10 Best Foundations for Cosplay of 2023 (Cosplayer-Reviewed)

Conventions can last all day, and you don’t want your makeup to slip even once during that time. That’s why many cosplayers will layer their makeup, using different foundations to fulfill different purposes.

How much you should focus on hydration when you purchase a foundation depends on your skin type and the weather at the convention where you plan to debut your cosplay. Dry skin needs hydration, but so may other skin types—especially if the weather calls for it. For example, if you are scheduled for an outdoor photoshoot in the winter, when the air is stripped of moisture, then you will need a hydrating foundation. 

There used to be a rule of thumb where liquid foundation was good for dry skin and powder was good for oily—but there are now different formulas that adapt to your skin type. Haku mentioned J.Cat Beauty’s Aquasurance as an example. It's a powder foundation that’s been infused with water, making it suitable even for the dry days of winter.

So when looking for a moisturizing foundation, keep an eye out for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, often touted as a must-have for people with dry skin. Other than that, you can also look for popular plant and seed oils, such as almond, rose hip, maracuja, and jojoba.

Before purchasing a foundation, you'll want to test it to see if it matches your color. Thanks to the sun and the forces of nature, your skin doesn't look like just one shade, so think about where you want to swatch. The neck is generally a good place. You want the color of your face to match the color of your neck, as it's a body part that isn’t overly exposed to the dyeing effects of the sun.

If you have dry to normal skin, choose the shade that’s the closest to your natural color. If you have oily skin, you might want to go a shade lighter. This is because foundation will mix with the oils on your skin and undergo a process called oxidation—which, among other things, deepens its color and makes you look an odd shade of orange.

It’s better to choose a foundation that matches your skin and not your character’s. As Haku pointed out, foundation doesn’t last all day. And if your skin does, by any chance, peek through, you want to make sure you still look as natural as possible.

Then, there’s still the problem of online shopping. How are you supposed to choose a shade if you don’t even have a sample to swatch? Haku talks a bit about her process below.

First, know that at the hands of an inexperienced photographer, dewy foundation can make you look oily. This may be a problem if you often go to cons where passersby take your pictures.

Second, it’s common knowledge that the sun is the skin’s arch-nemesis. If you are going to be taking photos at blazing noon, then go ahead and wear foundation that includes UV protection. But if you are going to be somewhere darker, then SPF can give you a white cast in photos, especially in the presence of flash.