Flawless Faces: 4 Must-Try Fusion Foundations

With all the formulations, finishes and colour options out there, foundation is one of the hardest products to get right. It forms the basis of any makeup look and it’s pretty much unavoidable- so when you get it wrong, it literally ruins everything. A staggering 58% of women test foundation on the back of their hand, where the skin is a completely different colour to the face. Add to that the hideous neon lighting in most department stores and you get a recipe for a makeup matching disaster. 

With all the “no makeup” makeup looks that have been everywhere lately, women’s lists of foundation requirements have been growing ever longer. It has to be high coverage, yet completely weightless; give a flawless, long-lasting finish yet be gentle on the skin. We don’t ask for much huh? With all this in mind, brands set about developing a new generation of base makeup in the form of ‘fusion’ or ‘hybrid’ foundations. These silicone and water mix bases have proven to be such game-changers that when YSL launched their Fusion Ink Foundation, there was a waiting list of 12,000 in the UK alone. They dry down to a matte finish for all-day shine-free coverage. So if you have oilier skin or you want to avoid the waxy finish of some conventional foundations, then these may be the bases for you. Just be sure to shake them well before use as they tend to separate in the bottle. Here are four standouts that made my shortlist.

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation

This foundation was apparently formulated using the technology that was used to capture stellar dust particles from outer space. Fancy NASA science aside, it has a light texture and a powder matter finish, giving it some serious staying power.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup

This is the one that started it all. The fluid is super pigmented so a little goes a very long way; a few drops blended with fingers will easily cover your entire face. It’s lightweight and buildable so you can adjust your coverage accordingly.

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide

This is a great one for acne-prone skin- it’s completely oil-free and non-comedogenic. It also wears really well in humid weather, as it’s water-resistant. Be sure to shake this one vigorously for a good ten seconds before you use it as the pigments settle below the liquids.

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Skin-Fusion Foundation

This liquid foundation has a very light consistency. It blends easily and sets to a soft, natural finish rather that flat matte. It has great wear power and easily lasts a good eight hours without the need for a touch up.

Have you tried any of these? Which is your favourite?