The best foundation you can buy
The best foundation overall
Unlike other foundation formulas that are creamy like moisturizers, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is thin and fluid, almost like a serum. It feels weightless, goes on incredibly smooth, and dries down to a satin-y finish that looks and feels like your skin.
That doesn't mean you're not getting coverage though — it's actually really buildable from sheer to medium, and you can easily mix it with moisturizer, sunscreen, or even a facial oil to customize your base.
Because the texture spreads so easily, I only need half a pump for full-face coverage — which is great for my wallet because at $42 for a 1-ounce bottle, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is definitely a splurge. Considering you'll only need a little for coverage, it'll last a seriously long time.
The formula includes what Armani calls "Micro-fil Technology" which helps blur the appearance of pores and lines for an airbrushed look. It sounds a little high-tech for a foundation, but I think it does help make my face look smoother.
Ever since the foundation launched in 2001, it's topped all the best-of lists. It was an Allure Best of Beauty winner back in 2008, Meghan Markle is a fan, and thousands of shoppers have written love letters. In fact, it holds a 4.5-star rating with more than 1,600 shopper reviews on Nordstrom, a 4.6-star rating with more than 2,500 reviews on Influenster, and a 4.3-star rating with nearly 3,000 Sephora reviews. All this is to say that it's an overwhelming crowd favorite.
There are 30 shades, which isn't an overwhelming amount compared to some of our other top picks which have 40, but it's not too limited either. The range was extended to 31 in 2018, but it looks like it's back to 30 as of publication time.
Pros: Thin fluid texture, buildable coverage, oil-free formula, 30 shades
Cons: Expensive, might not be moisturizing for those with dry skin, shade range isn't as extensive, doesn't have SPF
The best drugstore foundation
In my quest to debunk all the myths you've heard about drugstore makeup, one of my recent go-to foundations is Maybelline Urban Cover Foundation. In fact, it's sitting right on my desk as I write this review.
The squeeze tube is easier to use (and far safer to commute with) than a glass pump bottle, and the formula features SPF 50, antioxidants to protect against environmental stressors like pollution (hence the name "Urban Cover"), and niacinamide to strengthen your skin. Texture-wise, it feels like a traditional foundation so it's slightly creamy, and dries down to a natural finish. Even though it offers full coverage, it doesn't look cakey or make me look like a mannequin.
One of the biggest problems with shopping for drugstore foundation (or foundation, for that matter) is trying to find the right shade for your skin. Maybelline has a helpful foundation finder tool on its site where you'd answer a few questions about coverage and formula, upload a selfie, and get a match. There's still a bit of trial and error this way, but at least you'll have a more narrow focus when you're shopping for your shade.
It holds a 4.3-star rating on Target with more than 300 reviews, and a 4.2 with more than 370 reviews on Influenster. The foundation has only been around for a few months so the low amount of reviews is understandable; shoppers are generally impressed with the quality, coverage, and protection that the drugstore find offers.
Pros: Affordable, lightweight, antioxidants help prevent free radical damage, SPF 50, 16 shades
Cons: Limited shade range, hard to find ideal shade in drugstores
The best luxury foundation
While Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Foundation is technically cheaper than Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, it earns our top luxury pick because it was inspired by fashion shows and offers coverage for your face and body. If you have concerns about matching your foundation to your neck and shoulders (especially in the summer), this can be a great solution.
The 1.6-ounce bottle offers more product than most other formulas since you can use it on your body, and the squeeze bottle has a small tip that dispenses just a little bit of product so you won't go overboard.
Since this foundation can be used all over your body, it's formulated to be waterproof and sweat-resistant. The foundation comes in 40 shades with medium to buildable coverage and a natural matte finish — so basically, it'll look like skin.
It holds a 4.3-star rating on Sephora with more than 1,700 reviews and 86% of them saying they'd recommend it to a friend. It also has an impressive 4.4-star rating with more than 1,500 Influenster reviews, and many say that the price is justified by the amount of product you get as well as the natural finish and airbrushed effect.
Pros: Buildable coverage, can be used on face and body, natural matte finish, waterproof and sweat-resistant, squeeze bottle prevents excess product
The best longwear foundation
Anyone who's ever tried a matte foundation knows the struggle of finding a formula that looks natural and not one-dimensional. Somehow Fenty has gotten it right with its Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation.
Like its name, the formula dries down to a soft matte finish, so it looks realistic and not mask-like. It's also made with adaptive technology that is resistant to heat and humidity so it won't fade or slide off for hours.
The coverage is medium to full so you can build it up, or sheer it out with a moisturizer if you want. The pump dispenser makes it easy to get just the right amount of product needed. With an impressive range of 50 shade across warm, cool, and neutral undertones, you'd be hard pressed to not find a match.
But even more impressive are the ratings — it has a 4.1-star rating with nearly 15,000 Sephora reviews, and a 4.4-star rating with nearly 17,000 Influenster reviews. Many of the reviews suggest moisturizing, or at least priming, before using the foundation to further prevent a mask-like finish.
Pros: Matte finish, 50 shades, formulated without oil, parabens, phthalates, adaptive technology is resistant to heat and humidity
Cons: Might be too matte for some, skin needs to be prepped beforehand
The best mineral foundation
Filled with aloe vera, cucumber, licorice root, white tea, pomegranate, and vitamins E and C, Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation is 100% vegan, hypoallergenic, and suitable for many skin types. It's also made without any potential skin irritants or silicone.
I first turned to mineral foundation years ago, as it became increasingly difficult to find any without silicone — a common ingredient in foundation and moisturizers. Silicone is fine for most skin but causes mine to break out like I'm back in my teen years.
The Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation goes on quite sheer, so my skin doesn't look chalky, cake-y, or clown-like. And while the coverage is buildable, it still looks very natural, which can be hard to find in pressed powder foundations. I've had no problems with oxidation or creased foundation, both of which were daily annoyances with the bareMinerals powders I used to use.
Best of all, my maturing-and-yet-still-very-oily complexion has settled down since making the switch. I've had far fewer breakouts, my skin looks super-healthy, and though I do still have to blot a few times per day, the Mineral Fusion foundation sticks around until I wash it off at night.
You'll find Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation at Whole Foods, but it costs a lot less on Amazon, where it has more than 500 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars. Shoppers love the sheer-yet-buildable finish and the natural ingredients.
There are only 15 shades to choose from, which is a lot less than others on this list, but because it's sheer, one shade might work for several skin tones. The powder is good for many skin types, but it's especially great for combination, oily, or sensitive skin. The finish is natural and just slightly matte, but never mask-like. — Michelle Ullman
Pros: Formulated with fruit and botanical ingredients, suitable for sensitive skin, buildable coverage
What else we considered
- NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation ($49): This foundation truly lives up to its name, covering all types of skin imperfections to make it look like you're not even wearing makeup. The finish is natural — not matte, not glowing, but just the way healthy skin should look. But there are only 20 shades to choose from, so the range is really limited compared to our other picks here.
- Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint ($9.99): This oil-free, non-comedogenic makeup contains hyaluronic acid, which boosts skin hydration without feeling even the slightest bit greasy. As a sheer foundation, this isn't going to entirely cover blemishes, dark spots, or red blotches, but it smooths over all types of imperfections, gently improving the look of your complexion without a heavy or mask-like appearance. There are also only 10 shades, and they're sometimes hard to find online.
- L'Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation ($8.99): Although the foundation's finish is matte, it isn't dull, heavy, or fake looking. In fact, this makeup base glides on with a rather light feel and then dries to a just-matte-enough texture to keep oily shine at bay for hours. There are only 12 shades to choose from, the finish is demi-matte, and most suitable for oily or combination skin.
- Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup ($39): Urban Decay's foundation is loaded with skin-boosting ingredients, including peptides to smooth away fine lines, antioxidant green tea, hyaluronic acid to replenish skin moisture, and gentle brighteners to bring back a healthy glow. The oil-free makeup goes on with a very light, natural feel, and then dries to a demi-matte finish that never looks too heavy or fake. It comes in 26 shades, is suitable for many skin types, and has a lightweight, slightly matte finish.
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