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17 makeup brands with inclusive foundation shades

Get the perfect match with these extensive shade ranges.

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Marina Tatas

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Alexandra Hourigan
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Gone are the days where beauty brands could just label products as either light, medium or dark. It's safe to say that nobody has time for foundations with limited shade ranges anymore.

Fenty Beauty set the bar for inclusivity, dropping an incredibly diverse shade range. Ever since then, we've seen brand after brand launch foundation products with an impressive amount of shades

So if you're in the market for a new foundation but you're struggling to get a good colour match, you may have some luck with the following beauty brands. All of these brands have a minimum of 40 shades and are diverse in their hues – meaning it's not just 20 of the same beige colour.

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1. Fenty Beauty

This foundation really had to come first. The Fenty Beauty Pro Flit'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation was the one that changed the game. It first came to market with a jaw-dropping 40 shades, although it now boasts 50 incredibly diverse colours.

Fenty Beauty set the bar for all the other makeup brands to be a lot more inclusive of those with fair and deep skin tones.

Where to buy:

foundation

2. Maybelline

Maybelline is one of the few cheap beauty brands that understand the importance of inclusivity. The brand offers a wide range of foundation shades for an affordable price.

In particular, the Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation comes in 40 shades, covering the light and dark spectrum evenly.

Where to buy:

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3. MAC Cosmetics

MAC is one of the first beauty brands to cater for those with an extremely fair or deep skin tone.

After trial and error, the best-selling Studio Fix Fluid Foundation currently has a 66-shade range, with plenty of diverse colour options available. We love that you can sort through by general skin colour or your skin's undertone.

Where to buy:

Foundation

4. Bobbi Brown

Not only does Bobbi Brown's Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation promise 16-hour wear, but it also comes in 42 shades.

The wide variation of undertones in this range means it'll be even easier for you to find your perfect match!

Where to buy:

foundation

5. Anastasia Beverly Hills

As far as inclusive foundations are concerned, Anastasia Beverly Hills will always be one of the best – and we're not just talking about the shade range.

The Luminous Foundation offers a wide selection of 50 diverse colours, covering cool, warm and neutral hues. The formula is also cruelty-free, vegan, suitable for sensitive skin and free from gluten and parabens. That's a big tick in our books!

Where to buy:

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6. NYX

If you're in the market for an inclusive foundation that doesn't break the bank, check out NYX's Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation. Offering 45 diverse hues, this foundation promises a lightweight, waterproof formula that won't budge for 24 hours.

Where to buy:

Foundation

7. Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury is known for being a luxury beauty brand, but thankfully, its best-selling product – the Airbrush Flawless Foundation – can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone.

There are 44 diverse shades on offer and the foundation promises flawless wear that is sweatproof, waterproof and transfer resistant. You can check out our review of it here.

Where to buy:

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8. L'Oreal Paris

Another affordable pick is L'Oreal Paris. The brand's True Match Liquid Foundation arrives in 40 shades and it claims to perfectly match skin colour and texture.

It's also a great pick for everyday wear, as it provides the perfect finishing touch for a natural glow.

Where to buy:

Foundation

9. ColourPop Cosmetics

The ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Hydrating Foundation is ideal for all skin types, oil-free, vegan and dermatologically tested. Oh and did we mention that there are 42 shades to choose from?

Previous ColourPop foundations actually had the same number of shades, but they were nowhere near as inclusive as this one. Seems like the beauty brand has stepped up its game and given us a whole lot of hues to choose from.

Where to buy:

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10. Estee Lauder

Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation is one of the most popular liquid foundations on the market. So naturally, the brand had to make sure anyone could use it.

While we do think the 58 shades could be a bit more extensive for deeper skin tones, there is definitely a wide range available.

Where to buy:

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11. Clinique

Clinique has a lot of different foundations, but they don't all have wide and diverse shade ranges. The one that does is one of the brand's top-selling products.

Clinique's Even Better Makeup Foundation offers 56 inclusive shades, as well as a creamy formula that gives the skin a natural finish.

Where to buy:

Foundation

12. Lancôme

The Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation doesn't give you that thick or greasy feeling, and with 45 different shades, it offers beautiful, complexion-perfecting coverage. It's also retouch-free, shine-free and transfer-proof.

Where to buy:

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13. Make Up For Ever

Make Up For Ever is one of those brands that's constantly evolving.

The Ultra HD Foundation is one of the most popular on the market, and the shade range is growing. It currently stands at 50 and it's not just 20 of the same colour. You've got a wide range of hues, covering everything from light to dark and all the undertones in between.

Where to buy:

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14. Cover Fx

If Cover Fx's 40 shades don't impress you then maybe the fact that this foundation is waterproof might tickle your fancy. The Power Play Foundation lasts all day with its special formula and is perfect for those with oily skin.

Where to buy:

Foundation

15. KVD Vegan Beauty

While the True Portrait Medium Coverage Shake Foundation may not be the most well-known foundation from KVD Vegan Beauty, it excels in diversity.

There are 40 shades on offer and it completely covers both sides of the spectrum – both light and dark skin tones. If you are going to purchase, be sure to read about it online because it's got a unique bi-phase formula.

Where to buy:

foundation

16. Morphe

Morphe is one of those brands that are affordable, but not that easy to get your hands on. You can only shop for it through the official website, and you do have to spend a bit more to get free shipping.

But, it may be worth it for the Fluidity Full Coverage Foundation. It offers 60 shades, with a large handful catering to darker skin tones.

Where to buy:

  • Morphe
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17. Jouer

If you're after that flawless, airbrushed complexion, you need to try out the Jouer Essential High Coverage Crème Foundation.

Not only does the beauty brand offers 50 shades of different skin colours and undertones, but it's also hydrating and long-wearing.

Where to buy:

  • MECCA

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