The 9 Best Foundations For Every Budget & Beauty Issue

Finding the right foundation isn’t easy! There are so many different factors to think about; coverage, finish, how well it wears, finding the right shade, that sometimes foundation shopping becomes frustrating af. So, we’re breaking it down with nine foundations that we think are the absolute bomb.com, and we’re giving you all the options – from our fave weightless foundations to the best full-coverage and the most long-wearing. Here are nine foundations that tick all the boxes.

Dior forever 24h* Wear High Perfection Skin-Caring Matte Foundation, $52

Finish: Radiant matte
Coverage: Medium
Shades: 28
The deets: 30ml, SPF 35 and PA+++ protection.The formula: We love that this gives amazing coverage but looks like skin. It’s medium coverage but you can build it up to conceal blemishes and pigmentation (use a stippling brush) without it looking cakey – it’s probably one of the most natural-looking foundations we’ve ever tried! The formula also has amazing staying power and wears really well through the day without breaking up or settling into creases or dry patches. If you have oily skin, we recommend setting with a light dusting of loose setting powder.

Morphe Fluidity Full-Coverage Foundation, $18

Finish: Very matte
Coverage: Full
Shades: 60, from very fair to very rich
The deets: 30ml

The formula: This is possibly the most full-coverage drugstore foundation we’ve ever tried! It glides on and blends out like a dream, and despite it being full coverage, it’s not too thick and doesn’t feel heavy. It is a very matte formula, so if you have dry skin, we recommend using a hydrating primer first, and if you have oily skin, set it with a dusting of setting powder.

Tip: If you prefer a radiant finish but love full coverage, mix it with a pump of liquid highlighter for glow goals.

Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation, $40

Finish: Natural satin-matte finish
Coverage: Full
Shades: 30, from fair to rich
The deets: 35ml

The formula: This thick, creamy formula is like magic in a bottle – it’s literally a real-time filter for your face. It adds an instant veil of color to conceal imperfections, while also masking texture. The formula is so rich, so you only need one pump for the entire face, and it has a beautiful luminosity to it, so it looks like real skin.

Tip: Start with a hydrating or mattifying primer, depending on your skin type, and set with a loose powder.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, $39

Finish: Natural finish
Coverage: Medium to full
Shades: 34, from fair to rich
The deets: 30ml, non-comedogenic

The formula: We love this oil-free, hydrating formula that gives amazing all-day coverage that doesn’t budge. The lightweight formula covers marks and imperfections and can easily be built up for even more coverage.

This fluid formula blends like a dream and covers marks and imperfections easily. It wears beautifully all day and doesn’t go patchy or break up. This is what we call a foolproof foundation!

Tip: Start with a hydrating or mattifying primer, depending on your skin type, and set with a loose powder. You can apply a thin, extra layer to areas that may need more coverage.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr Soft Matte Long Wear Foundation, £26

Finish: Soft-matte
Coverage: Medium
Shades: 50, from very fair to very rich
The deets: 32mlThe formula: Not only does this foundation come in a bomb range of 50 shades, but it’s also a great formula, especially for those with oily skin. It’s oil-free and made with climate-adaptive technology that’s resistant to oil, sweat, and humidity so it’ll stay in place all day long. The formula offers medium coverage that can be built up to full-coverage when using a stippling brush and a little extra formula. The formula stays in place well throughout the day and doesn’t look cakey.

Tip: Set with a loose setting powder across the T-zone.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, $42

Finish: Natural, dewy finish
Coverage: Medium to full
Shades: 53, from fair to rich
The deets: 30ml, non-acnegenic, dermatologist-tested

The formula: This iconic formula has been around for years and is lauded as being the ultimate long-wearing full coverage foundation. The formula is non-irritating, oil and fragrance-free and ideal for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. It has a huge range of foundation shades with a ton of undertones, so it’s easy to find a good match. The formula blends easily, and once set with powder, stays in place all day.

Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation, $8

Finish: Dewy
Coverage: Light to medium
Shades: 24, from fair to deep
The deets: 30ml, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, SPF 18The formula: This lightweight, hydrating formula has been one of our faves for years because it gives the most beautiful natural finish. If you love a no-makeup makeup look, then this lightweight formula is for you. It lasts well through the day and doesn’t crease into fine lines. We recommend setting with a loose setting powder for longer wear.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $64

Finish: Natural
Coverage: Medium
Shades: 30
The deets: 30mlThe formula: If you’re all about that natural look, then this super lightweight formula that literally looks like skin is ideal for you. It helps even out skin texture and tone and can be built up with a brush for any areas that need coverage. If you have oily skin this might not be the ideal foundation for you, as it may move around a little, so we recommend setting with a light powder to keep it in place.

Tip: To extend the wear, use a primer.

Hourglass Vanish™ Seamless Finish Foundation Stick, $46

Finish: Matte
Coverage: Full
Shades: 32
The deets: 7gThe formula: Think of this like your foundation and concealer 2-in-1. The waterproof formula in a stick format is super pigmented and transforms into an easy-to-blend, liquid-like formula on the skin. We love the coverage and how easy this is to apply. We recommend applying directly to the face using the stick (you don’t need to apply everywhere) and blending out with a flat foundation brush. This can get a little ‘oily’ through the day, so we recommend this formula for dry to normal skin types – if you have oily skin, you should definitely set with a loose setting powder.

This list is not exhaustive and there are definitely other foundations out there that we love as well. We’d love to know your fave foundation and why you love it in the comments below.