Best foundations to try if you want flawless looking skin

Choosing the right foundation for your skin can be a tricky task. While you might think you know what you like, do you know what your skin prefers?

Everyone’s skin is different, but in general those with oily skin should stick to matte, oil-free finishes.

Dry skin types on the other hand should opt for formulas that are hydrating and offer a dewy or natural finish instead.

Nowadays a good foundation doesn’t have to cost the earth. There are some great budget options like the Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation and L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24hr that are great for your skin and kind on the purse strings.

If you’re willing to splash out Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish and Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear are big news. As well as OG favourites from MAC and Estée Lauder.

Below we’ve rounded up the ten of the best foundations – old and new – out there right for perfect coverage or dewy glow that suits all skin types.

Best foundations for 2020

1. Estée Lauder Double Wear

If you’re after a high coverage, flawless complexion this is the foundation for you.

The formula has a natural matte finish and SPF10 sunscreen to protect skin whilst you go about your daily life.

The small jar packs a punch and the light and velvety finish makes it nice to wear – even in the heat! There’s also an extensive range of colours to suit all complexions.

Buy now from Amazon.

2. MAC Face and Body

Water-based and water-resistant, this foundation is so thin it can easily be applied to the rest of the body too, whether that’s your neck and chest or a bruise on your knee.

While the formula offers a natural and a long-lasting finish that’s famed all over the world, it’s more about delicate, dewy skin to add zest and even out skin tone, rather than a heavy coverage.

Buy now from MAC

3. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear

The lauded foundation has been raved about by beauty bloggers, make up artists and beauty editors far and wide – and for good reason.

Rihanna’s beauty line proved that an inclusive shade range (there are a whopping 50 foundation shades in total) is always a winning formula. The soft matte liquid offers a medium to full coverage that has a velvety finish on the skin that doesn’t feel cakey – making it one of the best sellers of the line since it launched in 2017.

Buy now from Boots

4. Illamasqua Beyond Foundation

The newest illuminating sheer coverage foundation from Illamasqua boasts a formula that is totally vegan and cruelty-free.

Expect a silky smooth finish that adds moisture to your skin thanks to added Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E. Oh, and it comes in 25 shades for all complexions too.

Buy now from Illamasqua

5. Huda Beauty Faux Filter

Beauty fans will be familiar with Huda Beauty, the make up line from uber successful, Dubai-based beauty mogul Huda Kattan.

The foundation boasts a full coverage silky formula that is long-wearing and comes in over 30 shades. Despite being a liquid foundation this one dries matte, giving skin a luminous finish rather than a dry or cakey look.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

6. Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation

A great budget option for normal to oily skin types. The ultra light liquid formula makes it perfect for everyday use and very easy to apply.

The formula is made with micro-powders that help control shine and blur pores, it also is dermatologist and allergy tested and has the added bonus of coming in over 40 shades.

Buy now from Amazon

7. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish

Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Foundation has reached cult-status among beauty fans – and for good reason.

The natural matte, full-coverage finish feels weightless and blends into skin seamlessly and lasts the whole day. The formula, which comes in over 40 shades, is packed with hydrating ingredients that will also protect against pollution.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

8. Revolution Conceal & Hydrate Foundation, £9

Makeup Revolution have proved that amazing beauty products needn’t be expensive. This hydrating foundation comes infused with hyaluronic acid for a glowy, satin finish and comes in over 50 shades.

The best bit is it costs less than a tenner.

Buy now from Superdrug

9. L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24hr

The budget-friendly L’Oreal Paris foundation is on par with its more expensive rivals and offers a lightweight texture thanks to the oxygen technology used in the liquid formula.

It comes in 24 shades and boast 24 hour wear – meaning you can wear for work and play without it disappearing.

With a full, rather than glowy coverage, this is great for oily skin has it famously has a good matte look, rather than something like MAC Face and Body, which can often accentuate shinier skin.

Buy now from Amazon

10. NARS Sheer Glow

Renowned for its incredible luminosity (we guess the name does kind of give it away), Sheer Glow is the foundation that accentuates natural beauty, rather than masking it with heavy, cakey coverage.

Thanks to its dewy finish this is a great foundation for everyday wear and it is infused with tone-correcting Turmeric extract and powerful antioxidants, to protect the skin against damaging pollution.

Buy now from Lookfantastic

11. Armani Luminous Silk

If the fact that Kim K et al all sing this foundations praises isn’t enough to convince you it is worth the £42 price tag, just have a look at the reviews instead.

There are plenty of happy customers who cite the wide shade range (especially on darker skin), lightweight formula, and full coverage as factors that make this a winning foundation. It is definitely worth a try for those not put off by the luxury price tag.

Buy now from John Lewis

If you need more help based on your skin type we have also rounded up the best foundations for dry skin and the best foundation for oily skins too.