21 Makeup Brands With The Widest Range Of Foundation Shades

Have you ever heard of inclusive beauty? This term refers to makeup products that are made for everyone, regardless of gender, skin tone, or age.

It was Grammy-award-winning-artist-turned-makeup-maven Rihanna who first shook up the beauty industry when she released her first foundation collection, from her brand Fenty Beauty, that featured 40 shades; something that had never been seen before (via Stylist). Cosmetics intended for Black or Asian skin were almost non-existent, and Rihanna changed the rules of the game.

After Rihanna's success, more and more makeup brands recognized that inclusiveness is a must in the world of beauty and began to develop products for a wider range of skin tones. For example, M.A.C Cosmetics, Charlotte Tilbury, and Dior now offer foundations in shades that suit all skin types, not just a select few. Read on for a roundup of 21 makeup brands with the widest range of foundation shades.

We can't talk about inclusive beauty without mentioning RiRi's Fenty Beauty brand. A year and a half after releasing her foundation collection of 40 shades, she expanded the range. The Pro Filt'r foundation is now available in 50 shades because inclusivity matters to Rihanna. "I wanted to take Pro Filt'r beyond skin tone to serve all skin types," she told Paper Magazine. "Nothing is more important to me than making sure that everyone feels included."

Highly pigmented, the Pro Filt'r foundation leaves a soft matte finish, is non-comedogenic, and features Climate Adaptive Technology, so you always stay oil-free no matter the environment you are in (via Fenty Beauty).

Urban Decay's 50-shade Stay Naked foundation collection is so light that it actually feels like a second skin, making it perfect for everyday wear. This collection is different from other Urban Decay foundations because it has nine skin intensities: three mastertones and seven undertones (via Urban Decay). This wide range allows you to find the perfect shade for your skin. It is also vegan, cruelty-free, waterproof, and transfer-free, and when mixed into your everyday moisturizer, the foundation can last up to 24 hours.

"There's the diversity of shade range, but then the diversity of makeup for everybody," explained Urban Decay President Isabel Malbois to Glossy. "That's something we are also seeing becoming the norm in beauty," she added.

For those who wonder if a foundation exists that includes all skin tones, and that camouflages redness and small imperfections, Zoeva has the answer. The Authentik Skin Luminous Foundation is available in 44 shades, in varieties from cool, to warm, to neutral (via DailyMail). The foundation has medium coverage, which gives the skin a natural look while evening out the complexion. Completely vegan and cruelty-free, the Authentik Skin also has beneficial ingredients for your skin, including rosehip oil to nourish it and squalane to protect it.

And a fun touch of originality from the brand? Each shade has an inspiring name to radiate your authentic personality (via Zoeva Cosmetics). When you wear it, you can be ambitious, generous, brave, glorious, honest, or kind.

Created in 1997, the makeup brand Anastasia Beverly Hills has been a leader in the beauty industry for years. It is especially known for its eyebrow products that have transformed the faces of so many people (via CafeMom). However, if you're looking for a perfect glow, the dewy finish of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation will be your best option. Just a few drops are enough to illuminate the skin.

Water-resistant and made for all skin types, this foundation is available in 50 shades that are broken down into categories — light, fair, medium, tan, deep — and undertones — cool, neutral, and warm. It is also not tested on animals and is 100% vegan (via Anastasia Beverly Hills).

Who says you have to spend a lot on a foundation that completely matches your skin tone? NYX has your back with its Can't Stop Won't Stop foundation, available for $15.

With Can't Stop Won't Stop, which is available in 45 shades, you are the one in control with the ability to manage the intensity and coverage you want. "We tried to fit in as many different undertones as possible," said Alissa Ashley, the YouTube influencer who collaborated with NYX on this foundation (via Elite Daily). Light as a feather, completely waterproof, and ultra-pigmented, this foundation takes you through the day without settling into your fine lines (via NYX Cosmetics).

Is any brand doing it better than M.A.C. Cosmetics in terms of inclusiveness? The American brand developed its 24-hour Studio Fix Fluid foundation in a whopping 63 shades. Yes, you read that right. The motto for this wide-ranging collection? "All ages. All races. All genders."

With such a large number of shades available, it's impossible not to find the perfect one for your skin tone. The foundation also has SPF15 to protect you from the sun's rays, is resistant to sweat and humidity, and controls oil and shine (via Mac Cosmetics). A true best-seller, one bottle of Studio Fix Fluid is sold every 60 seconds around the world (via Marie Claire UK).

Jerrod Blandino, the creator of Too Faced, wanted to create a foundation with a 'second skin' effect. The brand collaborated with Beauty YouTuber Jackie Aina to reformulate its Born This Way foundation by adding additional shades for even more inclusiveness. "I noticed that many of the shades on the deeper dark spectrum ran a bit cool or pink," Aina told HypeBae. "It ultimately became my goal to add more golden and warm shades to the collection."

Born This Way is composed of a clever blend of coconut water to moisturize your skin and alpine rose to give you a glowing complexion. It also includes hyaluronic acid to firm the skin and reduce fine lines (via Too Faced).

If your primary goal is to blur your pores, this foundation can give you what you're looking for. This fluid makeup base that leaves skin looking porcelain-like as it mattifies and refines pores was originally available in 24 shades. In 2017, Maybelline decided to include more skin tones and introduced 16 more shades (via Bustle). 

A wide range of shades isn't the only thing that makes this foundation a winner. It is fragrance- and oil-free, has a matte finish, and protects you from the sun with SPF18. It is also allergy- and dermatologically tested (via Maybelline).

Want the same professional-looking makeup that you see on models at haute couture fashion shows? Peter Phillips, creative and image director for Dior, created Dior Backstage foundation for women seeking just that. "I want everyone to have access to my expertise," Phillips said to Glitter Magazine.

The Dior Backstage foundation is available in 40 different shades, and various intensities and undertones. "It's my star product," Phillips said. "I wanted 16 different intensities, but particularly wanted six undertones: pink, olive, yellow, beige ... In total there are 40 colors, so every woman can find the shade that best matches her skin tone." Tested by Dior's team of makeup artists, the formula is rich and waterproof, has a fluid texture, and is as buildable as you like (via Dior).

Already considered a powerhouse in the tattoo industry, Kat Von D carved a space for herself in the beauty world by creating KVD Beauty in 2008. Since then, dozens of products have become best-sellers and award-winners, including the Lock-It foundation which is available in 44 shades.

Like Too Faced's Born This Way, Anastasia Beverly Hills' Luminous Foundation, and Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Foundation, KVD's Lock-It foundation is popular among makeup fanatics. Its high-coverage finish can even conceal tattoos, and be used on the face as well as the body (via New Beauty). Vegan, cruelty-free, and alcohol- and oil-free, this foundation puts an end to shine and makes blemishes disappear (via KVD Vegan Beauty).

Founded in the year 2000 by Lee Graff, a Canadian medical strategist, Cover FX combines science and beauty in its skincare products and cosmetics. The brand's Power Play foundation is cruelty-free and vegan, leaves a natural matte finish on the skin, and is so light, you'll feel like you're wearing absolutely nothing on your face (via Fashion Network).

Its 40 available shades are separated into four groups: light, medium, tan, and deep. And its available undertones are pink, neutral, golden, and golden+ (for olive skin tones), according to She Finds. "We believe that personalized beauty should be inclusive and accessible to all," Graff told Fashion Network. 

From ultra-pigmented palettes to divinely sculpted blushes, Pat McGrath Labs goes the extra mile. As a matter of fact, the brand spent 25 years in the field research phase before launching its first foundation: the Sublime Perfection Foundation.

The foundation is available in 36 shades, including four tones and five undertones (via Pat McGrath). "I just remember as almost a child shopping in department stores and seeing all of these beautiful colors and then they never worked on my skin, or they were too bruise-y on pale skin," McGrath told Fashionista. The foundation's magic is in its Diamond Core Powder: a technology created by the brand that helps to blur pores. It also hydrates skins and is paraben-, talc-, and oil-free (via Sephora).

Do you dream of applying your foundation in the morning, and not having to worry about it for an entire day? That's what Lancôme's Teint Idôle Ultra Wear foundation can provide. Its long-lasting 24-hour-wear promises you'll never have to touch up your face again for the whole day (via Lancôme).

According to Lancôme, the foundation, available in 42 shades, is also formulated with pigments that maintain the PH balance of the skin so that the color does not change over time. Suitable for all skin types, the foundation is formulated with SPF15 and won't clog your pores.

Estée Lauder's most legendary product is the Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation. Originally only available in 42 shades, the French brand decided to expand the collection to now feature 61 shades (via Global Cosmetics News). The move earned the brand to be named a finalist in the 2021 Mecca Beauty Election (via Fashion Journal).

The Double Wear foundation mattifies your complexion and promises to stay put for 24 hours. Waterproof, buildable, and transfer-resistant, it won't settle into fine lines or clog your pores. It also has SPF10 to protect you from the sun's UV rays (via Estée Lauder).

You probably know about the world-famous Morphe brushes and palettes that are favorites of top beauty influencers like Jaclyn Hill and James Charles. But did you know that Morphe is also famous for its Fluidity Full-Coverage Foundation, which launched in January 2019? The foundation is available in 60 shades with different levels: light, medium, tan, rich, and deep (via Ulta).

Inside the bottle, you'll find a liquid formula that is transfer- and water-resistant as well as sweatproof. The full-coverage makeup will leave your complexion even and completely matte. Pro tip: If you feel like glowing, add a drop of your favorite highlighter to your foundation to make your complexion more luminous. 

Covergirl aligns itself with other brands such as Nars, Cover FX, and Fenty Beauty by offering a broad palette of 40 shades in its TruBlend Matte Made foundation collection to match most skin tones. It's one of the few drugstore brands that offer so many shades. "We tasked our top scientists to create a matte foundation that does what your skin needs — minimizes pores, keeps oil in check, doesn't smudge, and feels natural and comfortable," the brand said on its Instagram page (via Teen Vogue).

The liquid foundation, as its name implies, can be blended easily and completely on the skin. It isn't drying and doesn't appear cakey. The flexi-hold technology inside the product creates a protective film on your skin for better wear and durability. Over time, it won't move or seep into your fine lines (via Elite Daily).

As the make-up artist for stars such as Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz, Charlotte Tilbury is a pioneer in the world of beauty. All 44 shades of her namesake brand's Airbrush Flawless Foundation are completely sweat- and humidity-proof, as well as waterproof.

This foundation not only evens your skin, but also benefits it with its anti-pollution, anti-aging, and hydrating ingredients. Tilbury herself said it features "more skincare ingredients than an average moisturizer, darling, [for an] instant and long term effect!" (via CharlotteTilbury.com).

To find your perfect shade, book a virtual consultation with experts on the brand's website. It is a unique and original experience for people who don't know how to recognize the tones and undertones of their skin, according to CharlotteTilbury.com.

According to singer Selena Gomez, everyone is rare. "Rare Beauty isn't about how other people see you. It's about how you see yourself," she told Create & Cultivate. "It took me years to feel comfortable in my skin, and now I want to reach as many people as possible with this message." 

The singer's makeup brand, launched in 2020, promotes inclusive beauty by offering a foundation collection with 48 shades. The Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation's fluid, serum-like texture will even out and smooth your complexion for the entire day. On the Rare Beauty website, the singer demonstrates how she applies a few dots of the foundation to her face and spreads it with a brush. "It just melts onto your skin, so you forget you're wearing anything," she said.

If liquid foundations have never been your cup of tea, the Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick by Hourglass might be next on your list to try. One of the advantages of the stick is that it eliminates all of the smudges you can make with a liquid foundation. In addition, its triangular-shaped tip fits perfectly on any area of your face so you have control over where you want to apply it (via BeautyCrew).

Available in 32 shades, the foundation has a matte finish, a creamy texture, and can cover small imperfections and redness (via Hourglass Cosmetics).

It Makiage does things differently in order to help you find the perfect foundation. The brand created the PowerMatch quiz to help you search through the 50 available shades of its Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation. Simply answer a series of 18 questions and find the best match for you. You can even try it for 14 days and return it free of charge if the foundation doesn't suit you (via Il Makiage).

Infused with hyaluronic acid, which helps to moisturize the skin and prevent the signs of aging, the foundation also comes infused with vitamin E to soothe skin, according to Il Makiage.

Founded in 1994 by a french makeup artist, Nars had grown to be adored by makeup artists around the globe. The Sheer Glow Foundation, available in 40 shades, is super hydrating, making it best suited for normal-to-dry skin types.

Sheer Glow also contains powerful antioxidants to protect against free radicals; and raspberry, apple, watermelon, and saffron extracts to improve skin tone and luminosity. It is also paraben-free, alcohol-free, and fragrance-free (via Nars Cosmetics).