gaining popularity because of the "glass skin" trend. Unlike foundations with a matte finish, they make your face appear shinier. These are recommended for those who want to look bright and youthful.
This type of finish helps boost moisture, making them perfect for those who have dry skin. That is because most foundations with a dewy finish are formulated with hydrating ingredients, which makes your skin look naturally radiant.
If the matte finish feels too flat for you and the dewy finish seems too shiny, go for a foundation with a satin finish. It serves as a middle ground between the two and is suitable for any skin type.
The only difference between this and the dewy type is that it has less shine to it. Also, it helps brighten your face in a natural way, leaving you with a smooth and youthful glow.
There are also different types of foundations that you can go for. Select the type based on your skin type and preferences.
This type is perhaps the most famous foundation type. It can be used by any skin type and is easily buildable. With the right techniques and tools, you can achieve full coverage. Liquid foundation is also versatile. You can use brushes or sponges to apply it.
Using your hands will work too. With this, you can easily control how it will look like on your skin. The only caveat is that it is not touch-up-friendly. Depending on the container, caution must be taken to prevent it from spilling or even breaking.
A powder foundation is portable. You can easily bring it anywhere, making it ideal for touch-ups during the day. Look fresh anytime with the help of the compact mirror that most powder foundations come with.
Its finish can be mattifying, which is why this is good for those who have oily skin. That's because most powder foundations contain ingredients like kaolin that can absorb oil. And despite the matte effect, it is breathable and feels light on the skin. However, those with dry skin should steer clear of this type because it can highlight dry patches.
A cream foundation usually contains nourishing and moisturizing ingredients, making it ideal for those who have dry skin. Those with mature skin can also benefit from it. However, unlike liquid foundations, this type may be a little bit tough to build.
Take note, too, that because of its ingredients, it may feel heavy on the skin. Some products may even crease after some time. This type is not really recommended for those who have oily skin, as it can make your skin even shinier.
The face area is very sensitive, which is why it is essential to look for ingredients that are good for your skin. A foundation with the right formulation helps you look glammed up while keeping your skin healthy.
For those who have dry skin, hydrating ingredients are ideal. Look for foundations that contain hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and collagen. These help retain the natural moisture of your skin.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, avoid products that contain oils. Among those that you should steer clear of are oil, petroleum, and silicone. They can clog your pores and trigger acne. Also, avoid fragrances and alcohol if you have sensitive skin.
From ₱1,289
As advertised, this foundation is indeed weightless! Even if you wear it for hours, it still won't feel heavy. Plus, its staying power is great! Thanks to Nars’s Weightless Long-Wear Technology, it can stay up to 16 hours.
Those who need to cover up discoloration would highly benefit from this foundation, since it’s highly pigmented and buildable. And its benefits go beyond mere coverage, too. Thanks to its nourishing ingredients, it also neutralizes redness and dullness and promises to improve your skin condition after 4 weeks of continuous use.
It is also paraben-free and oil-free, making it ideal for those who have oily or sensitive skin. And the best part is, its formulation includes flexible polymers and rich pigments that make for effortless blending and a flawless look. This is surely a win for its price!
From ₱2,000
Clinique continues to be a brand that dermatologists vouch for after all these years, and it’s not difficult to understand why. It has all the components to improve your skin and provide even coverage. Clinique proves to be skin-care-loving with its ingredients that promote healthy skin, such as its potent Vitamin C content.
It also helps lessen the appearance of dark spots, age spots, and acne scars and leaves you with brighter skin. Plus, it has SPF15/PA++ to prevent further discoloration. Since Clinique wants to improve your skin, it also has true pigments that will not change your skin color.
All of these features make for a “my skin but better" look. You also don't need to worry about the foundation looking unnatural because it is non-streaking. And the best part? It is sweat, humidity, and wear-resistant, perfect for hot, summer days. You need not look further, as Clinique's Even Better Makeup foundation has got everything you need!
From ₱325
This foundation offers sheer to medium coverage from its finely-milled and lightweight formula. Rest assured that you will not experience any flaking or caking when you use this, making it the best choice for daily wear, no matter what your skin type is.
It has minerals such as Sericite and Mica that are good for your skin and give you a youthful glow. Plus, compared to the other products on this list, Ellana offers the broadest sunscreen protection because it contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, both of which are commonly used in sunscreens.
This also keeps your makeup intact for hours without the heavy feeling you typically get with long-wearing makeup. And since it is skin-loving, it has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to keep your skin healthy while giving you the right amount of coverage.
From ₱3,000
When it comes to lightweight foundations, this one from Shiseido is always a crowd favorite. With its innovative ActiveForce technology, this foundation synchronizes with your skin and self-refreshes for an all-day naturally fresh and radiant look. The medium and buildable coverage stays put the whole day while keeping your skin hydrated as well.
A look at the ingredients will show you a number of skin-friendly components. It contains wild thyme extract for antioxidant benefits, a protective polymer that wards off pollution, and Shiseido's patented Smart Correcting Powder, which improves skin tone and texture.
Aside from that, this product works like a second skin, blending seamlessly and resisting facial movement, humidity, oil, and sweat, so you won't have to worry about caking. It's also quite versatile; since it's non-comedogenic and oil-free, it is suitable for various skin types, even those with sensitive skin.
From ₱899
L’Oreal True Match Foundation delivers by giving you the best of both worlds! It enhances your natural glow while hydrating your skin at the same time. This is made possible because of its moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera extract. Plus, did we mention vitamin E? It has that, too!
If you have sensitive skin, this is for you because its non-comedogenic formula allows your skin to breathe. Plus, it gives you bare-to-skin coverage, since it automatically adjusts to your skin tone. And you don’t even have to worry about shades-this product comes in various shades suitable for different undertones.
From ₱999
If you're into hybrid skincare products, you can't miss this one from Happy Skin. It's a serum that contains hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated, and it's also a foundation that blurs imperfections and leaves you with a smooth and radiant finish. This is a great product for people on the go or for those who prefer a streamlined skincare routine.
One of its biggest advantages is the inclusion of Anti-Blue Light technology, which is certainly useful in protecting our skin from the drying effects of both the sun and electronic gadgets. It also has CICA for calming and healing redness and irritation.
From ₱499
This drugstore brand favorite offers a wide range of shades to fit every skin tone. Each shade has mattifying properties. However, don’t worry about the foundation looking flat, since it leaves a natural, seamless finish. It doesn't feel heavy on the face, making it ideal for everyday wear.
Fit Me Foundation is made for people with oily skin. And if you have large pores, you can also reap its benefits, all thanks to its micro-powders that absorb oil and blur your pores. Another great note is that this is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, making it perfect for those who have acne-prone or sensitive skin.
From ₱199
A foundation does not need to be expensive to deliver its promises. This two-in-one foundation proves this. Since it is a compact powder, it will be optimal for your mid-day touch-ups. Not that you have to worry much about that, since it offers a matte finish.
EB Matte is formulated to glide smoothly on your face. The beauty line has those who have oily skin in mind, for it promises shine-free and even-looking skin. With this product, you are getting a good quality foundation at an affordable price.
From ₱399
For a smooth and full coverage that doesn’t look over the top, this foundation is the secret. It is comfortable to wear for long hours, and it stays intact because of its waterproof properties. Now you don’t have to worry about sweating your foundation off, even during the summer season!
Of course, it doesn’t stop there. It is formulated with different skincare ingredients like green tea extract, macadamia oil, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera, all of which make your skin smoother even after you've removed the foundation. For all-day coverage with none of the heaviness, go for this product!
From ₱245
Vice Cosmetics' foundation is designed with different Filipino skin tones in mind. It comes in 8 shades that will surely match any undertone. It's also versatile with its dual wet and dry application. You can use it dry with a brush for light coverage, or opt for wet application if you want full coverage.
With its oil-control properties, this product is a great choice for those with oily skin. It can tone down oiliness and blur imperfections by blending smoothly into the skin. Plus, its SPF 25 content is enough to protect you from harmful sun rays. Another plus is that this product is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and vegan-friendly, perfect for those who are environmentally conscious.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Lightweight foundation evens out your skin tone and camouflages blemishes, all while feeling like a second skin. In hot climates like ours, this type is especially suitable so you can feel comfortable all day.
It’s suitable for all skin types, but those with oily skin would appreciate its weightlessness more. Oily skin tends to become heavy and clogged due to the overproduction of sebum, and a lightweight foundation helps to avoid that.
Currently, the best brands for lightweight foundations are NARS, Fenty Beauty, Clinique, and Shiseido, among others. Some brands like The Ordinary, Bobbi Brown, and Happy Skin also offer serum foundations, which feel weightless on the skin but are actually packed with skin-friendly nutrients.
Wearing masks most of the time should not prevent you from looking your best. And what better way to achieve this than to check out these products that we reviewed and highly recommend? Click the links below for more products you can add to your makeup stash.
Author: J. Ausa
Reviewed by: Visual and Makeup Artist, Ida Siasoco
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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