Have you found ‘the one’ yet? Of course, we’re talking about finding the best foundation for your skin type. Unfortunately there’s no one size fits all when it comes to acing your base and with so many types of coverage and finishes it can be tricky finding your perfect match.
No matter what your skin type - oily, dry, combination - there's a powerhouse foundation for you.
How we choose the best face foundations
When narrowing down the very best foundations, we're looking for the formulas that tick all the boxes; coverage, staying power, blendability, shade range and bonus skincare benefits. Of course, your reviews play an important part too, when a foundation racks up all those five star reviews, we pay attention. Side note: If you're looking for something that won't break the bank, there's some impressively low-priced options in here too.
You’ll find even more foundations here and if you’re still not sure which one’s right for you, use our handy foundation finder tool to narrow the search.
What to look for in a foundation
• Consider your skin type. If your skin is typically dry, look for a foundation that uses hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid - this will help give your complexion a healthy, dewy finish. For oily and spot-prone skin, opt for oil-free and non-comedogenic bases to curb excess shine. Combination skin can be hard to please, but your best bet would be an oil-free formula that’s made with hydrating ingredients so you can nourish drier areas of your skin without clogging oilier patches.
• What type of finish do you prefer? This will help you narrow down the search. Whether you like a radiant glow, a velvety matte effect or a subtle hint of coverage, think about what look you want to achieve before you start scrolling.
• Ease of application. Are you likely to wear your foundation over a primer? Do you take the time to blend in with a foundation brush? Or, are you more inclined to quickly apply with your fingers? Different foundations will lend themselves better to different application methods - at a glance, full coverage formulas will usually need more patience to blend in properly with a brush or beauty sponge while lightweight, sheer options only need the warmth of your fingers for a natural-looking finish.
#FauxFilter Luminous Matte Foundation
Best for: Full coverage
Full-coverage foundations might strike fear in the hearts of those who’ve battled tide marks and caking, but not with this one. Packed with skin-unifying pigments and rich in hydrating Argan Oil, Huda’s new and improved #FauxFilter Foundation grants a natural-looking luminous matte finish that won’t dry or flake throughout the day. Water-resistant and practically budge-proof, this will cover anything and everything from scarring to dark spots and even tattoos. TIP: A little goes a long way with this heavy duty formula, so start with a little and build up to your desired level of coverage.
The hype: "Whilst my skin is usually pretty blemish free, it typically takes a few layers to cover the pigmentation around my mouth and chin, but this only took one layer to give me an even skin tone and stayed all day without feeling heavy or cakey." - Karmel, Head of Content at Feelunique
Flawless Finish Foundation
Best for: The purse strings
Affordable foundations often get a bad rep for underperforming compared to their bougie competitors, but not in this case. Granting a full-coverage, semi-matte finish, e.l.f.’s bestselling foundation blends seamlessly with skin for an effortless flawless face. What’s more, this one’s vegan and includes SPF 15 protection too.
The hype: “A go-to for beauty junkies on a budget all over the world. It’s super buildable, meaning you can get excellent coverage when you need it and a lighter finish on the days you want something more toned down. Either way, you’ll have a super healthy-looking and smooth complexion.” - Marie Claire
Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Best for: Insta-ready finish
Racking up a 17,000 person waitlist, expectations were high with Charlotte Tilbury’s newest foundation and boy does this deliver the goods. Like some kind of witchcraft, it curbs shine while imparting a healthy glow, so your skin still looks like skin. It gives a near-weightless, full coverage finish and hydrates as your wear thanks to an exclusive extract of moss, Magic Mosscelltec. Basically, it ticks *all* the boxes.
The hype: “Airbrush Flawless Foundation gave my skin a naturally matte finish without feeling like I was wearing a foundation. It felt weightless and cool to apply, it's really buildable and lasted all day without a single touch up." - Georgie, Assistant Buyer at Feelunique
Sheer Glow Foundation
Best for: Normal skin
Not a foundation fan? NARS Sheer Glow might change your mind. Offering a natural-looking, radiant finish, you can mix a little with your moisturiser for just a hint or colour of apply directly onto skin and build up for more coverage. Enriched with skin-boosting ingredients, including Vitamin C and Turmeric Extract, it helps to fight against damaging free radicals, brighten and even skin tone. Here’s something clever: with continued wear, Sheer Glow improves your skin’s brightness and texture over time. *Buys 10*
The hype: “I don’t usually wear foundation, but this one evens out skin tone with a natural-looking, luminous coverage that lets my freckles show through.” - Alice, Content Executive at Feelunique
Luminous Silk Foundation
Best for: A radiant finish Loved by Kim K, Meghan Markle and every MUA going, you’re in good company with Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Expect a dewy, lit-from-within glow that looks like your skin on a *really* good day. It grants a lightweight, medium coverage that blends seamlessly for a flawless finish. With exclusive Micro-fil technology, it helps to sculpt and brighten your complexion, improving texture and blurring imperfections. The hype: “If you dream of having a flawlessly fresh complexion, it's worth splurging on Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. The oil-free formula has become a favorite of makeup artists for its ability to brighten and hydrate skin, while still delivering natural, all-day coverage.” - Bustle
Hyaluronic Hydra Foundation
Best for: A dewy finish
Used to create Saoirse Ronan’s glowy Oscars look this year, By Terry’s vegan Hyaluronic Hydra Foundation is impressively hydrating. Thanks to a clever blend of light reflecting pigments, it evens out skin tone and blurs the look of imperfections in a flash. Offering a sheer-to-medium coverage, the Hyaluronic Acid-infused formula is so lightweight, it feels just like your own skin - just on a really, really good day.
The hype: “It looks so natural and it feels like a second skin. Being 43 years old, some of the foundations I have been using started to feel dry or gave me a dull finish. With this, my skin feels moisturised and glowing all day!” - Customer review
Luminous Foundation
Best for: A radiant finish
You might associate Anastasia Beverly Hills with killer brows - and rightly so - but the brand’s first liquid foundation should be on your radar too. Available in an impressive 50 shades, it offers a buildable medium coverage with a natural, skin-like finish and just the right touch of glow. A light application will cover discolouration and dark spots, without caking or masking your skin’s natural radiance. What’s more, the easy-to-blend formula is free from flashback and oxidization - perfect for your selfie moments.
The hype: “I just love it, the foundation is luminous, but not greasy at all. The amount of coverage is perfect and the skin looks like skin. Very satisfied and will purchase again for sure.” - Ana, customer review
Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick
Best for: Makeup on the move
Despite being small in size, and maybe a little pricier than your usual foundation, this contains double the pigment of most formulas, so a little goes a long way. The waterproof stick combines the coverage of a concealer, fluidity of a liquid and weightlessness of a powder to create the perfect, long-wearing finish. With a triangular bullet tip, it allows for really precise application over the contours of your face and mess-free touch-ups when you’re on the move.
The hype: “Best foundation stick I've ever used. Only a little is needed for full coverage as its highly pigmented. So easy and handy compared to liquid foundation, especially when you need to carry foundation out with you, great for quick touch ups too.” - Teresa, customer review