For me, finding the perfect foundation has always been a bit of a task. Putting the questionable shade ranges aside, I seem to have another requirement that not many brands want to fullfil—I like sheer coverage foundations, but without an overly dewy finish. While I’d describe my skin as pretty low-maintenance, I have a super-oily T-zone so I’m always seeking a light foundation formulation that will both even out my skin tone and mattify the oily bits—but without making my face look 2D. Trying satisfy these needs at the same time as having to seek out a foundation range that caters well to deeper skin tones is challenging to say the least.
That is until I discovered Dcypher. A truly disruptive new brand on the beauty block, Dcypher is bringing custom foundations to the masses by uniquely creating a foundation for every individual. As soon as I heard about it I was intrigued, but on the I don’t always trust custom skin care and makeup as everyone’s opinion on what makes a ‘good’ product can vary so dramatically.
However, in the name of research, I put my reservations to one side and delved headfirst into the world of Dcypher’s customisable experience in the quest for my perfect foundation. And, I have to say, I think the resulting formula is pretty close.
Dcypher was founded by husband-and-wife duo Adam and Claire, a British biochemist and consumer scientist pairing. After years of experience in the beauty industry they decided to venture into the new space of personalisation after seeing a huge gap in the market. “Our research shows that only 45% of female customers regularly use foundation,” says Adam. “We believe they have given up on the category as they failed to find a product that works for them. We plan to change that. Our mission is to disrupt the beauty industry by making personalisation the norm. Giving the customer exactly what they want, with infinite shades, finishes and formulations.”
I was worried that custom might equal confusing, but the Dcypher website is super easy to navigate. To help the team decipher (see what they did there?) your unique skin colour and undertone, you’re required to take three images of your face using your phone or computer camera. As I was on my laptop, I moved around the room in different lights which I think helped to get me such a spot-on colour match.
Keeks Reid before applying the Dcypher Custom Foundation. Next up, you answer a few questions covering off things like your skin type, your desired coverage, what finish you like in a foundation. I selected oily skin, opted for the sheerest coverage with a matte finish and waited for my custom foundation to arrive. Before they make you a full bottle, you’re sent a small sample pot to test and ensure that the colour match is good then, if you’re satisfied, your custom bottle is sent out.
Keeks Reid after applying the Dcypher Custom Foundation. While I am a fan of hyperbole, I promise you I’m not exaggerating when I tell you this is the best foundation that I have every tried in terms of colour match. The varying tones across my face are evened out—but not totally masked—and the neutral undertone is spot on which the system correctly detected. As for the formula, the sheerness along with the matte finish gives me a healthy glow and controls my oil without cakiness or leaving me looking 2D as some other matte finishes can do. At £28 a pop this is definitely moving into the more luxury end of foundation pricing, but for your own bespoke colour and formula this foundation will totally stop you from having to second guess your shade, mix-and-match colours, or totally despair at the lack of shade range. In my opinion, it’s a well worthy investment.
Brands have certainly upped them shade game over the place few years, but having a wide range of colours doesn’t necessarily mean inclusive. These foundations have the biggest shade ranges across the skin tone spectrum, hands down.
This base is a long-wearing matte yet radiant finish with 51 shades. The shades are broken out into 6 skin colour groups to cater to the needs of specific tones.
If you’re looking for a satin-y matte with buildable coverage, look no further. This latest drop from Clinique has built-in skincare benefits and a huge 42 shades to pick from.
There are 45 shades of this long-wearing foundation to pick from. The formula is full coverage, but is comfortable enough to wear all day.
If your skin errs on the dry side, it’ll love this base offering from Fenty Beauty. It offers long-wearability while giving full coverage and a radiant, dewy finish. Plus you have 50 shaes to choose from.
This full coverage foundation, which comes in 45 shades, is really creamy and blendable with a blurring, matte finish.
With 61 shades across skin colours and undertones this cult foundation is a mainstay of so many beauty lovers’ makeup bags. The formula is matte but natural looking and easy to blend.
After a terrible spell with an off-colour Dream Matte Mousse, this was my first grown-up foundation that I was properly colour matched to as, at the time, this was the best shade range on the high street with 67 to pick from. The oil-free formula is very matte but light to apply and lasts all day.
This foundation has 50 shades across 5 colour categories and 3 undertones. The finish (unlike many with a vast shade rang) is medium coverage with a radiant finish, but the formula is still water-resistant and hard-wearing.
When Charlotte says ‘airbrush’ she meant it. This foundation which comes in 44 shades, creates a blurred, almost poreless finish—no filter necessary. Think of it as a natural matte. Up next, skin tints are trending right now and these 11 are the best.
