Since the release of Rihanna's Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation [1], 40 has been a magic number when it comes to shade ranges. The brand launched with 40 diverse colours of foundation and was largely celebrated by beauty-lovers who were (finally) able to get their most flattering shade.
Fenty wasn't the first brand to do this — MAC, Maybelline, and Make Up For Ever, to name a few, have all launched foundations with 40 or more selections in the past, proving that coming out with a diverse range of colours is not impossible. So, why has it been so hard for brands to release foundations that cater to more than six shades of people? Luckily, the beauty industry as a whole is slowly changing its ways, and while there's still lots of work to be done, the newest string of base launches is a step in the right direction.
To help you find your match minus the mixing and second-guessing, we've rounded up the brands that offer 40 or more shades of foundation ahead.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation
Foundation: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation [2] ($34)
Number of Shades: 40
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation
Foundation: Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation [3] ($38)
Number of Shades: 40
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
Foundation: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup [4] ($42)
Number of Shades: 56
Le Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation ($47)
Foundation: Le Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation [5] ($47)
Number of Shades: 40
Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation
Foundation: Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation [6] ($40)
Number of Shades: 40
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15
Foundation: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15 ($39)
Number of Shades: 40 [7]
Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation ($36)
Foundation: Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation [8] ($36)
Number of Shades: 40
Cover Fx Power Play Foundation
Foundation: Cover Fx Power Play Foundation [9] ($44)
Number of Shades: 40
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Foundation: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation [10] ($30)
Number of Shades: 49
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
Foundation: Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation [11] ($4)
Number of Shades: 40
NYX Professional Makeup Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation
Foundation: NYX Professional Makeup Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation [12] ($15)
Number of Shades: 45
Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base
Foundation: Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base [13] ($47)
Number of Shades: 50 shades