5 Inclusive Foundation Brands To Add To Your Makeup Bag

For many of us, makeup is one thing we cannot – and will not – leave the house without. Whether you prefer a full face or like things minimal, chances are your first stop is foundation. But, historically, the beauty industry hasn’t always done enough to include darker skin types. It’s only in recent years that we’ve started to see brands creating a more diverse palette of shades for us to choose from. From Charlotte Tilbury and MAC to Estée Lauder and Fenty, these are the best inclusive foundation brands to shop now. 

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The Best Inclusive Foundation Brands

Fenty Beauty

Since its launch in 2017, Fenty Beauty has risen in status as the go-to makeup brand for foundation. Brought to life by world-renowned musician Rihanna, the brand truly reflects the needs of 21st century makeup wearers with its range of shades and products. The Pro Filt’r Foundation, for example, currently comes in 50 shades, and the team at Fenty Beauty even offer virtual consultations to help you find the right one for you. When talking about her beauty line, Rihanna commented ‘Foundation is one of those areas in the beauty industry that has a big void for people at extreme ends of the shade spectrum. There’s this middle ground that’s covered really, really well. But then if you’re very pale or if you’re very dark, there aren’t a lot of options. And so, I wanted to make sure that women of all skin tones were covered so they could be included in what I created.’

Hero Product: Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, £32, fentybeauty.com

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Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, £32, fentybeauty.com

Charlotte Tilbury

Known as the ‘makeup artist to the stars’, Charlotte Tilbury has created a beauty empire spanning the globe. The brand offers multiple foundations, with the number of shades ranging from 12 to a whopping 44. Sitting at the top of this scale is Charlotte Tilbury’s award-winning Airbrush Flawless Foundation, a full coverage foundation with a natural matte finish.

Hero Product: Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £39, charlottetilbury.com

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Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £39, charlottetilbury.com

MAC

A stalwart of the British high street, MAC has been helping us reach our beauty goals since 1984. The Canadian-founded brand has kept on top of our skincare demands for some time now, making it a very good piece of kit to add to your makeup arsenal. MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid Foundation offers a selection of 67 shades to choose from, all of which promise 24-hour wear and a lightweight finish. The foundation even includes SPF 15 protection, making it a must-have for sunny days.

Hero Product: Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SP 15 Foundation, £32, maccosmetics.co.uk

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Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SP 15 Foundation, £32, maccosmetics.co.uk

YSL Beauty

Luxury beauty giant Yves Saint Laurent is known for creating quality products that stand the test of time (on the shelf, and on your face). With 30 shades available, the brand’s best-selling foundation the Touche Éclat Le Teint offers up to 24 hours of breathable coverage and hydration, as well as SPF 22 protection.

Hero Product: YSL Touche Éclat Le Teint Foundation SPF 22, £38, yslbeauty.co.uk

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YSL Touche Éclat Le Teint Foundation SPF 22, £38, yslbeauty.co.uk

Estée Lauder

Female-founded American beauty brand Estée Lauder delivers long-lasting quality across all of its beauty products (there’s a reason it’s been in business for nearly 80 years), and its foundations are no different. The Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation gives beauty fanatics a choice of 61 shades, and was named the number one prestige foundation in the UK in 2019. Waterproof, sweat-resistant and boasting over 24 hours of quality wear, this is a foundation that will make you feel good whatever your plans for the day.

Hero Products: Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation SPF 10, £38.50, esteelauder.co.uk

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Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation SPF 10, £38.50, esteelauder.co.uk

Featured image: Fenty Beauty