The best long-lasting foundation overall
I'm a huge fan of Laura Mercier products and its Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation lived up to my expectations.
This high-performance long-lasting foundation has a weightless texture and a breathable oil-free formula that provides medium to full coverage with a matte finish. It promises up to 15 hours of wear — and I can confirm that it does stay in place for hours upon hours.
In addition to evening out skin tone and minimizing the look of pores and blemishes, the foundation has fine oil-absorbing powders to help you stay matte throughout the day. It's also resistant to humidity, water, and sweat so you can go straight from work to al fresco happy hour.
Laura Mercier's Ultra-Longwear Foundation comes in 30 shades, ranging from very fair to very deep. There are plenty of options for warm, cool, and neutral undertones too.
This is my go-to long-wear foundation. I love how it feels on my skin — lightweight and comfortable, but with full, smooth coverage that covers my blemishes. The formula is fairly thick so you don't need much, but it still lasts all day long. My skin never feels dry or tight, and I haven't had any irritation either. It's expensive, but I feel it's worth the investment.
This foundation is also highly rated by countless beauty sites including Rank and Style and Byrdie. It also has a 4.1 out of 5-star rating on Sephora with nearly 2,000 reviews, with one shopper commenting, "The texture and coverage of this product is amazing! It goes on light as a feather but isn't cakey. It lasts throughout the day and doesn't smudge or come off easily."
Pros: 30 shades; oil-free; buildable coverage, good for all skin types; good for sensitive skin; non-comedogenic; sweat-, humidity-, and water-resistant; free of sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrance
Cons: Expensive, doesn't include SPF
Buy Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation at Sephora for $48The best long-lasting drugstore foundation
Drugstore foundations keep getting better and better, so you don't have to break the bank to find a good long-lasting formula that stays in place.
The Health Foundation by Physicians Formula is a lightweight and breathable long-wearing foundation that gives you medium coverage with a satin finish.
Not only is it packed with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamins A, C, and E to brighten, hydrate, and repair your skin, it also has SPF 20 for sun protection. The foundation comes in 16 shades with options to suit all skin undertones.
In testing, Physicians Formula The Health Foundation felt very comfortable on my skin and gave me a more even complexion. I wore MC1 and it matched my skin tone really well, blending easily with a slightly dewy finish, which is unusual for a long-wear foundation with good coverage. However, the doe-foot applicator did feel clumsy to use and was a bit messy.
It's not just me who recommends this foundation. It's highly rated on Cosmopolitan and Elite Daily, and Amazon reviewers give it an average of 4.0 out of 5 stars, with one happy shopper commenting, "This is an amazing foundation. It's natural and provides enough coverage to make the tone of your skin uniform without being cakey."
However, while the foundation is listed to be free of synthetic fragrances, some shoppers did report that they found the smell too strong. This might be due to the natural fragrance from the ingredients themselves, and not necessarily one that's added to make the foundation smell nice.
Pros: 12 shades; great price; contains SPF 20; non-comedogenic; satin finish looks natural; suited for all skin types including sensitive, acne-prone, and mature skin; free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, gluten, and animal cruelty
Cons: Doe-foot applicator is a bit messy, doesn't last as long as other long-wear foundations, some might find the smell too strong
Buy Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation on Amazon from $9.90 to $13.67 (originally $8.47)The best long-lasting foundation for dry skin
If you have dry, dull, or flaky skin, you might think you can't wear long-wear foundation — not true.
Smashbox's Studio Skin 15 hour Wear Hydrating Foundation is an oil-free liquid foundation with buildable medium-to-full coverage, a semi-matte finish, and tons of hydration.
The lightweight formula contains breathable, flexible polymers that deliver a comfortable, natural look that lasts all day — literally. When the foundation debuted in 2011, it was only meant to last up to 15 hours but was been reformulated in 2018 to last a full 24 — which the brand claims to have clinically proven.
The hyaluronic acid keeps the transfer-, sweat-, and humidity-resistant formula from feeling like a moisture-sucking mask on your face. There's also an impressive range of 40 shades from very fair to very deep, covering a broad range of undertones to ensure the closest match possible. Best of all, the airless pump bottle keeps the formula from oxidizing and changing colors — which is the last thing you want after you've paid $36 for a bottle of your ideal shade.
When put to the test, Smashbox Studio Skin 15 hour Wear Hydrating Foundation was easy to apply and felt very light on my skin. My complexion looked much more even but natural, and any imperfections I had disappeared. I loved the satin finish too, which gave my skin a soft glow and I was impressed that it lasted all day.
This foundation is beloved by everyone, with tons of praise on InStyle, Byrdie, and Ulta, where it also has an average 4.3 out of 5 stars from more than 2,500 reviewers.
Pros: Oil-free; won't oxidize; 40 shades; good for all skin types including dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin; transfer-, sweat- and humidity-resistant; formulated without parabens, SLS, phthalates, fragrance, talc, animal cruelty, and animal byproducts
Cons: No SPF, expensive
Buy Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation at Ulta for $36The best long-lasting foundation for sensitive skin
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full-Coverage Foundation SPF 15 provides full coverage for up to 12 hours with clean mineral pigments and nourishing vitamins. While other formulas listed here have liquid or creamy textures, this one has a mousse-like consistency that feels lightweight on skin.
The oil-free formula contains Amazonian clay to hydrate and calm skin, vitamin E to soothe and protect against free radical damage, clean mineral pigments that won't irritate sensitive skin, and SPF 15 for sun protection. The foundation doesn't technically bear the Clean at Sephora seal, but it is made without a lot of the same potentially irritating chemicals like mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, and more.
Even more impressive is the extensive shade range — there are 40 shades that span fair to deep, and with various undertones too.
I loved the feel of this foundation when I tested it. The squeeze tube made it very easy to get just the amount I needed, and my skin looked smooth and felt soft. Even after wearing it all day, my skin still looked amazing and wasn't irritated.
I'm not the only one who loves Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full-Coverage Foundation SPF 15 either. It gets great reviews from beauty editors and experts, and is featured on the Seattle Times' "Five top foundations for sensitive skin" and on Rank and Style's "Best foundations." It also get a ton of praise by many Sephora shoppers who have sensitive skin.
Pros: 40 shades, up to 12 hours of wear, vegan, hypoallergenic, oil-free, contains SPF 15, free of parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, SLS, and gluten
Cons: Some might find it a bit drying
Buy Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full-Coverage Foundation SPF 15 at Sephora for $39The best long-lasting foundation for acne-prone skin
Foundation can be a double-edged sword if you're prone to acne. You might want to cover up blemishes but don't want to aggravate your skin with heavy makeup in case it makes things worse.
You'll be glad to know heavy, pore-clogging long-wear foundations are a thing of the past, and some like Bobbi Brown's Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 are made with non-irritating acne-friendly ingredients.
Each of the 43 shades provides up to 16 hours of full color-correcting coverage so any redness from current breakouts or hyperpigmentation from previous ones disappears instantly. Marine sugar cane and natural mineral powders help soak up excess oil and shine, while glycerin and shea butter hydrates skin. Note that there isn't any salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help manage any acne.
In testing, I was amazed how lightweight it felt, though I definitely suggest starting off with a small amount otherwise the full-coverage formula can look too heavy. My skin looked smooth and natural, and it easily covered my acne blemishes. My skin didn't break out even after wearing it for hours.
This fan-favorite is highly rated on Byrdie and StyleCraze and many shoppers comment on how amazing but natural their skin looks.
Pros: 43 shades, lightweight yet buildable coverage, contains SPF 15, non-comedogenic, semi-matte finish, tested by dermatologists, formulated without parabens, phthalates, gluten, or SLS, sweat- and humidity-resistant
Cons: Expensive side, doesn't include acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide
Buy Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 at Sephora for $46Check out our other makeup buying guides
Makeup primer is one of those steps you might be tempted to skip, but you'll be happier with your foundation application if you don't.
It can help make your makeup apply more smoothly and last longer, and depending on the formula, can also help mattify and decrease the appearance of large pores.
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is our top pick because it gives skin a velvety smooth finish to help base products glide on and stay in place all day long.
Here are the best makeup primers you can buy in 2019:
- Best makeup primer overall: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
- Best radiant primer: Becca Backlight Priming Filter
- Best moisturizing primer: Too Faced Hangover RX Replenishing Face Primer
- Best solid primer: Milk Makeup Blur Stick
- Best blurring primer: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Blur Primer
Tinted moisturizers are the perfect multitasking beauty product that help even out your skin tone while providing extra hydration and SPF.
Our top pick is the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF because the award-winning product moisturizes and protects skin with SPF 20 while leaving you with a healthy, dewy finish. It comes in 15 shades, and there's an oil-free version too.
Here are the best tinted moisturizers you can buy:
- Best overall: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum
- Best for dry skin: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-In-One Glow
- Best for sensitive skin: Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint
- Best for acne-prone skin: Maybelline Makeup Dream Pure BB Cream
- Best for oily skin: Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum
A good makeup setting powder must cut down on shine without caking, look natural but last for hours, mattify but enhance luminosity, and remain undetectable on most skin tones.
The right formula will lock your makeup into place and cut down on shine without mattifying you within an inch of your life or making you look cakey and overdone.
Hopefully this list of my five favorites will help you cut through the noise and find the one that's right for you.
Here are the best makeup setting sprays you can buy:
- Best makeup setting spray overall: Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
- Best makeup setting spray for oily skin: NYX Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray
- Best makeup setting spray for dry skin: Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray
- Best clean makeup setting spray: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
- Best makeup setting spray with SPF: Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30
Finding your ideal concealer shade is tricky, so we tested a bunch to find the best concealer you can buy.
The best formulas can make you look airbrushed with very little product required. I put a bunch of highly rated concealers to the test over several weeks. This list features my top five favorites.
Here are the best concealers you can buy:
- Best concealer overall: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
- Best dewy concealer: Glossier Stretch Concealer
- Best drugstore brand concealer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer
- Best full coverage concealer: Milk Makeup Flex Concealer
- Best concealer for blurring: Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer
One of the major grievances I have with lipstick is that you apply it only to find your lips are bare the next time you look in the mirror. The solution is to amp up your beauty arsenal with a long-lasting lipstick that will stay put all day or night long.
In this guide, you'll find everything from cult favorites to drugstore steals. For luscious lips that last all day, read on in the slides below to discover our top picks. Muah!
Here are the best long-lasting lipsticks you can buy:
- Best long-lasting lipstick overall: Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick
- Best long-lasting lipstick to splurge on: Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani
- Best long-lasting lipstick on a budget: Maybelline Super Stay Matte Liquid Lipstick
- Best all-natural long-lasting lipstick: Ilia Color Block High Impact Lipstick
- Best long-lasting lipstick with a satin finish: Mac Liptensity Lipstick
If there's one thing many women never leave home without, it's mascara. It makes your eyes pop and brightens up your face in an instant. We tested dozens of mascaras to find the best, and Chanel Le Volume Mascara is our top choice because it delivers long, lush lashes that last all day.
Here are the best mascaras you can buy:
- Best overall: Chanel Le Volume Mascara
- Best drugstore brand: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara
- Best volumizing: Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara
- Best lengthening: Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara
- Best curling: Benefit Roller Lash Super-Curling and Lifting Mascara
- Best waterproof: Urban Decay Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara
- Best fiber formula: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous X Fiber Mascara
A bronzed glow can make you look healthier and feel more confident, but we all know how damaging sunbathing can be. Faking it with a bronzer is a much safer option. For the ultimate sun-kissed glow in an instant, Becca's Sunlit Bronzers are our top pick.
Here are the best bronzers in 2019:
- The best bronzer overall: Becca Sunlit Bronzer
- The best bronzer for fair skin: Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Powder
- The best bronzer for medium and deep skin: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzing Powder
- The best bronzer under $10: Milani Baked Bronzer
- The best all-natural bronzer you can buy: W3LL People Bio Bronzer
- The best liquid bronzer you can buy: Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops
