8 Best Brand-Name Foundations

Makeup foundation is notoriously hard to shop for, especially with so many products and formulas to choose from. Getting the right product into your routine can truly make all the difference, and some of the biggest brands are creating makeup lines that work with individual skin needs, not against them. Luckily, we started the research for you! Say so long to cakey, heavy makeup that breaks out your skin, and hello to these eight foundations that nourish your skin and help you put your freshest face forward. 

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, $40

Tons of brands brag about the "staying power" of their foundation, some promising up to 24 hours of wear. But the one product that is continuously top-rated for actually staying in place is Estée Lauder’s Double Wear. Seriously—it doesn’t move. The full-coverage foundation comes in a wide range of colors, blends and builds nicely and feels lightweight on the skin to boot. However, it’s best when paired with a primer and moisturizer underneath, especially if you try to test the 15-hour wear time it boasts. 

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick, $46

Foundation in a stick, who would’ve thought? Now you can easily apply smooth, buttery foundation just like lipstick or concealer, blend with a brush or sponge, and get on with your day. No more messy liquid means your hands won’t get covered in foundation and you can take this anywhere with no spills in your purse! Take that, travel size. The stick is formulated for all skin types and directly targets oily areas of the face while also moisturizing with shea butter and olive extract for smooth and healthy skin. It builds well for additional coverage and comes in 31 different shades, so you’re sure to find the one that matches perfectly. 

Dior Diorskin Forever, $50

Dior never disappoints. Diorskin Forever is a medium-to-full coverage foundation that minimizes pores, evens skin tone and lasts up to 16 hours. Some of its features seem a little contradictory, like its luminous matte finish or shine control plus SPF 35, but fear not, Diorskin pulls it off. The foundation removes the oily look from skin while retaining that healthy, dewy glow, but also protects with high SPF sunscreen in the formula.

Cover FX Custom Cover Drops, $44

This product is easily the most versatile on the list because it offers one thing: total customization. The formula is purely concentrated pigment designed to be mixed with other liquid serums, lotions or foundations you already own—allowing you to completely control the amount of coverage you apply. The brand recommends adding one drop to primers or daily moisturizers for sheer coverage, and up to four drops to any product for full coverage and perfect color match. 

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation, $62

Taking care of skin should be priority number one, and for Koh Gen Do cosmetics, it is. The Aqua Foundation contains botanical emollients and extracts that condition and hydrate while they cover. This foundation doesn’t feel heavy on your skin; in fact it’s nearly undetectable. Though this provides a sheer coverage (meaning it’s not going to cover blemishes or dark circles well), it will give you a naturally radiant look. Just dab some concealer on those trouble spots if needed!

Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able, $55

Less is more with Re(marc)able, since it boasts full coverage with just one dot of liquid. It’s a concentrated foundation, meaning it’s heavily pigmented, and works similarly to the Custom FX Drops we mentioned earlier, except in reverse. Instead of four drops for full coverage, you only one. For sheer coverage, you’ll actually need to thin out the foundation with a primer or lotion. The product acts as demi-matte—reducing shine but enhancing your natural glow. However, the foundation has no water whatsoever in the formula, so you’re definitely going to want to prime and moisturize before applying. 

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder, $56

Hourglass Immaculate is one of those miracle products, especially for those with very sensitive skin, visible blemishes and imperfections or high oil production. It’s made with Cashmere Kaolinite Clay, which absorbs 75% of its weight in oil without drying out the skin. This foundation goes on as liquid but transforms to powder, leaving the wearer with a full coverage foundation that lasts all day and doesn’t feel like makeup. 

Sisley Paris Anti-Aging Foundation, $170

You’ve probably heard of multi-tasking makeup before, but nothing works double duty like this foundation from Sisley Paris. It’s exactly what we’ve always wanted: skincare and makeup combined. Sisley packs a slew of anti-aging ingredients in its formula, like soy peptide to protect firmness, adenosine for anti-wrinkle properties and a handful of natural extracts that promote radiance and moisture. On top of that, you’re still getting a top-notch foundation that provides buildable medium coverage and up to eight hours of wear. That’s a hard one to beat. 

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