An essential element of any makeup look is the foundation. Foundation serves as a baseline for makeup pros and amateurs alike to create their own art by providing an even canvas for all of the other components of a look—concealer, contour, blush, brows, and so on—to shine. Consider foundation to be the quarterback of your cosmetic bag; you can probably get by without it (try a tinted moisturizer or BB cream instead), but everything goes (err, blends) a lot better when foundation is added to the mix.
Ask ELLE editors what their top foundation picks are. They’ll spend a lifetime explaining why they prefer skin tints over full-coverage formulas, which base blurs their most stubborn skin concerns, or which formula provides the best long-lasting coverage for jam-packed vacations. Simply put: ELLE editors keep the foundation market running; “no-makeup” makeup trends be damned.
However, we know you are busy and don’t have time to go on an endless hunt for the best foundations on the market, so we narrowed it down to 18. Whether you want a filter-like finish or a no-blemishes-left-behind full coverage option, shop ELLE’s favorite foundations below. Thank us later.
1.L’Oreal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation
- Tinted Hydrating Serum Vegan Foundation: Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to leave skin smoother and more hydrated, plus luminous mineral pigments for lightweight coverage and to brighten complexion
- Hyaluronic Acid: Naturally found in the skin, Hyaluronic Acid helps enhance skin’s ability to retain moisture; Vegan makeup, Dermatologically tested, paraben- and fragrance-free, noncomedogenic, and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin
- Illuminate Your Face: From BB creams to blush, we have all you need for a smooth, even finish; Highlight to illuminate your look, use concealer to hide imperfections or apply contouring makeup to define
2.Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup
- Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup#03 Fresh Neutral(MF)-Dry Comb. To Oily Skin was launched by the design house of Clinique
- 1 Ounce Foundation
- It is recommended for casual wear
3.Charlotte Tilbury Mini Hollywood Flawless Filter
- CUSTOMIZABLE: this mini-size complexion booster can be used as a tinted primer and worn under foundation, mixed with foundation, or as a highlighter on high points of the face.
- 24-HOURS MOISTURIZATION: its light-as-air formula moisturizes for up to 24 hours, smoothing and brightening skin.
- REAL-LIFE FILTER: inspired by social media filters, Charlotte created this to be a confidence glow filter! Based on 300 women tested over 1 week, 96% agree Hollywood Flawless Filter gives skin a real-life filter.
4.Foundation Liquid Makeup
- RADIANT LIQUID FOUNDATION – Our weightless makeup foundation formula delivers an undetectable finish that makes blemishes, redness and discoloration disappear. With medium-to-full buildable coverage, this foundation delivers a natural, radiant, skin-like finish. It’s the ideal foundation for oily skin, mature skin and even dry skin. Mix with your favorite face oil to create a custom formulation. It’s vegan makeup that is also cruelty free.
- MULTI-TASKING FOUNDATION LIQUID MAKEUP – Our face makeup doubles as a color corrector , a concealer for dark circles and even works as contour makeup To use as contour, choose a shade 1-2 darker than your skin tone. To use as concealer, choose a shade 1-2 lighter.
- CLEAN ANTI-AGING BEAUTY – Our lightweight foundation makeup is enriched with skin-loving ingredients such as Black Currant Extract, Lotus Extract & more to help gently exfoliate skin, plumps skin, evens skin tone, hydrates, quenches, soothes, hydrate and even calms irritated skin. For those with face redness this is a natural redness corrector too. All of these benefits result in a natural youthful glow. See further below for a full list of natural ingredients and their benefits.
5.La Bella Donna Women’s Ultimate Pure Perfection Liquid Mineral Foundation
- ALL NATURAL: La Bella Donna Liquid Mineral Foundation is formulated with only the safest and most gentle pure natural ingredients, making it suitable for all skin types. It contains skin-soothing botanicals, minerals, and more.
- HYDRATING FORMULA WITH SPF 15: Our moisturizing agents provide hydration and comfort due to marine extracts that boost cell energy, enhance radiance, and provide prefect hydration and protection against free radicals and the sun’s damaging UV ray’s.
- ULTIMATE SOLUTION FOR TIRED SKIN: Our sophisticated formulation boasts of enriched anti-oxidants to protect and promote the reduction of fine lines and small imperfection. A mineral foundation that revitalizes the skin. The ultimate in PURE PERFECTION!