Finding the best foundation is like the beauty equivalent of having the perfect pair of jeans in your closet. Once you've got your hands on it you can rely on it any time for the right level of coverage in your favorite finish, and it'll never let you down.
For those yet to find their complexion match made in heaven, My Imperfect Life's beauty experts (who have tried hundreds of foundations between them) have shared in-depth reviews of some of the most reliable formulas money can buy. It doesn't matter if you need the best foundation for oily skin, dry skin, or something in between—we're confident there's something failsafe in our guides for you.
So, in a bid to help you cut down the sometimes soul-destroying process of trying "no good" buys, beauty editors have shared the formulas that will never let you down, as well as some expert tips for choosing the very best foundation that suits your complexion, finish, and available budget.
The best foundation buys, reviewed by our beauty experts
Expensive, yes, but Pat McGrath really delivered with this base and we’d go as far saying that it’s worth every penny. It gives one of the most natural-looking, skin-like finishes we’ve ever tried, imparting a soft focus, lit-from-within glow that’s entirely customisable. You can apply a light layer for a sheer look, or build it up for fuller coverage—but know you’ll never achieve a matte, one-dimensional finish because that just isn’t possible with this foundation. Instead, it’ll simply even out your complexion and provide the most incredible "your skin but better" appearance that you’ll ever experience, and avoid clogging your pores, as all of the best non-comedogenic foundations do.
A mainstay backstage at fashion week and in just about every makeup artist’s kit bag, Mac’s Face and Body is a real cult favorite—and for extremely good reason. Incredibly lightweight, instantly hydrating. and waterproof, this little bottle provides super sheer coverage and leaves skin with a natural, radiant glow. It has stay-true colour technology, which means it won’t oxidize throughout the day, and it’s suitable for all skin types—meaning it also qualifies as one of the best foundations for sensitive skin.
Monika Blunder has painted some of Hollywood’s most famous faces, and her debut product from her namesake beauty brand is this. Aptly named Blunder Cover, this little pot of joy can be used as an all-over base, as a concealer, to contour or just applied to the places you need the most coverage.
The hydrating, skin-friendly formula harnesses the power of arnica to reduce redness, aloe vera (which is also one of the best remedies for suburn) to moisturise and plump skin, chamomile to soothe and rosemary extract to calm inflammation. The one downside is that there are only 14 shades, however the brand does state that the product is specifically designed to be mixed and matched, so everybody can find their perfect skin-true shade.
Rihanna made it her mission to cater to every skin tone, and through her vast creation of 50 shades she really has delivered—setting a bar for the rest of the beauty industry. Pro Filt’r Soft Matte was the first foundation in the Fenty range, and this soft matte, long-wearing formula is a real crowd-pleaser.
It has buildable, medium-to-full coverage that we found is best applied with a brush or a damp sponge. Always make sure you prep and prime skin as part of your skincare product order properly prior to application and finish with setting spray, and we guarantee it’ll last all night long.
This is truly a foundation like no other—with a legion of celebrity fans to back us up. Oxygenetix has created what they call "the most breathable foundation you’ll ever apply". It’s made with a unique complex called ceravitae, which delivers oxygen to skin cells, working to keep the skin healthy. In turn, it encourages healing and collagen growth to help strengthen, hydrate, and smooth delicate skin; that’s why it’s a foundation recommended by both surgeons and doctors and can be used following various procedures, including microdermabrasion and skin peels. It’s safe for people with acne, psoriasis, eczema and even burns, and the formula is free of fragrance, oil, dye, and parabens.
In our opinion? Not only is it one of the best foundations for acne-prone skin, it's also suitable to use after your rosacea skincare routine. Admittedly, we found the shade range is extremely limited during the shade matching and testing processes, but we hope to see the brand extend it in the near future.
How to choose the best foundation for you
A great foundation should tick a few boxes as the bare minimum—it must be comfortable to wear and should also look like your skin for the most flattering look. Remember, makeup is always about working with what you already have and not covering it up. Then, there are also a few other factors to consider, which come down to personal preference.
- Application: Different formulas work well with different application methods, so it could be worth thinking about whether you prefer to use a brush, sponge, or your fingers and then match that to the formula that you choose.
- Coverage: Do you want a light/sheer coverage, medium, full, or something that's buildable?
- Finish: Do you prefer a glowy, satin, or matte finish?
- Price: Foundation come at a whole range of prices, so it's important to choose one that fits your budget—and there is always a great option at every price point.
- Shade range: One of the most important aspects of choosing a foundation, because it should match your skin tone perfectly. You may find that you need different shades in the summer and winter, but now even some of the best drugstore foundations have extensive ranges on offer.
- Skin type: If your skin is on the drier side, it’s better to avoid a super heavy, full-coverage matte formula because it is more likely to cling to dry patches. Instead, choose products that are enriched with hydrating skincare ingredients, like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, to help keep moisture levels up. Oily skin types will benefit more from a lightweight matte foundation that will help reduce excess shine. Likewise, if your skin is blemish-prone, you might want to opt for a mineral powder foundation that’ll absorb excess oil, will be non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores), and will be kind to skin.
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