MECCA's Guide to the Best Foundation Finish for Your Skin
May 28 | 4 minute read
Words by Christie Sinclair
There’s coverage to consider, as well as finding the perfect shade and a texture that feels comfortable on your skin. But what can have the greatest impact on your final look is, in fact, the finish.
Dewy, matte, natural or satin – each finish has its benefits, and the perfect fit for you depends on how you want your skin to look once your foundation’s applied. Do you love glowing radiance, or would you prefer to blur shine and smooth texture? Perhaps you want both? (Yes, you can have it all!)
You'll also need to factor in your skin type and concerns; for example, satin or soft matte formulas help to minimise the look of pores, which means they work well with oily or combination skin. Meanwhile, dry and mature skin types generally suit something more luminous and hydrating.
From radiant to airbrushed to formulas that offer the best of both worlds, we’re here to help you pick your player.
Dewy Finish
Best For: Dry, Dull or Mature Skin
There was a time when looking dewy or glowy meant sacrificing coverage, but not anymore! New-generation formulas like Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Foundation and Shiseido’s Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation offer light yet buildable coverage, with technology that blurs, brightens and bounces light around the face without looking like you've just stepped out of a hot yoga class.
When choosing a dewy foundation, make sure it melts into your skin with little effort to create a complexion that looks (and actually is!) plump and hydrated. You’ll know you’ve achieved your goal if people question whether you're even wearing makeup at all.
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Matte Finish
Best For: Oily and Combination Skin
Matte foundations have had a major comeback, but thankfully they have zero resemblance to the flat, cakey formulas you might remember from the early 2000s. Brands have been busy updating their matte formulas for this decade to deliver the higher coverage you want, with a finish that looks velvety, blurred and airbrushed – not heavy or mask-like.
If you have oily, congested or combination skin, look for an oil-free option like NARS Natural Matte Longwear Foundation or ILIA’s Skin Rewind Complexion Stick; these skincare-infused formulas keep excess sebum and shine in check while helping to improve the appearance of your skin with every wear.
And speaking of wear, matte foundation offers impressive staying power – the perfect choice for the touch-up averse.
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Natural Finish
Best For: All Skin Types
Offering sheer-to-medium, buildable coverage, they work beautifully across most skin types (oily skin won’t feel too shiny, while dry skin won’t look flat or powdery), making it the foundation finish you can comfortably default to if you’re feeling indecisive. Two of MECCA’s most-loved foundations happen to fall into this category: NARS Light Reflecting Foundation and Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation, which have earned staple status for their ability to smooth, even out and perfect your complexion, while leaving it subtly illuminated.
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Satin Finish
Best For: Combination and Balanced Skin
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