17 Best foundations for flawless looking skin: All skin types 2022

Choosing the right foundation for your skin can be a tricky task. While you might think you know what you like, do you know what your skin prefers or the finish you want your skin to achieve? Because read on as we have all the best foundations on the market right now, that will give you a flawless finish.

And as we know, everyone’s skin is different. For those who have an oily skin should stick to matte, oil-free foundations.

Those who have a dry skin type on the other hand, should opt for formulas that are hydrating and offer a dewy or natural finish instead.

Best of all, a good foundation doesn’t have to cost the earth either! There are some fantastic budget-friendly options like the Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation and L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24hr . Both of these are great for your skin, and kind on the purse strings too!

Now if you’re willing to splash out, Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish or Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear are perfect for creating that Instagram filter, flawless finish to your skin.

And we can’t forget to mention OG favourites from MAC and Estée Lauder too.

Below we’ve rounded up the best foundations – old and new, that offer perfect coverage, a healthy glow and suit all skin tones and types. Not to mention our favourites that will stay put all day long – even when you’ve been wearing a mask all day.

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Best foundations for all skin types 2021

1. Estée Lauder Double Wear

Best long wearing foundation

If you’re after a high coverage, flawless complexion this is the foundation for you.

The formula has a natural matte finish and SPF10 sunscreen to protect skin whilst you go about your daily life.

The small jar packs a punch and the light and velvety finish makes it nice to wear – even in the heat. There’s also an extensive range of colours to suit all complexions.

2. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 Foundation

Best shine control foundation

This shine-controlling foundation provides your skin with a matte finish. It has a medium-to-full, buildable coverage that lasts for 24 hours. Perfect when you’re on the go all day, and wearing a mask when out and about.

The SPF15 will provide you with some protection from harmful rays, though we suggest wearing a face SPF underneath.

Loved by all, it’s no wonder this foundation is highly rated from professional makeup artists, to beauty novices worldwide.

3. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear

Best matte foundation

The lauded foundation has been raved about by beauty bloggers, make up artists and beauty editors far and wide – and for good reason.

Rihanna’s beauty line proved that an inclusive shade range (there are a whopping 50 foundation shades in total) is always a winning formula.

The soft, matte liquid offers a medium to full coverage that has a velvety finish on the skin. It doesn’t feel cakey either, making it one of the best sellers of the line since it launched in 2017.

Buy now from Boots ( £27 ).

4. Illamasqua Beyond Foundation

Best foundation for sensitive skin

The newest sheer coverage foundation from Illamasqua boasts a formula that is totally vegan and cruelty-free. This is perfect if you're environmentally conscious, but are still looking for a healthy glow that stays put .

Expect a silky smooth finish that adds moisture to your skin thanks to added Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E. It also comes in 25 shades to suit a range of complexions too.

5. Huda Beauty Faux Filter Foundation

Best full coverage foundation

Beauty fans will be familiar with Huda Beauty, the makeup line from uber successful, Dubai-based beauty mogul Huda Kattan.

Fan’s of the Faux Filter foundation will be pleased to hear it’s recently had an upgrade. It still boasts of the full coverage, and silky formula that we love. The best news is it now comes in 39 shades – so you’re bound to find your match.

Even though it’s a liquid foundation, it will dry matte, yet offers a flexible full coverage that adjusts to the skin's natural movements.

6. Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation

Best foundation for oily skin

A great budget option for normal to oily skin types. The ultra light liquid formula makes it perfect for everyday use and very easy to apply.

The formula is made with micro-powders that help control shine and blur pores, it also is dermatologist and allergy tested and has the added bonus of coming in over 40 shades.

7. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish

Best airbrush finish foundation

Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Foundation has reached cult-status among beauty fans – and for good reason.

The natural matte, full-coverage finish feels weightless and blends into skin seamlessly and lasts the whole day. The formula, which comes in over 40 shades, is packed with hydrating ingredients that will also protect against pollution.

Whether you’re just popping out for the day or you have a day full of activities you can guarantee a flawless look even at the end of the day.

8. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

Best foundation stick

If you prefer having a bit more control over your coverage, a foundation stick can take out some of the guesswork for you. Instagram bloggers have been raving about this foundation for months – and we can see why.

Silky in texture, the cream foundation features a blend of ingredients to help skin look healthy and not weighted down.

Olive Extracts and Shea Butter condition and replenish, whilst the foundation helps to minimise the appearance of pores and pigmentation.

9. L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24hr Foundation

Best liquid formula foundation

The budget-friendly L’Oreal Paris foundation is on par with its more expensive rivals and offers a lightweight texture thanks to the oxygen technology used in the liquid formula.

It comes in 24 shades and boasts 24 hour wear – meaning you can wear it for work and play without it disappearing.

You’ll get a full and glowing coverage, which is great for oily skin as it famously has a strong matte finish, that doesn’t accentuate shinier skin.

10. NARS Cosmetics Sheer Glow Foundation

Best colour correcting foundation

Renowned for its incredible luminosity (we guess the name does kind of give it away), Sheer Glow is the foundation that accentuates natural beauty, rather than masking it with heavy, cakey coverage.

Thanks to its dewy finish this is a great foundation for everyday wear and it is infused with tone-correcting Turmeric extract and powerful antioxidants, to protect the skin against damaging pollution.

11. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

Best lightweight foundation

If the fact that Kim K and the likes are all singing this foundation’s praises isn’t enough to convince you that it’s worth the price tag, just have a look at the reviews instead.

There are plenty of happy customers who cite the wide shade range (especially on darker skin), lightweight formula, and full coverage as factors that make this a winning foundation.

At less than £50 it’s well worth a try if you keen to dive out into a pricier option, that will stand the test of time and overall finish.

12. Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation

Best illuminating foundation

This foundation was a hit backstage and on fashion shoots with celebrities and models alike, so makeup guru Pat McGrath knew she was on to a winner. The foundation builds weightlessly from a sheer veil to flawless medium coverage. Available in 36 universal colour choices, and five shade levels, you’re guaranteed a custom-curated finish for all skin types, tones and undertones.

The foundation is silky and luxurious – it feels creamy to the touch and delivers controlled, easily buildable coverage. Its sublime, satin finish lasts all day.

With added Diamond Core Powder Technology, it improves skin texture by optically smoothing and blurring the appearance of fine lines and imperfections. An illuminating soft-focus pigment blended into the formula converts and scatters light, emulating the effect of a healthy, youthful complexion.

13. Lancôme Skin Feels Good Hydrating Skin Tint Healthy Glow SPF23

Best foundation for mature skin

For mature skin in need of a little pick me up, this hydrating formula features skin plumping hyaluronic acid, which effortlessly glides onto skin.

It provides a decent coverage, helping to disguise hyper pigmentation and discolouration. Skin has a youthful glow that doesn’t look too caked on and can easily be built up for a smoother visage too.

It also has SPF to protect your skin during the days.

14. Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Radiance Perfecting Foundation

Best foundation for dry skin

For dry skin that is prone to flaking this formula contains vitamin C to not only nourish skin but to protect it from outside pollutants and irritants that can cause the skin to dry out.

The classic foundation provides generous coverage without settling into pores or creating fine lines once it dries matte.

Light reflecting powders help to create a refined blurring effect, smoothing the skin's texture and diffusing the look of imperfections or discolouration.

15. Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF15

Best foundation for combination skin

The Even Better Makeup from Clinique is dermatologist-developed, boasts a 24 hour coverage and also helps to keep your skin underneath healthy and hydrated.

The foundation’s formula instantly perfects, and improves evenness of skin your skin tone and there’s over 50 different shades to find your perfect match.

It’s oil free so won’t give you an ultra shiny complexion, it’s also UV protected which helps prevent further pigmentation and skin damage.

16. bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation

Best powder foundation

Arguably one of the original and most-loved powder foundations out there, the bareMinerals Original Loose Mineral Foundation is perfect for oily, breakout-prone skin types.

Comprising of just five mineral ingredients, the ultra-light powder perfects the skin and leaves a luminous, flawless complexion.

Not only is the product dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic, it’s also free from parabens, mineral oil, chemical sunscreen, talc, animal derived ingredients, gluten and SLS.

17. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF50

Best dewy foundation

Perfect for that effortless dewy glow we’re all after, IT Cosmetics' CC+ cream is designed to hydrate and nourish.

Acting as both a full-coverage foundation and concealer, the anti-ageing formula helps skin to have an airbrushed appearance, promoting a flawless look that resists creasing and cracking.

As well as boasting peptides, vitamins and antioxidants the formula is full of skin-loving goodness and topped off with SPF 50, the cream also protects against the sun's UV rays – what more could you ask for?

If you need more help based on your skin type we have also rounded up the best foundations for dry skin and the best foundation for oily skins too.

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