Finding the perfect foundation is like going on bad Tinder dates - sail through a bunch of duds before you find “the one”. And even after committing, you still wonder if there’s a better match out there. We feel your pain, ladies! We’ve all been victims of foundations that oxidize as the day goes by until we look like an oompa loompa. Or formulas that settle into the fine lines under our eyes making us appear 10 years older. Not cute at all.
Well, take heart! In this blog post, we’ll serve up the makeup industry’s best-kept secrets to help you discover your foundation soulmate. The key is finding one tailored for your unique skin type – be it drier than the Sahara desert or so oily you could lubricate a door hinge. We’ll even spill the tea on fancy-schmancy ingredients you should look for to treat skin concerns like acne, dullness, and UV damage as you flawlessly mimic an Instagram filter in real life. Because quality makeup with skincare benefits is what separates the girls from the women.
Our Top Picks:
- 1
Best Foundation Overall
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Buildable Full Coverage Foundation
- 2
Best Drugstore Foundation
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
- 3
Best Full-Coverage Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
- 4
Best Foundation for Dry Skin
La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20
- 5
Best Foundation for Oily Skin
NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation
- 6
Best Foundation for Combination Skin
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
- 7
Best Foundation for Sensitive Skin
Kosas Revealer Skin Improving SPF 25 Foundation
Read on after our picks for more info on how we review these products as the best foundations and what you should look for when shopping for them.
The 7 Best Foundations for Every Skin Type
From $5 drugstore steals to luxury splurges, we’ve scoured reviews to cherry-pick products that thousands of people have tattooed on their hearts as Holy Grail favorites. Because odds are, if it works for that many folks, it’ll work for you too. Unless you’re some kind of unicorn with emerald-green skin and ruby-red acne. Then all bets are off.
Pros
Cons
In our honest opinion, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation is the best overall foundation and a game-changer for those seeking a full-coverage, lightweight foundation with a natural matte finish. Its formula includes skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ensuring hydration and avoiding a cakey appearance. With 55 shades available, finding a match is easy, and the buildable coverage allows for a customizable look. The foundation's staying power is impressive, resisting transfer, sweat, and humidity, making it reliable for long days or special events.
However, experiences may vary, with some users reporting initial dryness due to ingredients like isododecane, and the long-wearing claims not holding true for everyone. The glass bottle design, while elegant, has been critiqued for its instability when standing upright. Despite these points, the foundation's overall performance is highly rated, providing a velvety-smooth complexion for up to 24 hours.
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Color | 0902 (Light cream) |
| Skin Type | Fair skin with neutral/pinky undertones |
| Finish Type | Matte |
Pros
Cons
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation is a revolutionary in the drugstore makeup scene. Its lightweight formula glides on the skin effortlessly, offering medium to full coverage that feels breathable and comfortable for extended wear. Our testers have said, "I'm particularly impressed with its staying power; it holds up remarkably well through heat and humidity without transferring or breaking down, which is a boon for my combination skin.".
The foundation provides a natural, slightly matte finish that doesn't accentuate dry patches or fine lines, making it suitable for a range of skin types. The inclusion of a pump is a thoughtful touch, ensuring hygienic and waste-free application. While the shade range could be more inclusive, the existing selection is decent for a drugstore brand. At around $14, it's a steal for the quality it delivers, rivaling some of our high-end favorites. If you're in the market for an affordable foundation that doesn't compromise on performance, the Infallible Fresh Wear is definitely worth a try.
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Color | Rose Pearl |
| Coverage | Medium, Full, Buildable |
| Finish Type | Matte |
| Skin Type | All |
Pros
Cons
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation is a high-performance product that promises a full-coverage, matte finish while incorporating skincare benefits. The foundation's formula is designed to be long-wearing and is particularly suited for normal to oily skin types, as it maintains a natural matte finish throughout the day. It comes in a luxurious glass bottle with a convenient pump applicator, ensuring easy and hygienic use.
The shade range is impressive, with 44 options catering to various undertones, making it easier to find a match for your skin tone. Users with dry skin may need to prep their skin thoroughly with hydrating products before application to avoid emphasizing dry patches. The foundation is also appreciated for its pore-blurring effect and its ability to withstand different weather conditions without transferring. However, opinions on the product are mixed, with some users finding it too matte or heavy, while others praise its flawless coverage and longevity.
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Color | 1 Cool |
| Coverage | High |
| Finish Type | Matte |
| Skin Type | All |
| Skin Tone | Very fair skin with cool undertones |
Pros
Cons
La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20 is a luxurious investment if you are seeking for a foundation that offers both skincare benefits and aesthetic perfection. Its lightweight, silky texture coasts onto the skin, providing buildable medium coverage that feels virtually weightless. The foundation is infused with La Mer's signature Miracle Broth, which promises to hydrate, energize, and soothe the skin, making it a suitable choice for a range of skin types, including those prone to irritation.
Users have reported a natural, radiant finish that doesn't fade, even in humid conditions, and the added SPF 20 offers some protection against sun damage. While the price point is steep, many users feel the cost is justified by the foundation's long wear and the skin-enhancing properties of the formula. What we can say is it's worth every penny in a foundation that we believe goes beyond mere coverage and is able to improve your skin's appearance over time.
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Color | Peach |
| Coverage | Medium |
| Finish Type | Velvet |
| Skin Type | Normal |
Pros
Cons
If you want a long-wearing, full-coverage matte finish that doesn't compromise on skin-like appearance, this is where NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation comes in. Its 16-hour wear claim holds true, providing a comfortable, oxidation-resistant performance that maintains its true color throughout the day. The foundation's unique blend of oil-absorbing powders and Hydramatte Balancing Complex, featuring Micro-Algae Extract and Bio Hyaluronic Acid, ensures a smooth, mattified look while keeping the skin hydrated.
It's a versatile product that caters to all skin tones with its extensive 34-shade range, making it easier to find a perfect match. The formula is non-acnegenic and doesn't clog pores, which is a significant plus for sensitive or acne-prone skin types. While it's really great for oily and combination skin, those with dry skin might find it too matte, so proper skin prep is advised.
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Color | M5 Valencia |
| Coverage | Light |
| Finish Type | Matte |
| Skin Type | Normal |
| Skin Tone | Medium to medium-deep with warm undertones, and a peach tone |
Pros
Cons
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup is a high-performance foundation that truly lives up to its name. With an impressive 24-hour staying power, this product provides a fresh, matte finish that remains flawless throughout the day, resisting sweat, heat, and humidity. Its oil-free formula is a boon for those with oily skin, as it controls shine and doesn't clog pores, making it suitable for acne-prone skin as well.
The foundation offers buildable medium to full coverage, which effectively unifies uneven skin tone and conceals imperfections without feeling heavy or cakey. The range of over 55 shades ensures a match for all skin tones, and the foundation doesn't oxidize or turn grey, even on deeper complexions. While the lack of a pump can be a minor inconvenience, the luxurious glass bottle adds a touch of elegance to the makeup routine.
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Color | 4C3 Softan |
| Coverage | Medium, Full, Buildable |
| Finish Type | Natural |
| Skin Type | All |
Pros
Cons
Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25 is the best foundation for sensitive skin that not only offers a flawless finish but also nurtures the skin. The medium coverage of this foundation seamlessly blends into the skin, delivering a natural, dreamy finish that blurs imperfections and minimizes pores without feeling heavy or cakey. What sets this foundation apart is its powerhouse blend of skincare actives, including Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Peptides, and Squalane, which work together to hydrate, brighten, plump, and soothe the skin.
The inclusion of broad-spectrum, reef-safe mineral SPF 25 and Artemisia Flower Extract offers protection against environmental and blue light damage, making it a comprehensive skincare and makeup product. Its clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formula is free of silicones, mineral oil, talc, fragrance, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, catering to even the most sensitive skin types.
| Item Form | Cream |
| Color | Light Medium Neutral 200 |
| Coverage | Light, Medium |
| Finish Type | Natural |
| Skin Type | Sensitive |
