As a girlie who's passionate about foundation, this article is already exciting to write. I've tried a ton of formulas over my yearslong career as a beauty editor, but there's one formula on my vanity lately that's become extra special to me. I consider it so for a few reasons. One, it was made by renowned celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman. Westman's long list of A-list celebrity clientele speaks for itself, as it includes everyone from Nicole Kidman and Britney Spears to Taylor Swift and Jennifer Aniston.
That said, it's safe to say that she knows a thing or two about what makes the perfect foundation. "I've been looking for a foundation like this my entire career, and I knew we had to do it the right way," Westman tells me. "I wanted it to blur, diminish the look of texture, and feel like nothing on the skin." Another major plus is that this formula is a clean one, which, given how Westman wanted the formula to perform, wasn't easy. "All of these benefits were incredibly difficult to achieve without silicones or microplastics," she added.
Another reason I consider this formula the crème de la crème is that I struggle with dark spots, dehydration, and a bit of skin-barrier damage. You can imagine finding the right foundation to work with those issues is tough. Some foundations emphasize texture and make me look dry after a few hours, but this one is so elite and practically presses the delete button on all the above struggles. For my full review, along with everything else you need to know about this formula, keep reading below.
Westman Atelier Suprême Bio-Complex Liquid Foundation
The goal here, as with all Westman Atelier products, was to create makeup that actually does something for your skin while giving it that flawless, pore-less appearance. "A perfect base is everything," Westman says. "I wanted our foundation to actively improve your skin over time rather than just covering it. It took me three years to create this formula, and I wanted to make sure that we really blended skincare with makeup."
The formula is extra special because of this. Loaded with powerhouse skincare ingredients, it's more than just your average foundation. Westman wanted to share her love for buzzy ingredients like exosomes through this formula as well. "I became obsessed with bringing exosome technology into the Suprême foundation formula," she shares. "Exosomes are actually smaller than the size of a pore, so they can go deeper into the skin's surface for more potent results. It doesn't feel like a foundation. It feels like you're wearing your favorite serum. It’s your skin, but better."
A few more things to note: This foundation comes in 30 shades and retails for $69. It may not be drugstore-priced, but if you have the means to splurge, this is one of the few luxury foundations I'd easily and happily spend the money on.
The Ingredients
Here is a quick breakdown of all the ingredients to know about in this does-it-all foundation.
- Suprême Bio-Complex: A blend of peptides and vitamins that jump-starts skin renewal, smooths, visibly brightens overall tone, and firms.
- Biocompatible pigments and amino acid powders: Melt into the skin immediately for payoff that lasts, blurs, and absorbs excess oil.
- Sunflower, rosemary, and seaweed extracts: Antioxidant blend that restores the skin barrier, soothes, and smooths skin.
- Niacinamide: Helps strengthen and support the skin barrier, calms irritation, fades dark spots.
My Review
If you couldn't tell from my earlier statements, this formula is hands down my new favorite. For starters, it's so easy to apply. It provides medium coverage upon first swipes, but it's so easy to build up if you'd like a little extra coverage. What I was most amazed by is that my dark spots virtually disappeared as soon as I gave this a swipe. Usually, I find that I have to go in with a concealer to cover those or just accept that, despite wearing foundation, my dark spots will most likely still be visible. I really could not get over how nicely it camouflaged those without feeling heavy or caky on the skin.
It also gives you that subtly airbrushed look that doesn't look overly done. Instead, it just looks like your natural skin! I can tell Westman put a lot of thought and effort into this formula just by how it sits on the skin. She was right about the whole "feels more like a serum" thing. While I would categorize this as more of a soft matte formula, it's never drying or appears patchy after long hours of wear. It adds just the right amount of hydration and melts right into your skin.
I also try to be a more conscious consumer and have been searching for the perfect clean foundation formula for a while. This one is definitely my top contender in that category. I really can't say enough good things. As a picky beauty editor, it's hard to find formulas that really speak to me, but this one's ability to cover those dark spots so easily along with how well it sits on the skin really make it a winner.
And while I don't have dry skin, I could see this formula being good for most skin types, as it's a perfect mix of dewy and matte. It doesn't swing too far either way, making it really nice to use, and it's comfortable on the skin. And, most importantly, for my fellow acne-prone folks, this did not break me out at all. In fact, it covered some angry, inflamed, red areas beautifully.
More Westman Atelier Products I Love
I've had my eye on Westman's Skin Activator basically since it launched because it seems like another perfect base product. Westman told me she begins all her looks with this to really create a solid base for foundation. "It's the perfect base," she says. "I like to pump Suprême Bio-Complex Liquid Foundation onto my fingertips and blend it in like I would a favorite serum."
This cream contour stick is another one both Westman and I love. "I reach for Face Trace, Baby Cheeks, and Lit Up for my everyday look: a little contour to shape, blush for flushed-from-within color, and highlight exactly where light would naturally hit the skin," she says.
This blush stick comes in some really pretty colors and is perfect to travel with.
Normally, I wouldn't say you have to spend a lot of money on a foundation brush, but there is something so elite about this one. It has synthetic bristles and just gives your foundation such a professional-looking finish. Westman, of course, says it's a staple in her kit. "When I have a little more time, I'll reach for the new Liquid Foundation Brush that I crafted with a rounded head to seamlessly reach every nuanced little nook and cranny of the face."
I love a good bronzer and these drops are so perfectly lightweight. They pair really well with the foundation while adding extra hydration to the skin with carrot oil and a prebiotic complex.
Sheer hydrating balm lipsticks are tricky for me, but I love the shades this one comes in. They provide the perfect wash of color on your lips on days you want to add a little something extra without doing a full bold lip.
This is the perfect everyday highlighter that adds luminosity without making you look shiny.