The 10 Most Inclusive Foundation Brands Worth Investing In
Let’s talk foundation. I know we’re nearing Halloween, but there’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve got the right shade only to end up orange, or with that dreaded chalky overcast that leaves you feeling ghostly. That’s why inclusivity is so important, especially when it comes to our foundation.
I’m not talking about the five-shade lines that think “tan” is inclusive. I mean actual diversity—products that account for undertones, range, and the fact that human skin doesn’t come in just “light, medium, or dark.” For far too long, the beauty industry got away with creating for the same narrow demographic over and over. But over the past few years, that’s finally starting to change, and a big part of that is thanks to a few standout brands that refused to play small.
As someone who’s spent years testing everything from department store classics to indie launches, I’ve developed a solid radar for what makes a truly inclusive foundation line. I’ve tried everything from the lowest budget lines to the highest luxury items but only a few brands have made a true impact on diversity in the beauty community. It's not just about the number of shades, although that matters; it's about intention. It’s about understanding that all beauty deserves representation and true appreciation. Are the undertones accurate? Are deeper and olive shades given as much attention as the fair ones? Are formulas designed to enhance your skin rather than just cover it up with some unflattering and inaccurate cream?
These ten brands have earned their spot at the diversity table. They’re not just doing foundation better—they’re doing diversity better and setting the tone for the rest of the industry to follow suit.
1. Fenty Beauty — The Brand That Redefined the Standard
There’s no talking about inclusivity in beauty without mentioning Fenty Beauty. When Rihanna launched the line with 40 shades of her Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, the industry had no choice but to pay attention. And she hasn’t stopped there, Rihanna has continued to expand to include even more shades with varying undertones as consumers provide feedback. The line now features over 50 shades.
However, it isn’t just the number—it’s about the execution. Fenty offered undertones that felt tailored: olive shades that range from warm to cool, deep shades that weren’t ashy, and fair shades that weren’t stark white. The formula itself is buildable, matte but breathable, and wears beautifully all day.
For me, as a woman with South Asian roots, this was the first time I felt like a mainstream brand saw me and my skin in full color.
My shade recommendation: Shades 310 and Shade 330. These shades balance golden and olive without pulling too red or too neutral.
2. Rare Beauty — Easygoing, Everyday Perfection
I’ll admit, I approached Rare Beauty with some skepticism. A celebrity brand? But Selena Gomez surprised everyone with a thoughtful, well-formulated, and impressively inclusive line.
The Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation is light, breathable, and has that second-skin quality that’s ideal for everyday wear. The shade range—48 tones strong—isn’t just broad; it’s smart. Rare Beauty put clear care into its undertones, especially in the medium-to-deep ranges, where so many brands still fall short. Some other brands' attempt at inclusivity results in a mocking almost paint-like coverage that disregards true complexion leaving people of color feeling alienated. Rare Beauty stays true to its name by appreciating a wide variety of skin tones and those undertones that make us unique or dare I say - “rare.”
This is the kind of foundation I reach for when I want to look refreshed, not overdone and when I’m looking for a coverage that embodies that natural skin look.
My Shade Recommendation: 300W or, for a more neutral olive, shade 310N.
3. Haus Labs by Lady Gaga — The Tech-Driven Skin Savior
I know what you’re thinking – another celebrity brand, but this one deserves a spot on this list. When Lady Gaga reimagined Haus Labs into a clean, science-backed beauty brand, I wasn’t expecting a foundation that could compete with the best, but the Triclone Skin Tech Foundation is easily one of the most innovative formulas I’ve tried in recent years.
It’s infused with fermented arnica and other skin-loving ingredients, and the finish is exactly what I want on most days—natural, radiant, and fresh without veering into dewy. Most importantly, it comes in 51 shades with a truly inclusive balance across undertones and depths. This foundation truly stands out for those gorgeous, deeply dark skin tones, which are so often disregarded leaving these consumers having to reach for lighter tones and taking away from the true beauty of those deep complexions.
This one feels like skincare that just happens to make your skin look flawless, because it is, and you deserve a foundation that matches your natural beauty.
My Shade Recommendation: 290 for a golden undertone or shade 300 for a neutral undertone.
4. Ami Colé — Minimalist Beauty Made for Melanin
If you’re not yet familiar with Ami Colé, it’s time to get acquainted. This Black-owned brand is dedicated to creating clean beauty that’s tailored to melanin-rich skin—and it’s doing it with an elegance and ease that puts legacy brands to shame.
While the Skin-Enhancing Tint isn’t technically a foundation, its performance more than qualifies it. This tinted moisturizer provides an option for a vast range of skin tones for those days when you just need a little bit of coverage but not a full glam feel. The finish is natural and luminous, and it enhances the skin rather than masking it. The shade range is intentional, with inclusivity at the forefront of the brand's core. This product is designed to fit real skin tones with real-life undertones.
Ami Colé doesn’t just fill a gap in the market, it creates a new standard - so it’s time to pay them some attention.
My Shade Recommendation: Medium 2, but these shades are more flexible.
5. R.E.M. Beauty — Surprisingly Sophisticated
R.E.M. Beauty may come from Ariana Grande’s hyper-pop world, but don’t let the packaging fool you—this line is more than just aesthetics.
The Sweetener Foundation comes in an impressive 60 shades and has a creamy, medium-coverage formula that works beautifully on a range of skin types. What impressed me most wasn’t just the range, but how evenly distributed it is across the spectrum. Too often we see brands claiming to be inclusive, only to find they have 30 lighter shades, and maybe 5 shades for darker skin tones. R.E.M beauty approached this foundation with a large variety of products for all skin tones – and considers undertones as well.
The Sweetener Foundation is lightweight, long-wearing, and surprisingly refined. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do.
My Shade Recommendation: Shade 32W for warmer undertones and shade 34O for a more neutral olive.
Source: LTK
6. MAC Cosmetics — The Original Authority on Shade Range
Before inclusivity became a buzzword, MAC was already delivering. For decades, they’ve offered one of the most robust and balanced foundation ranges on the market.
Their Studio Fix Plus foundation remains a staple for a reason: excellent coverage, long wear, and a staggering 60+ shades with meticulously developed undertones. Whether you’re NC42 or NW15, MAC has likely been part of your makeup journey at some point—and for good reason.
They didn’t invent inclusive beauty, but they did help write the playbook and they continue to prove why they deserve a spot on this list.
My Shade Recommendation: NC42, a tried and true for South Asian skin tones, if you are going for a deeper tan, NC44 is a good option too.
7. NARS — Luxurious Skin with Substance
NARS is a brand that rarely misses, and their Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation is a personal favorite when I want to look polished without feeling heavy.
The texture is silky, the finish is radiant (but never greasy), and it wears beautifully through long days or late nights. With 40 shades that cater especially well to olive, golden, and deeper skin tones, NARS makes it easy to find a match that looks and feels elevated. This is what I reach for when I want to feel a little more pulled together without veering into full glam territory.
NARS efforts to inclusivity have been as long lasting as their products, making them one of the leaders when it comes to diversity in beauty.
My Shade Recommendation: Stromboli and Barcelona
8. Estée Lauder — The Classic That Still Performs
Estée Lauder may not be the first brand that comes to mind when you think of modern inclusivity, but their Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation absolutely deserves a mention.
With over 55 shades, it’s one of the most robust foundation ranges at the department store level. And the formula? Legendary. It’s long-wearing, oil-controlling, transfer-resistant, and still somehow comfortable.
This is what I wear when I need my makeup to look the same at 9 PM as it did at 9 AM. It’s not trendy—it’s timeless.
Estée Lauder is one of the more luxurious brands that have made efforts to expand their products to include darker ranges for people of color. The quality and care that goes into their products is notable and it’s important that these more well established and luxury brands continue to diversify their products as these newer brands have done.
My Shade Recommendation: 3W1 Tawny or 3N1 Ivory Beige for a neutral undertone. For summer or that vacation tan, try 3W2 Cashew.
9. L’Oréal Paris — Drugstore Champion
Affordable doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality or shade range. L’Oréal Paris has proved that with their True Match Foundation. Recently, L’oréal sent me this foundation to try on my skin and when I tell you the match was truly seamless – I mean it. Not only that, but the quality of the product was as impressive as the match. Wearing like a second skin, this foundation is not to be overlooked. Keep reading or click here to see my review and how it worked on my complexion.
The True Match Foundation features 47 shades and a wide range of undertones, it’s one of the most inclusive options you’ll find at a drugstore. What’s more, the formula blends beautifully, wears evenly, and doesn’t oxidize dramatically throughout the day.
For less than the cost of lunch, you’re getting a reliable, shade-accurate foundation that competes with some of the best.
My Shade Recommendation: W6 Sun Beige, which you can see me review. It’s truly the perfect shade for my skin tone.
10. Danessa Myricks Beauty — Artistic Vision, Real-World Inclusivity
Danessa Myricks is a makeup artist first, and it shows in every product she creates. Her Yummy Skin Serum Foundation is one of the most glow-enhancing, hydrating formulas I’ve ever worn. What really sets it apart, though, is the shade range and consideration for underrepresented skin tones. Rather than a plethora of light shades of different undertones, there is an extensive range of dark tones that goes far beyond most brands. Deep tones are rich and nuanced, not just “dark.” Olive undertones are finally given the attention they deserve. Shade range aside, the texture works across skin types, thanks to its skincare-first formulation.
Danessa doesn’t just make inclusive makeup—she makes smart, performance-based makeup that anyone can use. This brand is ahead of the game, because it takes into account diverse skin textures just as much as it considers shades and tones.
My Shade Recommendation: Shade 12.5 to 13 depending on your undertones. For a deeper undertone, go with 13.
Source: LTK
Final Thoughts: Inclusivity Is No Longer Optional
We’ve entered an era where inclusivity isn’t just a marketing line, it’s a necessity. These ten brands aren’t just offering broad shade ranges, they’re doing so with integrity, accuracy, and intention.
Whether your skin is fair with cool undertones or rich with red undertones, there’s a brand (or five) on this list that can give you a match that feels authentic—and a finish that makes you feel like your best self. Don’t settle for brands that make you feel uncomfortable or leave you with a shade that doesn’t consider all the hues and undertones that truly make you shine.
At the end of the day, foundation shouldn’t feel like settling. It should feel like being seen, so check out these brands to enhance your natural beauty – no more covering up.
Source: Instagram
Curious to try any of these? Let me know your go-to foundation—and the one you're dying to test next. I’m always on the hunt for a perfect match. Follow along on Instagram and TikTok to see more of The Loreal True Match foundation, how I use more of these products to create gorgeous bridal glam, looks on the go - and to stay updated on all things beauty, travel and business!
