The Foundation Finder: Discover Your Perfect Match (2025)

Glossier's Stretch Fluid Foundation earned an 8.5/10 in our testing for providing a featherlight, buildable medium coverage that reads like skin and resists creasing through the day. We found it blends seamlessly to minimize dark spots without caking, making it ideal for everyday wear and sensitive skin. During longer days it can look streaky toward the evening if you skip setting powder, and some users feel $34 is steep for the coverage. If you want a natural, longwear base that still feels breathable, this is a top performer.

Charlotte Tilbury's Beautiful Skin Foundation earned a top-rated 9/10 in our experience for delivering a luminous, dewy finish and a generous shade range that actually makes matching easier. We found hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated and the formula gives natural medium coverage that enhances, not masks, your skin. During our review some testers noted oxidation on certain tones and occasional transfer for oilier skin, plus it can settle into fine lines if not primed. If you want radiant, flexible coverage for dry or normal skin, this is a go-to at $49.

Dior Forever Skin Glow gives a beautifully radiant, healthy-looking finish and includes SPF 15, which in our testing added convenience for daily wear. While not the highest scorer at 6.5/10, we found its medium, buildable coverage creates a lit-from-within look that many will love. During our review some testers experienced oxidation that darkened shades and the scented formula may irritate very sensitive skin — and the $60 price is above many competitors. Choose this if you want luxe radiance and don’t mind the potential scent or oxidation risks.

REBOOT by MAKE UP FOR EVER leans into a radiant, skin-first look — in our testing it left skin looking naturally dewy with light, buildable coverage and beneficial extracts like ginseng and Camellia Japonica that aim to improve overall skin appearance. We found the finish is very flattering for dry and normal skin, but during our review it could oxidize on some people and the pump dispenses conservatively, meaning multiple pumps are often needed for full-face coverage. While not ideal for very oily types without a mattifier, its 7/10 score reflects a solid hybrid serum-foundation option for glow seekers.

L'Oreal True Match is a budget-friendly workhorse that scored 7.5/10 in our review for its huge 47-shade range and skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera that keep skin feeling comfortable. We found the finish is natural and breathable, making it easy to wear daily, but during our testing it showed some oxidation on certain skin tones and may transfer unless set well. Some users also flagged the fragrance as strong — if scent bothers you, swatch before you buy, but for shade accuracy and hydration at under $10 it’s hard to beat.

Bye Bye Foundation with SPF 50+ promises full coverage and sun protection in one, and in our testing it delivered a matte, full-coverage finish that felt surprisingly lightweight despite the coverage. We found the SPF 50+ is a real convenience for busy mornings, but during our review the pump mechanism proved unreliable for some users and the formula’s thickness can make application fiddly. With a 6/10 overall score, this is a practical option if you need strong sun protection and coverage, though shade availability and pump performance temper its appeal.

Smashbox's Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation earned a 7.5/10 in our testing for its real staying power — we found it resists heat and sweat while delivering medium-to-full coverage that blends smoothly. During our review the formula leaned more matte than natural on drier skin, so those who crave dewy luminosity should prep with extra hydration. Shade accuracy was a recurring downside: many testers saw warm bias across tones. If you need longwear coverage for humid days or events, this is one of the stronger performers at $45.

Clinique's Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF 25 scored 8/10 in our review for blending skincare—Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid—with a natural medium-to-full coverage that still feels lightweight. In our testing it smoothed tone and provided sun protection, but the richer texture can feel too thick on non-dry skin and some users reported separating into pores after an hour. Our experience shows it works best on moisturized skin and may need reapplying for evening wear. If you want skincare benefits plus SPF, this is a top pick at $48.

Clinique's Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup is a reliable go-to for oily, acne-prone skin — during our review we found the formula gives a natural matte finish, controls shine and feels lightweight thanks to salicylic acid that helps treat blemishes. It scored 7/10 for balancing treatment and coverage, but the limited shade range and reports of oxidation mean you should swatch carefully before committing. Our testers also noted it can dry out dry patches, so prep with lightweight moisturizer if needed. For daily wear and breakouts it's a practical choice at $39.

Estee Lauder's Double Wear is a long-standing favorite that earned an 8/10 in our testing for delivering full, matte coverage that lasts all day on oily and combination skin. We found it conceals redness and blemishes expertly and the extensive shade range makes matching easier, but it can feel drying and will accentuate dry patches or fine lines if you don't prep well. The lack of a pump makes dispensing messy. If you need longwear coverage and don't mind extra prep, this $52 workhorse is hard to beat.

Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte (shade #430) is one of our higher scorers at 8/10 thanks to its expansive 50-shade range and reliable matte, long-wearing finish that really controls shine. We found it stays put through long days and gives consistent medium coverage, which is perfect for oily and combination skin, but during our review it could oxidize on some skin chemistries and needs proper hydration and quick blending to avoid emphasizing dry patches. If you want matte longevity and inclusivity in shades, this is a strong pick — just prep dry areas first.

COVERGIRL TruBlend Matte Made is an affordable favorite that in our testing offered buildable medium-to-full coverage with a matte finish and a respectable 40-shade lineup. We found it controls oil and minimizes the look of pores well, which makes it ideal for oily and combination skin on a budget, but during our review the formula felt thinner and more watery than expected and it contains talc, which can be drying or irritating for some. It earned a solid 7/10 as a value pick — just plan on a primer for best longevity.

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte aims for a long-lasting matte look and in our testing it delivered full-coverage results that stay matte for hours, making it great for oily and combination skin. We found it generally blends well and hides imperfections, but during our review it was prone to blotchiness and sliding on some complexions and can be unforgiving on dry skin. With a 6.5/10 score, it’s a dependable drugstore matte option if you match your shade carefully and prep dry areas thoroughly.

Don't be fooled — in our testing the ORIGINAL Loose Mineral Foundation SPF 15 gives surprisingly buildable medium coverage with a natural finish that doesn't feel heavy. We found its five clean, vegan ingredients plus mineral SPF make it a good pick for sensitive skin, earning a 7/10 for ingredient transparency. During our review application can be tricky for beginners and it may emphasize larger pores, and shade availability is limited. If you want lightweight, SPF-equipped coverage and can master the technique, it's worthwhile.

The True Skin Serum Foundation feels like skincare-first coverage — in our testing it delivered a natural, skin-like finish that blurs pores and looks very believable. We found the lightweight medium coverage works best on dry, sensitive skin, but during our review wearability was disappointing: it tends to fade through the day and the bottle top can come off easily, which risks leaks in a travel bag. At $54 this earns a 6/10 for value and convenience; use it when you want a breathable look but plan to touch up.

Kosas Revealer blends skincare and coverage in a way that feels modern — in our testing it delivered medium, natural-looking coverage while doubling as a lightweight skincare step with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides and squalane. We found the built-in SPF 25 is a useful perk that doesn’t flash back in photos, which is rare and practical for everyday wear. During our review it started to get oily in spots after around eight hours and the shade range has gaps in medium and deeper tones, so swatch carefully if you need long-term oil control despite its longwear claim (6.5/10).

Laura Mercier Real Flawless aims for a natural, skin-like finish and in our testing it delivered a comfortable, lightweight medium coverage that holds up over the day. During our review we found it can be streaky to apply and may settle into pores and fine lines if you don’t apply carefully, and it sometimes needs extra pumps to reach desired coverage — factors that contributed to its lower 5.5/10 score. If you value a believable, long-wearing finish and are meticulous with application, it can work well, but expect some product consumption and technique.

Lancome’s Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Serum Foundation applied smoothly in our testing, blending without brush marks to give comfortable medium coverage. We found the lightweight, longwear formula with SPF works across oily, dry and combination skin, but during our review the finish came out more matte than the promised glow and it contains fragrance, which may bother sensitive users. Priced at $53 and scoring 7/10, its polished wearability is strong, though the cost and muted finish temper its overall value.

Haus Labs' TRICLONE Skin Tech Foundation impressed in our testing for its lightweight, blendable formula that builds to a natural, radiant finish and feels comfortable on dry, combination, and sensitive skin. We found the coverage is medium and buildable, but during our review it struggled to fully conceal deeper acne scars and heavy blemishes. Packaging reliability was a recurring downside—some bottles leaked or dispensed too much product—so handle it carefully. At $49 with a 7.5/10 score, it’s a solid pick if glow and comfort matter more than heavy coverage.

Good Apple Serum Foundation from KVD is a standout for full coverage that still reads natural — our experience shows the lightweight feel is comfortable for long wear and provides solid concealment of imperfections. In testing it performed well for longevity, but during our review we noticed a tendency to oxidize and, on certain skin types, to look cakey or separate and emphasize texture. With a 7.5/10 score, this is a strong option if you want full coverage that doesn’t feel heavy, though be mindful to moisturize beforehand and check how the shade wears on your skin over time.

If you love a dewy, skin-first glow, the Glowy Super Skin Tint delivers radiant, lightweight coverage that hydrates with hyaluronic acid and squalane — our experience shows the finish looks luminous and feels weightless. We found it blends effortlessly and enhances natural texture, but during our review it struggled with shade matching and some oxidation on darker tones. Longevity is modest and oily skin types may find the dewy finish too slippery. For dry seasons or touch-up-friendly days, it's a mood-boosting pick at $28 despite a 6.5/10 score.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD is a go-to when you want a weightless, natural finish — our experience shows it blends seamlessly, minimizes the look of pores and sits comfortably on the skin with a barely-there feel. In our testing it created a very believable skin-like effect, but during our review it sometimes oxidized and could break down into patchiness after a few hours without primer, and it won’t fully cover heavy blemishes. With a 6.5/10 we recommend it for everyday wearers who prioritize comfort and blendability over full coverage or long-term staying power.

The Skin Enhance Skin Tint Serum Foundation gives a glowy, barely-there finish that in our testing felt breathable for everyday wear. We found the unique pigment capsules give a healthy radiance but during our review the coverage was quite sheer — too light for anyone wanting meaningful concealing — and the capsules can make application tricky if you don’t blend thoroughly, risking streaks. It lacks SPF and longwear claims, and at $24.50 with a 6.5/10 score our experience shows it’s best as a skin-enhancing tint rather than full-coverage foundation.