We’ve Tested More Than 100 Foundations—These Are the Best of the Bunch (2024)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 51 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Celebrity-driven beauty brands are more ubiquitous than ever, but we vote that this foundation from Haus Labs—Lady Gaga’s vegan and cruelty-free makeup brand—is a true cut above the rest in the category.

When our tester applied this foundation, she was immediately impressed with its medium-weight liquid texture, which she said blended quickly and easily onto her combination skin. Once it set, she noted that it felt hydrating but not greasy, and completely comfortable. Its buildable coverage was enough to cover redness, but it still had a natural, glowy finish that never settled into fine lines or accentuated her pores. She also wore it in several weather conditions and noted that it looked beautiful every time.

One thing to note is that it’s not completely budge-proof—most foundations aren’t!—so we recommend locking it in with setting powder or setting spray to reduce any transfer. Overall, anyone looking for a medium-coverage buildable foundation (with an ample, 50-plus shade range) should reach for this one. The texture, finish, and coverage level make it an excellent option for people with various skin types.

Alyssa Kaplan, associate commerce editor with combination skin: “This foundation’s semi-radiant finish doesn't settle into fine lines or accentuate pores—it just evens out the skin beautifully and creates a gorgeous skin-like canvas.”

Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Natural | Shades: 40 | Cruelty-Free: No

For a budget option, look no further than L'Oréal’s Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation, which comes in 40 shades (a massive number compared to other drugstore options) and has a buildable medium-to-full coverage formula, according to our tester, who has dry, sensitive skin. When she applied it, she did so with both her fingers and a sponge, noting that it seamlessly covered redness and pigmentation. She was also impressed with its lightweight feel, staying power, and natural, slightly matte finish.

Her only qualm was that its formula felt a bit drying over time, though she noted that she didn’t experience any caking and that it layered well underneath other makeup like blush. All in all, she said it was one of the better matte foundations she’s tried. Particularly for under $20, that’s a win in our book.

Victoria, tester with dry, sensitive skin: “My skin felt super smooth when I wore it—I liked the coverage and how it hid some of my redness. It's also extremely lightweight.”

Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 56 | Cruelty-Free: No

Finding the right full-coverage foundation can be difficult—it must blur the skin without any unwanted caking or flaking. Enter Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation, which our tester said felt lightweight and sheer out of the bottle, but once blended, it did an excellent job at covering blemishes, redness, and hyperpigmentation on her sensitive, combination skin. The result? A flawless finish that lasted a full eight hours without touch-ups or reapplication.

Be advised that this formula is water-based. Our tester noted that it held up slightly better in colder climates than hot ones and that it required slightly more effort to blend due to its thin texture. Also, it doesn’t have a pump applicator (it comes in a small bottle with a pour spout), so applying is slightly less seamless. Regardless, we recommend it for anyone looking for a high-quality, full-coverage foundation with a smooth finish and serious staying power.

Ashley, tester with sensitive combination skin: “This foundation left my skin with a flawless finish; it covered my freckles and uneven skin tone but still looked natural.”

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 32 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For a truly stay-all-day formula, reach for Hourglass’ Ambient Soft Glow Foundation. Our tester, who has normal-to-dry skin, raved that its satin, skin-like finish made her look airbrushed all day—even after a high-intensity cardio workout class. But that wasn’t its only standout feature: Its creamy, buildable formula felt virtually weightless after it dried, with no tackiness, creasing, or separation in sight. She also noted that its buildable, medium-coverage formula evened her skin tone and that its pump applicator made it extra easy to apply.

Our only (very minor) qualm with this pick is that it dries down pretty fast, so we recommend blending in small sections. Overall, it’s a fantastic choice for those who need a foundation that can withstand humidity, sweat, and many hours of wear.

Katie, tester with normal to dry skin: “I loved the finish and longevity of this foundation—it has a your-skin-but-better look but provides coverage and lasts for hours.”

Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural matte | Shades: 85 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Let’s get one thing out of the day: PUR’s foundation-concealer hybrid has a shade range—an impressive 85 hues—that’s second to none. Can we get a round of applause? But that’s not the only reason we love it. As a foundation, its full-coverage, matte formula covers redness and hyperpigmentation; our tester, who has combination skin, noted that it set quickly and, once applied, didn’t require any touch-ups—even through a full day and night of wear in a hot, humid climate.

Its main drawback, she noted, was that its matte finish settled into fine lines on her face and looked cakey around her nose and mouth when she applied too much. (Translation: Start slowly!) But, particularly as a foundation-concealer hybrid—it comes with a doe-foot applicator for the latter—we’d recommend this product to anyone looking for a fuller-coverage option that hides redness and hyperpigmentation. And if you’ve struggled to find a foundation in your perfect color match, chances are, you’ll find one in this range.

Ashley, tester with combination skin: “This foundation sets once it's applied and doesn't need touch-ups—it even lasts well through heat, humidity, and sweat—but if you apply too much, it can have a cakey finish.”

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 16 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Black-owned brand Ami Cole’s Skin Enhancing Foundation Stick comes in 16 shades that focus on darker skin tones—and its formula is a true standout. According to our tester, who has combination skin, its buttery-smooth texture glided across his complexion, blended effortlessly, and covered any discoloration around his beard area.

He also noted that it performed extra well in New York City humidity—with just one spritz of setting spray, it lasted all day with no need for touch-ups—and that it didn’t settle into any fine lines on his face. (He also reported that it didn’t transfer, even when he performed a blot test.) In fact, our tester didn’t have anything negative to say about this foundation; we think it’s particularly ideal for fans of more natural, no-makeup makeup finishes.

Saleam, tester with combination skin: “This foundation has a your-skin-but-better effect without being too heavy or noticeable to the naked eye. I didn’t experience any settling into pores or fine lines.”

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 43 | Cruelty-Free: No

Finding a foundation that doesn’t settle into fine lines or uneven texture is essential, particularly for those with mature skin. Dior’s Backstage Foundation impressed us in this way and beyond. We previously tested this formula on people with mature skin, and they all raved about how seamlessly it blended and how smooth and even it made their skin look.

This go-round, we decided to test it on someone with combination skin, and we were just as impressed. He reported that its buildable, medium-to-full-coverage formula blended effortlessly onto his skin and lasted all day. (Even when he applied multiple layers, he noted that this product didn’t separate, never looked cakey, and never felt tacky or greasy.) The result was a natural, even radiant glow; he also noted that it was the perfect base layer for other products. It's a win-win all around. To sum it up, we love this pick for practically everyone, but we particularly recommend it for people with mature skin since the weightless formula doesn’t settle into fine lines.

Mikey, tester with combination skin: “Dior’s Backstage Foundation is my new love affair. The application was an absolute breeze, and it blended seamlessly into the skin.”

Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 38 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

BareMinerals is a staple in the powder foundation category, and the brand’s 16-HR Skin-Perfecting Powder Foundation didn’t disappoint. Our tester, who has combination skin, was particularly impressed with this foundation’s staying power. When she wore it to a soccer game on a 90-degree day, she noted that it didn’t run or separate at all. She also loved its lightweight feel and how well it toned down the appearance of her melasma.

However, those who prefer a dewier look may want to choose another option; this product has a truly matte finish that, according to our tester, settled slightly into the fine lines on her skin. But for a powder foundation made with clean, quality ingredients, we absolutely recommend it.

Ashley, tester with combination skin: “I was really impressed with this foundation’s wear! I wore it to a soccer game on a sunny 90-degree day—I was definitely sweating!—and it didn’t run at all.”

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 42 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As far as stick foundations go, ILIA’s Skin Rewind Blurring Foundation and Concealer Complexion Stick is the best of the bunch. Our tester with sensitive, combination skin reported that it made her fall in love with stick formulas, full stop. In particular, she loved its easy application, weightless feel on her complexion, and its even buildable coverage. (She even said that it eliminated her need for concealer, particularly around her darker under-eye area and around her mouth and jaw, where she experiences some discoloration.)

And it had staying power, too! She wore it on a 95-degree day in Dallas, Texas, and found that it gave her a dewy, natural look and didn’t run or fade. We’d recommend this product to anyone who wants an easy-to-use foundation that doesn’t skimp on coverage. Just know that it takes a bit more effort to blend than your standard liquid foundation (as most sticks do).

Samantha, tester with sensitive combination skin: “I’d recommend this foundation to anyone who wants a lightweight product that doesn’t skimp on coverage—it made me fall in love with foundation sticks!”

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 30 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you deal with redness or pigmentation that you’d like to even out, reach for Makeup by Mario’s SurrealSkin Foundation. Our tester with combination skin recommended this product for those with concerns like rosacea, particularly because it provided ample, consistent coverage with a Goldilocks finish—it wasn’t too matte or too dewy.

When our tester applied this foundation with a brush, she noted that its smooth texture blended beautifully into her skin; its formula was also hydrating enough to prevent clinging to any dry spots around her chin. Plus, she reported that it lasted for a full eight hours, including in the heat, without any running or transferring. Overall, it blurred uneven skin texture and tone in a flash.

While we didn’t have any issues with this formula breaking up on oily skin, several online reviewers have. If you have oily skin, we recommend using a primer for oily skin and setting the foundation with powder afterward.

Chelsea, tester with combination skin: “This foundation covered my rosacea well. I think the coverage is a perfect medium—natural looking and doesn't feel heavy or look streaky. On days where I wanted my beat to stretch out till nighttime, I applied two layers of foundation, and still, didn’t experience cakiness.”

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural, radiant | Shades: 32 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A truly great natural-finish foundation can impart an instant glow-up. Makeup Forever’s HD Skin Hydra Glow Hydrating Foundation fits this bill and more. Our tester couldn’t say enough about its look and feel—its lightweight formula blended seamlessly into her combination skin, covered her redness and hyperpigmentation, and left her with a dewy, radiant appearance. We wish the formula were a bit more sweatproof, as she noted she needed to do minor touch-ups on hot, muggy days, but she also mentioned that it wore perfectly (no fading, caking, or settling) when she wore it indoors.

She also shared that this product didn’t enhance her pores, nor did it leave her skin feeling tacky, sticky, or greasy—just fresh-faced all around. It also layered exceptionally well underneath concealer, blush, and bronzer. It’s a super solid choice for those who want coverage without looking like they’re wearing much makeup at all.

Ashley, tester with combination skin: “The finish and feel of this foundation are both exceptional. Most of the time, I forgot I was wearing any foundation at all!”

FAQ

• How do you apply foundation?

  Before applying your foundation, prep your skin! Maggiore recommends starting with a moisturizer as a base layer. Then, warm up a pump or two of the foundation on the back of your hand, apply it to your face, and blend it out with a foundation brush. Once you’ve reached your desired coverage level, both Maggiore and Mayo recommend gently patting a damp makeup sponge across your skin to ensure you have an even finish with no streaks.

• How can you make your foundation last?

  “​​​Setting the foundation allows for a flawless finish and a longer wear time,” says Maggiore. “It also provides a smoother base for contour and blush application.” She also adds that if you don’t set your foundation with a light layer of powder, there’s a higher risk that it’ll move on the skin, and that any other makeup you layer on top will have a muddy finish.

  “To set the foundation, use a large fluffy face brush to lightly pat on translucent powder (remember to always pat rather than swipe),” she says. You can also apply a few spritzes of a long-wearing setting spray.

• What’s the best foundation for mature skin?

  Those with aging skin might notice sun spots, fine lines, dryness, or lack of elasticity. To address meaning you’ll want to find a foundation that works to blur your complexion, doesn’t settle into fine lines, and won’t dry out your skin.