The best foundations for every skin type, chosen by our beauty team

Finding the best foundation is arguably the most important element of your makeup routine. As the name suggests, base is the bedrock of your whole beauty look. Get this first step right and every other product you layer on top of it will look better too.

The best foundations tend to offer a combination of natural-looking coverage and skincare benefits. Do you need hydration and sheen, breathable coverage, or a polished matte finish? Your skin will give you clues. "It is really important to understand your skin texture and if it tends to become dry or oily throughout the day. Then you can determine the best foundation formula for you," agrees NARS senior artist Rachel Hardie. 

Whether you need the best full coverage foundation to stay put on combination skin or the best tinted moisturizer to hydrate and plump, our tried and tested guide will help you find the ideal base for your skin right now. Plus our beauty editor and pro makeup artists answer all your foundation FAQs, from picking a formula to perfect shade matching.

How we tested these foundations

Each foundation in this guide has been extensively tested by our beauty team, on a variety of skin tones, types, and textures. We assessed each product on their shade range, and how these translated to a realistic skin match. We also researched their ingredients lists, checking for beneficial active ingredients and how well they lived up to any skincare claims.

On testing, we assessed the packaging, how easily each base could be applied and blended, plus how pleasant they felt on the skin. On wearing the foundation we checked their durability on warm and rainy days as well as their ability to work as the best foundations for mature skin by remaining natural-looking without caking, drying out, or settling into lines. 

The best foundations, chosen by our beauty team

First impressions
Hourglass foundations have a strong reputation, so we expected big things from this. The good news is, we weren't disappointed. With a non-comedogenic, vegan, and cruelty-free formula, this foundation promises to blur imperfections whilst also protecting against free radicals. The packaging adds a premium finish, coming in a frosted glass bottle with a metal lid that can be recycled.

Trying and applying
Despite being water-based, the formula is not overly liquid or runny - great for those who like a buildable product. One pump is enough product for the whole face if you like a light and natural finish, however, it is effortless to create fuller coverage. Immediately after applying, we saw an instant glow that wasn't overly shiny and kept our skin looking like skin. It does take a few minutes to properly sink in, so be sure that you give it enough time before layering other products on top. 

What's it like to wear?
This is one of the most adaptable foundations we have tried due to its buildable formula. It didn't crease or cake up on dry patches, even with a couple of layers. It dries fairly matte whilst retaining some glow and is also truly transfer-proof, which is a must in the warmer months. Though at the pricier end of the scale, the formula is unique among the many that we tried due to its weightless feel whilst still providing good coverage. 

First impressions
Looks-wise, it's not really fair to compare budget bases with luxury ones. But what this lacks in slick designer branding, it makes up for in practicality. A simple, lightweight tube that'll never smash or weigh down your handbag, this does have some nice design features such as a long dropper-style applicator that's completely sealed by the screw-on cap, which means you can't make a mess even if you tried (and we squeezed the tube hard) We like the 20-strong shade range and inclusion of sun protection. So far, so good. 

Trying and applying
Despite being water-based, this does have a bit more 'hold', so when we dropped it out it sat in a little pearl instead of running all over our brush. That's a good thing for control, although it did make us suspect that the formula might be a little heavy. We needn't have worried. It thinned out beautifully the minute we started buffing it in for a medium-sheer finish. We'll put that transformation down to a hefty percentage of skincare ingredients in the formula (89% to be precise) These include hydration heavy-hitters hyaluronic acid and glycerin, both evidenced in the ultra juicy and plump finish this foundation gave to our skin. 

What's it like to wear? 
This bit impressed us most of all. The foundation went on nicely and stayed that way. The color stayed true throughout the whole day without oxidizing, and the pigment didn't migrate or dry out. That's pretty unusual at this price point, where many foundations deliver the goods when freshly applied, but lack the stamina of pricier picks. It also seems to be tricky for inexpensive bases to be dewy but not sparkly, but Max Factor has managed that too. Every time we checked our skin it maintained a glowy finish that looked healthy but not fake. Naturally, if you have very oily skin you probably won't want to add more sheen, so this might not be for you. Otherwise, we'd say almost anyone should love this. 

First impressions
Pixi has mastered the look of your skin-but-better products with everything from foundation and concealer to bronzers and glowy blushes. This sheer tinted water-based gel is hydrating and breathable, formulated with green tea, rose water, and lavender to soothe and hydrate the skin. This is definitely advertised as more of a tinted, lightweight product than a high-cover foundation, but the dewy results speak for themselves.

Trying and applying
Best applied with the hands and patted in like a moisturizer, the formula has a watery texture compared with other foundations on this list. This means that applying with a brush or sponge could cause too much of the product to be absorbed into the tool rather than your face. However, we found fingertip application totally effortless and was done in seconds, making this the ideal product if you want something quick and easy that will enhance the skin. It's worth bearing in mind that this is designed to even out the complexion and add radiance, as opposed to cover imperfections.

What's it like to wear? 
The gel-like formula is both cooling and hydrating and doesn't take much blending to cover the face. It is truly one of the best lightweight foundations and feels akin to a gel moisturizer after sinking in, which is ideal for humid weather when heavy products can feel suffocating. Throughout the day it continued to sink in slowly without compromising on color or becoming dry. This would make one of the best foundations for combination skin, if you want something with a fresh feel for oily zones but also suffer from flaky skin that products tend to cling to, you won't find that to be an issue with this skin tint. The only thing that would make this a better foundation would be SPF, however, this is certainly an easy-to-layer product that would work with sun protection worn underneath.

First impressions
The opaque black packaging doesn't give much away. You can't see the shade by looking at the tube so you'll need to really trust the imagery on the site you are buying it from. But then again, the limited shade range here is designed to be sheer and adaptable so there is a reasonable margin for error. That aside, we love the ultra-slim and lightweight tube, which would slip seamlessly into any makeup kit, either at home or for taking out and about. 

Trying and applying
As a water-based foundation, this has a fairly runny consistency. That suits us just fine as it spread out very nicely across our skin without dragging on dryer areas or catching on any peach fuzz hairs. This easy texture means you can apply it with your hands or a brush, whatever your preference. It goes on fairly sheeny thanks to soft-focus particles, rather than the inclusion of any oils. And the glow does settle down within a few minutes, which will be welcome to anyone with oily or combination skin. Cosmetic ingredients aside, the formula also contains peach flower and grape seed extracts, both known to be effective natural antioxidants – a nice touch for some daily environmental protection.

What's it like to wear?
This is a foundation you can ignore, and we mean that in the best possible way. It has a weightless feel and looks quite sheer if you only apply a little, although we did build it up on our chin and T-Zone as a pre-emptive strike against oil. It stays put in the important ways – as in, it won't ever cake or migrate into lines, but like most light foundations it is a bit less visible at 8pm than it was at 9am. Overall this would make an excellent, low-maintenance everyday base if you want a flattering veil of color that's healthy-looking but not shiny, and runs zero risk of overloading your skin. 

First impressions
It Cosmetics has developed somewhat of a cult following in recent years, almost all thanks to this superstar CC+ cream. The formula includes collagen, peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid which work to combat redness, imperfections and dark circles whilst keeping the skin hydrated and plump. In sleek silver packaging and with a no-mess pump, we got a good feeling from this right away.

Trying and applying
This product really does live up to its name, as it feels like a CC cream but performs like a full coverage foundation. The formula does initially feel slightly thicker than traditional CC or BB creams, but as soon as it is blended it feels light and breathable. You won't need to layer up thanks to its color correcting properties and full coverage finish. If you prefer a natural look and think this foundation might be too much for you, fear not. We found the finish dewy and illuminating, our skin maintained a natural radiance despite its powerful blemish-covering properties. 

What's it like to wear?
This foundation didn't crease or lose coverage through testing on a long day. Plus, it contains SPF 50 - an essential for keeping skin protected no matter the time of year. If you are prone to blemishes or dryness, this will mask them effortlessly without needing to reapply throughout the day. Due to the full coverage it could do with a few more shades, but its blendable texture means it is fairly adaptable. 

First impressions
A new foundation from Chanel is always worth a look. As well as being ultra-desirable generally, this brand creates some of the most intelligent bases on the market. This is part of a collection called No.1 de Chanel that, uniquely for Chanel, includes skincare, makeup, and fragrance all tied together by the inclusion of red camellia flower and a focus on sustainability. 

Trying and applying
And what's the foundation like to wear? She's an absolute beauty. On pumping out, the creamy liquid looked fairly firm, so the ease with which it blended and spread onto the skin came as something of a surprise. Truly, this stuff just melts away, leaving behind an illuminated, skinlike finish with zero dragging or tidemarks. This could be down to the inclusion of coated pigments and film-forming ingredients, which Chanel promise gives a "second-skin effect." It certainly feels comfortable, and after six or seven hours of wear wasn't collecting or sinking into pores one little bit.

What's it like to wear?
The coverage is fairly light and you can build it up where needed, but this isn't hardcore high pigment stuff, so if it's that you're seeking, look elsewhere. Everyone else should continue looking this way, not least because that camellia oil quenches skin and gives a dewy makeup look without being too slick on oily skin. The packaging has been considered carefully, with recyclable glass, no cellophane or booklet and organic inks used.  Obviously, this sort of quality doesn't come cheap, but as long as budget isn't a barrier this should be at the top of your shopping list. 

See our full No1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation review

First impressions
You can tell a lot about a foundation from its name, and this one says it all: Pop the satiny, medium-coverage base on, give it a little buff and you will indeed have some very beautiful-looking skin. 

Trying and applying
But while there are no surprises based on the name, we did find the texture of the foundation unexpected compared with the look of the product. Generally, a foundation in a lightweight pump-action tube like this, boasting of 'radiance' and 'hydration' on the box, will be a pretty sheer and watery-light affair. This however is a little thicker and certainly offers more coverage than expected. That's not to say it feels heavy or looks obvious, it really doesn't, but don't mistake this for a tinted moisturizer because it is far closer to a trad foundation, just with a lovely fresh and modern finish.

What's it like to wear?
Another great thing about Beautiful Skin is that it's absolutely rammed with skincare ingredients, which you can feel working their magic on your skin as you wear it. As well as nice hydrating things like hyaluronic acid and coconut extract, it's also got tone-enhancing rose flower oil plus moisture-binding cassia angustifolia seed. Extra points for thoughtful touches like the aforementioned tube being recyclable and a vegan-friendly formula. 

First impressions
From the sleek chic tube to the, ahem, grown-up price tag there is no denying this foundation oozes sophistication. For the unfamiliar, this brand specialises in high-performance but low-maintenance makeup and this does seem to fit right into those parameters. The ingredients list contains skincare big hitters including Vitamin E and plumping hyaluronic acid, while the long lasting yet fresh finish should appeal to busy people with better things to do than top up their face on their lunchbreak. 

Trying and applying
The first thing we noticed on testing this foundation was the giant doe foot applicator. Not only is this good fun to smooth the product on with, it actually makes a lot of sense. How many times have you pumped an unnecessarily large amount of base onto your hand, only needed a dab or two on your foundation brush then had to wash the rest down the sink? This cuts out the need for tools or wastage, and we found it picked up exactly the right amount and worked it beautifully into contours. The formula appears a little thicker than average, but blends nicely into a medium cover glowing finish. Despite offering a less expansive shade selection than others on the list, we found a match easily on several skin tones when testing. 

What's it like to wear?
One of the nicest things about this base isn't how it looks, but how it feels. It has a flexible, comfortable weightlessness on the skin that's hard to pull off in a medium-cover foundation. It describes itself as cooling, and certainly never succumbs to that hot, clogged feel of so many longer-lasting bases. It also stayed looking fairly dewy a good six or seven hours after we first applied it. We'd still like to see more shades (more is more, people) and this will be too high cover for anyone who loves sheer BBs. It's also missing sun protection, although that's probably one of the reasons why it looks so great.

First impressions
This crayon comes from the brilliant mind of Bobbi Brown, who—ever the innovator—decided that sometimes we don't need to completely smother our entire face in liquid, maybe just a little bit of something creamy and flattering here and there is better? 

Trying and applying
We don't disagree. The oil-rich formula of The Face Pencil gave it an easy blendability that made it a cinch to scribble on and smudge in with the warmth of our fingers. The coverage is light-medium with a sheeny finish that lasts well even on oily skin. Naturally, this makes it an excellent party makeup buddy to bring out instead of a big old glass bottle that'll spill inside your bag. 

What's it like to wear?
Ingredients-wise, this is 'clean beauty', which means different things to different brands but to Jones Road it means it's made without parabens, PEGs, and cyclic silicones. It contains shea butter to nourish the skin and moisturizing castor seed oil. All good stuff. It also has a clear base pigment, meaning it won't look chalky or off on deeper skin tones. Are we really suggesting you scribble all over your face with this cute little crayon? No, we most certainly are not. What we are suggesting is you do as we did and scribble it on some areas of your face for a touch-up, to cover a little redness here and there, or to generally even things out on alleged 'makeup-free days' when you actually do need to wear makeup. Hopefully, that makes a little bit more sense. 

First impressions
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. 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.

Trying and applying
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 it like to wear?
This is not trying to jump on the BB cream bandwagon and pretend to be particularly light; it feels like a legitimately proper foundation and gives skin a grown-up, "finished" quality that really lasts—another reason it's regarded as one of the best foundations for professionals. If you like a very sheer base, this might be a bit much, although we found it felt light and fluid-like on the skin. You might also be overwhelmed by the number of shades to choose from, but MAC has a handy Foundation Shade Finder tool to help with that.

First impressions
What an alluring name—everlasting youth in a bottle? Yes please. If anyone can make that happen, Clarins can. The French house has long catered for a chic, decidedly grown-up clientele with its makeup offering, which is why we now get excellent foundations like this little number. It's packed to the rafters with skincare ingredients, designed to protect and hydrate as you wear, and has a medium-bodied finish that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a 'polished' makeup look.  

Trying and applying
Back to those ingredients. We've got the usual big hitters that we found gave the texture softness and our skin a nice hydration boost  (hyaluronic acid, glycerin, apricot kernel seed oil) Then there are plenty of the unique plant extracts Clarins is known for including in their high-end skincare. There's chicory, with tone-boosting properties and red jania extract— a seaweed that encourages cell turnover to boost your natural glow. While that lot is getting to work behind the scenes you can enjoy a relatively lightweight, easy to spread texture and a full day of wear.  

What's it like to wear?
The pigment is medium to full and the finish is satin, so if you want ultra-sheer this won't suit you. Otherwise, this more than lives up to the promise on that very classy glass bottle. We loved the combination of skincare and long-lasting coverage, which makes Everlasting Youth fluid one of the best foundations for time-poor types who enjoy post-work socializing without but hate hastily applying makeup at their desk.

First impressions
Wowza, you'd better check your account balance before you buy this. Can any makeup product, even the best foundation in the whole world be worth that spend? That's a rhetorical question by the way. It is if you can afford it, and if you can't, no worries! There's good stuff in your price range too. 

Trying and applying
Now that's out of the way, let's talk about why this is our best ultra-light foundation. It is, unsurprisingly, extremely light on the skin. Truly, it feels like nothing, but it looks like something—a glowy, fresh, and hydrated complexion-of-your-dreams kind of something. The formula is water-based and extremely loose, so we spread it on with our hands and didn't worry about buffing and blending much at all, which is convenient. It contains blurring particles that smooth over pores and lines as well as mica crystal that reflects the light for an 'I drink green juice every morning and I've just had a very expensive facial' type of glow.  

What's it like to wear?
For all that feathery-lightness it actually lasts surprisingly well. Oily skin types will need a top-up at lunch, most people by the end of the day but the cute squeezy tube (unusual for Sisley who normally favor glass doorstop-type bottles) makes it easy to carry around. Shade wise we'd like to see a few more, but they are sheer enough to adapt to most tones. If you want a matte, high cover formula or prefer to look 'done', this won't be for you. Otherwise, providing you can spend that kind of money on a foundation, you'll be glad you did on this one. 

First impressions
The clue is in the name here—if you're looking for a glowy finish that lasts, here she is. Thanks to its hydrating but every so slightly soft-focus formula, we found this was a winner for most of our tester's skin types. Those with dehydration benefitted from the fact that 86% of the formula is hydration-preserving ingredients. The soft matte finish worked well on oilier skin types who wanted sheen without looking slick. 

Trying and applying
The creamy formula blended into our skin with a luxurious feel and without sinking into our pores. And if you need more pigment, 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
What's it like to wear?
As for the coverage, it's fairly buildable. When it comes to staying power, this foundation did last quite well on testing, 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 may come in handy, to make sure you're really getting the most out of this fantastic formula. 

First impressions
Another foundation that promises superlative hydration, but this sits very much apart from water tints and tinted moisturizers et al. 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 but who also need solid pigment to cover rosacea, pigmentation, or hormonal breakouts. Similarly, this might be the best foundation for oily-combination types who like the idea of a sheer base but hate how it dissolves into nothingness by midday. 

Trying and applying
The ingredients list is an impressive cocktail of the usual hydrating 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. What does that mean? 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.”  

What's it like to wear?
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 the best foundation a full-cover fan could hope for: Glowing but not shiny, evened-out but not unnaturally so, and best yet, pretty much weightless all day.

See our full Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue review 

First impressions
You can’t have everything, but Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation ticks enough of the boxes to make it one of best foundations 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 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. 

Trying and applying
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. 

What's it like to wear?
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 day, this soft matte look was still very much ongoing.  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. 

First impressions
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 comes along and proves us all wrong.

Trying and applying
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. On a lazy Sunday, we spread this on with fingers in a few seconds and enjoyed 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. 

What's it like to wear?
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. The only thing we'd really like to see here is a better shade range - as proven by our L'Oreal True Match Foundation review, this brand definitely has the technology to offer a shade for everyone.

See our full L'Oréal Paris Skin Paradise review 

First impressions
Some skin types and 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.

Trying and applying
The main ingredients, along with a whole lot of pigment, are perlite and silica, both of which dial down shine without looking chalky. It also contains SPF 15, which we would file under better than nothing, and a flexible polymer makes it feel soft on the skin, as hard-wearing bases go. It also lacks drag when applying and crucially is extremely transfer-proof, even when we tested on a very hot afternoon. This is also unusually natural-looking. That may come down to the superlative shade selection—45 in total—which means just about anyone should find a seamless match. 

What's it like to wear?
Naturally, in exchange for that robust coverage, 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. 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 perfumed products, 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

First impressions
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 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. 

Trying and applying
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.

What's it like to wear?
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

First impressions
Even the best foundation sticks often 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.

Trying and applying
 Aside from the obvious purse and travel-friendliness, this is also a breeze to apply without tools. Simply sweep it over your face, and it blends easily with fingers and melts right into the skin. 

What's it like to wear?
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 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.

What to look for in a foundation

The smart way to find the best foundation is to treat it like skincare, and tailor it by skin type: 

• Normal: For skin that’s neither especially dry or oily, go for a water-based formula with buildable pigment to ensure your skin gets the coverage it needs that day, rather than being overloaded.
• Oily: Look for silicone-based formulas with mattifying elements like micro-powders. This will help soak up any excess oils and leave a satin, rather than shiny, finish.
• Dry: Pick products with oils and other hydrating ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. These help the base glide on more easily and prevent patches or flaking. You may also wish to weigh up foundation vs BB cream, as BBs tend to contain higher levels of skincare ingredients.
• Combination: Tinted moisturizers and BB creams offer the sweet spot between coverage and a natural sheen—then simply top up with powder on oily bits.
• Sensitive or hyperpigmented: If you have pigmentation, redness, or thread veins, consider full coverage. This doesn’t mean total camouflage—just enough pigment to hide what you don’t like while letting skin still show through.

How to shade-match foundation

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:

• Cool: (blue or pink-undertoned)
• Neutral: (peachy-undertoned)
• Warm: (yellow-undertoned)

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 their arm, so you can see how the best foundation looks on real skin.