As a makeup-loving teenager, I spent countless hours of my precious youth practising how to apply makeup, and spent more money than I dare to count buying products.
My cosmetics drawers quickly filled with fun mascaras, bronzers and eyeshadow palettes, but my choice of foundation was ruining the look of anything I applied on top. Whether it was oxidising and turning my skin orange, or mismatched formulation types causing the whole look to separate on the skin, getting a lasting natural finish seemed impossible. Had I spent a little more time picking out the best foundation for my skin type, I wouldn’t be haunted by so many embarrassing photos from my adolescence.
As an adult, I’ve since learned that no matter your makeup look – natural, glam, gothic or anything else – as Meghan Trainor once sang, it is indeed all about the “base”. Pick the right one and you’ll achieve a flawless finish that lasts all day. Choose the wrong formulation and you’ll end up with a patchy mess.
To help you figure out the formulations that might work for you, I’ve covered all bases (ahem), picking the best foundations to suit every budget, coverage preference and skin type. I also spoke to expert makeup artists Ciara O’Shea and Amalie Russell for their advice on choosing the right foundation, and how to apply it.
At a glance
Why you should trust me
As a beauty writer, testing different makeup and skincare products is what I do – and, over the years, I’ve had my hands on just about everything from cult favourite foundations to fresh releases that are disrupting the market.
Of course, I have only one face, so it’s tricky to test which foundations will work on every skin type. However, my combination skin does at least allow me to test for oily and dry skin. Likewise, my qualification in cosmetic science means I can quickly identify the ingredients and formulation types that will work best on each skin type, young or old.
Getting a good shade match is also a crucial part of a foundation’s performance. I have pale, neutral-toned skin, which usually makes finding a shade match simple, but it was important for me to see warm, cool and neutral options available for all skin tones. Any colour range skewing too pale was a no-go, regardless of how well it worked for me personally.
How I tested
I tested 19 foundations for this roundup, putting each through its paces for at least three days. On day one, I layered the foundation with cream bronzers and blushers to see how well it blended with cream products. On another day, I swapped these for powder products to compare. I also performed a quick transfer test at three points throughout the day, using a sheet of tissue.
To monitor a foundation’s wear, I looked at how it reacted to the dry and oily patches on my face. I also paid attention to my enlarged pores and the texture of the formula, to assess whether an even application could last all day. I also noted each foundation’s coverage level and how easy it was to build, as well as a brand’s shade range – the broader the better.
The best foundations in 2026
Best foundation overall:
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Foundation
from £39
What we love
Flawless lasting finish, comfortable feel
What we don’t love
Not suitable for sheer coverage
Blurring foundations that smooth over pores and texture may look brilliant and filtered on camera, but they can appear thick and cakey in person. Thankfully, the Airbrush Flawless Foundation has cracked the code, making your skin look naturally flawless without any heaviness. It’s quick to apply, is available in a good range of shades, and layers beautifully with other makeup. It’s hard to fault.
Why we love it
On application, a light layer of this foundation was perfect for brightening dark circles and reducing redness. Thanks to its inclusion of finely milled smoothing powders, it was also buildable in areas where I needed more coverage – yet I still found it particularly comfortable to wear. That’s because it uses a blend of makeup and skincare that mimics the natural structure of the skin, allowing it to move and flex as your face moves.
The foundation includes an anti-ageing “phytoyouth essence” that plumps and hydrates the skin, keeping the foundation from settling into fine lines. My skin tends to feel dry and tight in the transitional months, when I was testing, but this foundation didn’t cling to any dryness. At the same time, it also minimised oil in my t-zone, so its soft matt finish lasted all day.
My online shade match was spot on, but I was also glad to see that Charlotte Tilbury offers a shade match guarantee. When buying directly from the Charlotte Tilbury website, you can exchange and try another shade for free.
It’s a shame that … while the finish is slightly buildable, this foundation won’t give sheer coverage. There’s also alcohol in the formula, so if your skin is sensitive, this may not work for you.
Size: 30ml
Price per ml: £1.30
Coverage: medium to full
Finish: soft matt
Shade range: 44 (find your shade)
Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Foundation
from £39
What we love
Flawless lasting finish, comfortable feel
What we don’t love
Not suitable for sheer coverage
Best budget foundation:
L’Oreal True Match foundation
L’Oreal
True Match foundation
from £9.59
What we love
Lightweight, comfortable feel at a sensible price
What we don’t love
Flimsy packaging
High-end makeup used to out-perform high-street makeup on all fronts, but more affordable brands have stepped up their game in recent years. Enter the L’Oréal True Match foundation, my budget-friendly formula of choice. If you want lightweight, medium coverage that gives skin a healthy glow, you can’t go far wrong with this.
Why we love it
When I first tested this foundation, I was first surprised by its runny, serum-like consistency. Based on this, I assumed it would offer only a light layer of coverage. I was wrong. A thin coat of this foundation applied smooth as silk, and was easy to blend, achieving a healthy, medium coverage that felt almost imperceptible after drying down.
In addition, it looks natural on the skin – even at the end of a full day of wear. It kept my skin looking calm and hydrated, never clinging to dry patches or settling into fine lines, thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing aloe vera extract. And, since it arrives in such a wide range of shades, achieving a seamless finish won’t be an issue for anyone.
It’s a shame that … the plastic lid to the glass bottle feels flimsy. I wouldn’t want this bobbing around in my bag too much, as I worry it would break quickly. However, treat the packaging with care and the foundation itself won’t let you down.
Size: 30ml
Price per ml: from 32p
Coverage: medium
Finish: natural soft glow
Shade range: 49 (find your shade)
L’Oreal
True Match foundation
from £9.59
What we love
Lightweight, comfortable feel at a sensible price
What we don’t love
Flimsy packaging
Best matt foundation:
Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation
Il Makiage
Woke Up Like This foundation
£39
What we love
Excellent shade range, easy to work with
What we don’t love
Painty smell
I always approach “viral” products with a healthy dose of caution. The Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation is one such product, with a huge swathe of positive reviews online. Thankfully, the foundation delivered on all its promises, giving a soft matt finish that was buildable and covered my blemishes, without budging.
Why we love it
This foundation is easy to work with. It has a creamy consistency that blends quickly over the skin – a light layer created a soft-looking finish, but it’s buildable to full coverage. In tests, it blurred fine lines and pores, without ever settling into them. And since it’s formulated without oils, this foundation is perfect for those with oily skin.
I never saw my skin become oily or shiny while testing the foundation – and it was also one of the top performers in my tissue transfer tests, with minimal transfer occurring even when I hadn’t set the foundation using a setting spray or powder.
It arrives in a gorgeous, premium-looking bottle, and you can find your perfect colour using Il Makiage’s online shade-matching tool – which worked brilliantly in my experience, giving a full coverage look. The shade range, of 50, is among the best on test, too.
It’s a shame that … it has that classic paint-like foundation smell. This fades after a few minutes on your face, but it’s noticeable during application and a little off-putting if you’re sensitive to strong smells.
Size: 30ml
Price per ml: £1.30
Coverage: medium to full
Finish: soft matt
Shade range: 50 (find your shade)
Il Makiage
Woke Up Like This foundation
£39
What we love
Excellent shade range, easy to work with
What we don’t love
Painty smell
Best long-wear, full-coverage foundation:
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear
Lancôme
Teint Idole Ultra Wear
from £28.70
What we love
Lightweight feel, full coverage
What we don’t love
Not the most buildable
Full coverage foundation doesn’t have to be heavy or cakey. This long-wear formula from Lancôme has a lovely lightweight texture that feels breathable and looks almost undetectable on the skin. It’s sweat-proof, includes SPF, and is the closest thing I can find to a bulletproof formula.
Why we love it
Silky and lovely to apply, one thin coat of Teint Idole quickly glossed over large pores and the fine lines under my eyes for a flawless finish. Throughout the day, the semi-matt finish proved to be sweat- and humidity-proof, with no excess oil rearing its head. And, thanks to its lightweight texture, it felt breathable on my skin.
As with much of its competition, this formula includes skincare ingredients, but it doesn’t overcomplicate things: hyaluronic acid for hydration; antioxidant vitamin E and moringa to protect the skin from environmental stressors; and SPF35 for sun protection.
It’s a shame that … it dries quickly after blending, and isn’t very buildable if you need extra coverage – extra layers caused cakiness in my tests. That said, one coat offers pretty opaque coverage.
Size: 30ml
Price per ml: from 96p
Coverage: full
Finish: soft matt
Shade range: 50 (find your shade)
Lancôme
Teint Idole Ultra Wear
from £28.70
What we love
Lightweight feel, full coverage
What we don’t love
Not the most buildable
Best powder foundation:
Bare Minerals Original Pressed Powder Foundation Mineral SPF15
Bare Minerals
Original Pressed Powder Foundation Mineral SPF15
from £27.37
What we love
Very lightweight, with highly buildable coverage
What we don’t love
Small amount of product
Often overlooked, powder foundation is one of the easiest ways to get a buildable, natural-looking base that lasts. The formulation from Bare Minerals is easily the best I’ve tested, offering a soft, glowy finish that’s foolproof to apply.
Why we love it
True to the name, this has a mineral-based formula, including a mineral SPF15, and mineral pigments. These are finely milled and help to blur uneven skin tone without settling into fine lines, giving a light to medium coverage that feels completely weightless.
The brand describes this foundation as having a “soft focus” effect – and I’d agree. In my tests, I was surprised a powdery foundation could give my skin such a healthy and natural-looking glow. I was also pleased by its lasting power – which is particularly good news for oily skinned folk, whose shiny t-zone will most definitely be kept in check. A thin layer gave light coverage that was just enough to smooth my skin tone, reduce redness and lightly blur imperfections, while I could build coverage with more layers over breakouts and dark circles. If your oily skin means you’ve been resigned to using matt foundation, this one’s worth a shot.
Arriving in a compact with mirror and sponge applicator, it’s great for slinging in a bag and taking with you on your travels, too.
It’s a shame that … there isn’t more of it in the pot. You get only 9g, which I’d get through pretty quick if using daily. Also, the SPF15 isn’t very high, so you should top up with a sunscreen for your face (something you ought to be doing regardless of how much SPF your foundation has).
Size: 9g
Price per g: from £3.05
Coverage: light to medium, buildable
Finish: natural soft glow
Shade range: 30 (find your shade)
Bare Minerals
Original Pressed Powder Foundation Mineral SPF15
from £27.37
What we love
Very lightweight, with highly buildable coverage
What we don’t love
Small amount of product
Best dewy foundation for a luminous finish:
Fenty Beauty Soft’Lit
Fenty Beauty
Soft’Lit
from £28
What we love
Glowy finish that lasts without looking oily
What we don’t love
Not transfer-proof
Back in the 2010s, the majority of foundations would have a shade range of about four, with paler shades skewing orange and a pitiful lack of darker tones. Thankfully, we’ve moved on, with Rihanna’s Fenty helping to put shade range inclusivity on the agenda. The Soft’Lit foundation is the perfect base for anyone looking for a glowy finish – and it arrives in an amazing 50 shades.
Why we love it
This foundation has a gorgeous velvety texture, which gives a healthy-looking glow when buffed into the skin. I found it easy to blend, and it felt light and breathable all day long. It worked particularly well with my other cream products, with its medium coverage offering a healthy base to build upon – perfectly matched because of the accuracy of its online shade-matching tool.
The fragrance-free formula includes hydrating glycerine, brightening Kakadu plum extract, and antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental stress. In theory, if worn every day it should improve your skin tone over time.
It’s a shame that … if you have oily skin, this may settle into your fine lines. It also isn’t transfer-proof and needs setting with powder or setting spray if you want a long-lasting look.
Size: 32ml
Price per ml: from 88p
Coverage: medium
Finish: glowy
Shade range: 50 (find your shade)
Fenty Beauty
Soft’Lit
from £28
What we love
Glowy finish that lasts without looking oily
What we don’t love
Not transfer-proof
The best of the rest
Jones Road Just Enough tinted moisturiser
Jones Road
Just Enough tinted moisturiser
from £44
What we love
Quick, simple application
What we don’t love
Not very moisturising
Best for: light coverage and easy application
If you’re looking for light coverage that you can apply with your hands, the Jones Road Just Enough tinted moisturiser fits the bill. While you can apply most foundations with your hands, this one’s creamy consistency is easier to apply streak-free than a typical foundation, making it perfect for when you’re in a hurry.
This foundation-moisturiser hybrid smoothed out imperfections, dulled redness and left my skin looking healthy and glowy – without any cakiness. Coverage was sheer enough to see my freckles peek through and it didn’t need to be set in place.
In fact, this is what I’ll be reaching for in the early mornings to give my skin a naturally perfected look. While £44 may be a lot to spend on a tinted moisturiser, its 50ml size is bigger than average – and a little goes a long way.
It didn’t make the final cut because … its coverage is too light to be deemed a proper foundation. Also, despite it being a “tinted moisturiser”, it doesn’t feel particularly moisturising, so you’ll need to apply skincare as usual. The shade range is also rather limited, but since the coverage is sheer, you’re more likely to find a good enough match.
Size: 50ml; price per ml: 88p; coverage: light; finish: natural; shade range: 16 (find your shade)
Jones Road
Just Enough tinted moisturiser
from £44
What we love
Quick, simple application
What we don’t love
Not very moisturising
Vieve Skin Nova Complexion balm
Vieve
Skin Nova Complexion balm
from £36
What we love
Very buildable and easy to work with
What we don’t love
Distinctive smell
Best for: buildable coverage
If you don’t want to lug around a concealer and a foundation, the Vieve Skin Nova Complexion balm manages both. Layering most foundations can cause a dry, cakey finish, but this creamy formula has a thick texture that sets quickly to give a natural, softly glowing look with a flexible feel. A thin layer gives medium coverage, but you can buff on more layers for full coverage where you need it.
This versatile formula didn’t cling to any of my dry patches; it layered beautifully with other products and delivered lasting coverage in my wear tests. With skin-calming niacinamide, alongside hydrating polyglutamic acid and vegan collagen to plump the skin, the product felt good to wear and didn’t settle into any fine lines.
It didn’t make the final cut because … its shade range is slightly more limited than other foundations. It’s also fragranced, which some will love, but I loathe. The smell is slightly unusual – like an all-natural soap – but this dissipates after 10 minutes or so.
Size: 30ml; price per ml: £1.20; coverage: medium to buildable; finish: natural, soft glow; shade range: 20 (find your shade)
Vieve
Skin Nova Complexion balm
from £36
What we love
Very buildable and easy to work with
What we don’t love
Distinctive smell
Mac Studio Radiance
Mac
Studio Radiance
from £30.60
What we love
Hydrating finish, with pore blurring effects
What we don’t love
Slight settling into fine lines
Best for: a glowy finish
Glowy makeup has been in fashion in recent years, and for a plump, radiant finish, Mac Studio Radiance is a great option. This is the sister product to the renowned matt Studio Fix foundation, and offers the same pore-blurring effects but in a more hydrating package.
The new formula has a whopping 10% hyaluronic acid, delivering a generous boost of hydration to skin. Protective antioxidant vitamin E and soothing jojoba oil keep the skin feeling healthy. It was definitely one of the most comfortable foundations to wear, and its smoothing effects lasted a full day.
Be warned, though: if you’ve been using the original Mac Studio Fix, Studio Radiance runs a few shades darker than its matt-finish sibling. Make sure you double-check your Studio Radiance shade before you order.
It didn’t make the final cut because … its highly glowy finish will be too intense for some people, and I noticed it settling slightly in the fine lines under my eyes. Setting spray and powder fixed this, but I still preferred the Fenty Soft’Lit for a more subtle glow.
Size: 30ml; Price per ml: from £1.02; coverage: medium, full; finish: glowy; shade range: 56 (find your shade)
Mac
Studio Radiance
from £30.60
What we love
Hydrating finish, with pore blurring effects
What we don’t love
Slight settling into fine lines
Milani conceal + perfect foundation
Milani
Conceal + perfect foundation
from £15.50
What we love
Versatile, long-lasting coverage
What we don’t love
Thicker consistency takes a lot of blending
Best for: concealing blemishes
If you’re on a tight budget and want a foundation and concealer in one, the Millani Conceal + Perfect is a dependable choice. At half the price of its high-end equivalent, this foundation is water-resistant, full coverage and very buildable. Either apply to your whole face for a smoothed, uniform look, or spot-treat blemishes and problem areas such as under – your eyes.
In my tests, with a full coat applied all over my face, my skin looked perfect and dewy, with a flawless finish that showed up beautifully on camera. Its thicker, creamy formula had no trouble lasting a whole day of running errands and, surprisingly, didn’t settle into my fine lines.
It didn’t make the final cut because … as it’s thicker than average it needs a little more blending than other foundations. If you’re not after full coverage, I’d recommend the L’Oréal foundation at this price instead.
Size: 30ml; price per ml: 52p; coverage: full; finish: natural, soft glow; shade range: 45 (find your shade)
Milani
Conceal + perfect foundation
from £15.50
What we love
Versatile, long-lasting coverage
What we don’t love
Thicker consistency takes a lot of blending
Tirtir Mask Fit AI foundation
Tirtir
Mask Fit AI Foundation
from £15
What we love
Filter-like finish; cushion application
What we don’t love
Settles into large pores
Best for: a flawless, filtered finish on oily skin
When I first heard about this foundation, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. An “AI” foundation? What does that even mean?
Obviously, this foundation doesn’t actually use AI. But it offers a soft matt, full coverage finish, reminiscent of AI filters that give your skin a smooth, perfected look in photos. To achieve this, it uses fine powders to blur imperfections and pores, alongside moisture-infused powders to keep skin hydrated. The creamy formula also includes niacinamide and vitamin C to brighten the skin.
Despite its thicker consistency, I found it felt flexible and breathable on my skin. And, since it’s a cushion foundation – the product is soaked in a sponge, which you tap with a puff and apply to the skin in light taps – it was easy to achieve full coverage.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it couldn’t smooth over the larger pores around my nose – in fact, it highlighted them. Other reviewers note the foundation oxidising and getting a slight orange tone, but I didn’t notice this.
Size: 18g; price per ml: from 83p; coverage: full; finish: soft matt; shade range: 30 (find your shade)
Tirtir
Mask Fit AI Foundation
from £15
What we love
Filter-like finish; cushion application
What we don’t love
Settles into large pores
What you need to know
How to choose the best foundation for you
“Pick your foundation based on how your skin behaves mid-day, not first thing in the morning,” says makeup artist Ciara O’Shea. “When you’re a bit red, maybe oily, maybe dehydrated – that’s when you see what the foundation really needs to do. Choosing then means it will perform for real life, not just until your 11am snack break.”
If you have oily skin, but don’t suffer from blemishes, opt for a light- to-medium-coverage foundation with oil-controlling properties. Pick a formula with a matt or natural finish. Conversely, those with dry skin will want to use a hydrating formula that’s packed with skin-loving ingredients to help keep dry patches at bay. Those wanting to conceal blemishes, redness or dark circles can either use a lighter coverage foundation with a concealer or opt for something full coverage to get a seamless look using one product.
How do I find my shade?
Finding the right foundation shade can be tricky, especially when buying online. But for those of you who don’t have time to traipse to your high street for a shade match, online shade finders are the next best thing. These typically use your phone camera to scan your face and assess your skin tone, or they ask detailed questions about your skin tone to guide you towards a shade match. Most of the time they work pretty well, but I find it helps to use natural lighting and know roughly what your skin tone is before you start. That way, you’ll be able to suss out if the shade-match tool has missed the mark.
“Foundation shades come in undertones such as cool, warm and neutral,” says Amalie Russell, former Bobbi Brown editorial makeup artist. “Determine your undertone by what jewellery suits you best – silver for cool, gold for warm, and neutral if both suit your skin tone.”
If you have a store nearby, Russell advises heading in to “swatch a few shades of your foundation undertone from cheek to jaw line and choose the one that blends seamlessly. If you have any concerns, such as high colour, pigmentation or acne, try to swatch these areas with foundation.”
How do I apply foundation?
“Think about where you need the most coverage,” says Russell. “Start by applying foundation, with the warmth of fingertips or a brush, around the nose and cheeks, then feather outwards.”
An artist is only as good as the tools they use, and that’s also true for applying makeup. Thankfully, foundation application doesn’t have to cost the world. Russell says that applying foundation using the warmth of your fingertips leads to the most natural look, while brushes give more full and even coverage.
“Always make sure foundation blends and melts in areas such as forehead and jawline, then tackle coverage in areas of concern with tools,” says Russell. In areas where you have spots, for example, it helps to use a brush. Denser brushes and sponges give fuller coverage, while flat and thin brushes help create sheer looks.
How do I make foundation last?
There are lots of tricks makeup artists use to ensure foundation – and makeup in general – lasts through whatever you throw at it. Makeup isn’t an exact science, so if the first trick you try fails, something else might work better for your skin type.
“Primer is your secret weapon,” says O’Shea. “Use something lightweight but strong if skin is oily; hydrating if dry.” Primer helps to prepare the skin for makeup, making sure your skin is smooth, hydrated and slightly grippy. If you don’t have a primer, using good skincare, such as a hydrating serum or moisturiser, can suffice – though you won’t get the same grip.
Alongside this, “set your makeup with a mist throughout your makeup application, or just as you are finishing your makeup look,” says Russell. Setting spray is typically used to melt all your makeup products together and set them in place to prolong their wear time (my favourite is the Laura Mercier translucent setting spray). Used together, primer and setting sprays are a magic bullet for makeup longevity.
How do I stop foundation settling into fine lines?
“Prep is everything,” says O’Shea. “Skin that’s a bit juicy holds foundation better without settling, so skincare and lightweight layers are your best defence.” Start with hydrating serums, a lightweight moisturiser and a primer to get the best results.
When applying the foundation itself, Russell advises using “less product around areas that crease, and use a setting spray so that makeup moves with your skin rather than sinking into tiny ‘grooves’.” Her top tip is to lightly spray a setting mist on to a makeup sponge, and gently pat this over foundation under the eyes. This sets the makeup without it looking powdery.
For more:
The best concealers for camouflaging blemishes and dark circles
The best mascaras for longer, fuller and fluttery lashes
The best anti-ageing creams, serums and treatments
Sarah Matthews is a journalist who has tested her way through countless beauty products including makeup, skincare and wacky beauty tech. Having been deep in the bad foundation trenches herself, she can see the red flags a mile off, so wouldn’t dare recommend anything that could send you down a similar path
