Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, $42
Finish: Natural, dewy finish
Shades: 53, from fair to rich
The deets: 30ml, non-acnegenic, dermatologist-tested
The formula: One of the best-selling foundations of all time, this iconic, very fluid formula is super full-coverage and long-wearing. It works beautifully on all skin types – from dry to oily great – and it’s a great non-irritating foundation for acne-prone and oily skin, as it’s oil and fragrance-free and has been certified as non-acnegenic. The vast range of shades and diversity of undertones means that there’s a match for every skin tone. We also love that no matter the humidity or weather, this stays put ALL day!
Tip: Set with a loose setting powder.
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation, $40
Finish: Natural satin-matte finish
Shades: 30, from fair to rich
The deets: 35ml
The formula: This thick, creamy formula is like magic in a bottle – it’s literally a real-time filter for your face. It adds an instant veil of color to conceal imperfections, while also masking texture. The formula is so rich, you only need one pump for the entire face, and it has a beautiful luminosity to it, so it looks like real skin.
Tips: Start with a hydrating or mattifying primer, depending on your skin type, and set with a loose powder.
Morphe Fluidity Full-Coverage Foundation, $18
Finish: Very matte
Shades: 60, from very fair to very rich
The deets: 30ml
The formula: This extreme-coverage foundation blends like a dream and covers ERRRRYTHING in sight. Plus, the shade range is unbelievable, so you’ll be able to find a true match no matter what your shade or undertone. Our only slight problem with this foundation is that it doesn’t last as well as some of the others – but the coverage is just SO good. We like to mix this with any of our other foundations, which helps to improve wear-time and give insane coverage – even diluted, this covers like a boss.
Tips: Start with a pore-smoothing primer, we love the Tarte Base Tape Primer. This sets to a matte, transfer-proof finish, but if you have oily skin, we recommend setting with a powder.
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, $39
Finish: Natural finish
Shades: 34, from fair to rich
The deets: 30ml, non-comedogenic
The formula: This fluid formula blends like a dream and covers marks and imperfections easily. It wears beautifully all day and doesn’t go patchy or break up. This is what we call a foolproof foundation!
Tips: Start with a hydrating or mattifying primer, depending on your skin type, and set with a loose powder. You can apply a thin, extra layer to areas that may need more coverage.
Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation, $16
Finish: Satin finish
Shades: 16, from fair to deep
The deets: 30ml, SPF 20
The formula: This is listed as a medium-coverage foundation, but we’re actually super impressed with the skin-transforming finish. It’s lightweight, breathable, and boosts your glow and your complexion, making it a firm fave in our book. It lasts all day without breaking up or settling into fine lines and blurs imperfections. It’s also really long-lasting, no matter what your skin type.
Tips: For extra coverage, use a dense, flat foundation brush to stipple the foundation onto your skin, then use a damp makeup sponge to blend. Set it with powder to keep it locked in.
Diorskin Star Studio Foundation, $50
Finish: Natural matte finish
Shades: 15, from fair to deep
The deets: 30ml, SPF 30 – PA++
The formula: This brightening foundation uses hollow silica beads to capture and diffuse light to create a correcting ‘halo effect,’ while color-filter pigments neutralize color imbalances. The creamy formula blends easily (whether with a brush, sponge or hands), and gives a gorgeous natural finish that doesn’t emphasize pores while remaining extra long-lasting. It is an incredible formula; we just wish it had a better offering for deeper skin tones.
Tips: Apply a hydrating primer and set with a loose powder.
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, $49
Finish: Radiant matte
Shades: 33, from fair to rich
The deets: 30ml, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested
The formula: This foundation has a unique skin-matching technology, which means it will actually fit even more than 33 unique skin tones. This gives really full coverage, and it blends out nicely with both a brush and a sponge. The formula doesn’t set to a powder or transfer-proof finish, so we recommend setting with a loose powder.
Tips: If you have oily skin, use a mattifying primer and be sure to set with a loose powder.
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