3 Celebrity Makeup Artists Walk Into Ulta—These Are the 13 Foundations They Buy

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 [...]."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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!"

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."

"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!!"

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!"