13 Best Foundations for a Smooth Base And Perfect Finish
Look fabulous in a flawless makeup look that you can achieve in various shades, finishes, and coverages — offered by the best foundations. These foundations are designed to blend smoothly onto the skin, leaving a natural and breathable finish that feels comfortable throughout the day. They smoothen your complexion and provide a perfect base for the rest of your makeup.
A foundation can make or break your entire makeup look. We know how important it is to pick the right shade for your skin tone or the best formula for your skin type to ensure your makeup looks natural and flawless. That’s why, as per our expertise, we have gathered some of the top foundations, infused with moisturizing ingredients, that will give you a luminous, supple, flawless-looking complexion all the while taking care of your skin. These foundations are nothing but skincare-infused makeup in a bottle. Formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, vitamins C, and E, they hydrate, soothe, and nourish your skin apart from delivering buildable coverage. The list offers a wide shade range to suit various skin tones.
Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-use Liquid Foundation
e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation
Maybelline New York Super Stay Liquid Foundation
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
L’Oréal Paris Makeup Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
2 Pack PHOERA Foundation
bareMinerals Barepro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Lancôme Renergie Lift Makeup Foundation
In This Article
13 Best Foundations
-
1Best for Blemishes
Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-use Liquid Foundation
This foundation by Dermablend works best for those struggling with blemishes, pigmentation, and acne scars. The complexion-correcting formula is soothing, doesn't irritate active acne, and is blendable. The lightweight texture feels like a second skin. The water-free, oil-free foundation comes with a non-comedogenic formula that doesn't clog the pores. You can also use this overactive acne without worrying about the puss. It's also suitable to wear daily.
- Lightweight
- Full coverage
- Natural finish
- Covers pigmentation
- Expensive
Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation
An anti-aging foundation that plumps up your skin besides blurring uneven skin tone and other skin imperfections. It instantly reduces the appearance of wrinkles, giving you a younger-looking complexion. The hyaluronic acid and vitamin C provide firm hydration, keeping your skin healthy and radiant. The creamy natural shade is perfect for skin with cool undertones offering a light, smooth base. Team this COVERGIRL 3-in-1 ageless liquid foundation with ageless foundation primer from the same brand for maximum results.
- Delivers hydration
- Reduces wrinkles
- Improves skin tone
- Hydrating formula
- Provides light coverage
- Strong fragrance
e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation
The ultimate skin-perfecting foundation from e.l.f. that delivers a flawless finish and natural glow. The buildable formula is easily blendable and goes on smooth as silk, providing medium to full coverage all day long. Ideal for all skin types, it is supercharged with glycerin that hydrates and keeps your skin soft. The beige shade is light with cool pink undertones. When we trialed this product, we found that there is no caking and it perfectly covers up all dark spots and other skin imperfections.
- Improves uneven skin tone
- Lightweight formula
- Provides medium coverage
- Semi-matte finish
- Blendable color
- Not waterproof
Maybelline New York Super Stay Liquid Foundation
Maybelline's super stay foundation has a light-as-air formula that lasts for up to 30 hours of wear. A full-coverage foundation, it delivers a high-impact and seamless finish. The saturated color pigments glide onto the skin, offering even color and lightweight wear. This high-performance foundation is designed for active wear, lasting for a long period without smudging or fading, effectively concealing imperfections.
- Sweat and water-resistant
- Transfer-proof
- Quick-drying formula
- Oil-free
- Non-cakey
- Very dry formula
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
Harnessing the power of active ingredient hyaluronic acid along with niacinamide, vitamin E, and SPF 50+, this color-correcting cream from IT Cosmetics was developed with plastic surgeons and dermatologists. It reduces the appearance of pores, minimizes wrinkles and fine lines, and visibly plumps the skin. This cream also helps soothe and nourish the skin and provides broad-spectrum sun protection. It offers triple the benefits of a full-coverage foundation, hydrating serum, and mineral sunscreen.
- Hydrates skin
- UV protection
- Natural finish
- Anti-aging
- Promotes even-toned, radiant skin
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
L’Oréal Paris Makeup Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
Get up to 24 hours of natural finish with this breathable formula that is suitable for all skin types. This buildable foundation provides medium-to-full coverage that lasts all day. Apply with your fingers or a brush or a blender, the ultra-thin texture goes on smoothly, giving your complexion a fresh and healthy glow. Formulated with SPF 25 to protect against sun damage, L'Oreal Paris's Fresh Wear foundation is available in 40 shades to compliment every skin tone.
- Transfer-proof
- Water and sweat-resistant
- Color stays true
- Easily blendable
- Non-comedogenic
- Very strong floral scent
2 Pack PHOERA Foundation
Be extremely confident with PHEORA's liquid foundation that easily blends into all skin types to deliver a soft matte finish that lasts all day and night. The oil-controlling formula delivers an oil-free gorgeous face, making this the perfect foundation for acne and breakout-prone skin. It conveniently blurs pimples, redness, wrinkles, tattoos, and any other skin imperfections. With over 16,000 global ratings on Amazon, one review states, "This is my favorite product. It keeps my skin flawless all day long. I like the thick consistency. It covers really well. It dries really fast also. This is my favorite foundation so far.
- Waterproof
- Quick-drying
- Long-wearing
- Buildable coverage
- Cream-to-powder texture
- May look cakey on some skin types
bareMinerals Barepro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation
The cool beige 10-shade of liquid foundation from bareMinerals is perfect for a medium cool skin tone with a pinkish hue. The clinically proven formula helps improve skin while delivering buildable coverage and sun protection with SPF 20. The foundation does not make you feel heavy and covers up skin imperfections pretty well. After trying out this product, we found that it blends easily to give you a uniform, even coverage while letting your skin breathe.
- 24-hour wear
- Natural matte finish
- Blends easily
- Transfer-resistant
- Sweat and water-resistant
- Expensive
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
A fresh matte foundation that delivers an oil-free finish for up to 24 hours. With a buildable medium-to-full coverage formula, it stays true to its color and does not smudge or transfer onto surfaces. It really works well on blemishes, concealing them seamlessly. It is one of the best full-coverage foundations with rave reviews on Amazon. One user states, "I’m in love with Ester Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation! Beautiful coverage without the heavy makeup feeling! Also gives you a really nice glow which is a plus for me. Highly recommend it!"
- Sweat and heat-resistant
- Humidity-resistant
- Improves uneven skin tone
- Covers imperfections
- Lightweight formula
- None
Lancôme Renergie Lift Makeup Foundation
Lancome's high-performance foundation offers up to 12 hours of lifting, hydration, and radiance, minimizing the appearance of dark spots and giving you a luminous finish. Infused with SPF 27 sun protection, it provides a comfortable medium-to-full coverage with anti-aging benefits. Renergie Lift Makeup Foundation is created to deliver skincare benefits alongside mesmerizing makeup. It contains a blend of skin-loving caffeine, vitamin E, iris extract, corn kernel extract, soybean oil, mamaku plant extract, and linseed extract. The micro-pearls present in the formula reflect light to give a luminous and radiant, high-coverage finish.
- Smooths wrinkles
- Lifts away fine lines
- Keeps skin feeling dewy and plump
- Suitable for all skin types
- Easy to apply
- None
MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Nourishing Foundation
With a medium-to-full buildable coverage and satin finish, this formula from MAC Cosmetics can be used as a foundation as well as a concealer. Promising to last for up to 36 hours, it provides a smooth base without any caking, creasing, or streaking. Formulated for all skin types, the long-lasting foundation seamlessly blends on the skin to give you a comfortable and transfer-proof finish. This light peachy beige shade with a golden undertone is perfect for light skin.
- Waterproof
- Longwear
- Oil-free formula
- Humidity-proof
- Lightweight
- Not smudge-proof
Revlon Illuminance Skin-Caring Liquid Foundation
Reveal naturally radiant, youthful-looking skin with Revlon's skin care foundation. Infused with hyaluronic acid and 5% squalane, the lightweight formula blends makeup and skincare benefits into one. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves skin hydration, and locks in moisture. Our analysis of this product revealed that it works well with concealers and powder blushes, delivering light-to-medium coverage. It is ideal for dry skin as it neither irritates the skin nor clings to the dry areas.
- Medium coverage
- Blurs imperfections
- Buildable formula
- Boosts skin radiance
- Leaves skin plump and healthy
- Strong chemical smell
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Born To Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation
Enjoy naturally glowy skin all day, every day with this radiant foundation from NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP. Exclusively available in an inclusive range of 45 flattering shades, it delivers buildable medium coverage and a long-lasting naturally radiant finish. This is the best liquid foundation to blend like a dream, creating a smooth, even-toned makeup base. An Amazon user has stated, "Have used this make in different shades for a while now, will never use anything else, lightweight and great on sensitive skin."
- Creamy liquid formula
- Leaves skin moisturized
- Delivers a dewy finish
- Does not irritate the skin
- Lightweight
- None
Selecting the right foundation is not an easy task. Sometimes a shade might look like it will match your skin tone but after application, it doesn’t. It is necessary to try a foundation before buying it. One important tip to remember while choosing the correct shade is to always match it with both your face and neck in order to get seamless coverage
How to Choose a Foundation?
Keep the following considerations in mind when choosing the best foundation for your face:
- Skin Type
When choosing a foundation for yourself, always select one based on your skin type. Cream foundation is suitable for dry skin while powder foundation works great for oily skin. Liquid foundation suits normal skin while water-based foundation is great for acne-prone skin.
- Skin Tone
The next point to consider is your skin tone. For a warm skin tone, opt for a foundation shade with yellow, gold, or peach undertones. For a cool skin tone, go for a shade with pink undertones. Neutral skin tone will look good in both gold and pink undertones.
- Coverage
The type of coverage also plays an important role in delivering your desired look. When you want your foundation to last long without the need for touch-ups or you have acne or discoloration to conceal, go for a fuller coverage formula. For daytime or casual wear opt for light to medium coverage formula.
- Finish
Different finishes suit different skin types. A dewy finish works perfectly for normal to dry skin while a matte finish is best suited for combination to oily skin types. A satin finish is perfect for mature skin.
- Customer Reviews
Going through the customer reviews can pinpoint the foundation best suited for you. The reviews tell you about how well the shades, coverage, and finish a foundation delivers.
How to Use Foundation?
Follow these simple steps to apply foundation for a smooth base:
- Wash your face clean.
- Pat dry.
- Prep your skin with a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Let it get absorbed into the skin before moving on to the next step.
- Apply a primer. Using your fingertips or a makeup brush or sponge, work it from the center of your face towards your cheeks, forehead, and chin.
- Take a small amount of foundation and apply it at the center of the face. Gently blend outwards with your fingers or a blender or a foundation brush. Layer as needed for more coverage.
- Apply concealer and the rest of your makeup products.
Conclusion
Our findings show that foundation is an essential aspect of our everyday makeup routine as it helps to give our makeup a flawless look and adds shine to the skin. It makes your skin color even and hides blemishes and imperfections. The best foundations provide you with a perfect finish and leave your skin moisturized. They are long-wearing, sweat and water-resistant, and oil-free. These top-rated foundations are easily blended into all skin types and stay throughout your daily activities and nightouts. Have the mesmerizing natural look you have been striving for with these lightweight formulas that do not cake or crease.
FAQ's
Why Trust Pinkvilla
Sayantani, the author, is a certified makeup expert who brings a list of the best foundations for her readers in today's article. She discusses how important it is to use the right foundation to get a flawless makeup finish. She urges her readers to select a foundation based on their skin tone and skin type to get a natural finish. Before recommendation though, she has gone through the ingredient lists, performance quality, and customer reviews to bring you the best of the best.
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health and fitness on board to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More
11 Best Long-lasting Blushes to Add Some Color to Your Cheeks
10 Best Wave Grease Products That Offer Sublime Hold And Moisture
10 Best Foundation And Concealer Combos for a Smooth Makeup Base
13 Best Liquid Foundations You Need to Invest in — According to Reviews
13 Best Drugstore Moisturizers for Dry Skin — Tried And Tested