It can be a tricky task choosing the right foundation for your skin and for the look you are trying to achieve. With so many products out there and different formulas, from sheer to full coverage, oily to dry skin, matte or dewy finish – the options are almost endless. What deserves your hard-earned money and what should be left on the shelf? Don’t worry – we’ve got you sorted with five of our favourite foundations for all of your make-up needs. Stay tuned to find out our top picks for best natural-looking foundation, best clean foundation, best dewy foundation, best matte foundation, best day to night foundation and best affordable foundation.
Best natural looking foundation
Our pick for the best natural-looking foundation is the bareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Foundation SPF 20. Inspired by the iconic #1 best-selling Loose Foundation, the liquid formulation has key ingredients of Olive-derived squalene, which nourishes, hydrates and helps protect skin against moisture loss. As well as peptide & prickly pear extract to reduce the look of pores and redness over time. Formulated without animal products, parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, sulphates, SLS & SLES and gluten. This foundation wears all day without clogging pores, causing breakouts or settling into lines, while mineral-based SPF helps to protect the skin against UVA/UVB rays.
Best clean foundation and Best dewy foundation
Our pick for the best clean and the best dewy foundation is this award-winning product from New Zealand, natural beauty brand – Aleph Beauty. The foundation/concealer pot is such a superstar product. It is formulated with 100% natural ingredients such as Totarol – an antibacterial, antioxidant, with anti-inflammatory properties to protect and improve skin health.
Alaria Esculenta Extract, which is rich in vitamins and minerals to support skin barrier function and Jojoba Seed Oil to penetrate deep into the skin to regulate sebum production. This product has our vote for the best clean foundation as they are not only natural but a sustainable brand, with their glass jars being able to be recycled in their in-house circularity program. Finally, mixed with the Aleph Beauty primer oil, this foundation gives you a dewy glow that lasts all day, without slipping and caking, giving it our vote for best dewy foundation.
Best day to night foundation
This iconic foundation from Charlotte Tilbury has our vote for the best day to night foundation. The Airbrush Flawless foundation has full coverage, matte finish with 24-hour moisture. The cruelty-free formulation contains hydrating, anti-ageing, anti-pollution ingredients designed to protect the skin, while giving you a flawless sweat, humidity and waterproof finish all day and night long.
Best matte foundation
The new NARS Soft Matte Complete foundation has our vote for best matte foundation due to its high-performing, full-coverage formula. Crafted to leave you with a skin-like finish that not only mimics a healthy-looking complexion but delivers it too, thanks to NARS’ Anti-Oxidation Complex and the Hydramatte Balancing Complex. The Anti-Oxidation Complex helps prevent colour shifting while protecting skin from pollution and blue-light damage while the Hydramatte Balancing Complex balances excess sebum and keeps skin hydrated with a combination of micro-algae and bio hyaluronic acid. Coupled with superior oil-absorbing powders the formula serves up 16-hour wear that creates a smooth, mattified, second-skin look that’s transfer- and shine-proof.
Best affordable foundation
This cult-favourite, Revlon Colorstay wins our vote for the best affordable foundation. The formula wears for 24 hours, with a matte finish that helps to control shine and with an added SPF15 to help protect against sun damage and with a price point under $40 – why wouldn’t you?
Images supplied.