12 Best Mousse Foundations for a Stunning Makeup Look

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer
Updated on Feb 26, 2024
Best Mousse Foundations for a Stunning Makeup Look
The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation process

Every foundation type has its distinct properties and benefits. Mousse foundations, also known as whipped foundations are infused with airy microbubbles, which makes them lightweight and ideal for an airbrushed look. Hence, for an effortlessly natural makeup look, it is beneficial to invest in the best mousse foundations.

Mousse foundations are often confused with cream-based foundations. However, there is a major contrast between the two as a cream foundation has a pomade-like consistency, is dense like a concealer, and gives a dewy finish. On the other hand, a mousse/whipped foundation has a souffle-like consistency, wherein the microbubbles burst as the product is blended onto the skin, and you get a weightless, matte finish. And to top it off, these products give a dreamy, natural finish, which makes them ideal for no-makeup makeup looks.

What makes them unique and beneficial is that mousse foundations don’t clog pores or get collected in wrinkles and fine lines. Hence, they are preferable for people with mature skin. They are also effortless to use, like a BB cream, and are ideal for beginners. To help shop for the best mousse foundations, we have curated a list of our top recommended products below.

12 Best Mousse Foundations

Give your makeup routine an upgrade with Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup! This cloud-like color delivers a great deal of radiance to your skin, giving you a weightless and natural glow that's ideal for those laid-back days or when you prefer to keep your makeup minimal. With its airy mousse texture, it can conceal imperfections while also allowing your skin to breathe. Just shake, press, and dispense the product – you'll look effortlessly beautiful in no time.

Pros
  • Mess-free application
  • Suitable for various skin types
  • Blends seamlessly
  • Travel-friendly
  • Non-greasy
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Easy to remove
  • Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
  • Limited shade range
  • Best Transfer-proof Formula

    Easilydays Wheat Mousse Liquid Foundation

    Easilydays Wheat Mousse Liquid Foundation
  • The major criticism that mousse foundations face from beauty influencers and conventional makeup artists is that they have a messy formulation and a transient staying power. However, these drawbacks don't apply to this product by Easilydays. The product has a feathery weight, and breathable texture, making its blending a hassle-free process. Moreover, it helps to conceal visible signs of premature aging like fine lines, pigmentation, wrinkles, crow's feet, and freckles. To top it off, it also helps to reduce signs of visible redness and provides a natural finish. 

    Pros
    • Transfer-proof
    • Non-smudge
    • Brightens complexion
    • Improves skin texture
    Cons
    • Tends to get messy
  • Best Long-lasting formulation

    ESSENCE Soft Touch Mousse Makeup

    ESSENCE Soft Touch Mousse Makeup
  • Toss away all worries of caking and fallout with the Essence mousse foundation. It is best suited for oily, combination, and dry skin because it helps to tighten pores, conceal hyperpigmentation, and sheath wrinkles and skin creases. Moreover, it is transfer, fade, humidity, and rub-resistant, and is hence one of the most preferred options for regular use. Lastly, the product is vegan, formulated with skin-friendly ingredients, not guilty of animal testing, and devoid of sulfates, parabens, phthalates and allergens, making it an ideal choice for beginners who wish to take their baby step toward curating a skin-friendly makeup regime.  

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free
    • No greasiness
    • Breathable texture
    Cons
    • None
  • Best for Extreme Climates

    Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation

    Maybelline New York Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation
  • Maybelline New York has once again made a place for itself in the category of the best mousse foundations by curating this amazing product. It provides a natural matte finish and helps to conceal skin creases, wrinkles, and freckles. A single application of the product helps to also reduce pore size and boost the sun damage combating abilities of the skin cells. Addedly, it is crack and melt-proof and hence suited for people in torrid climates. What makes it a compatible choice for sensitive skin is that it is devoid of skin allergens and formulated with skin-friendly natural ingredients. 

    Pros
    • Conceals blind pimples
    • Sheaths discoloration
    • Sweat-resistant
    • Non-cakey
    Cons
    • Crushed pump
  • Best Overall

    REVLON ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup

    REVLON ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
  • This whipped cream-based foundation by REVLON has an advanced time-release technology that ensures a flawless finish for long hours. It has a smooth and creamy texture that is easy to blend, gives an even-toned look, and does not appear patchy. The foundation provides medium-to-full coverage, gives a natural glow, and works incredibly as a base makeup. The product is long-lasting, stays undisturbed by heat and humidity, and is one of the best mousse foundations for your makeup kit.

    Pros
    • Talc-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Easy to apply
    • Luxurious consistency
    • Doesn’t leave a white cast
    Cons
    • Overpriced for the quantity given
  • MAYBELLINE NEW YORK DREAM MATTE MOUSSE FOUNDATION

    MAYBELLINE NEW YORK DREAM MATTE MOUSSE FOUNDATION
  • Unlike other souffle-textured products, this mousse foundation by MAYBELLINE NEW YORK has a non-comedogenic formula that does not trigger whiteheads and blackheads or clog your pores. The pomade comes in a jar, which you can scoop out with your finger or a makeup spatula and glide easily over your skin. It provides medium coverage and is buildable, however, you need to let a small amount of the product settle on your skin before you layer up for the best results. The lightweight product provides a silky matte finish, which makes it an ideal mousse foundation for a flawless, natural makeup look.

    Pros
    • Long-lasting
    • Easy to use
    • Allergy tested
    • Suits all skin types
    • Dermatologically-tested
    Cons
    • Shades may differ slightly
  • Best Coverage

    RIMMEL LONDON STAY MATTE FULL COVERAGE MATTIFYING FOUNDATION

    RIMMEL LONDON STAY MATTE FULL COVERAGE MATTIFYING FOUNDATION
  • For oily skin, this liquid mousse foundation by RIMMEL LONDON is an excellent oil-free formula for long-lasting shine control. The product has a smooth texture and contains advanced gel emulsifiers that make it glide easily on your skin for an even-toned look. The formula covers pores and imperfections without clogging. Unlike other matte foundations, the product gives a baby-soft finish. It is one of the best mousse foundations for a flawless makeup look.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Sits comfortably
    • Hygienic container
    • A little goes a long way
    • Available in many shades
    • Medium buildable coverage
    Cons
    • Cakey and a bit drying
  • Most Lightweight

    M. Asam MAGIC FINISH Make-Up Mousse

    M. Asam MAGIC FINISH Make-Up Mousse
  • This mousse foundation by M. Asam also provides the benefits of a primer, concealer, and a setting powder, so you can skip those steps and use it as your only base makeup. It has an air-like texture and provides medium-to-full coverage. What makes this product special is that it reduces the appearance of imperfections like dark spots, and pores, while sitting comfortably on the skin. The matte foundation blends flawlessly into the skin and gives an even tone. The product is free from harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and DEA.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Lightweight
    • Free from talc
    • Conceals wrinkles
    • Buildable coverage
    • A little goes a long way
    Cons
    • Dissolves with sweat
    • Not ideal for oily skin
  • Best Oil-free Formula

    Black Radiance Color Perfect Mousse Foundation

    Black Radiance Color Perfect Mousse Foundation
  • This mousse foundation by Black Radiance has a denser consistency than other similar products. It has a creamy texture that becomes powder-like once settled on your skin, for a flawless matte finish. It comes in six shades, specially designed for melanin-rich, dark skin tones. It has a highly pigmented formula that provides medium-to-full coverage for an even-toned look. The product can be applied with a soft foundation brush or a damp beauty blender and does not require a setting spray for a long-lasting finish.

    Pros
    • Buildable
    • Lightweight
    • Velvety finish
    • Oil-free formula
    • Luxurious texture
    • Doesn’t clog pores
    Cons
    • Tough to blend
  • Best Fragrance-free Formula

    REVLON PHOTOREADY AIRBRUSH MOUSSE MAKEUP

    REVLON PHOTOREADY AIRBRUSH MOUSSE MAKEUP
  • While most mousse foundations are thick and have an air-light texture, this product by REVLON has a foamy liquid texture that gently hydrates the skin. When you blend this product onto your skin, its microbubbles gently burst, which makes it spread evenly and gives buildable coverage. The luminous matte foundation contains shimmery photo chromatic pigments that give your face a beautiful glow, which is more noticeable under the sun. You can blend this product using a brush, dampened sponge, or simply with your fingertips.

    Pros
    • Not clumpy
    • Easy to use
    • Fragrance-free
    • Airbrushed finish
    • Unique formulation
    • Hygienic pump can
    • Not for oily skin
    • Very little coverage
    Cons
    • Runny
  • MAYBELLINE NEW YORK INSTANT AGE REWIND PERFECTOR 4-IN-1 WHIPPED MATTE MAKEUP

    MAYBELLINE NEW YORK INSTANT AGE REWIND PERFECTOR 4-IN-1 WHIPPED MATTE MAKEUP
  • This whipped foundation is an anti-aging makeup product for days when you are running short of time. It has a 4-in-1 formula that provides the benefits of a primer, concealer, BB cream, and a setting powder, making it one of the best mousse foundations for an even-toned look. Its blurring properties reduce the appearance of imperfections, pores, and blemishes. The product is not buildable, and a single layer of this product goes a long way. Avoid layering the matte foundation with a product containing zinc for the best results.

    Pros
    • Blends nicely
    • Air-light texture
    • Hygienic container
    • A little goes a long way
    • Can be applied with fingertips
    Cons
    • Very light coverage
  • Hydrating Formulation

    HALEYS RE:VEAL Mousse Makeup

    HALEYS RE:VEAL Mousse Makeup
  • HALEYS RE:VEAL Mousse Makeup has a luxuriously creamy texture and the perfect consistency for buildable coverage. The product is better than most drugstore foundations because it is enriched with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and caprylyl glycol that soothe and hydrate the skin for a fresh, dewy look. It has a cream-to-powder formulation which gives a healthy-looking complexion and makes the product one of the best mousse foundations.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Sustainable
    • Oil-free formula
    • Gives a natural glow
    • Covers imperfections
    • Nourishing ingredients
    • Sits comfortably on the skin
    Cons
    • Bit tough to blend

    Now that you know our recommendations for the best mousse foundations, let us understand how to apply them and the things to consider while buying.

    Steps to Apply a Mousse Foundation

    • Step 1: Before applying the product, cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face and neck. Prep your skin with a primer so that the makeup stays on for a long time. 
    • Step 2: Use a color corrector/concealer if required. Otherwise, feel free to skip Step 2. 
    • Step 3: If your product comes in a jar, scoop out a small amount with your fingers or with a clean makeup spatula. If your product comes in a tube/bottle, then squeeze/pump out a small amount on your palms. 
    • Step 4: The application of a mousse foundation is similar to that of a BB cream. Dot your face evenly with the product using your fingers, starting from the high points such as cheekbones, nose, forehead, etc. moving to other regions of your face and neck. 
    • Step 5: Some products can be blended onto your skin using just the fingertips. If so, gently even out the product with circular, upward movements. Use the ring fingers to blend at the eye area and the middle fingers to blend at the contours of your nose. You can skip Step 6 after that. 
    • Step 6: If your product cannot be blended with fingertips, then take a soft-bristle foundation or a dampened beauty blender. 
    • If you’re using a damp sponge, start by gently dabbing near the eyes, and continue outwards. For the high-coverage finish, it is best to first even out the foundation gently with a brush, and follow it by dabbing with a sponge blender. 
    • Step 7: Layer your base makeup with a compact/translucent setting powder. You can skip this step if your product does not require one.

    What to Look for When Buying Mousse Foundations?

    Shade: When shopping for any base makeup, finding the right shade to suit your skin tone is the first and most pivotal step. No matter how good the quality of your foundation is, picking the wrong shade nullifies the bottom line of buying it in the first place. It is safe to opt for foundations that are available in many shades, so you can find your precise shade. If the brand offers a shade guide, then understand it before making the purchase. Otherwise, check whether the shade can be tested using Amazon’s Virtual Try-On Filter. 

    Formulation: A mousse foundation is typically lightweight and has distinct consistency, containing microbubbles that make it comfortable to wear. Hence, if a product claims to be a mousse foundation but is heavy and uncomfortable, it is a strict no-no. Ensure your product is breathable, non-comedogenic, and gives an even tone. Having a luxurious texture makes makeup a lot more exciting. Ensure that the foundation you pick suits sensitive skin and doesn’t trigger blemishes or irritation. 

    Blendability And Finish: The product should have a silky and smooth texture, which glides easily and blends effortlessly. Then, depending on your skin type, you can look for specific features. If you have oily/combination skin, you can opt for a non-greasy, matte foundation. If you have dry/normal skin, then look for a non-drying luminous foundation with a dewy finish. 

    Staying Power: Get your hands on a foundation that is long-lasting and can withstand sweat, oil, heat, and humidity without dissolving. Otherwise, you’ll have to keep reapplying your base makeup throughout the day. 

    Ingredients: Ensure that the foundation is free from parabens, sulfates, triclosan, petroleum, phthalates, overpowering fragrances, etc. so you can indulge in a safe beauty regime. While these are not a given for makeup products, nourishing ingredients like vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, glyceric, aloe vera, and soothing botanical extracts are always beneficial.

    So, there you have it. The above-mentioned products are our top-recommended mousse foundations on Amazon that are highly reviewed by its users. We have also mentioned steps to apply a mousse foundation and a detailed buying guide, so you can make an informed purchase. Ensure you understand your skin tone and skin type, and look for a product that suits both. Because even if you are using an excellent product, your experience can be bad if it may simply not suit your skin type. We hope this switch to mousse foundation proves beneficial to your makeup regime. Happy shopping!

    FAQ's

    Which is better: mousse foundation or liquid foundation?
    Both types of foundations have their own benefits. While liquid foundations are ideal for high coverage and prepping your skin for a fancy makeup look, mousse foundations are an effortless choice ideal for everyday use. But if you are new to the makeup game, then it is better to start with a mousse foundation.
    Can mousse be used as a foundation?
    A mousse can be used as an effortless foundation on days when you are running late, are a beginner to makeup, or just need an effortless base product.
    Is mousse foundation good for mature skin?
    Mousse foundation does not get collected in wrinkles, fine lines, eye creases, etc., and has a non-greasy finish, which makes it good for people with mature skin.
    Which mousse foundation is best for dry skin?
    HALEYS RE:VEAL Mousse Makeup is enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, which hydrates and soothes the skin. Hence, it is one of the best mousse foundations for dry skin.
    What is better mousse or foam?
    It depends on your skin type. If you have oily skin, then a mattifying mousse foundation would be beneficial. On the other hand, a foamy liquid foundation would hydrate and nourish dry skin.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Mousse foundation is the latest rage in the beauty industry for having the unique and flawless texture. And our makeup expert, Sayantani, didn't mind spending hours researching for the same. She has curated this list of best mousse foundations keeping in mind the texture, formula, ingredients, finish, and staying power. We can vouch that incorporating this revolutionary product can elevate your experience and bestow you with a stunning makeup look, to say the least.

    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 & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Sayantani Deb
    Makeup & Beauty Writer

    Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More