Best foundation—our favorite formulas for all skin types

Finding the best foundation for you is one of the most important steps in developing a good makeup routine. After all, as the name suggests, it's the step that provides the building blocks of your look and can affect the appearance of any products layered on top of it—line blush, bronzer, or highlighter.

That said, beauty brands are well aware that the best foundation breeds loyalty like no other makeup, as once we've found a formula that works for your skin type and signature beauty look, a lot of us are pretty much set. However, new and improved versions of trusty classics are developed each year, and given that our skin might change as time goes on, it behooves us to see which new contenders can earn pride of place in our vanities every so often. (Especially as we head back to school.)

Just like we're constantly looking to see what the best eye cream or best face cream for our skin type is, our makeup base also deserves a seasonal refresh and a chance to evolve with our skin needs. Thanks to continuous investment and research & development, the latest technologies are likely to be more comfortable, invisible, and, best-yet, skin-improving than anything you’ve tried before.

How to choose the best foundation for you

The smart approach to finding the best foundation is to treat it like skincare, and then tailor by skin type: 

• Normal: For skin that’s neither especially dry or oily, go for a sheer, water-based formula with a low level of pigment to ensures your skin looks natural and not caked in makeup that you don’t really need.
• Oily: Look for silicone-based formulas with mattifying elements like micro-powders. This will help soak up any excess oils in your skin and leave a more satiny, rather than shiny, finish.
• Dry: Pick products with a high water content, oils, and other hydrating ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. These will help foundation glide on more easily and prevent patches or flaking.
• Combination: Tinted moisturizers and BB or CC creams can offer the sweet spot between coverage and a natural sheen for finicky complexions—plus most offer a non-shiny but light-reflecting finish.
• Sensitive or hyperpigmented: If you have sun spots, redness, or thread veins, consider fuller coverage via a proper long-stay liquid foundation. This doesn’t mean total camouflage—just enough pigment to hide what you don’t like while letting skin still show through.

How to find your foundation shade

Shade-matching and how you apply the best foundation itself are keys to success. Beauty brands have stepped up their shade selection lately, and about time too: Everyone, without exception, should be offered what they need to find their perfect foundation match. But with 40-strong ranges now the norm, how does one get it right, particularly if you're not in-store to see how they look in real life? “The main mistake I see with shade matching is trying to use foundation to add color and in turn making skin look drier, textured, and orange,” says Bobbi Brown Senior Pro Artist Amy Conway. “Always match foundation exactly to your skin, then use products like a bronzer to add color.”

If you’re buying the best foundation online, work out your skin’s undertone, as large shade ranges tend to include cool (blue or pink-undertoned), neutral (peachy-undertoned), or warm (yellow-undertoned) variants. Many brands also offer clever shade-matching tools on their websites, where you can virtually try on the best foundation or have a digital consultation with makeup artists. If that’s not available, a helpful last resort is to run a Google image search of the product name and shade. Very often, someone will have swatched it on, so you can see how the best foundation looks on real skin.

The best foundations, as reviewed by our experts

Calling It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare a great all-rounder sounds like it might be too much, but actually, that versatility is what makes this our top pick as the best foundation across the board. The coverage is medium but buildable, meaning one pump will lightly wash over minor tone anomalies, while two give more robust coverage for days when that’s required. Either way, you can expect a healthy amount of skin translucence and no cakey results. Despite looking and feeling just like—you guessed it—better skin, you’ll get a decent day’s wear from this best foundation, with the occasional powder touch-up for that rogue shine slick if needed. This means almost anyone should find their happy place coverage-wise, except those looking for a studio-level matte finish or next-to-nothing sheer pigment. 

Including the word "skincare" in the name of your best foundation is a bold move, but sure enough, the ingredients list is a veritable MVP list of skin-improvers. What we lose in its non-inclusion of SPF, we gain in a best-of roster: Aloe leaf juice and hyaluronic acid hydrate, glycerin softens, and vitamin E does its antioxidant thing and protects against pollution. Texture-wise, this best foundation is thick enough to pump out cleanly but spreads on and blends with impressive ease. The finish is lightly radiant but not sparkly: This means pores and shallow lines are blurred over, and skin looks hydrated, but you won’t be ultra-dewy or slick. 

As the first proper best foundation in a grown-up glass bottle from the cult problem-solving brand, it more than delivers. The texture, finish, and coverage is as accessible as they come and will appeal to a similarly broad demographic. Bonus points for the exceptional 40-strong shade range, up from 12 in the brand’s well-regarded CC cream franchise.

See our full It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare review 

Another best foundation that promises superlative hydration, don't be fooled: Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup SPF 45 sits very much apart from water tints and tinted moisturizers et al., as beneath the veneer of juicy plumped skin lies a sophisticated full-coverage base. This combination is unusual in a market that generally swings from high-coverage mattes to light and silky sheers, but Futurist Hydra Rescue pulls it off. This should please those looking for one of the best foundations for dry skin who need a solid pigment to cover rosacea, pigmentation, or hormonal breakouts. Similarly, oily-combination types who like the idea of a sheer base, but hate how it dissolves into oblivion, will also appreciate the light feel yet substantial coverage offered by this best foundation tube.

Starting with the hydrating part, this best foundation touts an impressive cocktail of the usual suspects: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, nourishing seed oils, and emollients like coconut-derived coco-glyceride. What is more unusual is that the carrier liquid of the foundation—AKA water—is ion-charged. Why exactly is that relevant? According to experts at Estée Lauder, “Water is electrically charged via a process that physically changes it, creating two types of water that have different levels of pH and ion contents. The different pH levels and ion contents help improve the compatibility of the water to the skin.”  

One surprise with Futurist is the texture, which was far looser than expected. (It’s worth saying we tested this on a scorching hot week in August, which probably played a part.). This runniness made blending a piece of cake, although we realize could also contribute to its fair share of spills, so cautious application is advised. Once spread, buffed, and blended, however, the finished effect really is an ideal grown-up base: Glowing but not shiny, evened-out but not unnaturally so, and best yet, pretty much invisible.

See our full Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue review 

A radiant formula considered to be one of the best foundations for oily skin, this best foundation keeps shine at bay and can withstand the dreaded midday melt while remaining resolutely natural-looking. You can’t have everything, but Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation ticks enough of the boxes to make it a winner for oily skin. This formula is designed to be the antidote to all those heavy, flat, matte foundations often peddled at those with oily or hot flush-prone skin.  As the name suggests, it’s a loose water- and silicone-based fluid that sets down into a soft powder finish designed to last. On top of the pigment and mattifying ingredients, this packs in sun protection and a “protein complex” that on inspection is comprised of whey/lactis protein, an excellent skin-softening, and collagen-stimulating ingredient. 

We found the texture surprisingly pleasant for the first few seconds; it slipped around with zero drag when buffed in with a firm brush but then did start setting quickly—not a lot of playtime here, so quick blending is advised. The coverage is medium, although you could get a lighter finish by applying it sparingly where needed—around the nose, for example, and blending outwards. 

It’s the finish that really impresses: The slickest bits of shine on our noses and chins were dulled down but not completely mattified. Think more of a soft-focus blurring effect rather than totally sheen-free, which is far more flattering for most skins. Halfway through the (very warm) day, this soft matte look was still very much ongoing. Only after six hours did we notice the oil on our chins finally making a break for the surface. This would be impressive under the circumstances for your average, chalky, oil-control base, but particularly so for one that looks so natural and feels so comfortable. 

As a minor aside, the fluid comes in a nice lightweight tube but, with repeated use, does tend to dribble at the end of the nozzle. It’s nothing major, but clean freaks will need to give it a wipe every now and then. It also goes without saying that this base isn’t for everyone: Dryer skin types should avoid, as should those who just don’t need the steadfast coverage that a powdery finish will provide. 

Technically, this isn’t a foundation at all, says Chanel—it’s a "water tint," and it is every bit as juicy as it sounds. Semantics aside, Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint would be ideal if you have dry skin, but it isn’t oily or sparkly, so combination types can get on board too. Essentially anyone looking for a thin veil of pigment, moist finish, and plumping effects will find much to love. 

Said plumping happens as a result of an ultra-watery formula—it’s 75% H2O in fact —plus hydrating tamarind seed extract. The bubbly effect visible through the transparent packaging is the pigment, encapsulated in tiny micro-droplets that burst onto the skin as you apply. This makes the texture feel fairly loose and easy to spread on, as well as enhances the dewy effect (not to mention make it quite a delight to pat onto skin). Offering only eight shades does feel minimal, although these are sheer enough to be highly forgiving. I’d expect most skin tones will find something that suits well enough, but given how appealing the product is as a whole, it would be great to see an enhanced shade selection at some point. 

Let’s address the diamond-encrusted elephant in the room: This base costs $60, so either you have that much to spend on one makeup item, or you don't. If you do, then it’s worth mentioning that the cost includes a very sweet little brush that, unlike nearly every gift-with-purchase, is actually a quality, useful tool. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s Chanel. So as well as a very well-formulated base packed with skincare goodies,  you get a slickly designed pump bottle that ensures you squeeze every last drop out and an envy-inducing object that definitely earns some boudoir real estate.

See our full Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint review

There is a long-held belief among beauty editors that budget foundations are, on the whole, a lackluster bunch. This is in contrast to other makeup, where price often bears little relation to greatness (see: best cheap mascaras). But every now and then, an under-$15 winner like L'Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Water-Infused Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 19 comes along and proves us all wrong.

Skin Paradise Tinted Moisturizer is nearly everything you could want from a foundation: light and silky, with enough coverage to be worthwhile, and more than you would expect from the name of the product. It sets down to a nice glowing sheen and packs in undetectable mineral sun protection. This is a water-based foundation, of course, and also includes moisturizing glycerin, aloe vera, and natural plant extracts with antioxidant properties to brighten. Such juiciness means it may not quite last the whole day, but that easy-going nature is part of the appeal. On a lazy Sunday, you could spread this on with fingers in a few seconds and enjoy a healthy-looking complexion well into the afternoon. 

Still, no product is perfect: The shade range could use an expansion. It’s fragranced, which sensitive skin may not like, and the pleasing “slip” of the texture comes from dimethicone crosspolymer—that may bother some silicone-refusers, although it’s absolutely fine by us for a product we wash off at the end of the day. 

See our full L'Oréal Paris Skin Paradise review 

There are some skin types and, yes, some occasions that demand a hefty foundation: something that looks supremely polished, will truly cover what needs covering, and can be trusted to stick around when the going gets tough (meaning humid, rainy, sweaty, or all of the above). We can’t think of a better foundation for the job than  Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation. 

This high-cover, long-lasting base is an absolute mega-seller. This is particularly true in France, where it’s the number-one fluid foundation; it’s also many a beauty ed’s favorite, full-throttle, going "out-out" non-cakey base. The main ingredients, along with a whole lot of pigment, are perlite and silica, both of which mattifies without looking chalky. It also contains SPF 15, which we would file under "every bit helps/better than nothing," and a flexible polymer makes it feel soft on the skin, as hard-wearing bases go.

Naturally, in exchange for that robust coverage and true all-day-and-night wear, you do have to accept a degree of feeling like you are wearing foundation. Not in a tight or chalky way, but just a light "I’ve got my face on" sensation. For the majority of us, this might make it more suitable for a special occasion. For anyone who wants or needs full coverage day-to-day, this will likely be a good deal more comfortable than many highly pigmented bases you’ve tried before. It also lacks the dreaded drag when applying and crucially is extremely transfer-proof, even when tested on a very hot afternoon. This is also unusually natural-looking, which may come down to that superlative shade selection—45 in total—which means just about anyone should find a seamless match. 

If we had to nitpick, we would say the fragrance is a bit strong. It’s not unpleasant—it smells luxurious and very French—but if you’re someone who avoids fragranced face products in general, then it might put you off. That aside, this is a luxurious, thoughtfully-created classic that fits a need in the market and does so with style. 

See our full Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation review

Few bases can truly call themselves iconic, but Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer makes the grade. This is the product that introduced the world to the concept of foundation-skincare hybrids back in the '90s and remains a firm favorite of makeup artists and consumers to this day. The formula has been tweaked throughout the years, and the latest reformulation in summer 2019 saw the addition of improved sun protection plus extra shades. This has resulted in a few shifts in the feel and finish of the product. 

The texture is still hydrating and creamy thanks to hyaluronic acid and macadamia, and kukui seed oils. It also includes antioxidants vitamin E and C to protect skin from pollution and SPF 30 UV protection (up from SPF 20 in the previous formulation). This new iteration does feel slightly thicker and has more opaque coverage. This will be welcome for anyone with oily skin or who wants more of a pigment hit, but you might find it trickier to blend if you have very dry skin.

Thankfully, this is still an incredibly flattering foundation. It blends nicely and doesn’t dry out or settle into lines, thanks to those softening oils. Once applied, the finish is lightly sheeny, almost satin-like, with no sparkle or shimmer. If you're used to the previous formula, especially the Illuminating variant that has now been discontinued, you may find this lacks that obvious sparkling glow. But there is still plenty of dewy light reflection on the finish, so it shouldn't really be an issue unless you have particularly dehydrated or dull skin. 

It’s great to see this classic base keeping up with the times, both in terms of ingredients and extending the shade range to 20 with a decent sweep from fair to very deep. That said, there’s always room for improvement, and we hope to see the selection keep growing, especially the darker end of the spectrum. 

See our full Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer review

Stick foundations don't have the best rep. In many cases, deservedly so, as in order to achieve that firm twistable form, products tend to sacrifice blendability for a thick, cakey feel that drags during application—and who wants that? 

Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick is markedly different. Somehow, this modern, clean beauty brand has successfully managed to recreate the comfortable feel and glowing finish of their best-selling Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer in handy portable form. Aside from the obvious purse and travel-friendly stick foundation, this is a breeze to apply without tools. Simply sweep it over your face, and it blends easily with fingers and melts right into the skin. The coverage is light and sheer, so it won't suit those who like a very uniform high-coverage base, but there will be enough pigment power here to gently veil what needs covering for most people. 

Even better, it's got SPF 25, blue light protection (if that's your thing), plus 30% mineral water and other solid skin-nourishing ingredients like squalane and natural seed oils. Sure, you might need an extra swipe at lunch if your skin is particularly oily, but it's a small price to pay for a foundation that ticks both "useful" and "beautiful" boxes at the same time.

If you've ever been on a photoshoot or had your makeup applied by a professional in any capacity, you've probably seen MAC Studio Fix Fluid. This classic base is beloved by makeup artists and has been for decades. No wonder: It's got a loose, buildable formula, an outstanding shade range that keeps on growing, and a unique ability to give skin pro-standard polish without creasing, drying out, or ever appearing heavy. 

What's the secret? We'd say this foundation isn't trying to be everything to everyone. It's not trying to replace your moisturizer, so rather than including skincare, the formula is packed with ingredients that make a foundation work as hard as possible. It's not trying to jump on the BB cream bandwagon and pretend to be particularly light either; this is a legitimately proper foundation and gives skin a grown-up, "finished" quality that really lasts—another reason it's a makeup artist's favorite. 

Any catches? If you like a very sheer base, this might be a bit much, although it feels light and fluid-like on the skin. You might also be overwhelmed by the sheer number of shades to choose from, but MAC has a handy Foundation Shade Finder tool to help with that.

Most of us have probably experienced the effects of tiredness on our skin at some point: Skin gets dull, dry, and almost certainly blotchy. If this sounds familiar, Givenchy Prisme Libre Foundation could be the one for you. This radiant, buildable base injects instant radiant energy into tired complexions and checks plenty of other boxes too. The formula is comprised of 90% skincare ingredients, and you can tell from the moment you apply it. The loose, silky texture is more like a serum than a foundation and feels refreshingly cool as you apply. The pigment is sheer and buildable, so it glosses over uneven tone rather than masking it and has an incredibly dewy finish.  

If this all sounds like a dream come true, well, it will be for anyone seeking a light, fresh foundation who doesn't mind spending nearly $50 to get one. On the flip side, those with oily skin could find it a bit too sheeny, and the fragranced formula might not suit very sensitive types. Oh, and to state the obvious, this foundation won't be top of the list for bargain-hunters—it is Givenchy after all.

Urban Decay has already developed a good reputation for face makeup thanks to its previous foundation releases and of course its range of setting sprays that have become a must-have for any regular makeup wearer. And their newest foundation definitely doesn't let the famous name down. The clever formula binds a reliable foundation formula with skincare benefits and an enviable glow worthy of a subtle highlighter. It offers an intense hit of hydration thanks to the addition of marula oil, without any excess grease or shine so can work well with most skin types, rather than just drier ones. And miraculously, you can even get long wear out of it, with little fading throughout the course of a full day and no sinking into pores—even on an oily skin wearer. 

We also love the flexible shades that adapt to your skin color for a more accurate and natural-looking match, and the fully vegan formula is a welcome addition. A little goes a long way if you want to use this for lightweight coverage, but it works best as a medium coverage option—leaving a sheer but polished finish. The buildability means you can apply extra coverage if needed: It won't cover up more obvious imperfections, but it does layer nicely over concealer to give a seamless finish.

The Glossier Skin Perfecting Tint is one of those foundations that is so thin, some might question what the point is in it. But the formula is a must-have for anyone to achieve a healthy, dewy finish. Easy to apply with just your fingertips, this sheer formula gives skin an even look and adds a touch of glow so that you're left looking like you've got a fresh, healthy tan. It's even thin enough to let natural freckles shine through for an extra just-off-the-beach look. 

The pliability of the formula also means that you're left with a healthy skin feel too—with the foundation sinking silkily into the skin rather than caking itself on top of it. And the adaptable colors will match most skin tones by working with your natural shade rather than covering it up. For a natural look and comfortable feel, there's nothing we like better than this offering. 

This one is all in the name—if you're looking for a glowy finish that lasts, look no further. This goodness-packed formula will leave skin with a radiant glow that, not only lasts all day, but actually enhances slightly a little after application. Thanks to its hydrating but slightly mattifying formula, it works with all skin types as more dehydrated skin types will benefit from the Wild Pansy Extract that boosts hydration in the skin, but the slightly matte finish will work well on oilier skin types that don't love a shiny sheen. And what's even better is that this manages to leave a radiant glow in its wake without leaving behind that unwanted greasy layer.

As for the coverage, you can achieve a medium-coverage look with this creamy formula that blends into skin with a luxurious feel without sinking into pores. And if you need more coverage, it can handle a second layer without any pesky pilling. The wide range of shades available also means that most skin tones can find something that works for them. When it comes to staying power, this foundation does last quite well, however it can sometimes see some transferring—especially in hotter or more humid environments. A touch of setting powder over the top of your foundation can come in handy here just to make sure you're really getting the most out of this fantastic formula. 

While foundation is great for covering up a multitude of sins on your skin and giving the rest of your makeup a sturdy base, you may not love the feel of a heavy sheen on your face. That's where a foundation like MAC Studio Waterweight comes in, as it provides what you need from a quality foundation in terms of base and coverage, but with comfort and nuance and without the cloying cakey feel atop your skin. Similar to the Glossier Skin Tint, it is a lightweight formula that you can dab or glide onto skin for a light layer of coverage wherever you need it. It has a bit of a serum-like feel to it, which makes it a pleasure to apply and also speaks to the skincare benefits infused into the formula that boost the product's hydrating properties so that skin is left plump and dewy rather than dry and flaky. And with water rather than an oil base, it means that even oily skin types can take advantage of the hydrating properties.

The pliable formula also layers nicely so that you can build up to medium coverage if you want a more airbrushed finish. And we found that it stayed true to its long-wearing claims, as it sat on the skin nicely without fading throughout the day. If you're one who sports pores that are on the larger side, you may find that the formula sinks into the pores creating a slightly cakey look. However, this can be easily remedied by a quality pore-minimizing primer, like Laura Mercier's Pure Canvas Blurring Primer or Smashbox's Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer.

woman&home thanks Amy Conway of Bobbi Brown for her time and expertise.