My Top 6 Foundations - From Drugstore To Dior!

Hey my loves! So years ago I did a video about my top foundations, and it got so much love that I wanted to update you with my latest fave foundations. Whether you like full coverage or light coverage, have dry skin, oily or acne-prone skin, I promise one of these six foundations will be amazing for you. For me, a good foundation is long-wearing, aka it doesn’t go patchy or break up during the day, applies easily and blends nicely, and it should, of course, have a good shade range as well. Here are my fave six foundations right now!

Foundation Application Techniques:

Depending on the type of coverage and look you want to achieve, you need to ensure you’re using the right tools and techniques:

For full coverage: One of my fav things to do, especially if you have any kind of texture in your skin, is to use your hands. Start by applying foundation with a flat brush, like the Huda Beauty Buff & Blend Brush, $25, in a stippling motion (soft patting motions). Then rub your hands together to warm them up, and gently pat the product into your skin – this will take off any excess product, but it’s also going to help the makeup melt into your skin. You can use your hands to apply it if you like, but I find using a flat foundation brush first and then your hands way less messy.

For dewy skin: I LOVE the appearance of dewy skin, and the easiest way to achieve it is by mixing a little liquid highlighter in with your foundation. You can mix them up on your face or on a mixing plate before, and then use a stippling brush to gently stipple the foundation into your skin. Finally, bounce a damp beauty blender over your skin for a natural, dewy and airbrushed finish. I’m obsessed with the new Real Techniques 301 Foundation Brush, $13, which gives amazing coverage and a really airbrushed finish. I also love the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, $6, which has the perfect density and texture for giving the ultimate dewy finish – just be sure to use it damp!

I like to use the Melted Strobe formula from our Huda Beauty 3D Highlighter Palettes, as the creamy consistency is perfect for mixing with foundations. I’m also a huge fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter, $44, which combines really nicely with all foundations and adds a stunning glow. I would avoid formulas like the Farsali Jelly Beam for this, just because it dries to a powder finish and it won’t mix well with most foundations. If you want, you can dip a makeup sponge into formulas like Jelly Beam and bounce it onto your skin immediately after you’ve done your foundation. Liquid highlighters like L’Oreal’s Glow-Boosting Drops, $15, and the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops, $42, are also great for combining with foundations.

For super natural coverage: If you want to go for a no-makeup-makeup look, then take as little foundation as possible onto your fingertips and dot around your face. Then, using a damp beauty blender, gently bounce it over your skin to blend. If you have freckles on your nose and cheeks, you can bounce a clean part of your makeup sponge over the tops of your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose, which will pick up more product and allow your freckles to peek through.

How to layer foundations: Layering foundations can be really tricky as some just don’t layer well. If you want full coverage, I think it’s better to buy a full coverage foundation, which saves time on layering – plus layering can end up looking cakey. If you do need to layer, I really don’t recommend applying more than one layer of foundation to your entire face, instead just apply extra layers to the areas that need more coverage.

How to color correct: If you’re covering pigmentation, then start by applying a color corrector before your foundation. For red marks, use a green color corrector, and for any brown spots, use a yellow color corrector. Once your color corrector is down, apply your foundation with a brush by gently stippling it on (this way you won’t disturb the color correcting layer you’ve just applied), and then for extra coverage – only on the areas that need it – use your fingers to apply another layer of foundation, and gently pat and blend it in.