The 13 Best Foundations for Indian Skin

Whether you’re a full-blown devotee with a weakness for Target’s beauty aisle, or simply makeup-curious, you’ve likely toyed with a range of different foundations. As the basis of most makeup looks, the market is inundated with an unfathomable amount of foundations—each boasting a different formulation, finish, consistency, coverage level, and shade range. And while the beauty industry has made strides in terms of inclusive shade offerings, they still have a long way to go. 

For South Asian women, our skin tones exist in a wide range of shades. What differs in our skin and makes it so challenging to shade match is our unique mix of undertones. That’s why I consulted with makeup artist David Maderich. The beauty expert understands how to work with all skin tones, having worked with everyone from Indian brides to singer-songwriter Prince. “The bulk of Indian skin has a yellow undertone, but it also has a mix of red and peach,” says Maderich. “You have to be careful to hit all of those, or you’ll end up looking grey or pink.” Ahead, Maderich shares the 13 foundations he keeps stocked in his kit for his Indian clients (and friends).

Best Overall: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF40 Foundation

Hourglass
Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
$46.00

This easy-to-apply formula was my go-to throughout graduate school when I needed something that would last from early 8 a.m. classes through to late-night happy hours. While I was dealing with stress-induced acne, I appreciated the coverage it delivered. The natural finish, along with its golden undertones, gave me a glow that combated the dullness of my acne scars, too. Throughout my long, sweaty walks to the different classroom buildings on campus, I used to get tons of compliments on my complexion whenever I wore this sweat-proof stick foundation.

Kulfi Beauty Authentically Celebrates South Asian Culture