FOUNDATION is the base to great make-up that lasts all day so you want to select the best one for you, yet many of us have difficulty doing so.
There’s so much choice out there – full coverage, barely there, dewy glow, radiant finish – not to mention the products that overlap with moisturisers, primers and SPF, so finding the best foundation can be a bit of a minefield.
The first thing to do is determine your skin type: normal, sensitive, dry, mature, oily or combination skin. Once you’ve got that pinned down, decide on how you want to look – flawless (in which case full coverage will be better) or natural, your own skin just better (in which case light coverage is what you’re after).
Bear in mind when you’re looking for a foundation the formulation you choose will affect the end look, so for example, if you’re looking to hide pores then a matte finish will work for you, whereas a dewy finish could make them look worse.
“Always pick at least three shades you think match your skin. Then swatch them on your forehead or the side of your face near the jawline, advises celebrity make-up artist and beauty expert on This Morning Bryony Blake.
“The one that disappears is the right shade for you.”
How foundation appears will differ depending on whether you’re in artificial or natural light, so Bryony suggests looking at it on your face in daylight.
“Take a little mirror with you so you can check your colour match in different light,” she adds.
There are so many products out there it can be overwhelming trying to select the most suitable, so we’ve tested a range of them to help you make your choice.
Read on for our round-up of the best foundations available in the UK right now.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation, £39
Pros: Hydrating, lightweight, buildable coverage
Cons: needs time to dry down, small tube
Since launching at the beginning of this year, Beautiful Skin has become something of a megastar in the beauty world.
Unlike the brand’s previous matte bestseller, the Airbrush Flawless Foundation, Beautiful Skin is medium coverage, mega dewy and a true skin enhancer.
Formulated with hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of hydration and rose complex for a brighter finish, this foundation is the perfect starting place for healthy-looking skin.
You only need one or two small pumps on the back of your hand and then I’d recommend using a damp beauty blender (use setting spray for a longer-lasting finish) to press this liquid foundation all over your face. Give it a minute to dry down before applying the rest of your makeup to avoid the product sliding around.
The tube itself looks like a normal size but I did find, even with only using a couple of pumps, I got through the tube faster than I’d have liked for the price.
However, there are an impressive 30 shades to choose from and the brand has created an online foundation finder, so you can match your perfect shade without having to take a step in a brick and mortar store.
This list is full of excellent foundations but this one takes the cake as the best overall. I love it.
Coverage: Medium, Size: 30ml, Shades available: 30, SPF: No
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £46
Pros: Versatile, flawless finish, buildable without being cakey
Cons: On the heavier side of medium coverage, expensive
On the heavier side of medium coverage, this liquid foundation by Giorgio Armani is one you’ll find in any beauty fanatic’s collection.
As the name suggests, it has a silky finish, making skin look flawless by covering over any redness, blemishes and texture with ease.
This is one of the best foundations for acne-prone skin because it doesn’t get cakey as you build up and isn’t so full coverage that it wouldn’t work as an everyday option.
But on the other hand, it’s also a stunning base for evening make-up because of its staying power and flawless coverage.
But don’t just take my word for it, it’s backed by celebrities too. This filter in a bottle has been used on the red carpet the world over on A-listers like Cate Blanchett and Vanessa Kirby.
If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me. Added to basket.
Coverage: Medium, Size: 30ml, Shades available: 40, SPF: No
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MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation, £36
Pros: Soft matte finish, works well with powder products, long-lasting
Cons: No pump, unusual smell, quite thick
There’s a reason this foundation is used to create looks for some of the biggest catwalks in the world.
It makes skin look the best version of itself, but not by boosting the dewiness, instead, it’s a soft matte.
This is the type of foundation that wouldn’t be out of place on the set of a 1700s period drama (think The Great or Versailles), where it’s all about romantic skin.
The Studio Fix Fluid doesn’t have a pump to dispense it so just carefully shake a little onto the back of your hand. You won’t need much because it’s quite thick and expect a slightly odd coconut-like smell when it first comes out of the bottle.
I’d recommend applying this one with a brush first and then going over with a beauty blender dampened with setting spray to give a seamless finish.
It’s full coverage, but that doesn’t mean it’s cakey or thick. And even with a matte finish, it still looks completely natural.
Once this is on, it’s on so you’ll have softly flawless skin all day, no touch-ups necessary.
Coverage: Full, Size: 30ml, Shades available: 71, SPF: Yes
Maybelline New York Fit Me! Matte and Poreless Foundation, £6.94
Pros: Price, removes shine, flawless finish
Cons: Streaky when applied with a brush, wet consistency, feels heavy when first applied
This one’s a classic. A lot of us have probably had this in our make-up bag at one point or another.
The beauty of this foundation is the price – it’s one of the best budget foundations available.
My skin tone changes with the seasons, and because the Fit Me! Matte and Poreless Foundation is under £7, I can buy multiple shades and still not break the bank.
It’s solid, full-coverage and mattifies shine, which makes it one of only a handful of liquid foundations that are good for oily skin.
This might come as a surprise because it is a wet consistency when it comes out of the tube and does feel heavy when it first goes on. It’s best to use a sponge rather than a brush to avoid streaks.
You might feel like you want to powder straight away, but let it dry down so you can see any areas that need to set and avoid over-powdering.
With this matte, full coverage base you’ll want to go glam so pair with a red lip and feline flick and save the natural make-up for a lighter base.
Coverage: Full, Size: 30ml, Shades available: 40, SPF: No
Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Foundation SPF 20, from £15.80
Pros: Quick to apply, looks like natural skin, lightweight but covers redness
Cons: Very thin, doesn’t cover blemishes, can crease throughout the day
You may have heard of the full-coverage version of Estée Lauder’s Double Wear, but let us introduce you to the sheer offering.
It’s lightweight and easy to blend in either using a brush or fingers for a quick on-the-go application.
Despite the featherlight formula, it covers areas of redness while giving skin a hydrated finish, keeping it looking natural and healthy.
When it first comes out of the bottle it is very thin, like a serum or moisturising SPF and although it sets quickly, it can crease throughout the day if you don’t keep an eye on it.
Because it’s so lightweight, it doesn’t have the bandwidth to cover blemishes so dab concealer over any areas that you feel need extra coverage. The beauty of this ‘pinpoint’ concealing is that it keeps skin really fresh without sacrificing the flawless look.
Coverage: Sheer, Size: 30ml, Shades available: 26, SPF: Yes
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, £37
Pros: Hydrating, can be applied with fingers in seconds, SPF 30
Cons: Limited shade range, comes out of the tube quite thick, takes some time to dry down
Looking for a base that’s not too heavy but still gives some coverage? Enter the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.
Despite being lightweight, it is quite thick when it comes out of the tube, however, it spreads thinly over skin so you don’t need too much product.
I don’t think there’s any need to apply with a brush or sponge, simply massage it in with your fingers for a natural finish. If you find you’ve overegged the amount of product, then pick up your clean beauty blender and dab over those areas where the product build-up is too much.
This is one of the best foundations I’ve found for light coverage and the perfect option for a warm summer’s evening when you still want your skin to breathe, or if you’re having a particularly good skin day, but you’re looking for a boost of brightness.
Whatever the reason, this luxurious tint will blend seamlessly into your skin for a natural, flawless finish.
And it’s doing double the work with an SPF30 already built-in. Result.
Coverage: Light, Size: 50ml, Shades available: 13, SPF: Yes
Sculpted By Aimee Connolly Second Skin Foundation Dewy Finish, £25
Pros: Dewy but not shiny, reasonably priced, lightweight, SPF 50
Cons: Powder is a must, doesn’t give lots of coverage
Sculpted by Aimee is the work of pro makeup artist Aimee Connolly who decided she wanted to use her years of knowledge to create her own, curated brand.
Everything’s about quality over quantity, so forget about using hundreds of products and instead just use a few really good ones for professional-level results.
The dewy foundation is exactly that. It gives a light glow so skin looks radiant and fresh. However, you will need to use powder to set the areas that you’d prefer not to glow, because it does pack a punch.
It’s lightweight and glides easily over skin for a medium-light coverage.
It’s reasonably priced for the amount of product and the credentials that come with it (vegan-friendly, cruelty free and the brand itself is fully committed to sustainability long term).
On top of all of that, it also includes SPF50, so your skin is protected while looking flawless.
Coverage: Medium, Size: 32ml, Shades available: 30, SPF: Yes
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation SPF 20, £20.10
Pros: Lightweight, long-lasting, unique texture
Cons: Looks obvious on skin at first, can dry out skin, completely matte
Bobbi Brown is well known for its skin make-up so the brand was likely to crop up somewhere on our best-of list.
The Fluid Powder foundation is unique. It’s liquid but goes on like a powder, and is self-setting, which is part of what gives it a wear time of 16 hours.
It goes on completely matte and can be a little drying so make sure to apply a super hydrating primer or a lot of moisturiser before using, and the non-shiny finish can look a little obvious on skin at first, but once it’s sunk in, it gives a smooth, natural finish.
This foundation feels really lightweight which is a bonus for mattes, and blends easily over skin.
It has a pretty good shade range, offering 28 different tones that span from extra light to deep rich.
Plus it protects from UVA and UVB rays and blue light.
Coverage: Light, Size: 40ml, Shades available: 28, SPF: Yes
Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation, £48
Pros: Gives a natural glow, lasts 24 hours, buildable coverage
Cons: Bottle size, powder’s a must, feels quite heavy on skin
Whenever we get the chance to try out Dior make-up our expectations are high and the beauty giant has yet to disappoint.
The Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation makes skin glow, just like its name suggests, for 24 hours.
I apply it with a damp sponge for light to medium coverage, but for fuller coverage swipe on with a brush.
The liquid dries down quickly, allowing other products to sit comfortably on top without moving around. However, it does still need a swipe of powder to control shine and it does initially feel quite heavy on the skin.
However, powder products look smooth and natural, blending easily rather than sitting visibly on the foundation.
The finish isn’t too dewy, adding a slight glow just like natural skin.
There are a huge 43 shades to choose from so a variety of undertones are covered whether you’re warm, cool, neutral or rosy.
This is certainly a luxury foundation that could be saved for special occasions, though for the price, I would have liked a little more product.
But, whether you’re building glam make-up or a look for every day, this is a beautiful base.
Coverage: Full, Size: 30ml, Shades available: 43, SPF: Yes
Chanel No 1 De Chanel Red Camellia Revitalising Foundation, £58
Pros: Hydrating, buildable coverage, a little goes a long way
Cons: Expensive, limited shade range, small bottle
This foundation carries all the luxury you’d expect from Chanel, and includes the star ingredient of their latest range: camellia oil.
Derived from a beautiful red flower, camellia is one of the fastest absorbing plant oils, protecting the skin barrier and promoting hydration.
So it’s no surprise that this chic foundation is one of the best for dry skin and glides on easily, without catching on any dry areas.
It’s a smooth liquid consistency, so I’d suggest a sponge rather than a brush to avoid any streaks. Just press a small amount over your face for medium coverage and slowly build up on areas that need a little more.
The bottle is quite small, but you don’t need much product to cover your whole face.
Its biggest stumbling blocks are the limited shade range (something that still seems to be an issue for designer beauty brands) and the price.
But for its hydrating properties and the flawless base it creates, I’m sold.
Coverage: Medium, Size: 30ml, Shades available: 28, SPF: No
it Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare, £18.25
Pros: Illuminating, skincare benefits, easy to blend
Cons: Limited shade range, separates in the bottle
This one’s a multitasker blending my two favourite things; make-up and skincare.
It’s the epitome of a dewy foundation, really catching the light in all the right places.
Just add some powder down the centre of the face to control any extra shine and you’re left with a seamless second skin.
So what’s the skincare part all about?
Well, it’s infused with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extracts and vitamins E and B5 which work to keep skin hydrated and even out skin tone after you’ve washed away the foundation itself.
This is by no means a replacement for your normal skincare routine but it’s an added bonus – and its hydrating properties make it one of the best foundations for mature skin.
It has the consistency of a serum so is easy to blend over the face with a brush or a sponge.
However, due to the consistency, it can separate in the bottle, so make sure to give it a good shake before use.
The perfect base for a natural makeup, this is one I’ve added to my beauty bag.
Coverage: Medium, Size: 30ml, Shades available: 40, SPF: No
Lisa Eldridge The Foundation, £44
Pros: Shade range and education, flawless natural finish, doesn’t crease
Cons: Expensive, not available to buy anywhere else, bottle doesn’t stand upright
It was a toss up between Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Hydrating Foundation, Pat McGrath’s Bridgerton approved Skin Fetish or The Foundation by Lisa Eldrige but the latter just pipped the other two to the post, despite their excellent shade ranges and formulas.
Using her knowledge as a top professional make-up artist, Lisa Eldridge created this foundation to be the product she felt was missing in her kit, so the standard was high.
And it hits the mark – it’s the Ferrari of foundations. Beautiful, luxurious and high quality.
Medium coverage, it’s self-setting so doesn’t crease throughout the day, delivering a soft finish that isn’t dewy or matte, but instead sits somewhere in between to create a true skin-like finish. Apply it in layers to customise the base to suit you.
Something that sets this brand apart from others is the education it offers. The foundation has the best shade range and comes in 40 carefully curated versions. Each belongs to one of five groups, which you can then order as a sample sheet to test before you purchase a full-size bottle. I love this because there’s nothing worse than buying foundation in the wrong shade.
If it wasn’t for the price and the fact you can’t buy it from anywhere else if it’s out of stock, this would have been my pick for the best overall foundation because it’s unique in the finish it offers.
The bottle is chic (although it doesn’t stand upright) and using it feels like a luxury. I love it.
Coverage: Medium, Size: 30ml, Shades available: 40, SPF: No
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick SPF 25, £30
Pros: Blendable, easily portable, oil-free
Cons: Needs to be set with powder, limited shade range, expensive
Foundation sticks can be somewhat divisive with so many being dry, cakey and difficult to blend. Not the Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick.
It’s rich in volcanic seawater, red algae and squalane which makes it moisturising without being overly dewy or greasy.
It may seem counterintuitive to crown a hydrating product as the best foundation for oily skin but it’s time to bust the myth that oily skin shouldn’t be moisturised once and for all. In fact, the more the skin is stripped, the more oil it will produce.
However, not all hydrating foundations are created equal. This stick formula is oil-free and easy to apply topically so if you’d prefer to use less product on the t-zone that’s easy to control.
Having said that, it’s still crucial to set with a good mattifying powder to ensure everything stays in place and looks dewy, not shiny.
At £30, it is quite pricey for a stick foundation, and the shade range isn’t the most expansive (it’s nowhere near the worst I’ve seen, though) but it’s so difficult to get a foundation stick right and bareMinerals really has.
It blends out so easily, using fingers or a brush and is perfect for popping in your handbag for top-ups on the go, mess-free.
Coverage: Medium, Size: 10g, Shades available: 17, SPF: Yes
You will find a good selection of foundations in a wide range of high-street shops, including department stores like John Lewis, and popular chains, such as M&S, Superdrug or Boots. Pharmacies also often carry make-up, including foundation, so check those out too.
Online, check out beauty sites such as Look Fantastic, Sephora, Cult Beauty and Space NK as they tend to stock the biggest selection among thousands of make-up products. Also, don’t forget the websites of the stores mentioned above.
If you’re not sure what to buy and want to investigate a product further, the brand’s website could be a good place to start as you should be able to find detailed information on use, shades and ingredients, as well as any special offers.
The foundations reviewed in our feature came from:
There are foundations available to suit all budgets and range from a few pounds to very expensive. You’ll find inexpensive foundations from mass make-up brands such as Maybelline, Rimmel and L’Oreal, as well as more cult brands such as Elf, NYX and Revolution Beauty.
At the other end of the scale prepare to pay around the £50 mark (or more) for designer brands such as Chanel, Dior, and Guerlain, while in the middle price-wise you’ll find favourites such as Charlotte Tilbury, Mac and Bobbi Brown.
The foundations in our feature range from just under £7 for Maybelline New York Fit Me! Matte and Poreless Foundation upto £58 for Chanel’s No 1 De Chanel Red Camellia Revitalising Foundation.
Charlotte Tilbury has three foundations that each offer different coverage: Airbrush Flawless Foundation, Light Wonder and Beautiful Skin.
They are all good in their own way, but for overall look, feel and long-wear we have to say Beautiful Skin is our favourite.
Generally liquid foundation is the way to go for mature skin because it gives fuller coverage and hydration, which means a more even skintone.
Many people think foundation will make them look older, but if you pick the right one and apply it carefully it should have the opposite effect.
For a list of products we’ve tried and tested read our full review of best foundations for mature skin.
The best way to apply foundation depends on a few factors – the consistency of the product, the coverage you’d prefer and how blendable it is.
For long-wear, a good tip is to spray a sponge with setting spray and then use that to apply your base. It also thins out foundations for lighter coverage.
For creamier textures, apply with a flat brush and for fuller coverage use a roundheaded brush.
With tinted moisturisers or foundations that have a thinner texture, you might get the best finish by applying with your fingers.
This is all about your undertone. You’ll be one of three – warm, neutral or cool – and whichever one you fit into will guide the foundation colour you should opt for.
How do you figure out your undertone? Flip your wrist over and have a look at your veins. Do they look blue? That means you’re cool. If they look green you’re warm. Not sure because it looks somewhere in the middle? That probably means you’re a neutral.
Brands that offer a range of shades will often have letters next to the shade name that indicates whether it has a cool, neutral or warm undertone, which should help you decide.
It depends on your skin type and what you like.
There’s no right or wrong foundation but on an ingredient level, try to avoid parabens because they could flare up your skin over time.
Enjoyed our review of the best foundations? Why not check out our review of Foreo?
If you’re looking to be more sustainable this year, read our roundup of the best reusable cotton pads
And check out our dedicated Sun Selects beauty section for more tips, trends and products.
