Has ‘make-up face’ become a thing of the past?

The word on the street is that foundation is dead, and skincare is taking over. We’re watching this shift play out in real time—what were once two separate worlds, each pushing its own agenda (one to protect and improve, the other to conceal and cover), are now blending into one. You can say the pandemic had its fair share of a role to play—it had us so used to hiding behind our trusty N95 masks that now the whole Kim K contour-conceal-sculpt routine just feels like too much work.

When it comes to makeup, we’re just not doing as much. Waking up late for work: a multitasking moisturiser + SPF, a little lip balm, and some blush, and you’re good to go. It’s a collective move away from the mask-like, heavily sculpted aesthetic that social media had popularised over the past decade, and now you have to ask: who even needs a full-face makeup?

Part of the blame also goes to the hype around the Korean glass skincare routine. According to a Straits Research report, the demand for K-Beauty has increased by 10% a year.  Maria Mukaranda, the  beauty editor at Cosmetify, also confirms that searches for “Korean Skincare” are up by 83% every year. To be fair, the claims are too enticing to pass up, with products that not only improve your skin texture but make it so flawless that you don’t even need to conceal or wear foundation anymore. It’s like we’re finally cutting out the excess and swapping a cluttered beauty stash for a streamlined skincare wardrobe—one or two multitasking products, and that’s it.

In India, Shamika Haldipurkar’s D’You Hustle Serum promises hydration, plumpness, anti-ageing goodness and a dewy glow, making it a staple in every girl’s skincare routine. If it delivers (which it probably does, given its cult status), then you already know the future of full-coverage foundation is bleak.

Akina Shimizu, the makeup artist behind Anna Sawai’s Oscars after-party look, drew inspiration from understated elegance. “I kept foundation and powder to a minimum, letting her natural beauty shine through, and added just a touch of radiance with highlighter.” There’s a clear shift in how we approach skincare, and our beauty routines are evolving with it. More women are abandoning full coverage for a barefaced glow or just a dab of concealer, while others are turning to foundation alternatives that double as skincare in a single swipe. Take Hyphen (Kriti Sanon’s skincare baby) Golden Hour Glow Sunscreen that acts as a sunscreen, highlighter and a brightening moisturiser all in one. Or, Chanel Les Beiges, water-fresh tints that are almost 75 percent water to give off the most natural, skin-like hydrated finish.

For Euphoria makeup artist Doni Davy, foundation and powder were never really exciting. In past interviews, she’s talked about how she prefers to skip them altogether or use super diluted versions to let the skin’s natural texture shine through. To her, it adds more character, keeping the look fresh and a lot more interesting than a heavily done-up face.

Could this foundation-free movement be a response to the growing need for self-acceptance and inclusivity? Makeup artists have long warned that thick foundations can settle into fine lines, making skin look drier and mature than it actually is. But thanks to these new-gen skin tints infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, you get a fresh, plumped-up base that enhances rather than masks your skin. This shift is a game-changer for acne-prone skin too. Heavy foundations often come packed with harsh ingredients that can irritate breakouts, but with skincare-infused makeup, those days of worrying about foundation suffocating your skin are officially over.