Ace That Base: Fresh Foundations, Skin Tints, Cushions and Powders to Try

If there's one makeup category that refuses to stand still, it's got to be base. One week everyone's reaching for a skin tint, the next it's a viral cushion or a blurring powder that sells out overnight. Add skincare-powered foundations and multitasking hybrids to the mix, and choosing your next complexion product has become far more interesting.

From luxury favourites to social media sensations, this edit rounds up the foundations, skin tints, cushions and powders currently deserving a closer look.

Guerlain Parure Gold Skin Serum Foundation – Featherlight, Breathable and Luminous 

Some foundations promise skincare benefits, Guerlain has built an entire formula around them. Reinventing one of the House's most iconic complexion products, the new Parure Gold Skin Serum Foundation swaps a traditional makeup feel for a serum-like texture that melts effortlessly into skin while delivering a luminous, youthful-looking finish. Made with an impressive 86% skincare base, it feels featherlight, lets skin breathe and wears comfortably from morning to night.

The formula combines three signature ingredients: 24-karat gold to enhance radiance, white peony extract to support the skin barrier and of course, black bee honey from the Abeille Royale collection to boost hydration and skin repair. Together, they blur the line between foundation and skincare, leaving skin looking smoother, plumper and more radiant with continued wear. Add SPF 45 PA++++ and humidity-resistant performance, and this is luxury complexion makeup at its finest.

Guerlain Parure Gold Skin Serum Foundation is available from August 2026 at Guerlain boutiques and counters in Singapore.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Blurred Matte Blurring Balm – Soften Those Pores, Smoothen That Texture

Soft-focus skin continues to dominate beauty trends, and Laura Mercier's Blurring Balm makes achieving it remarkably simple. The lightweight balm melts into skin to soften the look of pores, smooth uneven texture and keep shine under control, all while maintaining a natural, skin-like finish. It delivers that effortless blurred effect without looking flat or over-powdered.

Its versatility is part of the appeal: wear it on its own for a naturally perfected complexion, layer it beneath foundation for added longevity or press it onto the T-zone whenever unwanted shine appears. It's one of those gorgeous cases that will win a well deserved spot in your bag.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Blurred Matte Blurring Balm is available at Sephora Singapore stores and online at Sephora.sg.

Tarte CC Colour-Correcting Tinted Serum – Perfect for No-Makeup Days

Foundation? Skin tint? Not quite. Tarte's new CC Colour-Correcting Tinted Serum sits somewhere in between, starting as a lightweight serum before transforming as you blend. Encapsulated pigments burst on contact with skin, adapting to your complexion for a more personalised match, while the flexible shades work across a range of skin tones. It's a clever twist on colour correction that takes much of the guesswork out of shade matching.

The skincare-first formula is packed with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, maracuja oil and Tarte's Smart Clay Complex to hydrate, smooth and brighten while softly blurring the look of pores and uneven tone. With up to 16 hours of comfortable, waterproof wear and 24-hour hydration, it's great for no-makeup days as well as a layer under foundation when extra coverage is needed.

Tarte CC Colour-Correcting Tinted Serum is available at Sephora Singapore stores and online at Sephora.sg.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Full Coverage Foundation with SPF 50 – Flawless Makeup, Morning to Night

If you've been a solid IT Cosmetics fan over the years, there's every reason to celebrate. IT Cosmetics CC+ Full Coverage Foundation has remained a beauty favourite by combining the coverage of a foundation, the correcting power of a CC cream and the convenience of broad-spectrum SPF 50 in one hardworking formula.

The creamy texture blends seamlessly to minimise redness, pigmentation and uneven tone while leaving skin looking naturally radiant rather than heavily covered. Enriched with skin-loving ingredients, it delivers lasting hydration alongside full coverage, making it just as dependable for everyday wear as it is for occasions when you want your makeup to stay flawless from morning to night.

IT Cosmetics CC+ Full Coverage Foundation is available at Sephora.sg and Sephora stores across Singapore.

Kylie Cosmetics’ Skin Tint Blurring Elixir - The Skin Tint We Keep Coming Back To

Skin tints aren't going anywhere, and Kylie Cosmetics' Skin Tint Blurring Elixir is proof that less really can be more. Designed for those who prefer their makeup to look like skin, the lightweight formula glides on effortlessly, evening out the complexion while softly blurring the look of pores and texture. The result is fresh, healthy-looking skin that never feels overdone.

Its buildable coverage makes it easy to customise, whether you're after a barely-there finish or a little extra polish. Comfortable enough for everyday wear and quick to apply with fingers or a brush, no wonder this one's lasted the true test of time and remains as viral as last year.

Skin Tint Blurring Elixir and its whopping 18 shades are available at Sephora.sg.

Dior Forever Skin Perfect Multi-Use Foundation Stick – Foundation, Spot Conceal or Quick Touch-Ups

Foundation sticks are firmly back on the beauty radar, and Dior's Forever Skin Perfect version shows exactly why. Housed in a sleek twist-up stick, the creamy formula glides effortlessly onto skin before blending into a natural, soft-focus finish that feels surprisingly lightweight.

Its versatility is what makes it such a clever addition to any makeup bag. Wear it as an all-over foundation, use it to spot conceal where needed or keep it close for quick touch-ups throughout the day. Long-wearing, hydrating and easy to apply without a brush, it's the kind of multitasker that makes getting ready feel refreshingly uncomplicated.

Dior Forever Skin Perfect Multi-Use Foundation Stick is available at Dior Beauty boutiques, counters and online, as well as Sephora Singapore.

Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Brings Skin-Tech Glam to Singapore

Long before skincare-infused makeup became the norm, Haus Labs was already proving that complexion products could do both. Triclone Skin Tech Foundation continues to be one of the brand's biggest successes, pairing medium, buildable coverage with a natural finish that looks fresh rather than overly perfected.

Powered by more than 20 skincare ingredients, including fermented arnica to help calm visible redness, the formula works to support the skin while delivering comfortable, long-lasting wear. It smooths, evens and brightens without hiding the complexion, making it an easy choice for anyone who wants foundation that still looks unmistakably like real skin.

Haus Labs by Lady Gaga is available at sephora.sg, and Sephora stores in Singapore.

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation 

If matte foundation makes you pause, know that this format has come a long way. Gone are the heavy, flat finishes of the past, replaced by formulas that keep shine under control while letting skin retain its natural dimension. NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation strikes that balance beautifully, delivering full coverage with a soft-focus finish that never feels mask-like.

The transfer-resistant formula smooths the appearance of pores, redness and uneven texture while remaining lightweight and comfortable throughout the day. If Singapore's heat and humidity regularly put your makeup to the test, this is one foundation that rises to the occasion without sacrificing a fresh, skin-like finish. Caveat: a skin match at the store is highly recommended as the colour tint on this one might not match your previous NARS favourites. 

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation is available online on Sephora as well as NARS Singapore.

TirTir Mask Fit Red Cushion - The Original Viral Cushion Foundation 

Few beauty products have enjoyed the same viral success as TirTir's Mask Fit Red Cushion. The K-beauty favourite quickly became a social media sensation thanks to its radiant finish, impressive staying power and ever-expanding shade range, proving that cushion foundations can work for far more skin tones than ever before.

Inside the compact, the lightweight formula delivers buildable coverage that evens out the complexion while keeping skin looking fresh and luminous throughout the day. It layers beautifully without caking, feels comfortable even in humid weather and slips effortlessly into a handbag for quick touch-ups, making it easy to see why this cushion continues to win over beauty lovers around the world.

TirTir Mask Fit Red is available at major stores across Singapore including Watsons Singapore.

Kosas Cloud Set Powders - Flawless Skin, With Radiance

Kosas continues to prove that setting powders don't have to leave skin looking flat or chalky. The cult-favourite Cloud Set Brightening Baked Setting + Smoothing Powder delivers the airy finish of a loose powder in a convenient pressed compact, blurring the look of pores while keeping skin looking naturally radiant. Baked with liquid skincare, it features Bamboo Stem Extract to reduce excess shine, Passionfruit Leaf Extract to help smooth and hydrate, and Peony Extract to soften the appearance of pores. The result is a weightless, skin-like finish that never looks dry or over-powdered.
Now, the Cloud Set family has grown with the addition of the new Cloud Set Loose Powder, bringing the same soft-focus philosophy to a loose formula. Talc-free and infused with hyaluronic acid, bamboo stem extract and Chinese peony, it sets makeup with an ultra-fine veil that controls shine while maintaining a fresh, natural glow. Shades like Candy also offer a subtle brightening effect under the eyes, making it an easy choice for anyone who loves a softly perfected complexion without sacrificing radiance.

The best part? They look just like real skin—no powdery or cakey finish. 

Kosas Cloud Set Powders are available at Sephora.sg.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder - A Flawless, Snatched Look

You’ve possibly seen this all over your social media feed or read it in our Monthly Beauty Reviews; Huda Beauty's Easy Bake Loose Powder has become one of the beauty world's most talked-about setting powders, and it's easy to see why. Loved by makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts alike, the finely milled formula locks makeup in place, smooths the look of pores and keeps unwanted shine at bay while leaving skin looking soft rather than dry.
What began as a cult baking powder has since grown into an extensive shade range designed to suit and brighten different skin tones. From everyday favourites like Banana Bread and Cherry Blossom Cake to newer additions including Ube Birthday Cake, there's a shade for everything from subtle setting to targeted brightening under the eyes. 

The latest limited-edition Easy Bake Matcha Milk Cake brings a clever colour-correcting twist to the range. Created for fair to medium skin tones, it pairs a brightening cherry blossom centre with a matcha-toned outer ring to help neutralise redness, brighten the under-eye area and create a more even-looking complexion in a single step. It retains the same lightweight formula, soft-focus finish and up to 18-hour wear that made Easy Bake a cult favourite in the first place.

Huda Beauty's range of Easy Bake powders is available at Sephora.sg.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Range - Long-Wear Foundation and a 24Hour Setting Spray

Now, if you are a matte girl, we’d recommend the newly launched Impeccable Blurring Second-Skin Matte Foundation by Anastasia Beverly Hills. The brand is redefining matte complexions with its newest foundation and Impeccable 24HR Blurring Matte Setting Spray—a duo designed to deliver that soft-focus, filtered effect in real life. 

From delivering a full-glam beat or a natural-looking base, this lineup promises flawless, long-wearing coverage with a finish that stays fresh all day.

The Impeccable Blurring Second-Skin Matte Foundation (SGD 80) is where matte meets hydration, offering medium to full coverage with a velvet-matte finish that feels weightless on the skin. Powered by Precision Blur Technology, it diffuses fine lines, smooths texture, and controls oil, all while delivering a second-skin effect that won’t crease or cake. Water-resistant and long-wearing for up to 12 hours, it’s available in 25 versatile shades to suit a range of skin tones.

To lock everything in place, the Impeccable 24HR Blurring Matte Setting Spray (SGD 57 for 100ml; SGD 28 for 40ml) ensures makeup stays fresh, blurred, and velvety-smooth for a full 24 hours. The non-drying, lightweight mist hydrates while reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines, with a refreshing yuzu and ginger scent. Free from phthalates, mineral oil, talc, silicones, sulfates, parabens, and oil, it’s a matte-lover’s dream without the dryness.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Range is available at Sephora.