Before leaving the house, what's the first thing you're grabbing? It's a common topic that comes up in conversation once in a while, so much so that you probably already have an answer prepared. Keys? Wallet? Phone? Gum? For me, it's not so much what I'm taking, but what I (absolutely and 100%) need to put on.
Unless I'm running a quick errand, for any occasion that requires socializing, I'm not leaving my home without putting on foundation. Ever since my early college days, when my skin first started to flare up with acne, my makeup bag never went without a cover-up of some kind. Throughout the years (unfortunately, my serious acne phase lasted well into my twenties), I've tried a myriad of foundations, from drugstore options to more high-end products — anything to hide the pimples that kicked my confidence to the curb.
And while my complexion has mostly cleared up, and I no longer use foundation as full-on makeup armor to face the day, this is still a no-skip step in my beauty routine. I've grown to love an even skin tone and simply feel put-together when it's on. Plus, years of blemishes have resulted in scarring and hyperpigmentation (that I don't have the money to correct), so I like to dial them down when I can.
All this to say — I know a thing or two about foundation. In fact, out of the many I've tried, there are four that come to mind as my ride-or-dies, and if there's anything this list proves, it's that price doesn't necessarily determine performance.
For our Shop TODAY Ranked series, I narrowed down five choices based on key factors, including formula, coverage and how long it lasted throughout the day. Spoiler alert: Each foundation earned pretty high scores.
Best overall$undefined$52.00
Best formula for smoothing$undefined$45.00
Best long-lasting formula$undefined$52.00
Best full-coverage foundation$9.92$14.99
Best Overall Foundation
Formula: 5/5 | Coverage: 4.75/5 | Long-wearing: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.92
Miss Gaga nailed this one. I don’t have a good poker face, so I couldn’t lie to you if I tried. This is, without a doubt, one of the best foundation formulas out there. I rarely see a complaint about it (and in a world where opinions are widely accessible — and unsolicited — that’s pretty uncommon), which must have everything to do with the lightweight formula. When I first touched the formula, I was instantly worried since it was more on the watery side — for me, that consistency doesn’t normally mesh well with my oily skin. Instead, it just made my skin look like ... well, skin. Just better.
It seriously feels like nothing on my face, which I love because I can’t stand the icky feeling of heavy foundations that give me the urge to wash my face the second I walk in the door. Its lightweight consistency also makes it buildable, so whether you like a sheer application or a full beat, you’ve got choices. Speaking of choices, shoppers have 51 shades to choose from. Is it me, or did this foundation singlehandedly raise the beauty industry’s standards when it comes to shade range inclusivity? Bravo, Mother Monster.
Best smoothing formula
Formula: 4.75/5 | Coverage: 4.5/5 | Long-wearing: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.58
Il Makiage’s (a previous Beauty Awards winner) foundation comes in a wide range of shades, so many that I had no clue which one to pick. Luckily, the brand offers an in-depth quiz to find your perfect match, ranging from your skin type and coverage to matte or luminous finish. I (fortunately) had a good experience with this color-match test; however, several editors who also tried it said their shade match was off.
When it comes to the formula, this foundation applies smoothly and dries evenly on the skin. Even when applied over acne or raised bumps, it doesn’t emphasize those imperfections. It just provides the coverage I need to feel confident.
The foundation also paired well with other products I use on top of it, which include a spot concealer and cream blush. Another reason why it's earned such high marks is that this formula will not budge. I didn't even need to apply powder; I just applied the foundation, let it dry ... and it lasted for hours. That's something I've never experienced before.
That being said, I do recommend blending this immediately after applying for the smoothest results.
Best long-lasting foundation
Formula: 4.5/5 | Coverage: 5/5 | Long-wearing: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.83
If you want staying power, this foundation delivers. If I need a full face for a wedding or event that requires a long-lasting beat, I reach for this one every time. It's that good. Other than its full-coverage, matte finish, there's no denying how good this feels on my skin. I've never described a foundation as feeling "hydrating," but this is the closest I've come to feeling fresh while layering product on my skin. I guess I have all of the skin care magic featured in the formula, which includes a handful of tongue-twisting ingredients like Replexium, MossCellTec No. 1 and AirCool. Charlotte says they're supposed to help with wrinkles and hydration. I say it just makes my skin look great.
Another bonus is that the formula is sweat-proof, which I've learned firsthand after wearing this foundation on many sweaty NYC commutes over the summer. I eventually stopped packing the bottle in my commuter bag, because I never had to touch up!
Best full-coverage foundation
Formula: 4.25/5 | Coverage: 5/5 | Long-wearing: 4.25/5 | Overall average score: 4.5
If there’s one foundation I have been able to rely on for years, it’s this one from L’Oréal. This one is the thickest formula of the bunch, but still has that barely-there feel on the skin. And because it’s instant full coverage (which is my preference), I don’t have to dispense too much product to achieve the look I’m going for.
The packaging says “pro-matte,” and they mean matte. So, don’t expect a glow. However, my trick is to mix in a few pumps of the brand’s True Match Lumi Glotion to thin out the foundation for a less dramatic matte look. Now, I don’t wear one without the other since it makes such a perfect pairing.
What makes this formula a go-to is the no-shine promise it lives up to. I have slightly oily skin, so when it gets shiny, I need to add more powder, which means more of a chance of clogging pores and breaking out. I don’t need to worry about irritating my skin further when applying this infallible formula.
More foundations, tested by Shop TODAY editors
"I started using this foundation in high school when I had two main criteria: I needed a product that had light-to-medium coverage for everyday wear, and I needed it to be affordable. This fits both requirements. Plus, it’s easy to find at most drugstores (I wasn’t using Amazon.com back then)," says associate editor Erica Marrison in a review article, whose mom even uses the same product!
"What stood out to me was how natural my skin looked once the product was applied. Instead of sitting on top of my face or settling into fine lines, the powder blended with my skin, evening out my skin tone without masking it," wrote Shop TODAY contributor Colleen Sullivan, in a review article. "While I appreciate the buildable coverage, a light layer was enough to even things out. My skin didn’t look matte or flat, just softly polished ... like my skin on a really good day."
Long-lasting and lightweight, I think it’s a great choice for anyone new to makeup or someone like me who prefers the clean girl, no makeup look," Sullivan says about another foundation favorite in a review article. "I thought I’d only wear it on days I wanted to give my skin a boost, or when I have meetings or special events scheduled, but the truth is I plan on wearing it more often, especially as the weather warms up, thanks to the built-in SPF."
I’m all about my skin looking and feeling like regular, uncovered skin. But I also want coverage for my problem areas. With a medium, buildable finish, I get the benefits of coverage without the discomfort," says associate editor Madison San Miguel in a review article. "No matter how many times I layer, this foundation doesn’t cake or feel heavy, and doesn’t completely cover my skin underneath."
How we chose the best foundations
I made sure to wear each foundation at least twice in a span of two weeks during this testing period, making sure to wear them for a full day to test for longevity and coverage. Each foundation is one that I have used previously and appreciate for various reasons. To make sure the testing was fair, I also followed the same preparation routine and wore them for an equal period of time.
Why trust Shop TODAY
Danielle Murphy is the audience development writer for Shop TODAY. She joined the team in 2021 and has covered everything from beauty trends to the hottest sales to shop. From testing the best mascaras to finding the best multi-styling tools, she’s no stranger to the testing process in the beauty space.
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