Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve probably seen or heard that most celebrities are swearing off foundation (not completely, though). Most will still rock a full-coverage look for the red carpet and interviews, but off-the-clock, more and more superstars are swapping their heavy-duty foundation and CC creams for sheer, glow-enhancing tinted moisturizers and highlighter/concealer hybrids. And for good reason.
These formulas are loaded with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide and prove that you don’t need foundation to achieve your desired makeup look.
So, if you’ve been looking to give your foundation a break, here are six foundation alternatives that Cindy Bruna, Ashley Graham and Queen Riri swear by!
Robyn Rihanna Fenty
There are no words that can perfectly describe Rihanna’s glow game. Our BFF… (clears throat), we mean Her Royal Highness, rarely ever misses, which is why she is the queen of badassery, and flawless makeup looks.
And while she blessed us with one of the best foundations in the universe, the billionaire swears by the Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen ($38).
The vegan, lightweight moisturizer with SPF 30 for oily skin literally feels invisible on all skin tones – no chalkiness or flashback. It’s also super-hydrating, fades the appearance of dark spots and absorbs instantly without piling.
Kerry Washington
Just a scroll through Ms. Olivia Pope’s IG page will have you questioning your skincare routine. And at 45, Kerry Washington has clearly mastered the art of nixing fine lines and dark spots. So, how does she do it?
A combination of Neutrogena’s skincare and Kevyn Aucoin’s The Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx11 ($48). The luminous cover-up acts as a high-coverage highlighter and concealer. Its rich formula (packed with jojoba oil and honey) blends seamlessly without creasing, giving you a dark circles-free finish. Oh, and it’s waterproof – a definite steal, huh?
Vanessa Williams
Popular for her natural beauty and piercing blue eyes, Vanessa Williams is the queen of barely-there makeup looks. And while she swears by the wonders of a (gasp) $500 tool, she can’t go a day without Hi Beautiful’s You Be You Skin Perfecting Tint in Rich ($48).
According to her, a drop of the weightless gel will give the dewiest, most luminous skin of your GD life. Plus, loaded with alpha lipoic acid and vitamin E, the formula plumps and hydrates to give you a camera-ready look.
It’s the perfect alternative to any traditional foundation, BB Cream, and CC cream!
Ashley Graham
Ms. Ashley has broken many barriers to become the beauty icon she is today. And whether she knows it or not, Ashley has also become a beacon of self-confidence and positive vibrations to every plus-size girl that feels shunned by society.
So, what does this goddess use in place of foundation? Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 ($49). The demi-matte multi-tasker is loaded with skin-boosting ingredients to give you a healthy, jaw-dropping no-makeup look.
And because the formula is super lightweight, it adds a soft hint of color that enhances skin without hiding it. And did we mention it doesn’t suffocate your pores?
Victoria Justice
Most celebrities swear they’re super low-maintenance, only to accidentally confess that they can’t do without Artistry’s $330 Supreme LX™ Regenerating Cream, which might be a “small” price to pay for flawless skin for many.
However, for natural skin-loving stars like Victoria Justice, a $3 apple cider vinegar concoction and Revision’s Intellishade Original SPF 45 ($80) is the only way to go. The five-in-one anti-aging moisturizer brightens, conceals, and hydrates skin to give you that lustrous ultra-glossy glass skin look.
The broad spectrum SPF 45 protects your skin from UVA/UVB radiation while restoring a youthful appearance.
Cindy Bruna
If there’s one supermodel who keeps surprising us (and making us a little bit jealous, rightfully so), it’s Cindy Bruna. The half-Congolese half-Italian model is the kind of angel that looks flawless in Bantu knots and pyjamas on an average Saturday night than you’d look as a wedding guest.
And let’s not get into her makeup routine. The Victoria’s Secret angel bodies every look with finesse thanks to this $38 cult-loved highlighter concealer.
Whether you’re dealing with scabby old pimple scars or uneven skin tone, the Yves Saint Laurent Le Touche Éclat formula blurs out all blemishes.
And with the calendula extract-infused and light-diffusing technology, the illuminating product gives you that natural but lustrous finish. Consider it your secret weapon to conquering the art of complexion!
