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The 19 Best Foundations of 2024


Best Foundations


Have you found ‘the one’ yet? Of course, we’re talking about finding the best foundation for your skin type. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to acing your base. With so many types of coverage and finishes it can be tricky finding your perfect match. No matter what your skin type - oily, dry, or combination - make use of our trusty Foundation Shade Finder to find a powerhouse foundation for you. Once you find it, you'll never look back.


Best foundations at a glance - our top picks:

Best foundation for dry skin: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £39

Best foundation for mature skin: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £45

Best full coverage foundation: Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Liquid Foundaton £36

Best foundation for oily skin: Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless Foundation, £8.99

Best foundation for combination skin: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation, £39


Q: What is foundation?

A: Foundation makeup can be applied to the face to help create an even skin tone or cover blemishes. Liquids, powders, creams, or sticks - all forms of foundation help to smooth out the skin and help your natural beauty shine.


Foundations provide the best of both worlds; whether you fancy a subtle look or want to amp up the drama, there are buildable formulas from sheer to full coverage. Choose the best finish for your skin type: dewy for a radiant glow, matte for a shine-free appearance, or natural to strike a balance. Liquid foundations are the most versatile, and are suitable for most skin types. For those with oily skin, powder or matte foundations are your best bet. After more hydration? Opt for cream foundations, similar to the likes of a CC cream. And if you're always on the go, stick foundations are the most convenient and super easy to apply. 


Many foundations include hydrating ingredients like moisturisers, pigments to add colour, and SPF protection. With a range of foundation shades and undertones, it's possible to find a shade that's true to you. Or, mix two shades together to get a match made in heaven. And if you're asking, how do you apply foundation? Use makeup brushes, sponges, or your fingers - the choice is yours.


Q: What to look for in a foundation

Consider your skin type. If your skin is typically dry, look for a foundation that uses hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid. This will help give your complexion a healthy, dewy finish. For oily and spot-prone skin, opt for oil-free and non-comedogenic bases to curb excess shine. Combination skin can be hard to please. Your best bet would be an oil-free formula that’s made with hydrating ingredients so you can nourish drier areas of your skin without clogging oilier patches.

What type of finish do you prefer? This will help you narrow down the search. Whether you like a radiant glow, a velvety matte effect or a subtle hint of coverage, think about what look you want to achieve before you start scrolling.

Ease of application. Are you likely to wear your foundation over a primer? Do you take the time to blend in with a foundation brush? Or, are you more inclined to quickly apply with your fingers? Different foundations will lend themselves better to different application methods. At a glance, full coverage formulas will usually need more patience to blend in properly with a brush or beauty sponge, while lightweight, sheer options only need the warmth of your fingers for a natural-looking finish.


Q: How we choose the best face foundations

A: When narrowing down the very best foundations, we're looking for the formulas that tick all the boxes: coverage, staying power, blendability, shade range and bonus skincare benefits. Of course, your reviews play an important part, too. When a foundation racks up all those five star reviews, we pay attention. If you're looking for something that won't break the bank, there's some impressively low-priced options in here.


By Sephora UK Makeup Editorial Team

Writers and experts

Updated: 05 March 2024