With so many foundation options now available, from liquid and powder to stick and cushion formulas, finding the right one for your skin and needs can feel overwhelming. We comprehensively researched the top-rated and best-selling foundations to help you discover the ideal pick for your skin type, coverage, finish, wear time, and budget needs.
Keep reading for in-depth reviews of the 15 best foundations available in the U.S. We break down stand-out features, expert opinions, real user reviews, and price comparisons across drugstore, high-end, and indie options. Whether you have oily, dry, combination, mature or acne-prone skin, you’ll discover your new favorite base product within these top-ranked picks.
The Maybelline Fit Me foundation provides a natural, flawless finish with its oil-free formula. It blurs pores and leaves skin with a soft matte finish that lasts all day.
This affordable drugstore option beats out higher-end brands when it comes to keeping skin shine-free while evening out skin tone. The large shade range ensures most can find a seamless match. We think it’s one of the best matte foundation options available.
The Barepro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation offers full, breathable coverage that lasts all day thanks to its waterproof yet flexible formula. It provides broad spectrum SPF 20 sun protection as well.
While pricier than drugstore options, we think this foundation is worth it for those seeking serious longwear with a natural matte finish. It holds up exceptionally well during exercise, humidity, and other demanding situations.
The L’Oreal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation contains ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid to smooth and plump skin while providing natural coverage from its serum base.
Those with dry skin will love the hydrated glow this serum foundation imparts. It feels more like a skin care product than makeup, making it one of our top picks for sensitive or mature skin types.
The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation is a long-wearing, oil-controlling formula that seamlessly matches skin for a flawless look that won’t budge.
While pricey, we think this foundation is well worth the splurge for those needing serious longwear. It outperforms most others when it comes to staying put without getting shiny or fading, making it a top choice for special events and photography.
Laura Geller’s Baked Balance-N-Brighten Foundation is an award-winning powder formula that color corrects while leaving a flattering light-to-medium coverage with a natural look.
Those wary of liquid formulas will love this powder foundation option offering great blendability. It gives an airbrushed effect while counteracting redness and sallowness. We think it’s one of the best powder foundation options around.
Armani’s iconic Luminous Silk Foundation gives serious glow while providing buildable coverage for a flawless yet natural effect. The lightweight formula contains hydrators that nourish skin over time.
While the splurge may seem tough to swallow, we firmly believe this foundation is worth every penny. Nothing else compares when it comes to the lit-from within radiance it imparts without looking overdone. It’s perfect for normal to dry skin types seeking a glowy full-coverage look.
MAC’s Pro Longwear Nourishing Foundation lives up to its name with an incredibly long-wearing formula that provides waterproof coverage that conceals imperfections without caking or fading.
We think this is one of the best foundations for oily and combination skin in need of extended wear. It conceals flaws and provides a velvety matte texture without drying out the skin, making it ideal for long events or days.
e.l.f Cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation offers buildable, natural-looking coverage with a semi-matte finish. The smoothing, lightweight formula contains ingredients like vitamin E, grape seed oil, and vitamin B to nourish skin.
Those seeking an affordable, quality foundation that goes on smooth should look no further. While the shade range could expand, the formula itself leaves little to be desired, especially given the low price tag. We think it works great for combination and oily skin types.
PHOERA’s Full Coverage Foundation offers extreme, photo-ready coverage with a flawless matte finish. The 2-pack comes with color-correcting concealers to further perfect and customize your hue.
While best for oily skin types needing serious coverage, we think this foundation competes with high-end options when it comes to camouflaging imperfections for a filter-like effect. The concealers make color customization a breeze while further perfecting the complexion.
COVERGIRL + OLAY Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Foundation contains Olay’s trusted anti-aging serums within the medium-coverage, luminous foundation formula to improve signs of aging over time.
We love the value offered by this foundation with skincare benefits for mature skin. The finish leaves a youthful glow while the ingredients improve hydration and brightness over time. It’s one of our top anti-aging foundation picks.
Maybelline’s Super Stay foundation promises flawless full coverage for over 24 hours straight. Sweat, transfer, and humidity-resistant, this foundation is ideal for active lifestyles in need of coverage that won’t quit.
If you’re seeking a foundation to withstand intense activity and heat without budging, look no further. This affordable option outperforms most competitors when it comes to serious long wear, even besting more expensive sporting foundation options.
The Original bareMinerals Foundation offers buildable medium-to-full coverage with a naturally matte finish. The loose mineral powder formula feels lightweight while controlling oils and protecting skin with SPF 15 sunscreen.
Those seeking sheer to full coverage with a matte yet natural look should look no further than this OG mineral foundation. It blends seamlessly without settling into fine lines and feels like you’re not wearing makeup at all.
Maybelline Super Stay Skin Tint offers natural-looking medium coverage with a radiant finish. The liquid formula contains antioxidant vitamin C to nourish skin while leaving a lightweight, luminous look.
Those seeking gentle yet effective skin perfector should add this to their routines. It imparts the perfect balance of coverage, glow, and skin care benefits with impressive wear time for a formula so lightweight. We think it works well for all skin types.
L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation contains a luxurious, lightweight serum formula that instantly hydrates and illuminates the complexion while providing sun protection with SPF 50.
The gorgeous glow this serum foundation gives makes it one of our favorites for maturing skin in need of luminosity. It imparts impressive radiance with skincare-like hydration. We suggest it for normal to dry skin types seeking glow and photo-friendly coverage.
This OG loose mineral powder foundation from Bareminerals offers lightweight, buildable coverage with a natural finish and broad spectrum SPF 15 protection. The talc-free formula nourishes skin while controlling oils and covering imperfections seamlessly.
Those new to mineral makeup should start here for an easy, skin-loving formula offering customizable coverage. It blends beautifully to even skin tone without settling into fine lines or feeling heavy. We suggest it for all skin types, especially sensitive and acne-prone.
Product | Features |
---|---|
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation | Oil-free, matte finish, blurs pores |
bareMinerals Barepro | 24 hour wear, waterproof, SPF 20 |
L’Oreal True Match Serum | Hydrating hyaluronic acid, serum texture |
Estée Lauder Double Wear | Photo-friendly, longwear, matte |
Laura Geller Baked Powder | Talc-free, buildable coverage, natural finish |
Armani Luminous Silk | Lightweight glow, hydrating, full coverage |
MAC Studio Fix Fluid | Waterproof, nourishing, velvety matte finish |
e.l.f. Flawless Finish | Smooth lightweight texture, semi-matte finish |
PHOERA Full Coverage | Extreme coverage, poreless matte finish |
COVERGIRL + OLAY Foundation | Anti-aging benefits, luminous satin finish |
Maybelline Super Stay | 30 hour wear, transfer-resistant, full coverage |
bareMinerals Original Foundation | Mineral powder, matte, buildable coverage |
Maybelline Super Stay Skin Tint | Lightweight skin perfector with vitamin C |
L’Oreal Age Perfect Serum | Radiant finish, SPF 50 protection |
bareMinerals Original Loose Powder | Mineral powder, natural finish, lightweight feel |
When selecting the best foundation for your needs, consider your skin type, preferred finish, coverage needs, and any ingredients or formulas that tend to work with or irritate your complexion. Test shades matched to your neck and chest rather than the face for the most seamless color matching. Shop formulas suited for your skin’s needs, like oil controlling foundations for oily skin or hydrating foundations for dryness.
There are various foundation formulas, including powder, liquid, stick, cushion, serum, and mineral. Choose powder for a lightweight feel, liquids and serums for full coverage, sticks for travel-friendly options, cushion composites for easy application, and mineral powders for sensitive skin. Finish differs too, like luminous, satin, matte, glowy, and demi-matte.
Apply foundation smoothly and evenly over moisturizer, mixing with a primer if desired for longevity. Use a makeup sponge, foundation brush, or just fingers for application. Care depends on formula but generally involves keeping containers closed and clean when not in use. Don’t pump directly onto face as this can harbor bacteria. Avoid touching the skin excessively after foundation application. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and heat.
While personal preference differs, some of the top foundation brands include Armani Beauty, MAC Cosmetics, Estée Lauder, bareMinerals and Maybelline New York for their reliable formulas, broad shade ranges, finishes and coverage options to suit different needs.
Pick the right foundation by considering your skin type, coverage needs, preferred finish like matte or luminous, skin sensitivities and allergies, budget and any special longwear or resistance needs. Test shades matched to your neck for seamless blending.
It’s tough to proclaim one singular #1 foundation as “the best” since different formulas work optimally for different skin types and needs. A few that consistently rank high include Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for its radiant finish, Estée Lauder Double Wear for lasting power and MAC Studio Fix Fluid for full adjustable coverage.
Apply oil-free foundation formulas after water-based serums and moisturizers have absorbed into the skin, while thicker, more emollient foundations can go on before moisturizer. primers between moisturizer and foundation prep the face for smooth application and longer wear.
Sleeping in foundation is not recommended, as leaving makeup on overnight can clog pores and lead to breakouts. It also results in product transfer onto your pillowcase. Follow proper makeup removal and cleansing methods before bedtime and apply a fresh base in the morning instead.
With such a vast range of exceptional foundations now available at various price points, those in search of their ideal base product have options accessible like never before. We hope this thorough review and comparisons of the best foundation choices assists you in finding your perfect match based on factors such as skin types, finish preferences, coverage needs, application style, wear time requirements and budget. Remember to care for your skin properly after foundation application and maintain the condition of your formulas by following manufacturer storage instructions. Happy hunting for your new favorite face product within these diverse top picks spanning drugstore to high-end and everything between. Your flawless complexion awaits!
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