Foundation Brands With Wide Shade Ranges
13 Foundations From Nordstrom With So Many Shades, Everyone Can Finally Find a Match
The push for inclusivity in the beauty industry is impacting everything from who a brand selects as its ambassador to what its marketing campaigns look like to how loyal its consumers are. But perhaps one of the most important displays of representation is with makeup products that are available in a full spectrum of shades. After all, no woman deserves to feel excluded from using a product because it wasn't made with her in mind.
With brands both new and heritage offering a wider range of shades than ever, the industry is finally making strides in becoming more diverse. The 11 brands ahead all carry foundation in at least 30 shades! The next time you're shopping for foundation, head to Nordstrom, where you're bound to discover a shade that works for you. And don't forget: the beauty counter at your local Nordstrom store can provide you with a free 10-day supply of your ideal foundation so you can be sure it's the perfect match.
1 Estée Lauder
With a whopping 54 shades, over 4,000 reviews, and a nearly five-star rating, the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup ($42) is a clear winner when it comes to an effective foundation in a truly diverse shade range. The liquid formula builds medium to full coverage with a matte finish and stays put for up to 24 hours.
2 Jouer
Jouer's oil-free liquid Essential High Coverage Crème Foundation ($38) is available in 50 shades so you can easily achieve full coverage and a matte, airbrushed finish.
3 MAC
If you prefer using something with sun protection, look no further than the popular MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF 15 ($30), which has 37 shades, over 1,000 reviews, and a four-star rating. Alongside offering medium to full coverage, it helps control oil and shine for up to 24 hours. Not a fan of liquid formulas? It also comes in an equally popular powder version ($30) with 48 shades.
4 Too Faced
While Too Faced's Born This Way Foundation ($39) was released in 2015, the brand recently expanded its range to 35 shades, much to the delight of its cult fan base. The oil-free formula contains ingredients like coconut water and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, in addition to providing buildable coverage and a satin finish.
5 Yves Saint Laurent
For a luxe option, the Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Full Coverage Matte Foundation SPF 20 ($54) comes in 33 shades. The oil-free liquid formula contains antioxidants to help energize your skin on top of providing buildable coverage and sun protection.
6 Nars
Looking for lightweight coverage and a dewy complexion? Try the Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation ($49). It comes in 32 shades and a breathable liquid formula that will leave your skin looking fresh and glowing for up to 16 hours.
7 Smashbox
Also available in 32 shades is Smashbox's medium- to full-coverage Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Foundation ($36). The liquid formula helps control oil and shine for up to 24 hours without drying out your skin, thanks to the hyaluronic acid.
8 Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown's Skin Foundation SPF 15 ($50) is a classic and continues to appeal to many with its range of 30 shades. Ideal for those with normal to oily skin, the liquid formula is lightweight and light-reflecting, leaving the skin with a luminous glow. It's also available in a stick format ($46) with a creamier consistency, which allows for fuller, more controlled coverage.
9 Hourglass
Another foundation stick option is the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick ($46), which comes in 30 shades. Described as featuring the "coverage of a concealer, the fluidity of a liquid, and the weightlessness of a powder," this unique formula allows for maximum coverage with minimal product. The triangular bullet helps — it allows for precise application so you won't use more product than you need.
10 Lancôme
With 30 shades, 1,500 reviews, and an over four-star rating, you can't go wrong with the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Liquid 24H Longwear SPF 15 Foundation ($47). In addition to maintaining your skin's pH level (which helps prevent foundation from caking and creasing), the liquid formula allows for medium to full coverage and controls shine for a matte finish that lasts for up to 24 hours.
11 Laura Mercier
Laura Mercier's medium- to full-coverage Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation ($48) comes in 30 shades and is a good option for normal to oily skin types since the formula helps keep the skin matte for up to 15 hours.
