On paper, foundation with built-in sun protection sounds like a dream. I mean, who doesn’t love a versatile product? That is, until you look through photos from last night and realize that you have the classic case of ‘ghost face’ going on. While SPF helps protect you from the sun during the daytime, they certainly do not protect you from flashback from flash photography in the evenings.
What ingredient causes flashback in makeup?
Ultimately, the ‘flashback’ phenomenon is caused by reflection of light from certain ingredients, particularly those with multiple surfaces that scatter light at different angles. In the case of SPF-containing products, the culprits are usually zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients are white and opaque, and their job is essentially to reflect sun rays. This is exactly why they are also good at reflecting light from flash photography. Other light-reflecting ingredients include silica, mica, and more obviously, shimmer and glitter. Here are some of the best foundations without SPF for you to try out.
Fenty Beauty’s famous foundation is renowned not only because of its diverse range of shades, but also because of how amazing it looks and feels on the skin. This matte foundation is oil-free and even equips a unique climate-adaptive technology that fights against sweat and humidity, all without clogging the pores. Combined with the fact that it is lightweight yet longwearing, this makes it a particularly perfect fit for oily skin types.
On the other side of the spectrum, this rejuvenating foundation by Clinique not only allows your skin to look great, but also revives it for an instant youthful boost. Its longwearing 24-hour formula uses hyaluronic acid to deliver ultimate hydration while plumping out fine lines. There’s also peptides to return the skin to its natural smoothness, as well as salicylic acid to allow the skin to reach its optimal texture.
Having sensitive skin sometimes means having to endure long hours of irritation from makeup wear, but not this time. The Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick provides the coverage of both a foundation and a concealer, while maintaining a lightweight and fluid texture that blends seamlessly into the skin. Waterproof and longwearing, its formula is free of potential skin irritants like parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and fragrances, and is suitable for sensitive skin.
It’s not often that you find a lightweight product that still offers more-than-adequate coverage, but here it is. This foundation from Estée Lauder is said to last a full 24-hour day, and resists wear caused by heat and humidity. Its formula is matte, and is not only oil-free, but also oil-controlling, which makes this product suitable for those with even the oiliest of skin types.
This product wins the award for ‘most customizable coverage’. NYX’s Total Control Drop Foundation gives you full control over the amount of coverage you need, drop by drop. Its buildable coverage allows you to play around with either a natural or full-blown glam look. With a vegan formula that gives you a matte and velvety finish, your skin will not only be smooth by appearance but also by touch.
You shouldn’t expect anything short of perfection on your wedding day. The Makeup Total Control Mesh Cushion Foundation uses a lightweight liquid formula that is filtered through a special mesh netting which helps in dispensing just the right amount of product to blend effortlessly into the skin. With buildable coverage, you know that you’re the one in control. Its matte finish also gives your skin a flawless airbrushed appearance, minus the cakiness.
Nice things don’t always have to come at a cost, as proven by L’Oreal’s famous Infallible Pro-Matte Powder Foundation. Inspired by the Japanese two-way cake, this powder foundation offers a ridiculous amount of coverage and lasts for an impressive 16 hours. Its formula aims to resist excessive shine thanks to its velvety matte finish, while keeping your skin happy with its non-drying texture so you can truly shine in front of the cameras.