Her World Beauty Awards 2024: 16 best foundations, primers and concealers 

#1 Best radiance boosting makeup primer: Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Primer, $68

1/16

What It Is Infused with skin-loving prebiotic actives (fermented kefir+ and niacinamide), this glow-giving primer not only improves skin texture, but also imparts a juicy, dewy glow.

“Gives a healthy glow throughout the day” — Tay Ying, actress

#2 Best radiance boosting makeup primer (wallet-friendly): Code GloKolor Fix On Primer Tone Up Base, $28

2/16

What It Is A hardworking primer that offers UV protection, tone up and skin priming benefits. Plus, it also cares for your skin with hydrating blue lotus, soothing bacucciol and pore minimising florentine. 
 
“Did an excellent job in priming the skin, providing a smooth base for makeup application. The tone-up effect was subtle but effective, lasting throughout the day without fading.” — Letty Seah, beauty editor, Her World Singapore 

#3 Best anti-shine/mattifying makeup primer: Shu Uemura Unlimited Mattifying Poreless Primer, $82

3/16

What It Is This lightweight primer features an innovative long-wear technology that taps on silica and kaolin to keep excess shine at bay. In addition, the inclusion of Tsubaki oil and Japanese rice extract keeps skin hydrated so it doesn’t feel too dry and tight. 

“Definitely a good mattifying primer. Gets the job done and the best part is it’s quite long-lasting – withstanding the current weather conditions, and has a smooth finish.” — Dr Lee Hwee Chyen, consultant dermatologist and medical director, Epi Dermatology & Laser Specialist Clinic

#4 Best eye makeup primer: NARS Light Reflecting™ Eye Brightener, $52

4/16

What It Is Brighten the under-eye area with this multi-tasking makeup skincare hybrid. The long-wearing, crease-resistant formula targets dark circles by illuminating the delicate eye area with chromatic pearls to reflect away the sallowness. Meanwhile, bidens pilosa extract improves skin elasticity and hyaluronic filling spheres plump and fill in dry fine lines.   

“Colour lasted well without creasing the makeup. Doesn’t make makeup look patchy and works well with setting powders. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick brightening product without the heavy feeling.” — Mary Victor, beauty content creator

#5 Readers’ Choice — Best base: Dior Forever Skin Glow Liquid Foundation, $99

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What It Is With a formula that comprises of 86 per cent botanical ingredients like iris, hibiscus, wild pansy and nasturtium, it cares for your skin while delivering a smooth and flawless coverage for up to 24 hours. The result: a radiant and smooth complexion. 

“Leaves skin feeling hydrated and with a satin finish. Even after 10 hours outdoors, complexion still looks good.” — Lasalle Lee, makeup artist 

#6 Best liquid foundation for dry skins: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF15, $73

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What It Is Best suited for those with oily skin, this mattifying foundation offers a medium-to-full coverage while minimising the appearance of pores and imperfections. S

“It is truly sweat- and water-resistant. You don’t even need to set it with powder!” — Larry Yeo, makeup artist 

#7 Best liquid foundation for combi/oily skins: Burberry Beauty Beyond Wear Perfecting Matte Foundation, $95

7/16

What It Is Its unique Trench Protect technology coupled with the use of bamboo powder, silk-cotton tree flower, rosa damascena and Darjeeling tea leaf provides a 24-hour wear while blurring the appearance of imperfections and protecting the skin against external environmental aggressors. The creamy texture also blends seamlessly so it never feels heavy on the skin. 

“Gives a medium-to-high coverage with just one application and lasts pretty long, even in the humidity. Very pleased with how this foundation has worked for me; even as a matte foundation, it didn’t feel drying on my dry, sensitive skin.” — Shazrina Shamsudin, senior digital writer, Her World Singapore 

#8 Best cushion foundation: Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion, $100

8/16

What It Is Offering a medium to full coverage and a semi-matte finish, this refreshed formula helps you to achieve a flawless and radiant complexion with ease. It’s also packed with skin-loving ingredients like the brand’s iconic Jaum activator to restore skin’s balance. 

“If you fancy that dewy Kpop idol complexion, this is the cushion foundation for you. It made my textured and dehydrated skin look really smooth and radiant.” — Letty Seah, beauty editor, Her World Singapore 

#9 Best cushion foundation for combi/oily skins: Laneige NEO Cushion (Matte) SPF46/PA++, $71

9/16

What It Is The improved formula now boasts a lighter texture and an enhanced staying power (of up to 50 hours) with SPF built-in to protect the skin when you’re out and about. It also has over 80 per cent skincare ingredients including corn mint leaf extract to help with sebum control for that clean, matte finish. 

“Brightened up the skin while blurring away imperfections. It’s great if you’re on the hunt for a base product that offers a soft matte finish. Bonus points for its compact, refillable packaging.” — Lasalle Lee, makeup artist 

#10 Best concealer: IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer + Serum, $52

10/16

What It Is A buildable, medium coverage concealer that’s infused with an exclusive Super Bright serum that features a cocktail of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and caffeine. It not only conceals blemishes but also promises to reduce the appearance of dark spots and under-eye circles with regular use and time. 

“Formula is amazing and works on all skin types. It wore great throughout the day and didn’t feel heavy on the skin.” — Melvin Tseng, beauty content creator 

#11 Best do-it-all concealer: Gucci Beauty Concentre De Beaute Liquid Concealer, $70

11/16

What It Is A hardworking concealer that offers a buildable, medium-to-full coverage to mask imperfections such as dark spots, post-acne marks and under-eye circles. The key lies in its blend of film formers and skincare actives such as smoothing black rose oil, hydrating hyaluronic acid and skin balancing acmella flower. 

“Adheres perfectly to create that natural, second skin finish.” — Larry Yeo, makeup artist 

#12 Best concealer applicator: YSL All Hours Precise Angles Concealer, $61

12/16

What It Is Contains skin-loving ingredients such as caffeine and jasmine petals to keep skin feeling and looking its best. But the star is its ultra-precise applicator that allows you to expertly conceal imperfections and even sculpt the face.

“Skin looks smooth and the finish is very natural. Its staying power is good yet is still easy to remove at the end of the day. Doesn’t dry out the skin too.” — Lasalle Lee, makeup artist

#13 Best loose powder: Laura Mercier Ultra Blur Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $99

13/16

What It Is A talc-free, finely milled setting powder that offers a tone up effect to brighten and enliven your mien. Amino acids and silica powders work together to blur texture and blemishes to create a filter-like, airbrushed finish. It also contains hyaluronic acid to keep skin soft and supple. 


“One of my must-haves for setting makeup. Works on all skin types and is extremely blurring. Plus, it’s very easy to use and beginner friendly too. Would highly recommend!” — Melvin Tseng, beauty content creator

#14 Best pressed powder: Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder, $55

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What It Is A finely milled setting powder that imparts a diffused, soft-focus finish to keep your complexion looking smooth and flawless. 

“Plays well with my other base makeup products and doesn’t dry out the skin. It withstands humidity well yet is still easy to remove.” — Mary Victor, beauty content creator

#15 Best powder: 1028 Oil Block Ultra Longwear Pressed Powder, $13.90

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What It Is A mineral-based lightweight powder that mops up excess oil and shine to keep your complexion looking fresh all day. Because it is so compact, you can easily slip it into your bag for midday touch-ups. 

“I really love this pressed powder. I’ve been using it every day for filming and it does not dry out my skin. Keeps my makeup looking fresh and matte throughout the day. So good for its price too!” — Tay Ying, actress

What It Is A collaboration with revered makeup artist, Larry Yeo, the collection comes with five, highly versatile brushes to help you create a myriad of makeup looks. Our fave is the “Do It All” applicator that’s perfect for foundation, blush and everything in between. 

“The ‘Do It All’ brush is genius! I haven’t stopped using it since I started. I really like how comfortable it feels on my skin and how evenly it distributes the product. No patchiness, just smooth application.” — Munah Bagharib, actress and host