3 Celebrity Makeup Artists Walk Into Ulta—These Are the 13 Foundations They Buy
It's easy to forget that celebrity makeup artists often use well-known and accessible makeup products on their A-list clients. Yep, we're talking about the same products that line the shelves (whether IRL or virtual) of our favorite retailers. Some even shop at those retailers, testing new formulas and restocking their kits. (Imagine walking into Sephora or Ulta armed with that level of expertise.)
Well, you don't have to imagine it; you can live it. That's because we reached out to three celebrity makeup artists and asked them which foundations they would *actually* buy at Ulta to include in their pro kits. We wanted to know which formulas they trust to create a fresh, flawless base every damn time. A makeup look is only as good as its base, right? Keep scrolling to see their top picks. Your new favorite foundation is right this way.
The Top Makeup Artist–Approved Foundations
- Best Drugstore Foundation: L'Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation ($14)
- Best Matte/Long-Wearing Foundation: Lancôme Idôle Ultra 24H Longwear Matte Foundation ($57)
- Best Glowy Foundation: Dior Forever Fluid Skin Glow Foundation ($57)
- Best Sheer Foundation: Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Foundation ($52)
- Best Serum Foundation: MAC Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation ($46)
- Best Skin Tint Foundation: Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir Foundation ($32)
- Best Skin-Benefitting Foundation: About-Face The Performer Skin-Focused Foundation ($22)
- Best Natural-Looking Foundation: Chanel No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation ($75)
- Best Daily Foundation: Rabanne Fresh Touch Foundation ($40)
- Best CC Cream Foundation: It Cosmetics CC+ Cream SPF 50 ($47)
- Best Foundation Stick: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick ($49)
- Best Shade Range for Deep Skin Tones: BLK/OPL True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation ($15)
- Best Powder Foundation: Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Powder Foundation ($55)
Best Drugstore Foundation: L'Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
Lisa Aharon is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Olivia Munn, Anna Kendrick, and Rachel Brosnahan. She recommends this budget-friendly L'Oréal Paris foundation that's formulated to have an undetectable, skin-like finish. "It's one of my favorite drugstore foundations for natural coverage and has a fantastic shade range for all skin tones," she says.
-Shades: 47
-Coverage: Medium
-Finish: Natural
Customer review: "I love this foundation and have used it for years! The shade I use matches me perfectly and the liquid is very blendable and feels light on my skin [...]."
Best Matte/Long-Wearing Foundation: Lancôme Idôle Ultra 24H Longwear Matte Foundation
Aharon's next pick is Lancôme's iconic Teint Idole Foundation. "I love this because it does what it says and is super long-lasting," she says. "It leans matte but still leaves the skin with some life. The fragrance-free formula is also great for sensitive skin types."
-Shades: 55
-Coverage: Full
-Finish: Matte
Customer review: "This product is fantastic and not only solves for foundation but also involves the use of sunscreen to ensure my skin is protected. I would highly recommend this product."
Best Glowy Foundation: Dior Forever Fluid Skin Glow Foundation
Ash K Holm is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Megan Fox, Kim Kardashian, and Jasmine Tookes. She recommends snagging a bottle of this Dior foundation from Ulta. "The Dior Forever Fluid Foundation combines long-lasting wear with skincare benefits, offering a choice between a matte or radiant finish," Holm says. "Its 86% skincare-infused formula includes hydrating extracts like iris and rose hip, providing a breathable, comfortable feel that lasts up to 24 hours. This foundation blurs imperfections, evens skin tone, and is known for its smooth, natural look that suits a variety of skin types and preferences." We're sold.
-Shades: 42
-Coverage: Medium/Full
-Finish: Dewy
Customer review: "I've used pretty much every foundation out there and I have to say this one is # 1 !!!!! Best coverage, color match, and longevity. Love everything about it."
Best Sheer Foundation: Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Foundation
Randall Intrabartola is a SoCal makeup artist who specializes in event and bridal makeup. When shopping at Ulta, she opts for Estée Lauder's Double Wear Sheer Foundation. "If you love the OG Double Wear foundation, you should try her sister, the sheer version, which offers a more natural coverage than the original," she says. "Lightweight yet has incredible staying power."
-Shades: 15
-Coverage: Light
-Finish: Matte
Customer review: "I have been using this fabulous foundation for 15 years. It looks flawless and I routinely receive lovely compliments. It's easy to apply with my makeup brush and looks radiant. I never feel completely put together until this glorious foundation is on my face. Thank you, Estee Lauder."
Best Serum Foundation: MAC Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation
Serum foundations are essentially super lightweight liquid formulas—think of the texture of a hyaluronic acid or vitamin C serum. Often, they have some skin-benefitting ingredients in them. Holm recommends reaching for this one next time you're shopping at Ulta. "MAC Studio Radiance Foundation stands out for its lightweight, hydrating formula that gives skin a luminous, natural glow without feeling heavy. It’s ideal for those who want a radiant, fresh look with buildable coverage, enhancing natural skin texture rather than masking it. Its dewy finish makes it a go-to for a healthy, lit-from-within look, suitable for both everyday wear and on-camera settings."
-Shades: 56
-Coverage: Buildable
-Finish: Dewy
Customer review: "Foundation goes on smoothly, blends well, and lasts for the day."
Best Skin Tint: Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir Foundation
Fans of fresh, natural-looking foundations will love Holm's next pick. "Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir is a hydrating, lightweight tint that offers buildable, light-to-medium coverage for a natural, dewy finish," she says. "With hyaluronic acid, it smooths skin texture and blurs pores, staying fresh for up to 12 hours. This tint aligns with Kylie Jenner’s minimalist approach, delivering a radiant look that’s ideal for both everyday wear and full makeup looks."
-Shades: 24
-Coverage: Light
-Finish: Natural/dewy
Customer review: "This skin tint is amazing. I was just the right coverage not too light but not too much coverage and you can also build up the coverage. The finish is a nice finish. It's a glowy finish without it being too much."
Best Skin-Benefitting Foundation: About-Face The Performer Skin-Focused Foundation
Another skin-finish foundation Intrabartola loves, this one is lightweight and breathable for a comfortable feel. It also features good-for-skin ingredients like blue agave, wintergreen, and chlorella, which are known to help skin feel moisturized, balanced, and smooth. She says, "The doe-foot applicator makes it easy to apply, and you really can't beat the price point!"
-Shades: 24
-Coverage: Light/medium
-Finish: Natural
Customer review: "One of the best foundations I've ever tried. Last all day, super lightweight and the finish is amazing! Love this foundation because works very well in a humid climate."
Best Natural-Looking Foundation: Chanel No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation
This foundation is one of the Who What Wear beauty team's favorite natural-looking formulas. We're happy to know that Aharon agrees. "This is a great clean foundation option that leaves a beautiful luminous finish," she says. "It feels and looks really light on the skin."
-Shades: 29
-Coverage: Buildable
-Finish: Natural
Customer review: "This is my new favorite foundation. I can apply it with my hands, brush, and sponge and it always looks so beautiful and natural. The color match is perfect and it lasts throughout my entire 8-hour work day and beyond. I cannot recommend this enough. I also do have oily/combo skin."
Best Daily Foundation: Rabanne Fresh Touch Foundation
Intrabartola's next pick is Rabanne's Fresh Touch Foundation. "This is a hydrating foundation that feels like a skin tint, provides decent coverage, and lasts a long time!"
-Shades: 30
-Coverage: Medium
-Finish: Natural
Customer review: "The *Fresh Touch Foundation* has a beautiful, natural finish that strikes a balance between dewy and matte, creating a soft, radiant look that enhances the skin's natural glow. It blends effortlessly and feels lightweight, offering smooth coverage that evens out skin tone without feeling heavy or cakey. The foundation is also long-wearing, holding up well throughout the day without excessive shine or settling into fine lines. Perfect for everyday wear, it provides a fresh, polished look suitable for a variety of skin types."
Best CC Cream Foundation: It Cosmetics CC+ Cream SPF 50
Aharon likes It Cosmetics CC+ Cream for its multitasking formula (it's a full-coverage foundation, anti-aging serum, and mineral sunscreen in one), and its natural-looking finish. "I love that it gives variable coverage, and even at its fullest, it still looks natural. It's also super hydrating for dry skin types."
-Shades: 22
-Coverage: Full
-Finish: Natural
Customer review: "I do not write reviews, but this is the Best Foundation I have ever used!!! [...] It has SPF in it and helps cover any flaws in the skin like redness, freckles, brown spots, etc. I will not use anything else!"
Best Foundation Stick: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick
Aharon says this foundation works as a concealer, too. "I use this for such a large range of options—touch-ups in small areas, all over the face blended in lightly over moisturizer, or at its fullest for skin that needs that coverage," she says. "It's also amazing for sensitive and allergy-prone skin types."
-Shades: 31
-Coverage: Full
-Finish: Natural
Customer review: "This foundation is gorgeous! Glides on and blends like a dream."
Best Shade Range for Deep Skin Tones: BLK/OPL True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation
"This was the first foundation for darker skin tones that I ever had in my kit, and it's incredible," Aharon says. "It leaves a smooth, flawless finish; minimizes the appearance of pores; and the shades are beautiful."
-Shades: 23
-Coverage: Full
-Finish: Matte
Customer review: "Wanted a stick foundation for a light everyday makeup look. This is perfect! I use about 3 swipes on both sides of my face to even out my complexion. Blends best with a damp sponge followed by a foundation brush. Also love the neutral undertones!!"
Best Powder Foundation: Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Powder Foundation
Last but not least, Intrabartola recommends this powder foundation. "This formula is actually hydrating and moves with your skin so it won't flake or break up throughout the day," she says. "Made with flexible pigments, it's ultra blurring, giving the skin an airbrushed look."
-Shades: 36
-Coverage: Medium
-Finish: Matte
Customer review: "This is now my Holy Grail in powder/foundation. I use it daily. I love it because I don't have to use concealer or any foundation when I put this product on. Makes my skin look flawless! Love it!"
Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.
- Shawna HudsonAssociate Beauty Editor
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