We think foundation should enhance your natural beauty — not mask it. It should work as a base for your entire look, so the wrong foundation can be one of the most major visible beauty mistakes. That's why choosing the best liquid foundation for you, which should blend right into your natural skin tone and texture, is key to mastering your makeup.
Our team put countless liquid foundations to the test and selected the 10 best for multiple skin types and tones. Read on to discover your perfect match!
Best Liquid Foundations
- Best Overall: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
- Best Budget Buy: Revlon ColorStay Makeup
- Best Splurge: Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
- Best for Oily Skin: Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer
- Best for Dry Skin: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
- Best Long-Wearing Pick: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation
- Best for Hydration: Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation
- Best Lightweight Coverage: Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15
- Best for Medium Skin Tones: STELLAR Limitless Foundation
Best Overall
Pros
- Works for any skin tone and skin type
Cons
- Shades sell out quickly
Rihanna graced us with her beauty line, Fenty Beauty, and she shook us all by dropping her 40-shade Pro-Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation. It's already gained cult-classic status, thanks in large part to its generous variety of colors to complement any makeup lover's skin, from light to dark and everywhere in between.
This oil-free foundation, formulated with climate-adaptive technology that’s resistant to sweat and humidity, is effortlessly buildable, and it wears beautifully for hours.
This cruelty-free, medium-coverage matte foundation will look gorgeous on any skin type, but she has a special shoutout to darker-skinned customers, who have 14 shades to choose from.
We had multiple testers of all skin types and tones test this one out. They agreed that the coverage level was perfect and it appropriately covered any imperfections. Many applauded the soft-matte finish and the impressive range of shades. One tester even said that the Fenty foundation "provided better coverage than any other foundation" they had previously tried. Ever. That's a pretty solid testimonial if you ask us!
The consensus from our team of testers is that this one truly does live up to all the hype. Thanks, Rihanna!
Best Budget Buy
Pros
- Inexpensive, easy pump applicator
Cons
- It's on the heavier side, so could be a con for those who prefer lightweight foundations
You don't have to spend a lot of money on quality foundation. Drugstore makeup brands like Revlon have seriously stepped up their game in the past decade. Revlon ColorStay foundation has been a drugstore hit for years with its buildable formula that works on all skin types, as well as its blendability on the skin and convenient applicator pump. It's also available in an impressive range of 35 shades!
While the texture does not feel heavy at all, it's a full-coverage foundation, so if you prefer lighter coverage, we recommend mixing a few pumps with your favorite moisturizer and blending out with a damp Beauty Blender sponge.
Our testers were surprised that a liquid foundation with such a low price tag could offer such beautiful coverage. One tester commented that the texture was "light-as-air" and that they were impressed that something that "felt so light" could also cover all of their imperfections.
If you're looking for a bargain that'll keep you looking expensive, this is it.
Best Splurge
Giorgio Armani Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Pros
- The formula feels light, but it still offers plenty of coverage
Cons
- Expensive
This is both an editor- and celeb-favorite — and for good reason. Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation earned a massive cult-following for its lightweight feel paired with the perks of a traditional, full-coverage foundation. It enables micro-fil technology, which allows the product to feel light on the skin, but produce an impressive amount of coverage. It's available in 24 shades and is a luxury buy for sure, but it's one of the best liquid foundations we've ever tested.
Our testers confirmed that the light feel, coverage level, and luminous finish live up to the product claims, making it worth the splurge. One tester admitted this is a "Holy Grail product" that's "perfect for a special occasion." Our testers were also impressed with the shade selection, as they carry "shades with yellow tones that can be hard to find."
In case you don't want to take our word for it, it boasts 170,000 hearts on Sephora's website, proving its popularity among the makeup enthusiast community as well.
Best for Oily Skin
Clinique Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer
Pros
- Time-saving
Cons
- Applicator could be better
This full-coverage, long-wearing foundation is available in 27 shades, and it does the job of both a concealer and a foundation, as the name suggests. This foundation is the perfect pairing for someone who wants a beautiful base without adding a concealer afterward for twice the amount of work.
This foundation works well on all kinds of skin types — from dry, to combination, to oily — but it works especially well to cover imperfections on oily faces.
From the quality formula to the innovative application wand, our testers loved the Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer. Removing the need for a separate concealer was one of the main selling points for our testers. One reviewer said that the applicator wand made them love this product even more, as it "facilitated faster application and even coverage."
Best for Dry Skin
Pros
- Radiant finish, alcohol- and fragrance-free
Cons
- Not great for oily skin
If you have dry or normal skin, you may want to bring back some luminosity to your face, and a dewy foundation can help you get there. NARS Sheer Glow is our top pick for a moisturizing base that makes your natural skin look its best. It's incredibly hydrating and available in an assortment of 20 shades. What's not to love?
It applies effortlessly with your fingertips for a truly sheer wash of color, or you can pack on more product with a foundation brush.
Our testers with dry skin were especially obsessed with this effective formula from NARS. Not only did this foundation stay on our testers' skin all day long (yes, really!), but it also extended the wear of the other face products used — like blush, highlight, and contour — that typically fade away by mid-afternoon.
One tester said that using a breathable, hydrating product (like this one!) can make all the difference in your regular skincare routine, especially for those with severely dry skin. "It won’t irritate or dry out your skin, so you’ll find yourself needing to use less of the expensive masks, moisturizers, and exfoliants in your arsenal of skin recovery products — so they’ll last way longer," she said. A foundation that doubles as a skincare secret weapon — what's not to love?
We found all claims relating to its subtle radiant finish, lightweight feel, and easy buildability to be totally true. Click through below to see what we're talking about!
Best Long-Wearing Pick
Pros
- 24-hour wear, large shade selection
Cons
- Not ideal for those with sensitive skin
Some days just never seem to end. Unfortunately, if that's a regular occurrence for you, you'll need a foundation that requires zero reapplication, with a finish that'll last you until you wipe it off.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation provides medium- and/or full-coverage foundation that blends in your skin, delivering SPF 15 for up to 24 hours. Lancôme offers 40 shades of this foundation, and it'll be your new longwearing go-to. However, if your skin is sensitive to breakouts, you may want to skip this pick because of its heavier formula.
Best Semi-Matte
Pros
- Semi-matte, buildable finish
Cons
- Expensive
Urban Decay's Naked foundation is a lifesaver for all skin types. You can wear this foundation with one layer for a more natural makeup day, or layer it on for a fuller coverage appearance.
This foundation dries semi-matte on the skin, so it'll help control excess oil on your face. Urban Decay offers 26 shades for this foundation, so you're bound to find your perfect match! You'll feel Naked without it.
Best for Hydration
Smashbox Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Must blend quickly
This hydrating matte foundation may sound like an oxymoron, but it's true! This medium- to full-coverage foundation hydrates while providing 15 hours of coverage, and it dries to a matte finish on your skin.
The best part? It'll work on dry, combination, and oily skin types, and it won't aggravate acne, either. Just make sure to set this foundation with a powder after applying if you prefer a true matte look.
Best Lightweight Coverage
Chanel Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Pros
- Natural-looking coverage
Cons
- No shades for deeper skin
We first heard about Chanel Vitalumière Aqua foundation from beauty vlogger Fleur DeForce several years ago. It's a lightweight foundation that has just the amount of coverage you want for a natural-looking finish.
It has SPF 15 included, and it'll stay on rain or shine. However, it has a major downside: There's only a small shade range of 10 tones, which doesn't cater to darker-skinned customers.
Best for Medium Skin Tones
Pros
- Glowy finish
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
Monika Deol founded makeup line STELLAR after working in the entertainment industry and being disappointed with foundation shades for minorities. Deol launched this brand to cater specifically to medium skin tones.
This vegan and cruelty-free foundation is a medium-to-full coverage formula that sets to a beautiful glow, and it's available in 22 shades.
FAQ
Still have questions in the world of liquid foundations? We hear you! Whether you're a newbie beauty enthusiast or a pro-level makeup lover, there are a lot of considerations that go into selecting the best liquid foundation for you. To help further decode the mysteries of liquid foundations, read on as our beauty editor answers some FAQs!
Q. Who is liquid foundation best for?
A. Liquid foundation is great for anyone with skin imperfections like blemishes or hyperpigmentation that they'd like to conceal quickly and easily. It’s great for beginners to the world of foundation, and it can be used in conjunction with other products, like concealer and powder, to create a flawless base for the rest of your makeup.
Q. What makes it different from other types of foundation?
A. Arguably the most popular type of foundation, liquid foundation is available in a wide variety of shades and finishes. It has a thinner texture than a cream foundation, and it has more of a thick, wet consistency when compared to a dry powder foundation. All can provide sheer to full coverage, but liquid foundation is typically the most versatile.
Q. What's the best way to apply a liquid foundation?
A. Honestly, there's no "right" way to apply a liquid foundation. It truly depends on your preference and comfort level. We've found that applying with your fingertips is the way to go if you want sheer coverage. It's a little easier to build on multiple layers coverage with a sponge. (We love to use a damp Beauty Blender for sponge applications.) In a hurry? Blend on your foundation using a circular buffing motion with a large foundation brush to save some time.
Q. Selecting a foundation at Sephora is easy because of the testers, but do you have any tips for drugstore buys when you can't try them on?
A. Selecting the right shade can certainly be tricky. Many people will tell you to hold the shade near your wrist in the store to evaluate the shade, but we disagree. Your wrist is often a different color than your facial skin. We recommend finding a mirror within the store and holding the bottle up to your face. It's the closest you'll get to using a tester!
Q. I love liquid foundation when freshly applied, but it never lasts. How do I make my liquid foundation stay on longer?
A. Always start with a primer underneath your liquid foundation and finish with setting powder to make sure it's locked in all day long. To take it to the next level for some serious staying power, complete your look with a makeup setting spray as the final step.
Pin It for Later!
Read More:
These Foundations Will Give Dry Skin a Dewy Glow
11 Powder Foundations for a Matte Finish
13 Concealers to Hide Any All-Nighter
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Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.
