I'm a Beauty Editor—This Is My Ultimate List of the Best Foundations

Foundation is a very personal makeup preference for every person who wears it. Some prefer a lightweight coverage that gives the skin a subtle tint, whereas others may favour a full-coverage formula for a flawless finish. Your skin type can also have a big influence on what foundations work for you. Mattifying and oil-control formulas may be better suited to oily skin or acne-prone skin types, whereas dry skin types may fare better with hydrating and oil-based textures that nourish the skin as your wear them.

The good news is that there are so many foundations out there, with many brands now offering a diverse range of shades to achieve a perfect match. The bad news is that it can be overwhelming to find a foundation that fits your needs and your budget and works with your skin type too. Finding the best foundations for you can become a Goliath task.

As a beauty editor, I've been lucky to try near enough a hundred foundations. Many have passed by my desk, and I've sat in the chair with makeup artists who have shared their knowledge on the best foundations that they use on set, backstage and on celebrities too. However, despite getting to try a lot of formulas, I stay loyal to my favourites. I have combination skin that can be both acne and eczema-prone, so finding a foundation that ticks all of the boxes is a tall order. I personally stay loyal to It Cosmetics CC Cream, which I still buy on repeat: I start to panic if I don't have a tube in my makeup bag because it's that great!

However, everyone's foundation preferences are different. So I asked the Who What Wear team to share some of their favourite foundations and also have listed the best foundations for different skin types, budgets and skin concerns.

Scroll down to discover our ultimate list of the best foundations for all skin types, as tried and reviewed first-hand by the Who What Wear UK editors.

Shop the best foundations:

1. IT Cosmetics CC Cream
2. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
3. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
4. Saie Super Glowy Skin Foundation
5. Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick

1. Best All-Round Foundation: IT Cosmetics CC Cream

Who What Wear UK commerce writer Florrie Alexander also rates It Cosmetics CC Cream as her foundation of choice. "A few months ago, I messaged my group chat for foundation recommendations, and my phone blew up with the same brand: It Cosmetics. Both my male and female friends have recommended this affordable foundation that is easily buildable and gives a flawless finish," she says. "It works as both a foundation and concealer and even has hyaluronic acid and hydrolysed collagen to look after your skin when wearing makeup. I've even invested in the mini version to take with me on holidays." Florrie wears the shade Fair Light.

Pros: Gives very full coverage, has SPF50 protection, has lots of beneficial skincare ingredients like hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and plumping Peptides.

Cons: Could feel too heavy for many people.

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2. Best Full-Coverage Foundation: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

If it's a flawless finish that you're after, then Who What Wear UK's managing editor Poppy Nash recommends Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.

Pros: Comes in an amazing 40 different shades to suit all skin tones, blurs imperfections and smoothes texture.

Cons: Is quite a pricey option compared to other foundations.

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3. Best Lightweight Foundation: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

Like Florrie, I'm also a big fan of It Cosmetics' CC Cream, which gives great coverage and a dewy finish. However, I've been turning to lighter foundations recently, as I find anything too heavy turns cakey on the oilier areas of my skin. Ilia's Skin Tint has become a new favourite and now has a permanent residence in my makeup bag. For a skin tint, it has great coverage and melts into the skin to subtly blur. But my favourite thing about it is the glow this gives my skin. What's more, it wears well throughout the day and is also infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid, squalene and brightening niacinamide to support the skin too. I wear the shade Bom Bom.

Pros: Has lots of great skincare ingredients such as brightening and texture refining Niacinamide, has SPF30 protection against UVA, UVB, UVC and blue light damage, and feels very lightweight on the skin.

Cons: Again, this is a pricey option to go for, and comes in an opaque dropper bottle making it hard to tell when you're about to run out.

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4. Best Radiant Foundation: Saie Super Glowy Skin Foundation

"I'm all for a full coverage concealer, but when it comes to foundation, I need a formula thats lets my skin breathe," says Who What Wear UK shopping editor Remy Farrell. "After searching for a base that would be light as well as pigmented, dewy but not greasy, and in a good enough shade range to match my skin tone and look like second skin, I finally found Saie's Super Glowy Skin Foundation. I've just gotten into a skincare routine thats working for me, and the Saie formula doesn't cake or block my pores, instead the hyaluronic acid and squalane formula works with my skin for a bright, glowy finish that actually lasts all day. If you're trying this foundation for the first time, prepare for compliments."

Pros: Feels very lightweight on the skin, brings amazing radiance to the complexion, is 85% skincare ingredients, and has buildable coverage.

Cons: Is quite glowy, so might not suit oilier skin types.

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5. Best Easy-To-Apply Foundation: Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick

Who What Wear beauty contributor, Grace Day, is a fan of Merit's Foundation Stick. "Since its recent U.K. launch, Merit's Foundation Stick has become a mainstay in my makeup bag," she says. "The fact that it doubles up as both foundation and concealer was what caught my attention, but the totally weightless formula and natural-looking finish has kept me coming back to it day after day. Right now I’m all about a no makeup-makeup look, so when it comes to wearing foundation I much prefer formulas that look and feel invisible on my skin, and this foundation is exactly that. Perfect for wearing when I don’t want to be totally bare-faced but I also don’t necessarily want a full coverage base—it subtly evens out my skin, tones down redness, and blurs pores without actually looking like I’m wearing foundation. With that said, if you do prefer more coverage, the scribble-on crayon format means it’s super easy to build this up without it looking cakey or feeling heavy. And you can go about your day knowing that the formula is working hard behind the scenes to keep skin hydrated, thanks to ingredients like fatty acids and sea daffodil extract."

Pros: Very easy packaging to through in a handbag and apply on-the-go, made from 43% recycled plastic, and can double up as a contour stick if you buy a darker shade.

Cons: Comes in a pencil format so can take longer to apply coverage everywhere you need it. Oilier skin types might also find this greasy.

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6. Best Foundation for Dry Skin: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation

"For me, a major milestone of passing my mid-20s was graduating from MAC Studio Fix Foundation to Nars Sheer Glow," says branded content editor Rebecca Rhys-Evans. "Still full coverage but not quite as thick, and ever so slightly more sheer, it blends and builds well and doesn't stick to any dry areas of skin. Every dry-skin victim will tell you that 3 p.m. flaky patches are a nightmare, and I must admit I don't find this so much since using it," she says. "What's more is the colour range for paler skin. From warm, yellow tones to pinky complexions or combination colours, Nars's range has you (quite literally) covered." Rebecca wears the shade Deauville.

Pros: Has a natural, skin-like finish, the coverage is buildable, and comes in a great 40 shades to suit everyone.

Cons: Not the most affordable foundation.

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7. Best BB Cream: Dr Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm

"I've always been drawn to lighter coverage skin tints, and have recently been a huge fan of the Dr Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm," says affiliate specialist, Jerrylyn Saguiped. "It leaves you with a natural finish whilst still being buildable. An added plus is that it doubles up as skincare as it includes niacinamide and has SPF 50."

Pros: Feels more like a tinted moisturiser so is very lightweight, has hydrating skincare benefits and SPF50 protection.

Cons: Might be too lightweight a coverage for many, even when builded up.

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8. Best Affordable Foundation: The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation

"My favourite foundation is an affordable, high-street hero—The Body Shop's Fresh Nude Foundation" says Farrell. "This formula is proof you don't have to break the bank to find something that really works and still looks like real skin. The first application is one you won't forget, a cooling, soothing blend of rose water and aloe vera and medium coverage that manages to impart a dewy glow without being greasy."

Pros: Is a relatively affordable option, feels lightweight on the skin, comes in 100% recyclable packaging, and there's 40 shades available.

Cons: This ticks all the boxes.

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9. Best Weightless Foundation: Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation

"I don't like wearing foundations that are too matte, or feel heavy and cakey on the skin. If that also sounds like you, please give this new gem from Laura Mercier a try," says Who What Wear beauty contributor, Mollie Burdell. "I was lucky enough to attend the launch dinner, where I was properly shade matched alongside getting the lowdown on its additional skin-loving benefits––the combo of antioxidant rich camelia seed, vitamin E and cacao extract helps to protect the skin barrier. It looks super natural, but covers redness and blemishes with ease and manages to keep my shine at bay when paired with a light dusting of the brand's iconic Translucent Loose Setting Powder. I honestly haven't stopped wearing it."

Pros: This is long-wearing and will last all day, looks and feels like skin, has lots of moisturising and nourishing ingredients.

Cons: Some people find it difficult to blend.

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10. Best Tone-Evening Foundation: Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation

Freelance beauty editor and Who What Wear UK beauty contributor Laura Pearson loves a light coverage base, but one that also colour corrects and hides hyperpigmentation. Her favourite is the Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation in Very Light 2. She says "Glossier's Stretch Fluid Foundation still gives me light enough coverage that it looks like real skin, but does a fantastic job of colour-correcting any sun damage and hyperpigmentation, to make my skin tone look more uniform. It's also a makeup-skincare hybrid and is 89% skincare, full of hydrating and barrier fortifying ingredients."

Pros: Feels like you're wearing nothing at all on your skin, has ingredients to protect and strengthen your own skin, controls shine.

Cons: This can sometimes look patchy on very dry skin.

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11. Best Blurring Foundation: Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet Foundation

Who What Wear UK branded content editor Humaa Hussain is a normal skin type nowadays, so she says that "there are days that I go sans foundation but when I want something a little more, I always reach for the Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet. It’s lightweight but gives me the flawless finish I am always after."

Pros: Helps to blur and smooth skin's imperfections, has all-day wear, feels lightweight,and there's just something particularly special about pulling Chanel out of your makeup bag.

Cons: This is a luxurious choice with a luxurious price tag. Is ultra-matte, so might not suit very dry skin.

12. Best Luminous Foundation: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation

Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay really rates the Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation. With her combination skin, she loves that "this hydrating formula doesn't cling to dry patches but also doesn't enhance oiliness. Instead, it gives a naturally luminous finish that stays all day long. It offers medium coverage and helps to even out my skin tone while still letting my complexion breathe."

Pros: Gives you a radiant and healthy glow, promises 16-hour wear, has hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and other skincare ingredients such as barrier strenghtening Coconut Extract.

Cons: Is best suited for dry skin or combination skin.

Shop more of the best foundations:

13. Best Foundation for An Expansive Shade Range: Fenty Beauty Pro Filter Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

14. Best Matte Foundation: bareMinerals Matte Foundation SPF 15

15. Best Drugstore Foundation: L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation

16. Best Foundation for Acne-prone Skin: Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup

17. Best Long-wear Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

18. Best Foundation for Mature Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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