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Finding the perfect foundation for you can feel like a monumental task. There's so much to consider: Does the shade match both your skin tone and undertone? (This alone is daunting.) Is it made for your skin type? (Do you need an especially hydrating foundation that doesn't cling to dry patches? Or maybe you prefer an oil-free formula to help keep shine in check?) Then you need to consider the coverage, longevity, and finish. (Dewy and luminous? Or matte and flawless?)
Our Top Picks:
To stop your head from spinning, we turned to the ultimate foundation experts: makeup artists who have tested a ton of foundations on themselves and their clients and know firsthand which ones blend best, last the longest, and won't make you break out. Discover their favorites—plus some of Oprah Daily beauty editors' go-tos—below.
1
Best Glowing Finish
MAKEUP BY MARIO Surreal Skin Liquid Foundation
Why We Love It
- Moisturizing
- Dewy finish
- Inclusive shade range
What to Consider
- Some reviewers say the glowy finish accentuates texture
Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic's new foundation is already one of Williamson's go-tos. "It melts into the skin beautifully, leaving a nice, glowy finish. And it has great coverage," she says. "I’d recommend it to anyone with normal to dry skin who want a luminous sheen." The formula moisturizes with grapeseed oil and squalane.
Why We Love It
- Inclusive shade range
- Long lasting
- Buildable coverage
What to Consider
- It's hard to pick your shade online with so many tones and undertones
This foundation is a personal favorite of mine. And, after a recent wear test, makeup artist Jonet Williamson says she's adding it to her kit, too. "I'm highly impressed with the lightweight feel, the coverage, and how long it lasts throughout the day," she says. It also has a great shade range with a variety of undertones. The formula includes fermented arnica to help reduce redness and antioxidants to protect the skin.
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3
Best Oil-Free
Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF 30
Why We Love It
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
- Good for oily and combination skin
What to Consider
- Some reviewers say the color oxidizes
Williamson says this is a must in her professional kit because it's long-lasting and doesn't feel heavy on the skin. The formula contains a Japanese technology the brand calls ActiveForce that helps it repel sweat and oil, so your makeup looks fresh and smooth for longer. It also has SPF 30 to protect the skin.
4
Best for Oily and Combination Skin
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Liquid Foundation
Why We Love It
- Sweat- and shine-resistant
- Minimizes look of textured skin
What to Consider
- Some reviewers say it dries quickly, making it hard to blend
For warm days and clients with oily skin, makeup artist Ehlie Luna turns to this sweat- and shine-resistant formula. It stops excess oil from making a foundation streaky and offers medium-to-full coverage and a matte finish that makes skin look poreless.
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5
Best Long-Lasting Formula
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Why We Love It
- Long-lasting
- Inclusive shade range
What to Consider
- Some reviewers say it can feel heavy on skin
Need a foundation that will survive through snow, rain, heat, and everything in between? Try this oil-free foundation. Luna says it's one of her favorites for longevity. It also has an impressive shade range with over 55 shades to choose from.
Why We Love It
- Addresses specific skin concerns
- Inclusive shade range
What to Consider
- Some reviewers say the color oxidizes
"This option caters to skin issues common to specific skin tones," Luna says. It's available in 51 shades and six custom formulations to meet your skin’s unique needs. For instance, the deeper shades help address hyperpigmentation, while lighter shades target redness, explains Luna. Every formula offers a weightless and hydrating finish.
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7
Best Matte Finish
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15
Why We Love It
- Matte finish
- Smooths uneven texture
- Light to medium coverage
What to Consider
- If you like full coverage, you may not like this formula
"One of my favorite matte foundations is Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation," says makeup artist Mali Thomas, who is a global artist in residence for Bobbi Brown. "It creates the most flawless long-lasting coverage that feels incredible on the skin and makes it look so smooth." While it's matte, it isn't drying or uncomfortable to wear because it contains hydrating glycerin.
Why We Love It
- Glowing finish
- Great for sensitive and mature skin types
- Affordable
What to Consider
- Limited shade range
"My love for this foundation runs deep," says Thomas, who recommends it for sensitive and mature skin types. "The hydrating formula is packed with vitamin B5 to help your skin look its best. It also gives you a luxurious glow without breaking the bank."
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9
Best Luxury Formula
Chantecaille Future Skin Oil-Free Foundation
Why We Love It
- Hydrating formula
- Lightweight
What to Consider
- It's a splurge
It doesn't get more lightweight and hydrating than this formula made with 60 percent water. Thomas says it makes your skin look like "you've been living stress-free." And even though it's a ton of water, it still offers buildable coverage. "It blends like a dream and is perfect for dry skin," Thomas says.
Why We Love It
- Full coverage
- Hydrates
- Promotes an even skin tone
What to Consider
- If you don't like full coverage, you may not like this formula
An oldie but a goodie, according to makeup artist Dominique Lerma, who says it's a personal favorite that she uses on herself and her clients. "It's a hydrating full-coverage formula that provides skin benefits and the perfect amount of coverage," she says. It comes in 22 shades and contains skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, SPF, niacinamide, and vitamin E. "I can’t preach about this foundation enough."
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Why We Love It
- Doesn't settle into fine lines
- Offers subtle radiant glow
What to Consider
- If you like full coverage, you may not like this option
Lerma calls this foundation a pro makeup artist's "best-kept secret." It's a buildable and full-coverage foundation infused with aloe vera. "The finish is subtly luminous, allowing for skin to show through," Lerma says. "I am obsessed with this for no-makeup makeup beauty."
12
Best Full Coverage
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
Why We Love It
- Full coverage
- Radiant finish
What to Consider
- Limited shade range for deeper skin tones
If you like a full-coverage look or want a foundation for special events, try this one. Lerma says it's her holy grail for weddings, red carpets, and other events. "Know that it is full coverage; a little goes a long way," she says.
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Why We Love It
- Niacinamide helps even out skin tone
What to Consider
- Not available at popular beauty retailers
Made with niacinamide, Luna like this indie beauty pick because it can help improve skin tone and reduce redness. It also contains botanical adaptogens to help protect the skin from the effects of stress.
Why We Love It
- Soft matte finish
- Full coverage
What to Consider
- It's a splurge
Cover up pores, pimples, and more with this formula that's enriched with soft-focus powders to give a luminous and smooth look.
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Why We Love It
- Fragrance free
- Inclusive shade range
- Affordable
What to Consider
- Difficult to find your shade online and in a drugstore
You can't go wrong with this affordable drugstore pick. It was recently reformulated without alcohols or fragrance, making it perfect for all skin types. It also contains hyaluronic acid and has an impressive shade range.
Why We Love It
- Affordable
- Long-lasting
What to Consider
- Limited shade range
Both transfer- and waterproof, this medium-to-full coverage formula lasts for up to 16 hours. But what's most impressive is its $7 price tag.
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17
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
THE GOOD MINERAL Loves-You-Back 3in1 Mineral Powder Foundation
Why We Love It
- Great for oily and acne-prone skin
- Full coverage
What to Consider
- Limited shade range
It's a powder, but it doesn't look cakey or sacrifice your skin's natural glow. The coverage is full but lightweight and breathable.
18
Best Light to Medium Coverage
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation
Why We Love It
- Has skincare benefits
- Easy to blend
What to Consider
- It's a bit oily
If you don't love the feel of a full-coverage finish but still want something that will even out your skin tone, this serum foundation won't disappoint. It melts into the skin and gives a hydrated, radiant glow, thanks to the moisturizing plant-based squalane and hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide also helps even out skin tone over time, while SPF 40 keeps it protected.
Genesis Rivas
Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok