With hundreds of foundations on the market, finding the best formula for your skin is no small feat. And as a beauty editor with oily skin things can feel even trickier when it comes to finding a foundation that’s actually going to last. Naturally, over the years, I’ve tended to gravitate towards more full-coverage foundations over more natural-looking formulas in the hope of bolstering their staying power. But now that I’m in my mid-30s and my skin is changing again, I’ve found myself gravitating towards more lightweight skin tints or more hydrating formulas that are less likely to cling to dry patches. However, dewy foundations aren’t renowned for their longevity—and if there’s one thing that I want from my foundation it’s for it to be totally smudge-proof.
Thankfully, there are foundations out there that you can apply first thing in the morning and will still be firmly in place by the end of the day—no budging. And there are other things that you can do to improve the longevity of your foundation too. “Don’t use too much skincare before you put on your foundation as excess emollient on the skin is a surefire way to increase slip,” advises makeup artist Andrew Denton. Plus, mixing up your application techniques can also boost staying power. “Applying foundation with your fingers instead of a brush will help push the foundation into your skin with the heat and contact from your fingers massaging the foundation into place and enabling it to set and stay in place for a prolonged period of time,” says Denton.
Ahead, my pick of the very best smudge-proof foundations that I’ve tried and tested—plus some recommendations from trusted fellow beauty editors and makeup artists.
The best smudge-proof foundations:
- Best overall smudge-proof foundation: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
- Best for oily skin: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Matte Longwear Foundation
- Best stick foundation: ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
- Best for dry skin: Monika Blunder Blunder Cover
- Best powder foundation: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15
- Best for glow: Sculpted by Aimee Satin Silk Longwear Foundation
- Best for coverage: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
- Best affordable foundation: L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32hr Freshwear Liquid Foundation
1. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Number of shades: 40
Coverage: Medium, buildable
Formula: Liquid
Pros: Suits all skin types, adds a natural-looking glow, feels lightweight
Cons: A more expensive formula
This iconic foundation was the most-recommended product by far, thanks to its impressive staying power and natural, yet glowy, finish. And both Denton and the Who What Wear team are obsessed with this. “I never used to wear, or even like, foundation until Armani's Luminous Silk came into my life,” says Who What Wear UK Managing Editor Poppy Nash. “This is the perfect balance between full-coverage and also a glowing, natural look. I've worn it for over 12 hours before and it still looked just as good when I got home as it did when I left that morning, and doesn't ever transfer onto collars or necklines.”
Who What Wear UK Junior Beauty Editor Grace Lindsay is also a fan. “ I have quite oily skin so I am used to my foundation slipping all over the place, but this product always stays put while still feeling lightweight on the skin,” says Lindsay. “Not only does it offer medium, buildable coverage and a naturally luminous finish, but it really lasts.”
2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Matte Longwear Foundation
Number of shades: 50
Coverage: Medium to full
Formula: Liquid
Pros: Extensive shade range, soft matte finish, absorbs oil and reduces shine
Cons: Best suited to oily skin
When I want to trust that my foundation is going to last all day, this is the one that I reach for. Despite having oily skin, I don’t tend to gravitate towards formulas that have matte in the name, so if you’re the same then trust me—yes, this is a matte foundation, but it’s in no way dry, powdery or dull. In fact, whenever I wear this I tend to get compliments on how good my skin looks. It has an almost soft focus finish so skin looks velvety-smooth and bright, without any hint of shininess. And thanks to innovative climate-adapative technology, it actually works with your environment to soak up excess oil or protect from humidity when you need it. Plus, it truly lasts all day.
3. ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
Number of shades: 42
Coverage: Medium
Formula: Cream stick
Pros: Lightweight, blurring effect, smooths skin
Cons: Applies more easily directly after skincare
Stick foundations are a great option to look out for when you’re looking for smudge-proof formulations, but they do have a reputation for being heavy or hard to apply. ILIA has turned all of that on its head, however, with this innovative formulation that Who What Wear UK Beauty Editor Eleanor Vousden recommends.
“Having oily skin, I find that a lot of dewy, liquid foundations slip and slide on my skin, but I recently discovered Ilia's Skin Rewind Complexion Stick and it's been a total game-changer,” says Vousden. “Unlike some foundation sticks, it goes on smoothly without dragging or looking dry. Instead, it has a buttery texture that provides medium to full coverage while looking like a second skin. It has a matte finish, but doesn't leave the skin looking flat. Plus, it blends so effortlessly, which makes it great for touch-ups too.”
4. Monika Blunder Beauty Blunder Cover
Number of shades: 20
Coverage: Buildable to full
Formula: Cream
Pros: Multitasking formula, packed with skincare ingredients
Cons: Not the most extensive shade range
Created by celebrity makeup artist Monkika Blunder, this cult foundation is renowned for its multitasking abilities. Whether you want to use it as a concealer, a sheer tint, or a full-coverage base, you can use this in a multitude of ways to achieve the finish that you want. Infused with redness-reducing arnica, soothing vitamin E, and hydrating sunflower extract, it doesn’t sound like it would make the most long-wearing formula, but makeup artists swear by it for creating a base that’s even good enough to use on camera.
“My favourite cream foundation is Monika Blunder Blunder Cover,” says Denton. “The formulation is genius— it’s buildable and has the most beautiful texture that enhances skin’s radiance whilst masking imperfections without copious amounts of product. It’s fabulous if you have a drier complexion as the formulation will feel comfortable.”
5. BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15
Number of shades: 29
Coverage: Sheer to full
Formula: Mineral powder
Pros: Natural finish, flexible coverage, great staying power
Cons: Works best with the brush that’s available to buy separately
I have lost track of how many years I have used this foundation for, but every time I return to it I wonder why I strayed. Powder foundations aren’t up everyone’s street, and I’ll admit that it’s the idea of the formula that put me off trying it for so long, but truly it works. Best applied using the Beautiful Finish Foundation Brush, you simply buff this powder onto your skin in circular motions to help the product transform from a powder into a cream. It diffuses beautifully onto skin, evening tone, minimising the appearance of blemishes, and providing ample coverage without looking cakey. And, because it is a powder, it stays put for hours and hours—no smudges in sight.
6. Sculpted by Aimee Satin Silk Longwear Foundation
Number of shades: 30
Coverage: Medium to full
Formula: Liquid
Pros: Hydrating, long-wear with great coverage, satin finish
Cons: Might be too full coverage for some
It might feel like full coverage foundations have fallen out of favour over the last few years, but many of us still want a base product that’s going to conceal some of the areas we might feel less confident about without having to feel like we’re wearing a mask of makeup. Thankfully, this foundation from Sculpted by Aimee has all of that great coverage without any of the heaviness.
“When I want my foundation to last all day (and look good in the process), I always opt for Sculpted by Aimee’s Satin Silk Longwear Foundation,” says Freelance Beauty Editor and Who What Wear UK contributor Grace Day. “ I find that it’s durable and lasting because it really dries down onto my skin, rather than sitting on the skin and leaving it feeling tacky like some other foundations do. What’s more, it has great coverage and leaves skin with a ‘lit from within’ glow.”
7. Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
Number of shades: 33
Coverage: Full
Formula: Cream stick
Pros: Maximum coverage that feels lightweight, waterproof
Cons: It’s pricey
I was never one for a foundation stick before I tried the Hourglass Vanish Stick, but you only need to try it once to understand why it’s such a cult beauty product. It boasts a long-wearing waterproof formula that means not only is the potential for smudging non-existent, but it will stay put through rainy downpours and sweltering heat waves without causing you to break a sweat. Offering up all the coverage of your most heavy-duty concealer, but without the heavy texture, it’s a great option if you’re prone to breakouts like me and want something that’s going to really deliver on coverage. And, yes, it’s on the more expensive side, but a little bit goes such a long way that it will last you for months and months.
8. L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32hr Freshwear Liquid Foundation
Number of shades: 27
Coverage: Full
Formula: Liquid
Pros: Affordable, great coverage, incredible longevity
Cons: It is very matte
I don't know anyone that would want to wear a foundation for 32 hours, but it certainly proves that L’Oréal Paris have bold confidence in the staying power of this foundation to plaster it all over the bottle. While I have to admit that I am a sucker for a luxury foundation, when it comes to more affordable options there is no brand that does it better than L’Oréal Paris in my opinion—and this transfer-proof, waterproof and smudge-proof formula proves it. It glides on, covering every patch of redness or slight bit of discolouration without any hint of heaviness, then dries into a true matte finish that locks in place all day. An incredibly efficacious formula that rivals some of the most expensive long-wear foundations I’ve tried.
