As a makeup artist, you know just how important foundational looks are when it comes to creating the perfect look. Whether you’re looking for complex blending or subtle enhancement of facial features, having access to the right range of foundation colors is essential. Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing foundation palettes out there that offer all the hues and tones needed for a wide variety of looks!
The best foundation palette for makeup artists is Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Foundation Super Palette. It has 18, highly pigmented shades, perfect for the coverage required for film or TV. Plus, the formula is really gentle on skin, which your clients will love.
Finding the perfect foundation palette should be an easy process if you know what qualities and features make one stand out from others. Some of these features might include available shades, customization factor, and contouring and concealing formulas.
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional makeup artist, it’s important that you build up your makeup kit to be able to cater to all your clients’ needs, no matter the occasion.
In this post, we’ll be taking a closer look at some more of the best foundation palettes available and helping you decide which one is ideal for your professional make up needs.
Check out which palettes made the top picks!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
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Editor's Choice  |
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Runner-Up  |
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The Best Foundation Palette for Makeup Artists
1. Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Foundation Super Palette – Our Pick!
Our number one pick for the best foundation palette for makeup artists is the Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Foundation Super Palette! Packed with 18 high-definition cream shades, this is truly a must-have in any makeup artist’s kit. Each shade is highly-pigmented and is made to cater to a wide range of skin types and skin tones. The Super Palette is currently available in four palette options: cool and warm palette for cool and warm undertones, respectively; a neutral palette and a color corrector palette for different needs and undertones.
A high definition foundation formula, the pigments of this foundation palette are greatly micronized, allowing you to achieve a single flawless tone for flawless and realistic results in the world of professional makeup. This is a great foundation palette choice for professional makeup artists as just a single palette offers a wide range of shades from fair to darker skin tones, very convenient to cater to a wide array of clients. This one also offers a natural-looking finish with every swipe.
The formula of each of the shades of this Graftobian is silky and soft, promising application that is smooth like butter and blends well. Its buildable coverage is sure to never get cakey on the face no matter how many layers are applied to get your desired effect and results. This also offers full coverage that is sure to help you cover and conceal any imperfections you might want hidden. You can also conveniently use the palette and some of its shades to contour, sculpt, and define the face for an even flawless look every time you head out.
This foundation palette boasts of its gentle formula of carefully chosen ingredients, ensuring that while it provides excellent coverage for everyday needs, it would not dry your skin. This is also great for sensitive skin and wouldn’t cause any breakouts or irritation. The formula is light enough to be worn for everyday makeup without feeling too heavy but still provides enough coverage where and when the skin needs it. There is aso no offensive smell to this palette and if that is something important to you, you might want to check this one out.
By adding this foundation palette in your makeup kit to cater to your clients’ many needs, you are sure to get a quality palette especially for the price you pay – assuring you get your money’s worth. This also offers a wide array of shades for a variety of skin tones with varying undertones. You can also conveniently mix and match any shades to get a custom fit for your client’s skin tone. The only thing that can further improve the product once responded to is how the pans can be small, especially on shades frequently used.
Pros:
- 18 high-definition shades
- Highly-pigmented shades and natural-looking finish
- Palettes offered in warm and cool undertones, neutral and color corrector options
- Flawless, realistic, and professional result makeup
- Wide range of shades to cater to many skin tones from fair to dark
- Smooth application that blends well
- Buildable coverage is never cakey or heavy
- Covers, conceals, and contours
- Light for everyday wear but with enough coverage
- Gentle formula, safe for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Pan can be small for some
2. Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation 5-In-1 Pro Palette – Best Professional Palette!
Our next favorite foundation palette for makeup artists and our current pick for the best professional palette is the Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation 5-In-1 Pro Palette! If you have not only the basic but also the advanced and professional techniques down, you might want to consider this foundation palette. With 5 available shades per palette, you are sure to get expert-level customization to match any of your clients’ skin tones no matter how light or how deep. You can conveniently use this palette to color correct, contour, and highlight as well.
This Cinema Secrets foundation palette is currently offered in 6 different options: 100 Series for deep red undertones, 200 Series for medium to deep golden-olive undertones, 300 Series for light to medium yellow-beige undertones, 400 Series for medium peach-beige undertones, 500A Series for light to medium pink-beige undertones, and 500B Series for medium to deep pink-beige undertones. With so many different palettes to choose from, you are sure to provide the perfect shade no matter who your client is.
The formula of this professional foundation palette is waterproof and long-wearing for flawless wear no matter the time of day and no matter the occasion. This easily provides sheer to full coverage for any needs and has a natural matte finish. This covers really well without any creasing and is sure to apply smoothly and spread evenly for a more flawless makeup. A single palette of this foundation will last you for a long time as each shade really goes a long way with rich pigment and wouldn’t require you huge amounts every application.
With a single palette of this Cinema Secrets foundation, you conveniently not only get a set of foundation but also a palette of color corrector and concealer for all your makeup needs. The creamy consistency of each shade allows for a smooth like butter application. Keep in mind though that beginners can have trouble using this as it needs a more professional approach. The universal shade range of depth and undertone is also a great addition for any makeup artist’s kit who cater to clients with a variety of skin tones and undertones.
The formula of this foundation palette is also sure to be sensitive skin-friendly so clients with skin sensitivities wouldn’t have to worry much. A quick reminder that because each palette has been formulated to cater to specific undertones, make sure you buy and use one with the correct undertone for your skin or your clients. The shades may not work as well as you have hoped for if you use one with the wrong undertone, so just keep that in mind whenever you decide to use this foundation palette.
Pros:
- Ideal professional palette
- 5 shades in one palette
- Expert-level customization to match any skin tone
- Available in 6 palette options for a variety of undertones
- Waterproof and long-wearing formula
- Sheer to full coverage with a natural matte finish
- Covers well without creasing
- Can be used to highlight, contour, and color correct as well
- Smooth application and spreads evenly
- A little goes a long way – provides rich pigment
- Sensitive-skin friendly
- Great foundation palette for professional settings
Cons:
- Beginners may have trouble using
- May not work well with the wrong undertone
3. SHANY Professional Cream Foundation and Camouflage Concealer – Best of the Rest!
The next item on our list of the best foundation palettes for makeup artists and our best pick from the rest is the SHANY Professional Cream Foundation and Camouflage Concealer! A foundation palette with 15 available shades, you are sure to get a variety of shades and colors for your clients with a variety of skin tones. With this in your makeup kit for your gigs as a makeup artist, you can rest assured that you are able to cater to any makeup look. You can also conveniently use this palette not only as foundation but also to conceal and contour.
The first row of this foundation palette are cream foundations that can cater to light to medium skin tones while the second and third rows are concealers to conceal any imperfections you’d want to hide. You can also easily combine different shades to get the perfect color for a specific skin tone. This set provides extreme full coverage without looking and feeling too thick and cakey. It also provides a nice and almost matte finish that feels very lightweight on skin even for an all-day wear.
Each shade in this SHANY foundation palette has a creamy consistency that goes and applies easily and buttery smooth. They also blend easily and can either be applied lightly or heavily, no matter what the occasion entails. Many makeup enthusiasts also find this to be a great option for carving under the eyebrows for a more defined and cleaner brow look. You can also opt to use some shades as an eyeshadow base to get better eyeshadow color payoff and overall results.
With this foundation palette in your makeup artist kit, you are sure to get a foundation palette that’s very well worth the price you’re paying for thanks to a variety of shades and colors that allow you to cater to different skin tones. This provides long-lasting rich pigment no matter the occasion and time of day. A quick reminder though that some people may find the creamy consistency to be too thick so remember to apply with care.
Pros:
- The best of the rest
- 15 shades in one palette
- Foundation and concealer in one
- Can be used as foundation base, concealer, and contour
- Mix and match shades to get the desired shade
- Full coverage without being too thick or cakey
- Almost matte finish that feels nice and light on skin
- Applies smoothly and easily
- Super blendable formula
- Very well worth the price
- Long-lasting rich pigment and color payoff
COns:
- May be too thick for some users
4. Elf Foundation Palette
The Elf Foundation Palette is our next favorite foundation palette for makeup artists! With four cream shades in a single palette, you are sure to find the perfect match for a variety of skin tones. You can use the individual shades on its own or mix and match different shades to get desired results that are perfectly matched. Aside from being a foundation base, you can also use this foundation palette for contouring to get a defined and sculpted appearance that is sure to last for an all-day wear.
Infused with enriching vitamins, shea butter, and grape seed oil, this foundation palette promises to hydrate your skin as it covers, so you are able to stay fresh-faced throughout the day, no matter how long you choose to wear it. The hydrating and radiant finish of the foundation is ideal for those with dry skin and wants something that can retain moisture and hydration. The formula, however, can be too greasy and shiny on those with already oily skin. If you decide to add this in your kit, do keep that in mind before proceeding with application.
This ELf foundation palette is PETA-certified cruelty-free and formulated vegan. This has also been formulated without parabens, phthalates, and other toxic ingredients to ensure its safety for use. If these are important factors for you, be sure to check this one out. This applies smoothly and blends very easily while providing a lightweight feel on skin. Though it feels light when worn, its effectiveness in covering is never compromised.
The foundation palette is currently offered in four palette options: Fair/Light, Light/Medium, Medium/Dark, and Deep to meet and cater to various skin tones for your clients of all occasions.
Pros:
- Four cream shades in one palette
- Available in four palette options
- Can be used to sculpt and define
- Hydrating and moisturizing formula
- Keeps face looking fresh all day
- Radiant finish that doesn’t dry out skin
- Cruelty-free and vegan formula
- No toxic ingredients
- Applies smoothly and blends easily
- Lightweight feel on skin but very effective
Cons:
- Might be too greasy and shiny on oily skin
5. Aesthetica Contouring Foundation and Concealer Palette
The last item to have made into our list of the best foundation palettes for makeup artists is the Aesthetica Contouring Foundation and Concealer Palette! With six contouring foundation and concealer shades, you are about to get everything and anything basic you need with this palette in your hands. You can easily use this palette as a foundation or as a concealer, anything that you would need. Each shade is silky, creamy, and super blendable to sculpt, define, and highlight facial features for any occasion.
Of the six shades in the palette, three shades are foundation and concealer shades while the remaining three are creams to highlight. You can easily mix and match multiple shades together to get your client’s desired shade. Each shade provides highly-pigmented results with great color payoff you can easily build-up to reach your desired coverage without it ever creasing or crumbling on you. The palette also assures that it is easy to apply and blend effortlessly for a seamless finish every single time.
The Aesthetic foundation palette conveniently comes with easy to follow step-by-step instructions that would help guide you in proper application. This is a great choice for beginners and those who want to improve their makeup application skills. This can take your skills from being basic to being a pro with the right amount of practice. This has been formulated with high quality ingredients and without talc or parabens, ensuring that there is no irritation on those with skin sensitivities.
The pans of this foundation palette are easily and conveniently removable and refillable. So next time you run out of specific shades, you wouldn’t have to buy a whole new palette and can instead opt to purchase refills instead. Keep in mind though that the shades available can be a bit limiting, but a few mixing and matching can do the trick.
Pros:
- Six contouring and foundation shades
- Can be used to define, sculpt, and highlight face as well
- Mix and match shades for desired color and skin tone
- Highly-pigmented and intense color payoff
- Easy to apply and blend
- Comes with step-by-step instructions for easy application
- Quality and safe ingredients for safety of use
- Convenient removable and refillable pans
Cons:
- Available shades can be limiting
Foundation Application – Tips & Tricks
Although foundation application may be as easy as 1 2 3, a few tips and tricks can help you achieve your desired flawless results with ensured longevity for an all day wear.
Clean your face and moisturize
When it comes to foundation application, it’s very important that you always start with a clean canvas by cleansing your face. Make sure there is no dirt on your face as it can affect the results of your foundation. Also don’t forget to moisturize after, especially if you have dry skin. Doing so will ensure that your skin doesn’t dry under makeup.
Apply primer first
Priming your skin before applying your foundation will always help the foundation apply much smoothly and seamlessly. It will also help the foundation adhere better on your skin and will help you achieve your desired longevity. A primer can also act as a protective barrier for your skin before you start applying your makeup.
Use the right amount
With foundation, it’s important that you use the right amount of product – not too little and not too much. It can be effective to apply a small amount at first and build on that by adding more as you spread and blend.
Conceal where needed
After you’ve applied and blended your foundation, apply concealer – but only where it is needed and on areas you need concealing. Make sure to just do dabbing motions and avoid rubbing on your foundation.
Set
After all that is done, don’t forget to set your foundation. This will make sure your foundation doesn’t budge and that you get an all-day wear out of it.
Don’t forget the eyes! You are probably also working around a lot of eyelash extensions too, so check out the best eyeliners for tricksy extensions.
How to Choose the Best Foundation Palette for Makeup Artists
When it comes to choosing the right foundation palette for all your makeup needs, a few choosing factors should always come in handy to make sure you get the best of the best.
Available shades
One of the first things you should be looking at in your new foundation palette is the available shades. A good foundation palette is one that offers a variety of shades from fair to deep for all of your clients’ makeup needs. The same is true for eyeshadow palettes.
Customization
One good thing about several foundation palettes is the idea of customization. Make sure that the foundation palette you choose allows you expert-level customization so you can get unlimited shade ranges for all skin tones.
Contouring and concealing
Foundation palettes also conveniently come with enough shades you can easily use for contouring and concealing. A good foundation palette shall provide you just that.
Conclusion
Our number one pick for the best foundation palette for makeup artists is the Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Foundation Super Palette for its 18 pan palette that is able to cater to a variety of skin tones from light to deep. The palette is offered in warm, cool, and neutral options for all undertones!
We hope our review and guide above helped you meet your new foundation palette you can conveniently use for your gigs as a makeup artist. Happy makeup shopping and here’s to making your clients happy as well!