Foundation is the product I get asked about more than anything else when it comes to makeup, and I totally understand why. There are hundreds of them, every one says it’s the best, and you usually only find out it’s wrong for you after you’ve paid for it and worn it for a day. So I’ve narrowed it down to five I’d happily send you toward, from glowy and hydrating to matte and long-wearing. Somewhere on this list is probably the one for your skin.
I don’t pick foundations by how they look in the bottle or in a swatch. I pick them by how they look on real faces after a few hours, and these are some that kept holding up. Between them they cover every finish and coverage level, so whatever your skin does, one of them should work for it.
1. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
This one has been a makeup artist favorite for years. It’s been recently reformulated, and I think the new version is actually way better. Glycerin, niacinamide, and floral extracts were added, so it feels more hydrating, and it’s slightly more dewy than the original, but not too much. You still get the medium, buildable coverage and the smooth, blendable finish that made it a classic. It’s a really good pick for dry or mature skin, or anyone who wants a healthy glow without any shimmer.
2. Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation
This is the creamiest one on the list and great for over 40s. It’s medium coverage with a real glow, it’s moisturizing, and it has SPF 30 built in. Hourglass says it wears for up to 12 hours without creasing or caking, but I do think the way you set your base makes this decision.
3. Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation
Haus Labs has a very light, serum kind of texture. It’s medium, buildable coverage with a natural, slightly luminous finish that sits like a second skin. It’s made with fermented arnica, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, so it feels super hydrating, and it comes in a lot of shades.
The last two are the matte, long-wearing ones, and I’m also sharing exactly how I’d pick between all five based on your skin type. This part is for paid subscribers so don’t forget to upgrade from free to paid!
