Foundation is the denim of makeup. Or is it the white t-shirt? Either way, it's an essential... but finding the right one can take years.

The best foundation is one that looks and feels like skin, but better. It should suit your skin type, your colouring and your preferences (whether that's high coverage, sheer, matte or uber-glowy). It should stay fresh all day — and night, should you be so inclined — while remaining fresh/weightless/undetectable. It's no easy feat, which is why one person's holy grail is another persons regretful purchase.

But some foundations do outshine others in terms of performance. Here, we've rounded up 13 of the best tried and tested foundations on the market.

 

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk

 

Arguably the most famous foundation of all, Luminous Silk has long been a makeup artist and editor favourite. It has a semi-matte finish that's radiant but not dewy, and does an incredible job at unifying tone while remaining undetectable on the skin. A great medium to high coverage formula for normal to dry complexions.

 

Estee Lauder Double Wear

 

If you want a foundation that lasts, it has to be Double Wear. Despite my aversion to full coverage products, it's long been a firm favourite of mine (I wore it on my wedding day). It's great because it stays on and it stays fresh — it doesn't settle, crease or separate like so many other long-wear products. The shade range is excellent, and the finish is a perfect happy medium. It's great for events, or everyday if that's your preference.

 

Nars Sheer Glow

Sheer Glow also comes personally endorsed by me. The way this looks on the skin is unbelievable. I went through a bought of pretty bad hormonal acne a few years ago and this was the foundation I relied on. It's fresh and glowy but not greasy, and the coverage is dense despite it feeling light and blending well. It conceals redness and discolouration but the finish is natural, not 'makeup-y' in the slightest. I'll never be without it.

 

Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation

 

Glossier is known for their 'skin first makeup second' approach to beauty and the Stretch Fluid Foundation is a prime example. It's the perfect no-makeup-makeup foundation — more coverage than a classic skin tint, but less than a standard foundation. This is partly thanks to a concentration of skincare adjacent ingredients: squalane for moisture, glycerin for hydration and pigments coated in amino acids for a soft, flexible finish. The gel-cream texture feels nice and cooling on the skin, too. A firm favourite in the RUSSH office.

 

Chanel No .1 de Chanel Revitalising Foundation

 

This new-ish formula from CHANEL contains a high concentration of natural plant ingredients, as well as hero red camellia oil for a dewy, skin-like finish. It's plumping and soft — perfect for those who want the coverage of a classic foundation with the freshness of a tint of BB cream.

 

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation

 

If there's one woman who knows how to do a great base is makeup patron saint Charlotte Tilbury. Beautiful Skin is one of her lighter coverage products. Described as a foundation that's 'lighter than air' it infuses hyaluronic acid and rose for hydration, plus a unique molecule known as Bix’Activ® to regular shine. It's one of the few foundations that manages lightweight coverage and 'plumpness' without looking of feeling overly shiny by the late afternoon.

 

 

Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation and Concealer Stick

 

I never thought I was one for stick foundations until I tried this. Creamy and plush, it melts into the skin, buffing in seamlessly with a dense brush. It's solid but not thick; it doesn't settle or fall into pores and fine lines. The plus side of the stick format is that it doesn't leak, is a cinch to apply and boasts great coverage. A tiny bit goes a long way, and you can add more in a targeted way in place of concealer. Foolproof but luxurious in the best possible way.

 

MAC Cosmetics Studio Radiance Face and Body Sheer Foundation

 

An OG makeup artist favourite, Face & Body is light and glowy with a sheer finish that shows off freckles and natural skin texture. Because it's a very light fluid, it's really easy to apply with a brush, sponge or fingers. It's waterproof, non pore-clogging, and resists oxidation (the perks of an artistry-focused formula). As is always the case with MAC, the shade range is great, too.

 

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation

Teint Idole is a well-known foundation in the makeup world, loved for its infallible coverage and longevity. But we're big fans of the newer Care & Glow iteration. Yes it stays on, but it's boosted with a serum base for hydration and smoothness, giving you glowy but balanced skin that doesn't fade, transfer or settle as the day goes on.

 

Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation

 

The most notable thing about Dior's Backstage face and Body Foundation is the fact it's so buildable. One layer gives more of a bare skin look, but the fluid consistency means you can layer up to three times for a fuller coverage finish. It's breathable, hydrating, light but not shiny. A great pick for those who want a variety in a single product.

 

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

 

Rhianna took no prisoners when she launched Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation as part of the original Fenty Beauty lineup. Not only was the matte, high-glamour, full-beat formula a game-changer for makeup enthusiasts, but the far-reaching shade range. Expect a smooth, poreless finish that stays perfect all day.

 

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream

 

While this is technically a CC Cream, it has a foundation-like coverage that's made it a cult-loved base product. The ethos behind the formula was to create a high definition product that could conceal redness, pigmentation and acne without the heavy, obvious makeup feeling. That's exactly what it is. It manages to diffuse irregularities and discolouration in a way that's fresh and natural, full coverage but a dewy-looking finish.

Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation

 

Kevyn Aucoin was a makeup artist who popularised a lot of the skills and techniques we use today. He was an artist with tone, light, shade and depth, using base products to create a sculpted look. He was also a master when it came to flawless skin — the kind that was even and defined but in an indiscernible way. It makes sense then, that his eponymous foundation is an industry favourite. The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation is light and luminous, cultivating radiance that's natural and not shiny. It has a slightly bouncy gel texture that looks and feels light, as well. Despite it's glow, it's great for all skin types from oily to dry.