While summer allows us to embrace the more aspirational things in life (think: the Hot Girl style aesthetic or dreaming of far-off destination outfits), practically speaking, the heat isn’t doing any favors for our beauty beat. Summer is filled with its fair share of aesthetic challenges from dealing with sunburns to the inevitable sweat drip. For instance, that moment when the heatwave hits, and our foundation quite literally starts melting? Yeah, that’s the worst. But this summer, we’re ready to finally ditch the drip and embrace our innate hotness thanks to these 17 long-wear foundations. Bonus: They’ve all been vetted by real Who What Wear readers, so you know the hype is legit.
WHO: Anoushka Nmak
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have a combination skin type. My skin can be dry or normal in some areas and oily in others, such as the T-zone (nose, forehead, and chin). Unifying, hydrating, protecting from external aggressions, and providing a matt and light effect without irritating dry areas is what I want from my foundation.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
My favorite longwear foundation is Guerlain L’Essentiel Fond De Teint Haut Perfection in 06W Very Deep Warm. It's vital for me to wear a foundation with an SPF for my skin; doing makeup and protecting my skin at the same time is important to me. I love this foundation because it has natural ingredients, with a natural matte finish, high coverage, and lasts more than 24 hours.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
This foundation throughout the day keeps my complexion perfect and natural. Pores and imperfections are blurred, so I'm able to keep it minimal. A simple and warm look is my signature look for the summer.
WHO: Mercedes Malana
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have a combination skin type but a little more oily than dry. The number one skincare woe that I want my makeup foundation to solve is covering up my blemishes without looking and feeling too heavy.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I swear by Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 6.5. I’ve repurchased it over and over because it perfectly smooths my skin while still looking natural and effortless. I’ve worn this foundation from the crack of dawn till midnight and it’s never let me down!
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
This foundation is phenomenal, so I’m able to keep my look simple.
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have normal but acne-prone skin. I need a foundation that helps prevent breakouts and doesn’t clog up my pores.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I have been a longtime fan of Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation; I use the shade Syracuse. Since high school, it’s been my daily go-to because it’s long-lasting and keeps its satin finish throughout the day. I’ve had this foundation last through full days of school, nights out in Paris, and even made it through hikes in National Parks. Through all my use, it’s kept my skin healthy and breakout-free.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
I love putting together bold eye looks alongside the perfect base I achieve with this Nars foundation. This clean and natural foundation base helps my liner looks stand out and shine.
WHO: Hoziane Mwajuma
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I recently changed my base routine from using a full coverage, mattifying foundation to a medium coverage, dewy foundation. Dewy foundation works better for my dry skin as I found that I experienced less build-up. The medium coverage works for areas with hyperpigmentation but yet allows my skin to still look youthful.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I swear by the Pro Filt'r Hydrating Longwear Foundation by Fenty Beauty in 420. I honestly cannot rave about this foundation enough. It perfectly matches my skin tone and undertones. It is long-lasting, and I never need to do any touch-ups throughout the day.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
My go-to look is effortless but elevated. I like my nude tones to create a soft glam, and I am good to go!
WHO: Nydia Piao
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have combination skin that gets oily around the T-Zone. My skin is very dry in the winter, and my forehead gets oily in the summer. I'm a big fan of wearing a more natural look, so I want my foundation to be lightweight and ultimately enhance the radiance of my skin. I also want it to match my skin perfectly—I've noticed that some brands do not have the perfect shade for those with olive skin tones like myself.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
My favorite foundation is Laura Mercier's Tinted I Moisturizer (I'm the shade "Warm Radiance"). While I loved Mercier’s Illuminating line (it’s been discontinued), their tinted moisturizer is an excellent second-choice as I love that it has SPF 20 to further protect my skin from sun damage. It gives me a healthy glow, which is needed in the winter months when I lose my tan, but this product is my holy grail because it doesn't make my skin oily even in sweltering hot NYC summer. It's easy to apply—I usually use a beauty blender for this when I'm at home, but I've used my fingers to apply the product plenty of times while on vacation.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
My go-to look with this foundation is pink-ish nude lipstick, mini winged eyeliner, a highlighter on the cheekbones and the arches of my brows, and a little bit of bronzer.
WHO: Kamrin Brown
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have combo skin at this point in my life: oily nose and chin, but the rest of my face can be pretty dry. Any foundation I use has to give me enough coverage to hide my hyperpigmentation! I scar easily from occasional breakouts, so I want to feel confident in full coverage that isn't too heavy.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I recently fell in love with the new Marc Jacobs Extra Shot foundation. I love how it's lightweight and buildable, so complete coverage can be achieved without as much product. It blends well with other concealers I use, and it lasts all day (I've worn it up to 12 hours with no retouching)!
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
I always go for a basic, clean face with a highlight (with my "Rudolph effect" on my nose), and my priorities are the two Ls: lash and lip. Pretty lashes with a bold or nude lip.
WHO: Christina Noia
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
It took me a long time to realize I have combination skin! I'm a minimalist when it comes to makeup, and I invest a lot in my skincare routine, so I'm more of a tinted moisturizer person over a foundation kind of girl. But when I’m shopping for one, I want it to even out my skin tone and minimize my pores; I like that dewy glow you get from foundations without the thickness.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
My all-time favorite tinted moisturizer (that just so happens to solve all my skincare woes) is the Halo Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturizer by Smashbox. It has a primer baked in, so it minimizes my pores, is lightweight, so it doesn't feel cakey, has SPF 25, leaves a beautiful natural tint evening out my imperfections, and leaves a luminous glow without feeling greasy. It truly is an all-in-one product!
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
I love a clean, dewy skin look with colorful, statement eyes (either shadow or colored eyeliner). I've been experimenting with glossy lids and fun ‘80s inspired colors.
WHO: Chandni Shah
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have normal to dry skin, and the number one thing I always look for in my foundation is that it has to stay put. I've had multiple foundations that slide off my face (especially in the summer heat), so I need my foundation to hold throughout the day.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
The Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick goes on smooth like butter, is completely full-coverage, gives a natural finish, and is water-proof. The foundation is extremely long-lasting (up to 12 hours) and feels like a second skin once you put it on. A little goes a long way, so this foundation has lasted me so long and is one of my all-time favorites.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
I always go for a very natural and neutral look. I pair this foundation with a minimal eye look (usually brown eyeshadow), glossy lips, and a peach blush.
WHO: Chioma Anugweje
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have combination skin, and I would like my foundation to even out my skin tone or cover my hyperpigmentation and pimples.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I have two foundations I swear by; one is a drug store foundation, NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation (in the shade Mahogany). The other one is a high-end foundation, Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation (in the shade 440 Amber). I love both foundations because they apply easily and look natural on the skin, look good all day, give a dewy finish, and both have a good shade range, which is very important to me.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
My signature makeup look is colorful eyeshadow; I just love what colors do to a makeup look. It brightens my day.
WHO: Natalia Sztyk
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have combination skin, and as I’ve gotten older, my skin has started to get drier. So many foundations enhance my dry patches. I just want that dewy, glowy natural-looking skin.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I love Bite Beauty's Changemaker Supercharged Micellar Foundation. It’s insanely buildable, feels like skincare instead of foundation (not heavy!), and the number one thing is that it does not enhance my dry patches! I hate anything fussy, so once this is on, I'm glad I don't have to think about it again since it lasts me all day until I wash it off.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
My makeup look is not precise, I do it in less than five minutes, and my primary beauty tool is my fingers. After foundation, I’ll dust some translucent powder on my t-zone, use a cream bronzer, blush, and highlighter, then brush my eyebrows and call it a day!
WHO: Gisele Milan Smith
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have super oily skin, and because of that, I am perpetually shiny (and not the cute glowy kind of shiny). When I choose a foundation, I think of two things: first, will this product blur and dull some of that shine without removing my skin's natural glow? And secondly, does it feel cakey? I'm originally from Arizona, which is extremely hot, and now living in NYC’s humidity. I'm no stranger to lots and lots of sweat, so I like my foundation to feel light while still being long-lasting.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I was never obsessed with foundation until I purchased Ami Cole's Skin Enhancing Tint. This foundation checks all the boxes for me. Formulated with the consistency of a "tint," it is super lightweight and buildable. But, unlike many tints I've tried, this one gives you the most flawless coverage I have ever encountered; I can tell the difference immediately with the first swipe. Even on the most humid days in New York, this foundation lasts and has never sweat off throughout the day. If you are like me and want the coverage and longevity of a foundation, this one's for you without the foundation feel.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
When it comes to makeup, I love something straightforward that packs a punch. Graphic eyeliner is the perfect way for me to accomplish that - it looks like I spent an hour, but it took me five minutes.
WHO: Lauren Westlake
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have dry, sensitive skin. My skin can be dehydrated and easily irritated, which is why I look for protective and hydrating ingredients within my foundation. I want a foundation that has long-lasting hydration, protects from UV, no creasing, and has a glowing finish.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I swear by the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation (I use shade 3 Neutral). I love this foundation because it keeps my skin hydrated and provides a slightly dewy finish. I have worn this from day to night (20 hours) because it is waterproof and transfer-proof, which is especially important for me while still wearing face masks. I only use foundations that have caring ingredients. This is infused with CT’s Magic serum formula, so my skin always feels cared for after wearing it for a long time.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
My signature makeup style is glowing, dewy skin, lots of blush, and a graphic eye.
WHO: Anam Asad
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
My skin type is dry and blemish-prone. I want my foundation to give me glow and enough coverage to cover any blemishes without comprising a natural look.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
The long-wear foundation I swear by is the Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick. It has a great buildable cover, age, and a natural finish; once set, it gives you the perfect base! I’ve been complimented so many times on how my base makeup looks, and ever since I switched to this stick foundation, my makeup routine goes by a lot quicker because it blends so easily. This foundation stays on all day throughout the heat of summer, long shoot days, and events (8+ hours).
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
My signature makeup look is glowy and sun-kissed. After priming my skin, I blend my foundation with a bit of the Farsali Liquid Glass Radiance Serum for added glow. My favorite concealer to use under my eyes is Too Faced Born This Way which I set with Fenty Beauty’s setting powder. I love cream products such as Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer in West Coast paired with Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in Rosé Latte. I use these two to emphasize my cheekbones.
WHO: Whitney Madueke
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have oily skin and acne-prone skin, so finding a long-wear foundation that doesn’t cause breakouts is a top priority when it comes to picking a foundation.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
One of my absolute favorites is Laura Mercier Lumiere Foundation in the shade Espresso. I love it for a healthy glow and flawless finish, it has excellent coverage and the shade match on me is impeccable.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
Any look goes with it. It works well for an everyday makeup look or a complete glam look—I love foundations that can be worn for any occasion.
WHO: Sarah Kretzu
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have dry, sensitive skin. I've always had discoloration on my cheeks; once my grandma told me I "put rouge on the wrong part of my cheek.” To this day, I will never forget it. So I seek light coverage that covers my redness.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I am big on nontoxic clean makeup, so my go-to is Ilia's Skin Tint in Diaz ST7 mixed with Drunk Elephants D Bronze Drops (this is my glowy secret). It keeps my skin hydrated all day with just the right amount of coverage. Also, it's a great way to color match during the seasons— I always add a few extra drops of Drunk Elephant in the summer.
Shop Kretzu’s favorite long wear foundation:
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
I am big on the no-makeup makeup look! I love a healthy dose of bronzer, some mascara, and doing my brows. If I'm looking to spice things up, I'll add a berry lip.
WHO: Serena Halani
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have oily, sensitive skin. When choosing a foundation, I am looking for something that will help my skin look smooth and natural, control oil but not completely mattify, and not irritate my skin.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I recently tried the new Basma Beauty foundation stick, and it has quickly become my favorite foundation and a staple in my makeup routine. It's effortless to apply and blendable and melts on my skin, allowing for a natural, skin-like finish. It keeps my oily skin at bay without being overly drying. The icing on the cake is that Basma Beauty is cruelty-free, contains no harmful ingredients, and is non-irritating.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
My signature look is clean and simple skin, focusing on blush, brown tones on the eyes, usually with a smokey brown liner, and finished with a natural lash. I've been wearing this look basically every time I do my makeup!
WHO: Eleanor Barkes
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
My skin type is normal-to-dry so I want my foundation to keep my skin hydrated the whole day without caking or drying me out.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
My absolute favorite foundation is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I love this foundation because it gives me natural, even coverage and brightens my skin with a subtle glow without looking overly "done". It lasts the whole day as well.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
It's my go-to look because my skin is the hero and I add very little additional make-up. I love enhancing my eyes with a bit of eye shadow, liner, and mascara, and then all I do is add a bright lipstick.
WHO: Wen Yi Teong
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
My skin type ranges from normal to Dry. Honestly, I don't use foundation often as I live by my concealers. When I do, I want my foundation to give me an airbrush, glowy and glam look, always ready for the paparazzi (just kidding). That means minimizing facial scarring and hiding any bumps.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I love that YSL’s foundation lasts all day, has a smooth consistency, and it's not sticky at all! I'm super fussy with how my foundation feels on my skin; it feels light and naturally binds my skin.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
I always go for an amber, warm look as it really pops against my skin tone!
WHO: Gemma Katrina
What’s your skin type? And what’s the number one skincare woe that you want your makeup foundation to solve?
I have dry and sensitive skin. I need my foundation to give me an even skin tone without feeling heavy.
What’s the long-wear foundation you swear by?
I am completely in love with Nars, but I would say Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation for long wear. I always get compliments on my makeup when I wear this foundation; it gives good coverage but still looks and feels like skin! It also gives me a very slight natural glow and lasts all day.
Do you have a signature makeup look you wear with this foundation?
Honestly, the best thing about this foundation is that I can opt for a natural everyday look or use it as a base for a glam evening look. It is the perfect long wear foundation.
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