A makeup artist recently told me, as he bounced a powder-packed sponge across my face, that my skin "just really doesn't like foundation. Wow." And all I could do was sigh and nod because it's totally true. Maybe I've used BB creams for so long that my skin's not used to fuller-coverage formulas anymore. Maybe my skin's just sensitive. Cause aside, it's rare that I find a foundation that melds with my skin rather than sits on top of it or flakes right off. Factor in my picky preferences (must be dewy, light coverage, and cater to my super rosy skin tone) and my ideal foundation gets harder and harder to find.
But thanks to Exa High Fidelity Foundation, my skin has finally met its match. Exa, a new brand created by Credo Beauty, meets very high ingredient standards, just like all the other products sold by the retailer. It's free of all ingredients on Credo's lengthy "Dirty List", including parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, hydroquinone, and more. Additionally, its ingredient information is readily available in full on the brand's website — plus, it comes in an eco-friendly package that's totally compostable and recyclable. Basically, High Fidelity is a guilt- and worry-free purchase (for your skin and the environment).
But anyway, let's talk formula. When you pump a bead of this foundation out, it gives off the impression that it's thick and creamy — but the second you start spreading and blending, it almost bursts into a thin, fluid texture. Because of that, High Fidelity can deliver its medium-level coverage very far with very little product. In fact, I'd recommend squirting it onto the back of your hand, warming it up a bit with your fingers, then dabbing small amounts on the parts of your face where you need it most before blending outward with your preferred tool. From there, you can dew it up with highlighters, matte it down with powder, or let its subtle luminosity speak for itself.
After Exa's foundation has been blended into the skin, it stays there. And because it doesn't have the fullest coverage and gives off a slightly dewy finish, it looks just like real skin — that's the real kicker for me. My biggest foundation pet peeve is when it's clear to tell that I'm wearing it, and High Fidelity lets me side-step that entirely. I'm not the only one who feels this way. Allure assistant editor Angela Trakoshis and editorial assistant Gabi Thorne have also raved about this foundation's comfort and ease and application, even though they have totally different makeup styles and skin types than me.
Thorne prefers full-coverage foundations but likes the buildable High Fidelity finish enough to make the switch. "The Exa foundation leaves a nice dewy finish on the skin for the perfect glow even when I haven't been too loyal to my skin-care routine," she says. "I love how the formula glides on my skin like butter and blends seamlessly without too much work."
Trakoshis also usually goes for higher-coverage formulas — but High Fidelity low-key convinced her that coverage isn't everything. "I normally go for really full coverage foundations — like the really thick, almost paint-like ones," she says. "But this one by Exa gets the job done minus the cakey, heavy feeling. It just looks like my skin but better."
Of course, a foundation is only as good as it is inclusive, and High Fidelity certainly meets that marker. In fact, Exa prides itself on its inclusive 43 shades, all named after the real models that inspired them. To navigate the wide range of options, Exa offers a digital shade matching quiz on its website. You can even purchase a $5 packet that includes small samples of 11 different shades plus the primer. If you buy a full-size foundation afterward, the brand will discount that $5 from your purchase, so it's as if you never even paid for it. Like I said, in every single way, this product comes with virtually zero risk of disappointment.
Exa High Fidelity Foundation, $38, is available now from Credo Beauty.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
More on foundation:
The Best Foundations for Dry Skin, According to Makeup Artists
Why This Beauty Editor Might Never Use a Makeup Sponge Again
21 Makeup Brands That Have the Most Inclusive Foundation Shade Ranges
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