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Foundation’s first season loses itself in its century-spanning story

Apple’s ambitious epic takes a while to get going.

By Chaim Gartenberg and Andrew Webster

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Foundation ’s first season has officially wrapped with its season finale, which saw the first chapter of Apple TV Plus’ most ambitious show come to a conclusion. 

The epic sci-fi show, based on Isaac Asimov’s centuries-spanning series of novels, has grown far beyond its quasi-magic space math from the initial episodes , spinning out different storylines ranging from drama in the Foundation’s newfound home of Terminus to the byzantine imperial politics of Trantor. 

In the wake of the finale, The Verge’ s Chaim Gartenberg and Andrew Webster are revisiting the show to see what worked, what didn’t, and what they’re hoping to see in the already-announced second season. 

Spoilers for the entire first season of Foundation ahead

Chaim: I’m really of two minds about Foundation . With the first season in the bag, I’m actually really enjoying the show as interesting, high-concept sci-fi. But the story that’s being told here is emphatically not that of Foundation from the Asimov books.

I get that there’s bound to be differences in adapting a seven-book series (not counting the expanded Empire and Robot stories that Asimov later tied into a mostly cohesive whole) that was retroactively forged into books out of numerous short stories aiming to tell a story spanning 1,000 years of human history. But even with that said, after borrowing the basic premise — the Empire is going to fall and mankind will suffer 30,000 years of darkness unless something is done to cushion the dark age to 1,000 years, because “fancy math” — Foundation just seems wholly uninterested in exploring that concept past the first episode or two. 

The individual stories here are generally interesting on their own. The “genetic dynasty” of a succession of Lee Paces ruling the crumbling empire with an iron fist is the show’s highlight, thanks in no small part to Pace’s dynamic performances as the cloned Brother Day. And Salvor Hardin’s cat-and-mouse game on Terminus with the Anacreons is enjoyable sci-fi fare, too. 

Meanwhile, the third leg of the story, the prolonged drama of Gaal’s shuttling in cryo from place to place as the show hints at her mysterious powers, is… less compelling. 

The practical concerns of running a multi-season TV series also clearly impact the show. Some characters, like the Cleon clones or the seemingly immortal robot Demerzel, play well into the themes of the series and help give weight to the sheer size and scale of the Empire. But by the end of the finale, it felt like the show was twisting itself in knots to keep key characters like Hardin and Gaal around through multiple eras of the show so that the actors playing them could offer some continuity for the next season.

Andrew : I’m not as well-versed on the source material, but I generally agree. Once all of the initial worldbuilding and discussion of future-predicting math was out of the way in the first few episodes , Foundation really picked up in a lot of ways. The worldbuilding remains incredible throughout. All of the many cultures and planets have a depth to them that is quite frankly astounding. That goes for the big things — like a desert planet’s incredibly detailed religious beliefs and ceremonies or the sheer scale of the landscapes you see — to the smaller moments, like the scratches on an old spacesuit or the way each culture has its own particular style of dress and armor. You can tell there was a huge budget here, and it was put to good use. (Even the special effects that seem out of place, like a certain robot skull in the finale, look amazing.)

Early on, I really struggled to identify with any of the cast. It was all setup and vanishingly little character development. As the story developed, Foundation ’s confusing structure continued to make this a struggle. It jumps around a lot , both in terms of the stories it’s focused on and the timeline. There’s just so much going on, and so much complexity — Harri Seldon’s plan seemed complicated at first, but the many layers (and lies) it ends up involving made it even harder to follow — that’s only compounded by the fact that many of the characters live years beyond their life span through cryo-sleep or other means. Oh, and then there are the multiple generations of the emperor, all played by the same three actors, making things even harder to follow. It also doesn’t help that the show is far too serious all the time. I get that the fate of the universe is important, but Foundation could definitely use a sense of humor to lighten the mood at times and let me connect to its cast.

It wasn’t until episode eight, where Lee Pace’s emperor faces a life-threatening trek through a desert, where I felt like I was finally getting to know these characters. Up until then, the show seemed more focused on the universe as a whole than it did the individual people whose stories it’s telling. Once it slowed down, though, and allowed viewers longer and quieter moments with the cast, it really worked. And like you said, even when they don’t have much to work with, much of the cast here does great with what’s in front of them — especially the villains. Pace exudes a cold calculating menace that borders on sociopathic, while Kubbra Sait, as the grand huntress of the planet of Anacreon, is terrifyingly focused on vengeance above all else. Another highlight is T’Nia Miller as a devout religious leader who stands tall against the empire.

Chaim: I’ll join you in praising the worldbuilding: Foundation always looks incredible, from claustrophobic hallways on a derelict ship to the sweeping salt deserts to the stark stone of Terminus. 

And the slower pace and steadily built-out cast do help flesh out the latter characters a lot more than Gaal, Hari, or Raych get throughout the first two episodes. Salvor’s extended screentime means that we get to know her, the often contentious relationship she has with her parents and the Foundation’s leadership, and her romantic fling with the Han Solo-esque Hugu (Daniel MacPherson, who helps add a much-needed lightness of tone whenever he shows up). 

The show also uses the time to raise some thoughts about the idea of religion and faith versus science and human effort, and the blurred lines between them, particularly as Seldin’s elaborate plan is revealed to help establish himself as a mythological figure in the history of the Foundation. It’s these sorts of parallels that Foundation doesn’t quite fully dig into, although hopefully the show will continue to explore those areas in season 2. 

But Foundation ’s pace and added filler also has me raising some eyebrows at the show’s future. One of the draws of the original series is how it skips through time, showing snapshots of the fall of the Empire, the rise of the Foundation as a new power, how Seldon’s predictive powers do (and occasionally don’t) manage to foresee the different shifts and changes in the galactic sphere. And on that scale, Foundation still feels like it’s stuck in the earliest stages of what it could be. 

In theory, that could all be part of the plan: showrunner David S. Goyer apparently pitched Apple on eight seasons of the series for a total of 80 episodes, which would justify the occasionally dragged-out pace if (and it’s a big if ) Foundation actually gets the time and budget to tell the other 87.5 percent of its story. 

And if Foundation is going to try to forge forward in telling the story of Seldon’s 1,000-year plan, at some point it is going to have to leave some of its cast and characters behind to forge ahead in the future. 

Andrew : Yeah, and here’s the thing: Foundation really does feel like it’s building toward something interesting. But in these 10 episodes, it hasn’t reached that destination yet. It’s more like an extended prologue than its own story. Much like Hari Seldon’s followers, the show demands a lot of faith from viewers. In season 1, you’re investing 10 hours for the promise of a more interesting story to come.

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Apple’s sci-fi epic foundation is coming back for season 3, foundation’s showrunner explains why big book adaptations start so dang slow, a quick recap ahead of foundation season 2., there’s a lot of sci-fi streaming this summer.

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Foundation review – a galaxy of money can’t save Apple’s Star Dreck

With a huge budget, a starry cast including Jared Harris and explosive interplanetary plot, this new sci-fi epic wants to be taken seriously. What a shame it feels so earnest and ropey

T ake one series of sci-fi books by the king of the genre Isaac Asimov. Add writer David S Goyer (known for Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Zach Snyder’s Man of Steel), a galaxy full of money and king of television Jared Harris to star in it … and you have Foundation, a major new release from Apple TV+.

An interstellar empire is ruled by three men – or possibly only one, depending on how you account for the fact that they are all clones of the original emperor Cleon, decanted at various ages. There’s a boy/young man (Brother Dawn, played by Cooper Carter and later Cassian Bilton), a middle-aged Brother Day (Lee Pace) and an older Brother Dusk (Terrance Mann), who live on planet Trantor and have kept the galactic peace for generations but become, as you might suspect, un peu smug and complacent in the process. They eat a lot of roast peacock.

Galactic genius Hari Seldon (Harris) puts a metaphorical bomb under them by announcing that his expertise in psychohistory (the practice of working out the future mathematically, like the high heid yins in Loki , who clearly didn’t tell him it’s more trouble than it’s worth) has shown that the empire will fall and plunge the galaxy into 30,000 years of chaos. If they listen to him, Seldon reckons this can be reduced to 1,000 years. For this relief he receives a death sentence rather than thanks. As does Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell), the mathematical supergenius he has recruited to help him and whom the emperors hoped in vain would disprove his theories.

Before they can be executed, however, a less metaphorical bomb goes off, which destroys Trantor’s starbridge, kills millions and causes the show’s ponderous pace to pick up slightly. Soon, Seldon has permission to set up the Foundation at the edge of the galaxy: a repository of all knowledge designed to withstand the coming interplanetary convulsions. It will also help rebuild the empire within the single millennium as promised, rather than let everyone suffer through 30 of the buggers. Off they go, and the second episode follows them on their ship while the emperors back home try to work out who set the bomb and why.

It all looks great (even if some of the costumes are a touch too blouson-y for anyone who remembers the 80s). Every penny of the budget is up on screen. But like many so many heavyweight adaptations, Foundation is definitely not light on its feet. It takes itself very seriously indeed and evidently feels that it has Much To Say at all times. Which it undoubtedly does: about the corrupting nature of power, the inevitability of imperial decay (a favourite subject of Asimov after he read Gibbons’ History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire), and humanity’s unwillingness to face unpalatable truths even in order to mitigate them.

However, the constant showcasing of this fact has a rather deadening effect. Everyone is earnest and burdened. Everyone stands for all things at all times. Happiness is fleeting. There is no smiling in the future (though there are some terrible voiceovers and some decidedly ropey acting at points). This is especially true by the end of episode two, with its unexpected twist.

As a new sci-fi show, it would be fine. As a big-budget, flagship production for Apple it looks like a fine opportunity wasted.

• Isaac Asimov
• Science fiction TV
• Jared Harris

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Watch Foundation with a subscription on Apple TV+.

Cast & Crew

Jared Harris

Dr. Hari Seldon

Brother Day

Lou Llobell

Leah Harvey

Cassian Bilton

Brother Dawn

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• Foundation, Powder, and More

The 15 Best Foundations of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

For a flawless, perfected finish.

Grace Parsons is a contributing writer for Real Simple whose work has been published in The Spruce, The/Thirty, and The Quality Edit.

Rachel covers all aspects of the home space and tests products to find the best for consumers. When she's not writing, you can find her streaming, hiking, and decorating.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks

Final Verdict

Our testing process.

• How to Shop
• More to Consider

Take Our Word for It

What is real simple selects.

Foundation can even out your skin tone, cover up blemishes, and create a flawless canvas for the rest of your makeup routine, making it a must-have in your beauty arsenal. But with so many finishes, formulations, and coverage levels to choose from, it can be a hassle to find a foundation that works for you and your skin. 

"For dry skin, you'll typically want to shy away from matte finishes," says makeup artist Jonet Williamson . Meanwhile, "oily skin types should avoid foundations with oil or dewy finishes, and those with normal or combination skin can go either way depending on preference."

To find the best foundations, we tested more than 32 liquid foundations in our NYC lab and evaluated them on feel, finish, and wear across all skin types. We also spoke to makeup artists Kevin Kodra and Anabelle LaGuardia , in addition to Real Simple's Beauty & Fashion Editor, Hana Hong , and Rea Ann Silva , CEO and founder of Beautyblender, for more insight on how to match foundation to your skin, and what foundations work best for which skin types.

Best Overall Foundation

Lancôme teint idole ultra 24h long wear matte foundation.

• Coverage 4 /5
• Finish 4 /5
• Transfer Resistance 4 /5

This full coverage foundation is right in the middle of a matte and dewy finish, making it supremely versatile.

It may be too matte for those with dry skin.

The Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation offers the best of both worlds with its unique finish. We were delighted to discover that this product was the perfect combination of matte and dewy, which is not an easy feat to pull off. This can be attributed to the foundation’s natural matte finish, which gave us a nice glow all while providing full coverage as advertised. Plus, unlike some matte foundations, this Lancome product did not appear dry or feel cakey on our skin, nor did it accentuate any fine lines or wrinkles.  

The Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation comes in a whopping 50 shades, offering plenty of options for people with all types of undertones. It is made to last for 24 hours and is resistant to oxidation. This foundation is also oil-free, making it a great option for people with oily, normal, or combination skin (although people with dry skin might need something more moisturizing). It’s more expensive than drugstore brands but is priced just about average compared to similar foundations.  

Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | SPF: 15 | Shades: 50

Best Drugstore Foundation

L'oréal paris infallible foundation.

• Coverage 5 /5
• Finish 5 /5
• Transfer Resistance 5 /5

This affordable pick has buildable coverage that resists transfer.

The finish is super matte, and may not look as natural as some of our other selections.

Our testing revealed that the L’oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation performed just as well, or in some cases better, than its pricier counterparts. It felt very expensive for a drugstore option, as it went on like a dream and created a beautiful, seamless finish on our skin.

This foundation is advertised as buildable, offering medium to full coverage that should last up to 24 hours. While we found this product to have more of a light to medium coverage, we still think that this foundation is buildable—plus it didn’t get streaky and evened out our skin tone without looking cakey. We were so impressed with its buildable abilities that we would use this foundation specifically for special events.

We integrated this product into our makeup routine over a month-long testing period and found that we reached for it at least twice a week—it became a handy alternative to our CC creams, BB creams, and tinted moisturizers . While we appreciated the lightweight feel and natural coverage of the foundation, we wish the product was a bit less watery.

The L’oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation comes in 40 shades and is resistant to sweat and any kind of transfer that might happen with your makeup. It’s also waterproof, non-comedogenic, and has an SPF of 25. It’s suitable for all skin types, including those with acne-prone skin. 

Coverage: Medium to full | Finish: Matte | SPF: 25 | Shades: 40

Best Foundation for Dry Skin

La mer long wear foundation spf 20.

• Transfer Resistance 4.5 /5

This lightweight foundation provides great coverage without drying out the skin. 

This is one of the most expensive picks on our list. 

The moisturizing ingredients and serum-like consistency of this matte foundation are what make it a great foundation for people with dry skin. This silky foundation went on easily and smoothly, ensuring both a comfortable application and effective coverage over areas of redness on our skin. This product offers a medium coverage, and although it is advertised as having a natural finish, we found that it was closer to matte.

The La Mer Soft Liquid Long Wear Foundation comes in 27 shades, is designed to be buildable, and contains an SPF of 20. We loved this product for its buttery feel and smooth, even finish, but it is very pricey. This pick is more expensive than the average foundation price, so it might be best for special occasions.   

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | SPF: 20 | Shades: 27 shades

Best Foundation for Oily Skin

Nyx professional makeup born to glow foundation.

• Finish 2.5 /5

This affordable, vegan foundation resists shine.

It may be challenging to achieve a full-coverage finish with this foundation.

People with oily skin tend to stay away from products that contain oil, thinking that it will only increase oil production. However, the right type of oil can balance oil production and improve your skin’s appearance. That’s the case with the NYX Born to Glow! Naturally Radiant Foundation contains jojoba oil, which is non-comedogenic and anti-inflammatory. Jojoba oil is very light and so similar to the skin’s sebum that it doesn’t trigger additional sebum production from your pores. So, if you have oily skin, you can safely apply this foundation without worrying that it will make your already oily skin even more oily or acne-prone.

This foundation from NYX provides medium coverage that is buildable depending on the look you’re going for. It’s suitable for all skin types, although we found the finish to be more matte than dewy, which might not be suitable for very dry skin. This product does stand out for being vegan, as it contains no animal-derived or animal byproduct ingredients, and comes in 45 shades.

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Dewy | SPF: None | Shades: 45

Best Lightweight Foundation

N°1 de chanel revitalizing foundation.

Despite being lightweight, it can still effectively cover blemishes and discoloration. 

This product has a smaller shade selection to choose from.

This Chanel product promises customers a buildable foundation that will leave your skin luminous—and according to our tests, it certainly lives up to its claims. We loved this product so much that we could see ourselves wearing it daily. We also found that it is indeed a buildable foundation that is easy to layer and not only successfully evens out skin tone but also leaves the skin looking super smooth and hydrated. This hydration can be attributed to the product’s use of glycerin, a common beauty ingredient that excels at moisturizing skin.

The N°1 De Chanel Revitalizing Foundation only comes in about 20 shades, which is far fewer than its competitors. Although this foundation provides medium coverage, we thought it was overall very lightweight, especially considering it was so effective at covering up facial imperfections. Not only that but while wearing this foundation, it didn’t look like we were wearing any makeup.

Coverage: Light to medium | Finish: Dewy | SPF: None | Shades: 20

Best Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

Giorgio armani beauty luminous silk foundation.

The radiant finish isn’t too greasy or glittery on the skin.

The pump can get messy with consistent use.

Those with active acne or acne-prone skin likely want a foundation that won't clog pores, offers buildable coverage, and doesn't emphasize skin texture. The Luminous Silk Foundation from Armani Beauty fits the bill, thanks to the brand's pigment technology that lays flat on the skin with virtually seamless blendability. 

Since it is an oil-free foundation, it won't highlight excess sebum production typically associated with acne-prone skin. Even those with dry skin can opt for this foundation—it performs just as well without emphasizing dehydration. We tested this product over three months on mature skin and were impressed that it melted into the skin incredibly seamlessly without any noticeable wrinkle lines or creases that we noticed with other foundations.

While the foundation comes at a higher price that initially caused some sticker shock, after using it for three months, it became a testament to the fact that a luxurious foundation can be worth the cost. It became our favorite everyday foundation for its smooth, silky finish, and we plan on repurchasing it.

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural  | SPF: No  | Shade: 40

Best Matte Foundation

Chanel ultra le teint flawless finish foundation.

• Finish 4.6 /5
• Transfer Resistance 4.8 /5

This foundation lasts all day. 

It may be too dry for some skin types. 

Those loyal to matte foundations should consider adding the Chanel Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear Foundation to their makeup routine. Although this product is advertised as having a soft matte finish, our tests repeatedly found this product to be more of a true matte. We were pleased that despite how very matte it was, it caused minimal creasing along fine lines, which is a common problem with matte foundations. It also boasts a solid medium to full coverage and is buildable.

We tested this product for three months and were happy to find that it held up well with a consistently blendable, buildable, and light coverage. The satin finish erased our pores and didn't sink into fine lines, but still provided ample coverage over our problem areas. The only thing we would improve is the addition of SPF for some added sun protection in this silky, barely-there formula.

The Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation comes in 35 shades and can last up to 24 hours. It’s also oil-free, which stood out to us during testing. Even though this product is higher priced than other options, we think the quality and performance over time are well worth it—we will be using this for everyday looks and full-on glam alike.

Coverage: Full | Finish: Soft Matte | SPF: None | Shades: 35

Best Foundation with SPF

Ilia super serum skin tint.

• Feel 4.5 /5
• Finish 4.5 /5

This ultra lightweight foundation contains a high SPF.  

This pick doesn’t offer full or buildable coverage. 

The Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint is not only oil-free but also contains an impressive 40 SPF plus squalane and hyaluronic acid—making this a skin-loving pick that can protect and shield your face while delivering nourishing ingredients. What’s more, we found that, despite its dewyness, it didn’t make our skin look greasy or oily during wear. Instead, the tint imparted a dewy, natural-looking glow that blended in incredibly easily.

Overall, we loved this formula and confirmed that it is quite sheer, so if you’re looking for something with fuller coverage, you’ll want to try a different foundation. Considering you need at least SPF 30 for your face to get sun protection, you can forgo the sunscreen and use just this during fall and winter. Not only that, but it’s fragrance-free and made without any potentially harmful ingredients. 

Coverage: Light | Finish: Dewy | SPF: 40 | Shades: 30

Best Foundation for Redness

Haus labs triclone skin tech foundation.

The formula has a serum texture and feels weightless on the skin.

It can pill when applied over oil-based products.

With 51 shades in a natural, radiant finish, the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech foundation effortlessly conceals visible redness on the skin with buildable coverage. Since the formula isn't too matte or overly dewy, this base product works for varying skin types, including those with conditions like rosacea.

This foundation goes beyond cosmetics with its skincare ingredients, including powerhouse ingredients like fermented arnica—a known anti-inflammatory. There are also two patented blends; Intellizen 7 Complex, which promotes healing and soothing to irritated skin, and BioFerment 7 Complex, a mix of antioxidants that reduce environmental stress. With its high-quality ingredients and cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free standards, this is the perfect foundation to even out skin discoloration and redness.

Coverage: Medium | Finish:  Natural | SPF:  No | Shade: 51

Best Foundation for Sensitive Skin

Westman atelier vital skincare dewy foundation drops.

This foundation blends just as well with fingers as it does with a brush.

The formula can be too oily for some.

Westman Atelier's Vital Skincare Dewy Foundation Drops are the quickest way to get an even and radiant complexion for people with sensitive skin. The finish is natural and glowy, offering a look akin to healthy, hydrated skin. This result, in part, is thanks to ingredients like Tsubaki oil, ginseng extract, and pomegranate extract—these three additions promote visible firmness, brightness, hydration, and protection against free radicals, according to the brand.

Since the texture is less like a foundation and more like a serum, the drops blend effortlessly into the skin, even if you don't do a rigorous skin prep routine before application. It's available in 20 shades that are all dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic.

Coverage: Light to medium | Finish: Radiant | SPF: No | Shade: 20

Best Foundation for Mature Skin

Charlotte tilbury beautiful skin liquid foundation.

The packaging features an ergonomic pump.

Some of the lighter shades may oxidize. 

The top concerns for mature skin typically are lack of moisture, signs of aging, and discoloration. The Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation tackles all those concerns—and more—making it ideal for all skin types, not just those with mature skin.

This liquid base includes hyaluronic acid, a beloved humectant in skincare formulations. By attracting moisture to the skin, hyaluronic acid allows this foundation to visibly hydrate and revitalize while an active rose complex fights signs of fatigue for a vibrant complexion, according to the brand. Plus, the formula is free from questionable ingredients like parabens, SLS, and phthalates and offers a breathable 16-hour wear time with a medium opacity and subtle glowing finish.

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Medium | SPF: No | Shade: 30

Best Powder Foundation

L'oréal infallible powder foundation.

• Feel 4.3 /5
• Wear 4.4 /5

The texture is incredibly smooth compared to most other powder foundations.

The shade range is skewed towards lighter skin tones.

The L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation is a unique and trend-setting powder foundation—unlike other powders, this matte powder is weightless on the skin while offering a flawless full-coverage look and natural finish. The powder is finely milled and works well with a cosmetic sponge and brush, depending on your application preferences. 

This foundation works great for anyone looking to minimize the appearance of texture without looking cakey or overdone due to its blurring effect. We also love that the formula is waterproof, so you won't have to worry about it transferring or melting off your face throughout the day. 

This affordable compact comes in 20 shades that work for all skin types and is non-comedogenic and dermatologist-tested.

Coverage: Buildable, Full | Finish: Matte | SPF: No | Shade: 20

Best Cream Foundation

Cle de peau cream foundation spf 24.

Bloomingdales

This foundation has impressive coverage with a natural finish.

The shade range is limited to only 24 tones.

Cream foundations are notorious for feeling too heavy on the skin, particularly when they boast a high-coverage finish. The Radiant Cream Foundation from Clé de Peau is an exception, thanks to its buildable medium coverage and natural finish.

The formula features potentilla erecta root extract to help lock in moisture and ease the appearance of fine lines. And, unlike some other foundations, the addition of chestnut rosa fruit extract keeps the foundation from oxidizing.

Overall, this pick is ultra smooth, hydrating, and long-lasting, as well as dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic, making this foundation ideal for all skin types and concerns.

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | SPF: 25 | Shade: 24

Best Stick Foundation

Merit the minimalist.

• Wear 3.9 /5
• Finish 4.4 /5
• Transfer Resistance 4.3 /5

It is safe for people with acne-prone skin.

The shade's undertones run a bit yellow, which might not suit all skin tones.

Part foundation, part concealer, the Merit Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick is the multitasking base for your everyday routine. The product is convenient to take on the go, so the pin-point packaging design allows for easy application. And if you don't want to use a brush, the highly blendable formula comfortably melts into the skin with just your fingers.

After using this foundation for three months, it became a multi-functional product in our makeup arsenal, minimizing the need for additional products like powder and concealer. We loved that it provided ample coverage and blended in smoothly, making for an overall improvement in our daily makeup routine. We've repurchased the product several times and paired it with the Merit Brush No. 1 , which made application even easier (which was hard to believe considering it was already a seamless process).

This foundation is packed with fatty acids that condition the skin and help retain moisture and sea daffodil extract, which minimizes visible hyperpigmentation on the skin, according to the brand. Each of the 20 shades is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and packaged in recyclable materials. 

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | SPF: No | Shade: 20

Best Eco-Friendly Foundation

Beautycounter foundation.

The foundation doesn’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles.

The formula includes ingredients that might trigger acne for some skin types.

One of the few foundations available that is EWG-verified and certified cruelty-free with the Leaping Bunny, the Beautycounter Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation is the ultimate lightweight and traceless foundation. The buildable, breathable formula visibly hydrates and plumps the skin for a healthy glow.

The foundation includes hydrophobic pigments, which allow the foundation to stay true-to-color instead of oxidizing. It also has hyaluronic acid, a known skin hydrator, and jojoba, an emollient that softens and smooths the skin over time. The brand recommends applying the liquid foundation with a brush for a flawless finish.

Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | SPF: No | Shade: 27

Overall, we recommend the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation for its unique combination dewy and matte finish that’s suitable for most skin types. We also liked that the partially matte finish didn’t enhance our fine lines or feel heavy after application, both of which are common matte foundation problems. This product comes in 50 shades and lasts up to 24 hours.

We tested 32 different foundations on multiple skin types over several days. We first applied a patch of the foundation onto the back of their hands and rated how each felt and reacted to our skin. Then, we put the foundations through a transfer test to see whether or not it transferred onto a white T-shirt five minutes after application. 

After that, we applied the foundation to a clean, moisturized face (primer-free), and saw if the coverage and finish as advertised by the product was correct. Once applied, we wore the foundation for the next eight hours, without any other makeup on, to see how well it held up over time.

Some of the products we tested for this article were tested in real-world conditions over three months. We combined insights from our initial lab tests and these long-term tests to make our final selections of the best foundations for every skin type and concern.

Real Simple / Tamara Staples

How to Shop for Foundation Like a Pro

There are three types of coverage in the foundation world: light, medium, and full. Which one is best for you depends on the look you're going for and what your skin type is. “For me, coverage level is based on the client and the look I’m trying to achieve,” says Kodra. He reaches for products that offer “buildable coverage” so he can create flawless looks that still “look natural”.

Medium coverage is best for people who want a greater level of coverage to even out their skin tone, while full coverage is best for people who want complete coverage over blemishes and dark spots. People with oily skin tend to reach for full-coverage makeup, while those with dry or acne-prone skin should go with a lighter formula that won't clog pores or dry out the skin.

There are two major types of finishes to keep in mind: dewy and matte. Dewy foundation, as the name suggests, is best for people who want their foundation to give them a natural glow. While dewy foundations will make your skin shine, matte foundations are designed to minimize shine and are best for people looking for more coverage to even out skin tone or hide blemishes. While matte foundation is designed to lessen the appearance of oily skin, it can also make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable if it's not moisturizing enough.

You can also consider your skin type while choosing a finish. Williamson recommends avoiding matte foundations if you have dry skin and dewy foundations if you have oily skin. Kodra takes another approach when selecting a foundation finish for his clients. "I tend to gravitate towards radiant, glowing finishes as it is the most forgiving on all skin types, from textured to mature skin,” he says. “If I do want to achieve a very matte finish, I'm not afraid to work with a powder."

Some foundations include SPF for greater sun protection, but it shouldn't be a replacement for regular sunscreen.“The SPF in any foundation is not enough to keep you protected all day,” says Silva. Kodra adds that he’s “a big fan of tinted SPF products as a makeup base.”

Skin Concerns

Skin concerns, like rosacea or acne, can determine what type of foundation you should use. "Like any makeup product, it is possible for the foundation to break you out if it is a comedogenic formula or if you have blemish-prone skin," says Kodra. "The most important tip I tell all my clients after a glam session is to double-cleanse at the end of the day." 

Ingredients play a key role in how your skin may react to a particular foundation. If you know certain additives like fragrances exacerbate your skin concerns, opt for foundations that don't include them or are dermatologist-tested or non-comedogenic.

More Foundations to Consider

Flower Beauty Light Illusion Liquid Foundation : Although we found this to be a lightweight foundation with dewy coverage and a smooth finish, we didn’t like the accompanying SPF smell or the fact that it creased under our eyes after application. 

NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation : This lightweight foundation performed well in our tests, although it has a bit of a watery texture that might not appeal to everyone.

Questions You Might Ask

How do you apply liquid foundation.

You can apply liquid foundation with your hand, brush, or with a sponge. According to LaGuardia, there is "no wrong or right way to apply a foundation." Rather, "it is a matter of understanding how each method will affect how your foundation looks."

Sponges like the Beautyblender are great for getting that "airbrushed" foundation look. To apply your foundation with a sponge, squeeze the foundation onto the back of your hand, then use a damp (make sure all the water is squeezed out) sponge to absorb the product. After that, dab it onto your face.

Meanwhile, brushes are great for full coverage. To apply liquid foundation via brush, dab dots of the foundation on your face, then take your brush and dab it around until you build up the coverage of your preference. For this, LaGuardia likes to use two different brushes: a traditional flat foundation brush and a stippling foundation brush. "Your traditional flat foundation brush will give you more full and opaque coverage," she says. Meanwhile, "a stippling foundation brush is going to press the foundation into the skin while simultaneously buffing it out for a softer, more airbrushed finish." 

For Williamson, she finds that water-based foundations are best applied by hand: "This adds a bit of grip to the foundation for added coverage before pressing onto the face." This is also a great application method for when you are in a rush. Before you start, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Then, apply dots of the product around your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and spread all over your face.

How do you match your foundation?

With all the shades available, it can be tricky to find the exact shade that matches your skin. First, you need to start by figuring out your skin's undertone, which is what your skin looks like beneath the barrier. The trick is to look at your veins under your wrist as guidance. According to LaGuardia, "if your veins are green, you are warm-toned. If your veins are blue and purple, you are cool-toned. If your veins are blue-green, you are neutral."

Once you figure that out, deciding on the right foundation for you is truly a matter of trial and error. Both Williamson and LaGuardia agree that the biggest mistake people make with foundation is trying to match a shade by applying it to their hand instead of their jawline. "It should blend in seamlessly with your face or neck," says LaGuardia. She also is keen to note that if you are tan on your neck and body, but not as much on your face, then you should "use your neck to match a shade to your face. This would mean wearing a deeper shade of foundation to match your tan."

Another matching mistake Williamson commonly sees is people not waiting for the product to dry. "A lot of foundations will oxidize to a darker or warmer shade," she says. "Not waiting for the foundation to fully dry down prevents you from seeing the true shade." When experimenting with foundations, wear them for a few hours both indoors and out, as they can look different on your skin in different lighting. If you don't want to go through all of that, you can actually get your foundation matched online from various beauty websites. Many makeup brands also have services that help you match your foundation.

Does concealer go over or under foundation?

In most cases, you should apply your foundation before your concealer . Foundation is supposed to be the base of your makeup look and is meant to even out skin tone, while concealer is meant to spot and treat imperfections like blemishes. According to Hong, applying your concealer before your foundation could result in the product not working as well as intended. "When you apply concealer first, it often results in moving the concealer off of the area you originally intended to apply your coverage to," she says. "This means that if you're trying to hide blemishes, it will be much harder to achieve that high coverage result, and you might wind up having to apply concealer after foundation on those spots anyway."

What types of foundation do dermatologists recommend?

Most dermatologists recommend a foundation with claims like dermatologist-tested, safe for sensitive skin, or non-comedogenic. Additionally, some formulas on the market act as a foundation and skincare hybrid, making these a top recommendation. 

However, the most important part of wearing foundation is removing the product. To prevent acne or premature aging of the skin, be sure to take your makeup off every night before bed to maintain your skin health.

Does foundation expire?

Like all makeup products, foundation does expire. "Check for the PAO or period after opening the symbol on your product's packaging,” says Silva. “The shelf life of most foundations typically ranges from 12 months to 18 months after opening. I would always make sure to look at the formula and watch out for separation—usually, that's when it's time to swap for something new." She adds that keeping your makeup out of your bathroom and in a dry, cool place can help maintain the formula's integrity within that usable timeframe.

This article was written by Rachel Center , a product reviews home writer for Real Simple , and updated by Samantha Parsons , a beauty industry veteran and writer with over seven years of experience in both spaces. To compile this list, we tested 32 foundations in our lab and evaluated each foundation on its ease of application, whether or not it transferred onto clothing, the quality of the finish and coverage, and whether or not it held up over a regular, eight-hour day. Some of the foundations were also tested in real-world conditions over three months. Parsons researched countless sites and brands to find the top foundations for varying skin types and concerns. We also spoke to makeup artists Kevin Kodra , Anabelle LaGuardia , and Jonet Williamson , in addition to Real Simple's Beauty & Fashion Editor, Hana Hong , and Rea Ann Silva , CEO and founder of Beautyblender , to solidify our selections and provide insight on how to shop for foundations.

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval . Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects , from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.

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Foundation season 2 storylines aren’t all the same kind of sci-fi

Psychohistory sprawls, and so does the new season of the Apple TV show

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Foundation season 2 picks up right where season 1 left off: some 130 years after the main climax of the season finale.

This is the ambitious scope of Foundation , the Apple TV Plus show adapted from the Isaac Asimov series of the same name covering centuries of in-universe history, spanning years and planets, complete with lives ruined and bloodshed. In season 2, Hari Seldon’s (Jared Harris) followers are still popping up around the universe (and with better numbers than ever, much to Empire’s consternation), but the show has jumped far ahead of where it once was. After all, psychohistory looks at the long arc of the universe, and Foundation must heed the call. The result is a space opera on a logarithmic scale , and Asimov by way of a sci-fi blockbuster on TV — at least for some chapters.

As Foundation builds the show’s world, it weaves together plotlines across the galaxy, jumping from the disciples of the Foundation settlements at the end of known space to the ever-shifting murals in Empire’s halls. All of the stories within the show take on their own flavors, hit their own pitfalls, and (sometimes) exist in their own bubbles. It can make it hard to take on the show as a whole; even as these threads inform each other, there’s a distinct difference in how they feel, and how well they work.

To that end, it’s worth breaking out the strengths and nuances of each of season 2’s plotlines. With Gaal (Lou Llobell) and Salvor (Leah Harvey) now together on Synnax, the modern (or “modern”) Foundation pulls in new Terminus players, now in its religious phase. Looming ahead of them is the second crisis — war with Empire — and a colony of Mentalics with psionic abilities that could threaten the course of psychohistory. There’s a lot of universe to cover, and Foundation breaks up its plotlines fairly cleanly.

Gaal and Salvor

The two most important people in the Galaxy are a time-displaced mother-daughter duo that took 100-plus years to find each other while the galaxy moved on without them. Foundation ’s first big job is getting them on the same page, as they’ve never interacted with each other before meeting in the season 1 cliffhanger.

It’s a good way to ease viewers back into the world of Foundation , although a bit frustrating since it’s tied up in season 1’s least-developed plotline: Gaal feeling so betrayed by the digital ghost of Hari Seldon over the death of Raych (Alfred Enoch) and Seldon’s meddling with what he sold to her as the immutable math of psychohistory that she blows up the second half of Seldon’s plan for a second Foundation, hidden from the first. This is arguably the most melodramatic of Foundation ’s plots — though the Cleons definitely give it a run for its money, as we’ll see — and is mostly saved by a fun dynamic that emerges when the version of Hari Gaal ran away from is revealed to be inside the Prime Radiant that Salvor has brought with her on her cryo-stasis journey to the future.

And this Seldon? He’s been conscious for the whole time, and he’s pissed .

Unfortunately, Foundation can’t really make a meal of any of this, because these characters — the three Prime Movers of its massive plot — are isolated from everyone but each other in these early episodes. In their plotline, the tension between the idea-rich sci-fi of Asimov’s works and the bombastic space opera the show would rather be is most evident. Early in season 2, Gaal and Salvor provide the audience with a glimpse of where the show’s going, and while it’s not any sharper , it does, at the very least, look freaking cool . — Joshua Rivera

The new Foundation

One of the more compelling ideas that season 1 of Foundation grazed but never dug into was in the blurry nature of faith and science when applied to humanity on such a grand scale. It’s the paradox of the show’s premise: If psychohistory is a mathematical model that can help mankind survive for centuries, what does that mean for self-determination? And for the countless people who are not scientists capable of grasping psychohistory’s pretty visualizations and proving its science — they’re just going to have to place their trust in it, and Hari Seldon. How is that any different from faith in a god?

In the century-plus since the Foundation began on Terminus, Foundation sets up shop by toying with these questions, showing the Foundation — now a small collection of worlds at the edge of Imperial space — led by a small group of shadow puppeteers guiding the masses by propagating psychohistory as a faith among a populace that doesn’t know about their origins.

The result is an ouroboros of faith and science, where an intentional blurring of lines has created a society where a civilization is speedrunning through its development unaware that there are hands pushing them along. The juiciest part of this plotline lies in what the motivations behind those hands are.

Psychohistory has been shown to be somewhat gameable by its creator, so who’s to say that the same can’t be true of its current stewards? Are they motivated by self-interest, or the dream of Hari’s plan? And does psychohistory account for this?

It’s a branch of Foundation ’s story that flies dangerously close to a fruitless chicken-or-egg thought experiment, and the most dependent on the other two plotlines intersecting with it in a meaningful way. Because there is one thing that everyone is clear on right now: This version of the Foundation is about to go to war. — JR

The Cleon Empire

Although this Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton), Day (Lee Pace), and Dusk (Terrence Mann) look the same as their season 1 counterparts, they are anything but. This Dawn is much more assured, Dusk much more distracted, and they are both tasked with taking on a much more brash Day. For this trio, the genetic corruption of Cleon I is no longer a mystery, and Day — far more interested in his individuality than his past self — responds the only way he knows how: to find an empress and carry on the genetic line the old-fashioned way.

This is the fun of Foundation ’s brand of science fiction, and why the Empire stands out as consistently the strongest plotline in the show throughout both seasons. With the same actors looping through new eras and challenges, everything feels recognizable but new, baking in natural layers to the story as the clones grapple with the legacy they embody. It’s perfectly calibrated sci-fi opaqueness (non-derogatory). The world of Empire is so grand and so alien, but outfitted with such human foibles, the exact promise of an Asimov adaptation like this.

Pace’s Day stands out, a Cleon who sees the Empire as almost more of a burden than a birthright. Through him, Foundation focuses its themes of power waxing and waning while the world changes around you. Like so many others, he is fighting for survival and legitimacy in whatever way he can. Unlike so many others, he’s doing that by ending a long line of clone emperors, and having sex with his robot majordomo Demerzel (Laura Birn).

It leaves Pace’s Empire trio in a tight spot, but a deeply human one. Only psychohistory can account for how their lives and choices will shape Foundation to come. But with such a stellar scope of the show, it’s nice to have something earthly for scale. — Zosha Millman

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• Apple TV+’s Beautiful, Frustrating <em>Foundation</em> Is the Latest Example of the Problem With Genre TV

Apple TV+’s Beautiful, Frustrating Foundation Is the Latest Example of the Problem With Genre TV

H ow can the doomed societies of the present help the societies of the future flourish? This is the central question of Foundation , the gorgeous, expensive, potential-packed but initially quite confusing Apple TV+ sci-fi series based on Isaac Asimov ’s classic novels. The answer is more complicated than it might seem, even in our age of all-digital-everything, when you start looking farther ahead than a few generations or centuries. Just ask the scientists tasked with warning civilizations thousands of years in the future , which may not understand any of the world’s current languages, about radioactive waste that will still pose a threat in their time.

As daunting as it is, this problem pales in comparison to the one facing the futuristic Galactic Empire in Foundation , whose 10-episode first season premieres on Sept. 24. A 12,000-year-old civilization spanning a galaxy’s worth of planets with a combined human population in the trillions, the Empire has enjoyed a long period of peace. This triumph has been attributed to the consistency with which the realm has been ruled during that era—by the Cleons, a dynasty of clone emperors. At any given time, three genetically identical versions of the leader preside over the capital planet, Trantor: a child called Brother Dawn (Cooper Carter as a boy and Cassian Bilton as a teen), a man in the prime of his life ( Lee Pace, bringing suaveness and hubris as Brother Day) and the white-haired sage Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann, on a sci-fi roll post- Sense8 ). You can imagine their shock when a brilliant mathematician, Dr. Hari Seldon (the great Jared Harris, who anchored Chernobyl and grounded Mad Men ), whose nascent science of psychohistory can reliably predict the behavior of masses of people, forecasts the Empire’s destruction within five centuries. What follows, according to his calculations, might well be 30,000 years of darkness.

While the fall is inevitable, the professor offers a small consolation: he knows how to cut the Dark Ages down to a single millennium. If the Cleons, who are inclined to execute Hari and his freshly arrived young acolyte Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell) for sowing panic, instead allow them to lead a generations-long project to archive the Empire’s collective knowledge, future civilizations won’t have to lose time literally reinventing the wheel. Brother Day approves the plan (in Roman terms, while he’s no Marcus Aurelius, neither is he Nero) but sends Hari, Gaal and their team hurtling towards the most remote planet in the galaxy to execute it. Destination: Terminus.

Although the Empire’s leadership is more bureaucratic and less, er, genetically decadent in Asimov’s telling, the summary above roughly parallels “The Psychohistorians,” the first of five short stories compiled and published as the inaugural Foundation novel. It’s a clear, exciting narrative—the tale of backwater-math-prodigy Gaal’s arrival in the planet-sized metropolis that is Trantor on the eve of Hari’s exile—told in the author’s notoriously unadorned prose. A close adaptation of the story could’ve had all the ingredients of an enthralling series premiere.

Sadly, that is not the way genre television gets translated from page to screen in 2021. Instead, Apple’s Foundation patches together a dizzying number of characters, ideas and threads of backstory from throughout Asimov’s books, plus plenty of new additions from executive producer and showrunner David S. Goyer ( Batman Begins ), to create a frustratingly convoluted opening hour. Along with Hari introducing the still-disoriented Gaal to the magical world of psychohistory, we find the Cleon triad sniffing out traitors from rogue worlds after a terrorist bombing kills millions. Then there are the flash-forwards to Terminus decades in the future, where we meet an entirely different cast of characters led by the young warden Salvor Hardin (Leah Harvey) and where an ominous monolith of unknown origin hangs in the sky surrounded by a forcefield that immobilizes anyone who approaches the object. (Does a show even qualify as a genre epic anymore if there aren’t multiple timelines introduced in the very first episode?)

This would be a lot of information for Asimov newcomers to process even if the scripts weren’t also dense with tidbits of exposition, worldbuilding and high-level concepts both scientific and philosophical. Like most recent genre adaptations— Y: The Last Man , The Witcher , Shadow and Bone — Foundation greets existing fans of the franchise with a smorgasbord of familiar characters and settings. That’s nice for a cohort of viewers that’s sure to be outspoken with its feedback, but it does a disservice to anyone who’s unwilling to do hours of homework just to follow the plot of a TV show. In the aftermath of Game of Thrones (which had a remarkably focused pilot), and especially since Disney+ introduced its Marvel and Star Wars series , TV’s genre adaptations have felt more like supplemental material than like standalone narratives.

Indeed, for the uninitiated, early episodes of Foundation can be a chore to get through, let alone understand. (Be prepared to replay scenes in order to catch snatches of rushed, whispery or conceptually opaque dialogue.) Which is a particular shame considering how beautiful every single frame looks. From the watery, light-streaked expanse of Gaal’s home planet Synnax to the mountainous vistas of Terminus to Trantor, where Blade Runner ’s urban futurism meets the majesty of classical architecture, Foundation is among the most visually stunning TV shows ever made. Whereas most contemporary franchise fare uses digital backdrops to the blandest possible ends, Goyer harnesses technology to make great, big, emotional landscape paintings.

The storytelling improves markedly beginning in the fourth episode, as the timeline-hopping slows and segments that follow individual characters stretch to 15 or 20 minutes. Instead of getting mired in basic questions about who’s who and what’s happening in the plot, we can finally enjoy the thematic elements that distinguish Asimov’s writing from lesser sci-fi fare—potent ideas about politics and science, philosophy and theology. Only at this point does it really become possible to appreciate how effectively Goyer updates the author’s vision of the future. While almost all of the book’s key figures are men, Apple’s Foundation reimagines Gaal and Salvor as women of color—and justifies these choices by casting actors who fully embody their smart, tough characters, instead of congratulating itself by explicitly drawing attention to their identities.

While its efforts to inject pay-TV-sized servings of sex and romance into Asimov’s famously chaste oeuvre don’t work out quite as well, on balance, the show we get in the back half of the season makes a strong case for his continued relevance. His evocation of a civilization forced to confront its decline and eventual demise captures the creeping gloom of life in our climate-imperiled world —and his plea for long-term thinking in service of humankind’s future resonates. We shouldn’t have to sit through hours of TV that makes our heads spin to get to stuff like this, that entertains and challenges us. But in this case, the patience does pay off.

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The 25 Very Best Foundations for Every Skin Type

For more of the Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home finds,  sign up for the weekly  Cut Shop Newsletter .

Why is your skin so good?  A dedicated skin-care routine certainly helps, but sometimes a really good foundation is the unsung hero behind that pristine glow. Foundations have come a long way from the days when they could all be described like pastries (“cakey,” “flaky,” “powdery”).

As beauty editors, we can confidently say that finding the best foundation is no easy feat. Even after almost 20-plus years in the industry combined, we’re still playing trial and error and testing new formulas to find out what is the most compatible for our specific skin types. Although by now we finally feel like we’ve found our perfect match (more on that later, below), there are several factors to consider when you’re on the hunt for the perfect foundation.

How do you know what formula works best with your skin type?

As soon as you determine your skin type (dry, oily, combination, or acne-prone), you will have to determine the type of coverage you’re looking for, whether you’re more of a full-coverage, sheer, or medium to buildable type of person. Lastly, you need to make sure the foundation range is inclusive and has a shade suited for your complexion and unique undertone. Thankfully, the shade range market has expanded and now there are more colors than ever before to choose from.

What should you look out for when trying a new foundation formula?

Pay attention to how the formula interacts with your skin. It’s best to search for a noncomedogenic foundation that will not clog your pores. Do a patch test first to be sure the formulation is compatible with your skin type. Thankfully, we’re in a “skinification of makeup” era, so plenty of formulas double up as skin care and work overtime to not only enhance but also nourish the skin.

Whether you’re looking for a stick or pump format, the best drugstore option, or a luxury foundation that’s actually worth your money, we’ve got you covered with editor-vetted options and other options tested by makeup artists like Katie Mellinge r and Angela Levin that will leave you feeling confident — and looking like yourself at the same time.

The Everyday Favorite

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Full | Shades: 22 | Best for: All skin types, but especially mature skin

It calls itself a CC cream, but friends know to call it a foundation. Although the formula might look alarmingly thick right out of the tube, it blends with very little effort to make skin look airbrushed. And since it’s a sort of hybrid product, you can use it to quickly buff over redness, under-eye circles , and blemishes. The best part: It works well on all skin types, including those with eczema and psoriasis .

The Best Luxury Foundation

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Medium | Shades: 40 | Best for: Normal to dry skin types

If money is no object, this is the best foundation you can buy . It’s velvety smooth, blends seamlessly into skin with zero stickiness, and makes your face look pretty much perfect in a natural, well-hydrated, person-with-disposable-income-for-pricey-skin-care-products kind of way. Though it’s regularly used by makeup artists for red-carpet appearances, its application is surprisingly foolproof for the rest of us, too. And, it’s one of the most popular auto-refill beauty products .

The Best Drugstore Foundation

Finish: Matte | Coverage: Medium to full | Shades: 40 | Best for: Normal and oily skin types

This is the internet’s overwhelming favorite drugstore foundation. The reviews are extensive ( over 113,000 on Amazon ), and they’re all full of compliments. People praise its varied shade range (it has 40 options, just like Fenty) and its long-lasting and smoothing abilities. Even though it has a matte finish and will conceal blemishes quickly, it won’t make your face look like plaster. Plus, it’s very affordable.

The Airbrushlike Foundation That Won’t Budge

Finish: Natural matte | Coverage: Full | Shades: 40 | Best for: All skin types

Gucci Beauty’s medium-coverage liquid foundation instantly leaves everyone questioning if your skin is really that perfect. A few pumps leaves the complexion smooth sans lines, marks, or anything else, giving it an airbrushlike finish that never gets oily, even on combination skin. Asia Milia Ware, the Cut’s fashion-and-beauty junior writer, says that she receives compliments every time she wears this foundation. She especially loves to wear it for Sunday brunch because it doesn’t budge through bottomless mimosas.

The Best Full-Coverage Foundation

Finish: Matte | Coverage: Full | Shades: 40 | Best for: Normal, dry, and combination skin types

This is the foundation universally beloved by drag queens, sexy older ladies , and anyone who wants their skin to look otherworldly. This isn’t a light foundation — it will completely cover every pore, whether it has a blemish or not. But the thick formula feels pretty weightless and is easily blendable. It will absolutely make your skin look filtered, and it comes in 44, wide-ranging shades.

The One That Works Like a Sheet Mask

Finish: Natural and radiant | Coverage: Medium | Shades: 38 | Best for: Normal, combination, and dry skin types

This 86 percent skincare-based foundation has a natural-looking luminous finish that will make your complexion look hydrated and healthy. The star ingredient, Make Up For Ever’s signature Hydra-Skin Booster Complex, will mimic the effects of your favorite sheet mask by helping to visibly plump and brighten skin after just a few weeks of use.

The Best Stick Foundation

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Medium to full, buildable | Shades: 21 | Best for: All skin types

Use it as a foundation on full-glam days or as a spot concealer when you want a light makeup look; either way, this creamy vegan formula will melt into the skin for a flawless, radiant finish that never feels heavy. The coverage is buildable, and reviewers say it lasts all day long.

The Foundation Meghan Markle Uses

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Medium | Shades: 43 | Best for: Normal, combination, and dry skin types

This is the foundation that goes best with a tiara. Worn by Meghan Markle on her wedding day , it gives a pretty, believable skin-brightening effect. And the feel is very light, almost like that of a tinted moisturizer. It also comes in a convenient and secure squeeze top, making it great to tote around for travel.

The Foundation Rihanna Created

Finish: Soft matte | Coverage: Medium to full, buildable | Shades: 50 | Best for: Oily and combination skin types

If you find yourself “lookin’ busted” ( Rihanna’s words , not ours) for whatever reason, try the full-coverage foundation that launched a million shades . The formula feels lightweight on the skin but puts in the work, leaving your entire face with a soft, matte, airbrushed finish all day long, like it has never met a pore in its life. And if shade-matching has been a longtime struggle, Rih’s got you: Pro Filt’r comes in 50 different shades, so you don’t have to settle for “close enough.”

The Best Foundation for Dry Skin

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Full, buildable | Shades: 34 | Best for: Normal, combination, and dry skin types

Dry skin calls for a heavily moisturizing, satinlike foundation, and that’s how this liquid makes the skin feel (and look). It is also full coverage and leaves a luminous finish. Multiple reviewers dub it their “holy grail” and turn to it for the natural finish, along with the radiance it provides even for the driest complexions.

The Buildable Favorite

Finish: Satin | Coverage: Sheer to medium, buildable | Shades: 36 | Best for: All skin types

Those who love a natural-looking foundation with buildable coverage, especially on dryer skin, know that the Pat McGrath liquid foundation is a must-have. This product is one of celebrity makeup artist Angela Levin’s top picks. “I love the consistency and ease of application with a brush, sponge, or even your hands. Also, the ability to build it up for more coverage is amazing,” she says.

The Best Lightweight Foundation

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Medium, buildable | Shades: 30 | Best for: All skin types

If your past experiences with foundation can be generally summed up as “cakey,” this formula will help make amends. It’s comfortable, flexible, and melts onto skin, like a pair of liquid-looking leggings that are so comfy and cooling you convince yourself they are indeed pants so you can wear them all day. You can easily wear this foundation all day without rationalizing; it has SPF for when the sun is still up, and a fresh-looking glow that will still be there when the sun is long gone.

The Best OG Foundation

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Light to medium, buildable | Shades: 33 | Best for: Normal, combination, and oily skin types

In the early days, Bobbi Brown was one of the first makeup artists to create a diverse foundation range, with 30 shades. The undertones were just right, so it quickly became a favorite of Oprah and Naomi Campbell (she was shade #8). The foundation is still a big hit backstage and among makeup artists for its easy, blendable coverage that looks like real skin.

The Best Clean Foundation

Finish: Natural, radiant | Coverage: Light to medium | Shades: 12 | Best for: All skin types

Ever since Rose-Marie Swift launched RMS, she’s perfected this magic balance of clean and nourishing formulations with seriously dewy payoff. A few small strategically placed dabs of this rich creamy foundation, anchored by Swift’s signature cold-centrifuged coconut oil, are enough to cover an entire face. It’s soft enough to let your fingers do the blending and the glow it imparts will make you wonder how you managed to live without this stuff.

The Best Skin-Care/Foundation Hybrid

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Medium | Shades: 30 | Best for: All skin types

The skin-care ingredients in this foundation (aloe-leaf extract, jojoba oil, mastic) support founder Sasha Plavsic’s belief that taking care of your complexion is a double-duty job. Its liquid formula, which comes in 30 shades, is better for those who prefer light to medium coverage, but it’s easily buildable should you need more or want more.

The Foundation That’s a Surprisingly Perfect Match

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Medium | Shades: 48 | Best for: Normal and combination skin types

Unlike most liquid foundations, this one comes with a wand applicator, which makes blending the serumlike foundation incredibly easy. With its 48-shade range, reviewers with darker skin tones have found that its rich pigmentation blends well with complexions. It also has a super-lightweight consistency with medium coverage.

The Best Foundation for Combination Skin

Finish: Matte | Coverage: Medium to full | Shades: 55 | Best for: Normal, combination, and oily skin types

Moms have loved this classic foundation since it debuted in 1997. In the years since, the company has only made it better, adding an extended shade range (numbering 56 shades and counting). It’s oil-free, matte, and blends easily; reviewers praise it as looking especially flawless on combination/oily skin. It’s rumored to last a full 24 hours, so it should easily cover the workday and beyond.

The Best Foundation With SPF

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Light | Shades: 17 | Best for: Acne-prone skin

Before this product even launched, it already had a wait list of more than 2,500 people. Blended with mineral sunscreen SPF 30, this light coverage foundation leaves no cast, has a flawless, natural finish, and was formulated to seamlessly match even those hard-to-match undertones. It is also perfect for Zooms and excess screen time since the formulation includes prickly-pear extract, which allegedly helps protect against blue-light pollution.

The Best Foundation Tint

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Sheer to light | Shades: 7 | Best for: Normal, combination, and dry skin types

If you prefer a light foundation that feels great on the skin, this skin tint is for you. Mellinger loves how it melts into the skin and notes that it doubles as a great primer if you want a bit more coverage. However, as with any skin tint, it’s hard to build up to medium coverage, so this works best for a light shine.

The Best Foundation That Doubles As a Serum

Finish: Satin | Coverage: Light to medium, buildable | Shades: 35 | Best for: Normal, combination, and dry skin types

Name another foundation that doubles as skin care, let alone one that boasts ashwagandha, turmeric, and hyaluronic acid. “The shade range of this foundation is insane,” says Mellinger. “I also love that it has added skin-care benefits and looks like skin once applied.” Plus, it’s the first Black-owned clean-beauty brand at Sephora.

The Red-Carpet-Worthy One

Finish: Matte | Coverage: Full | Shades: 33 | Best for: Normal, combination, and oily skin types

Ever wondered what the go-to foundation is for red carpets? According to Levin, it’s Chanel, of course. It gives you nice coverage and comes in great colors.

The Foundation That’s All Over TikTok

TikTok always seems to have a makeup product on blast. This time around it’s the foundation from Makeup by Mario. And rightfully so. According to our very own junior beauty writer, Asia Milia Ware, it’s completely worth the hype. It blends seamlessly into your skin, making it look, you guessed it, surreal.

The Foundation That Will Make You Glow

Finish: Radiant | Coverage: Light to medium, buildable | Shades: 36 | Best for: Normal, combination, and dry skin types

We will never get over the “your skin but better,” dewy makeup look. Saie makes one of our favorite highlighters and blushes, so we’re more than happy with its new serum foundation. Its lightweight formula is buildable enough to leave your skin looking radiant.

The Pro Makeup-Artist Approved Formula

Finish: Natural | Coverage: Medium | Shades: 51 | Best for: All skin types

This viral foundation has completely dominated your TikTok For You page for a reason. It’s that good and the formula deserves all its flowers. If you’re usually skeptical of celebrity-founded beauty brands, so are we, but hear us out: This Triclone skin tech formula will quickly win you over with its glow-inducing powers. It features innovative ingredients, like fermented arnica, which isn’t in most foundations on the market and helps soothe redness and inflammation. The inclusive 51-shade range instantly blurs and smooths the skin like no other without feeling too heavy or pore-clogging. Plus, celebrity makeup artists like Ariel Tejada, who does Kylie Jenner and more, approve.

The One You Can Dance All Night In

This high-end foundation is definitely a pretty penny, but a little goes a long way and it literally lasts all night with a 24-hour wear claim, so you’ll get your money’s worth. Not that you’ll necessarily need to wear this foundation for a full day, but just in case, you can trust that the formula will not steer your skin wrong. The hyaluronic acid and jasmine-petal extracts both hydrate and brighten the skin while leaving behind a matte yet luminous finish. The formula is made to feel “breathable,” as the brand describes, and is made with such skin-enhancing ingredients that you can trust it’s working double duty to both enhance and nourish the skin from the inside out.

Our Experts:

• Katie Mellinger , makeup artist
• Angela Levin , makeup artist
• Maya Allen , former beauty director-at-large at the Cut
• Asia Milia Ware , junior fashion and beauty writer at the Cut
• Hanna Flanagan , shopping writer and editor at the Cut.
• obsessive tester

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12 Best Full Coverage Foundations That Can Disguise Pretty Much Anything

Flawless, full coverage on every skin type, from oily to dry and beyond.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests makeup products, including the best foundations . In the Lab's most recent foundation test, scientists quantified nearly 1,000 data points while testing 190 submitted products , evaluating texture, application, coverage, feel and how the product dispenses, ultimately determining the top foundations on the market. Ahead, we've rounded up the best full coverage foundations for foundations for oily skin , combination skin and full-coverage foundations dry skin as well as foundations for mature skin and drugstore foundations .

Our top picks:

Best Overall Full Coverage Foundation

Lancôme le teint particulier custom-made foundation.

Best Value Full Coverage Foundation

Covergirl outlast extreme wear 3-in-1 foundation.

Best Drugstore Full Coverage Foundation

L'oréal paris infallible total cover foundation.

Best Full Coverage Foundation for Mature Skin

Covergirl outlast all-day stay fabulous 3-in-1 foundation.

Best Full Coverage Foundation for Dry Skin

It cosmetics bye bye foundation full coverage moisturizer with spf 50+.

Best Full Coverage Foundation for Oily Skin

Make up for ever matte velvet skin full coverage foundation.

Best Full Coverage Foundation for Combination Skin

Tarte face tape foundation.

Best Full Coverage Foundation for Sensitive Skin

Mented skin by mented foundation.

Best Full Coverage Matte Foundation

Dior forever undercover 24-hour full coverage foundation.

Best Dewy Full Coverage Foundation

Anastasia beverly hills luminous foundation.

You can read more about how we evaluate foundations in our Lab and consumer tests at the end of this guide. Looking for more foundation options and how to apply foundation? Check out our guide on how to apply foundation flawlessly .

This GH Beauty Award-winning customizable foundation offers coverage of all levels, including full. Via Lancôme's beauty adviser service, create your perfect foundation thanks to a skin scanning advice. They make the formula right in front of you and you walk away with a truly perfectly matched shade. In GH Beauty Lab evaluations, it matched all skin tones and 100% of testers continued using the product .

• Number of shades : Customized shade options • SPF : No • Formula : Liquid

Get a natural, buildable finish with CoverGirl's full coverage long-wearing foundation. With added SPF, get both sun protection and full coverage all day long. The " formula feels very hydrating to skin ," says GH Lab Assistant Nikolas Greenwald. However, testers warn this formula can be streaky when applied in a hurry, so be sure to take care when blending,

• Number of shades : 18 • SPF : SPF 18 • Formula : Liquid

If you're looking for a full coverage foundation with a weightless feel, look no further than this L'Oréal Paris formula. Though it hasn't been tested in the Beauty Lab, it has more than 3,500 five-star reviews on Amazon and was our pick for best full coverage drugstore foundation . Users found it lasts all day and doesn't budge. " You don't even need concealer and I have hereditary dark circles and acne scars ," one reviewer raves. "Goes on quickly. When it is time to take it off it comes right off but only when you want it to."

• Number of shades : 11 • SPF : No • Formula : Liquid

This GH seal-holding and former GH Beauty Award-winning foundation does triple duty as a 3-in-1 primer, foundation and concealer for the perfect trifecta of coverage, blendability and lasting power. Our Lab results showed that this blendable formula didn't look heavy or cakey and felt light on skin all day long.

• Number of shades : 13 • SPF : No • Formula : Liquid

This full coverage tinted moisturizer ranked highest in GH Beauty Lab tests for mature, dry and sensitive skin. Thanks to a hydrating formula that includes niacinamide, glycerin and SPF, it protects and moisturizes while also providing full coverage. The dewy formula received perfect scores for providing smooth, even coverage on ski n . "Spreads easily," writes one tester. "Dispenses a nice amount of product," another adds.

• Number of shades : 12 • SPF : SPF 50 • Formula : Liquid

Erase shine with this long-lasting matte velvet full coverage foundation. In GH Beauty Lab testing, it ranked highest for ease of use among liquid foundations and earned a perfect score for dispensing the right amount of product. The Beauty Lab recommends this matte foundation for oily and combination skin types. To give its namesake velvet look, "It doesn’t really blend into the skin, it sits on top," one tester reported. "It’s going to cover and look smooth from far away," another said.

• Number of shades : 40 • SPF : No • Formula : Liquid

The cult-favorite Tarte Face Tape Concealer inspired this foundation that includes snow mushroom to up hydration and reduce inflammation; apple fruit extract which claims to protect against free radicals; and hyaluronic acid to increase skin's moisture. One Lab tester found it mattifies with smooth, even coverage and provides "extremely full coverage that's great for TV or photos." The formula is "smooth and buildable for my combination skin."

• Number of shades : 49 • SPF : No • Formula : Liquid

Achieve hydrated, natural-looking skin with this foundation stick from Mented. The formula includes sensitive skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract and grapeseed oil . You can customize your coverage level with the buildable formula that blends evenly and smoothly. Reviewers with oily skin claim it's great for mattifying and smoothing without triggering breakouts, though one Lab tester noted it "may be too heavy for dry skin."

• Number of shades : 16 • SPF : No • Formula : Stick

Dior's long-wearing foundation offers full coverage yet feels lightweight thanks to its liquid, water-based formula. It gives a natural matte finish that feels like your skin, but better . In GH Beauty Lab testing, it earned high scores for its smooth texture and buildability, though one tester recommends setting it with a face powder to prevent transfer.

• Number of shades : 25 • SPF : No • Formula : Liquid

Just because you want full coverage doesn't mean you can't get a glowy complexion as well. Anastasia Beverly Hills' radiant foundation offers a natural finish with medium to full coverage that blends easily and is easy to dispense. An editor and tester favorite, it " blends very easily for a high coverage formula ," says one tester.

• Number of shades : 50 • SPF : No • Formula : Liquid

Armani Beauty Power Fabric+ Weightless Matte Foundation SPF 25

Though this Armani Beauty foundation is matte and longwear, it doesn't dry out skin. We haven't tested it in the Beauty Lab, but we love that it includes broad-spectrum SPF and one beauty editor says it creates a seamless, flawless complexion. "This foundation stays in place all day long, even in hot and humid weather," she says. "I didn't even have to touch it up throughout the day."

• Number of shades : 30 • SPF : SPF 25 • Formula : Liquid

Uoma Beauty Say What?! Weightless Soft Matte Foundation

Offered in a groundbreaking 51 shades, Uoma Beauty's foundation offers full coverage that doesn't look cakey or heavy thanks to hydrating ingredients to keep skin radiant while still maintaining a satiny finish . Though this isn't a Lab-tested pick, it's our GH Beauty Assistant's go-to foundation for a little extra coverage. "I always get compliments on my skin when I wear this foundation," she shares. "It gives me a hydrated glow, and my skin still looks healthy by the end of the day."

• Number of shades : 51 • SPF : No • Formula : Liquid

How we choose the best full coverage foundations

In the GH Beauty Lab's latest foundation test, scientists tested 190 submitted products to determine the top 30 foundations on the market, which included quantifying 919 data points. The Beauty Lab scientists work with makeup artists and other experts to find the best formulas on the market. They test foundations across all price points and label products to eliminate bias, ultimately ranking formulas based on various criteria including dispensing, texture, application (spreadability, blendability, buildability), plus coverage and feel.

What's the best way to apply full-coverage foundation?

By nature, full-coverage foundations are "long-wearing, have good pigment adhesion and maintain color stability," says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann . "They are usually quick-drying, water-resistant and buildable."

Though some full coverage foundations risk looking cakey and unnatural if not evenly applied, you can avoid creasing by "applying thin layers of your foundation and letting it absorb and dry in between applications," adds Wizemann.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn wrote this article; she works closely with the GH Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty editorial coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of makeup products including liquid, stick and powder foundations.

For this article, she worked with GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann , who has coordinated makeup products tests, including the latest foundation test, by collaborating with professional makeup artists, Lab testing and performing large consumer studies. Wizemann also worked with GH Lab Assistant Nikolas Greenwald to test several full coverage foundations to add our top recommendations.

Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping , Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

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The Best Foundations Offer Coverage Solutions for Any Skin Type

By Kiana Murden

We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.

It seems that the search for the best foundation is a never-ending task. There are the anticipated seasonal changes that may have you switching formulas to suit your skin type or tone; then, there’s the everlasting full-coverage versus lightweight tint dilemma. How does one choose wisely?

Best Foundations to Consider

• For Lightweight Wear : Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint , $70
• For a Tinted Moisturizer : Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 , $48
• For Any Occasion : Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation , $50
• For a Foundation Stick : Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick , $68
• For Mature Skin : Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Serum Foundation SPF 20 , $85
• For Dry Skin : Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Fluid Foundation Natural SPF 25 , $130

Luckily, many of the best foundations out there have been formulated to not only deliver immaculate coverage, but also to prioritize our skin’s health. Just consider the emergence of skin-care-makeup hybrids that do just this through pigmented blushes and tinted moisturizers. And so, we spoke with several pro makeup artists and revisited our own beauty bags to curate this edit of tested and reviewed foundations. From Chanel, Nars, Dior, and more, here are the best foundations to shop right now.

For Any Occasion

Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation

• Why We Love It : “Nars Light Reflecting Foundation is perfect for all skin types as it’s a lightweight but buildable, makeup-skin-care hybrid foundation that instantly blurs imperfections and smooths the look of textured skin and pores,” says celebrity makeup artist Janice Daoud . “The coverage is gorgeous and natural-looking with a prism light-reflecting look. A new favorite that stays in my kit.”
• More to Know : Even more, Stiles says this is “available in 36 shades with buildable coverage so you can control how light or heavy you want the coverage to be.” Not to mention this vegan formula contains 81% naturally-derived ingredients.

For Lightweight Wear

Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

• Why We Love It : Chanel’s Water-Fresh Tint comes at the recommendation of makeup artist Robert Rumsey . “It has a gel texture and pigmented micro droplets that give the perfect amount of coverage and radiance. It’s made of 75% water and feels so refreshing.”
• More to Know : To aid this refreshing feel that Rumsey describes, the tint also includes tamarind seed extract for a luminous, fresh complexion.

For a Tinted Moisturizer

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

• Why We Love It : For something a bit lighter, Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40-infused foundation will transform how you think about tinted moisturizer. “This foundation works for a lot of types of skin, but I love it best for bringing dehydrated skin back to life. The coverage is there while also nourishing your skin,” says makeup pro Andre Sarmiento .
• More to Know : The formula offers a lightweight shield from harsh sun rays and blue light. Hyaluronic acid, plant-based squalane, and niacinamide round out the powerhouse ingredient list.

For Mature Skin

Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Serum Foundation SPF 20

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

NEIMAN MARCUS

• Why We Love It : “I love this hydrating serum foundation,” says Rumsey. “It looks so skin-like, [while] firming and plumping the skin. I like applying it with my fingers.”
• More to Know : Infused with longoza flower, which boasts regenerative properties that improve the appearance of wrinkles, this serum foundation delivers unmatched firmness and glow.

For Dry Skin

Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Fluid Foundation Natural SPF 25

• Why We Love It : “Dry skin produces less oil, so having a foundation with a radiant, luminous finish is essential to creating glowing skin,” says celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles , who recommends the Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Fluid Foundation Natural. “The combination of the incredible emollient formula and the soft radiance creates a stunning finish on skin. I love using this for a healthy, fresh glow on my clients.”
• More to Know : With hyaluronic acid and SPF 25, Clé de Peau’s foundation has hydration at the heart of its formulation, offering buildable light-to-medium coverage.

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation

• Why We Love It : Rumsey and Sarmiento are fans of this pick by Koh Gen Do. Sarmiento tells us, “[I] love this foundation for when I want a more skin-like finish versus a luminous finish on drier skin. Not everyone loves reflective skin, so I love this to take care of [dryness] but also have a balance of matte and dewy texture.”
• More to Know : Recently reformulated, this cream foundation is composed of 80% plant-powered ingredients rich in fatty acids and moisturizing agents. So, choose this if you prefer a hydration boost with a smooth, soft-focus finish.

For a Skin-care-Makeup Hybrid

Lys Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation

• Why We Love It : When it comes to the Lys Serum Foundation, Sarmiento loves it, especially for mature skin as “it’s just enough of everything. Just enough moisture, [matte-finish], and coverage to leave your skin looking polished and healthy throughout the day.”
• More to Know : Sephora beauty director David Razzano previously shared this lightweight pick, thanks to its blend of Ashwagandha, turmeric, avocado oil, and hyaluronic acid, which “help to soothe the skin from daily stressors, even out skin tone, and minimize signs of aging.”

Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25

• Why We Love It : Kosas founder Sheena Yaitanes crafted this clean foundation formula as a complement to its buzzy Revealer Concealer to “target the entire tone of your skin, overall clarity, brightness, firmness, and lifting.” In our test of this TikTok discovery, we love it for its natural, your-skin-but-better finish by smoothing skin texture and refining the look of pores.
• More to Know : Formulated with 96% natural-origin ingredients, this features a blend of niacinamide, caffeine, squalane, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and SPF 25 to reveal hydrated, supple skin.

For Oily Skin

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation

• Why We Love It : Someone with oily skin might be drawn to the natural, matte finish of the Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation. Formulated to control shine all day, this oil-free elixir should shouldn’t budge for up to 24 hours—standing up against creasing, heat, sweat, humidity, and water.
• More to Know : Available in 55 shades encompassing warm, neutral, and cool undertones, this veils skin in medium-to-full, buildable coverage to even your skin tone upon first application.

Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation

• Why We Love It : Sarmiento recommends the Il Makiage Flawless Base Foundation for oily skin because it “lasts so beautifully throughout the day and controls oil and shine without looking thick or caked.”
• More to Know : Available in 50 shades, this foundation features hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, and delivers a matte finish, medium-to-full coverage finish.

For Dark Spots and Blemishes

Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation

• Why We Love It : “If I need to cover acne or blemishes, I will still use a discreet foundation as a base and then spot the undesirables with a small brush and a full coverage foundation such as the Cover FX Total Cream Foundation as if I was retouching the skin,” says makeup artist Brigitte Reiss-Andersen . “It’s a way to avoid relying on a thick, opaque coating of product all over the face just because of a few imperfections. I find that thick foundation erases the natural quality of the skin and creates a heavy, made-up look.”
• More to Know : Enriched with squalane, phytosphingosine, vitamins C, E, and F, this oil-free formula is crafted to quell redness and conceal all skin types.

For Textured Skin

Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Tint SPF 20

• Why We Love It : “[This] does not enhance wrinkles and has several hydrating ingredients that add radiance,” says Andersen, and Stiles agrees who describes it as “a lightweight foundation that doesn’t feel heavy on the face or exaggerate the size of pores, gives light coverage (which is really all you need most of the time) while evening out the skin beautifully.”
• More to Know : What’s more, this lightweight option is formulated with 70% skin-care ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, and a technology to adapt the tint to your skin’s needs.

For a Big Event

Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation

BERGDORF GOODMAN

• Why We Love It : “The color range is unreal and you can build coverage easily without it without ever getting cakey,” says pro makeup artist Rachel Goodwin . “It also lasts for hours without drying out so it’s amazing for big events!”
• More to Know : This Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation delivers a luxurious experience with a mix of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and diamond core powder technology, to deliver equal parts hydration and skin texture improvement. The end result? A light-reflective, healthy glow.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation

• Why We Love It : Want to make your skin stage- and camera-ready like Rihanna’s? Quickly add its Pro Filt’r foundation to cart. The formula created a buzz when it launched years back for its inclusive shade range (there are currently 50 shades available), though it’s still as good in 2023.
• More to Know : While Pro Filt’r feels weightless on, it achieves medium-to-full coverage with a soft matte finish that instantly smooths and diffuses the skin. 

For Your Makeup Bag

Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick

• Why We Love It : Stick foundations are a must-have for travel beauty bags or on-the-go coverage because, compared to their liquid counterparts, these are relatively mess-free.
• More to Know : Westman Atelier’s Vital Skin Foundation Sticks are laced with two kinds of camellia oils that act as a shield against environmental damage, providing a buildable, weightless coverage great for a variety of skin types.

Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

• Why We Love It : Part concealer, part foundation, part contour—what can’t Merit’s The Minimalist do? The ultimate complexion salve, this creates buildable, light-to-medium coverage in just one swipe. What’s more, the formula is known to sit well on skin without caking. 
• More to Know : Customers love it from its multitasking benefits. Just pick up a few of its 20 shades to suit your highlighting and sculpting style. In any case, know the infused fatty acids and sea daffodil extract are helping to keep skin smooth, even, and moisturized, too. 

For Dull Skin

Armani Beauty Neo Nude Foundation

• Why We Love It : “When skin leans more toward the dry side [one of] my favorites are Armani’s Neo Nude foundation,” says Goodwin. “[It is an] exquisite formula and has skin care infused, so [it] adds hydration to the skin without weighing it down. [This is also] a fantastic formula for transforming flat-looking skin into radiant, glowing skin.”
• More to Know : Enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, expect this to provide lasting hydration and an effortless, lightweight, dewy finish.

Suqqu The Cream Foundation

• Why We Love It : “Magical” is the word Stiles uses to describe the Suqqu cream foundation. “The subtle pearl in the formula gives an ethereal dimension to the skin that almost feels otherworldly.”
• More to Know : Powered by 13 Japanese extracts like hydrolyzed silk and camellia seed extract, blend in this cream foundation for a glow that lasts long after you apply.

For Sensitive Skin

Saint Cosmetics Flawless Radiance Foundation

CREDO BEAUTY

• Why We Love It : For Sarmiento, one of his choice foundations for sensitive skin is the Saint Cosmetics Flawless Radiance Foundation “because it gives you coverage and radiance in a good-for-you formula that performs. [So, it’s] perfect for people that are sensitive but still want coverage with all the beneficial ingredients.”
• More to Know : With vitamin C, kakadu plum, rosehip, and jojoba oil, expect a radiant glow, protection against environmental stressors, and a weightless feel.

For Normal Skin

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

• Why We Love It : “For normal skin, I adore Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation,” says Goodwin, who admits this is always in her kit. “This formula from Japan is just exquisite and has been a go-to of mine for many years. It’s lightweight and gives the skin a natural-looking coverage that still allows your natural complexion to shine through.”
• More to Know : With the light-diffusing minerals, jojoba oil, olive squalane, and shea butter, the brand notes this is meant to bring that just-got-a-facial glow while minimizing the look of pores.

For Acne-Prone Skin

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Acne Control Foundation

• Why We Love It : Those who have sensitive and acne-prone skin, the Oxygenetix Oxygenating Acne Control Foundation breathable foundation might be the one for you.
• More to Know : It makes soothing and healing the skin a priority with vitamin E and aloe vera-infused ingredients, while combating acne through salicylic acid.

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• Janice Daoud is a Los Angeles–based makeup artist whose clients include Miley Cyrus, Inanna Sarkis, and Quannah Chasinghorse.
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• David Razzano is a pro makeup artist and Sephora beauty director.
• Brigitte Reiss-Andersen is celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Hunter Schafer, Sigourney Weaver, and Amanda Seyfried.
• Rob Rumsey is a celebrity makeup artist who often works with Natasha Lyonne, Sophie Thatcher, and Sabrina Carpenter.
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• Fiona Stiles is a celebrity makeup artist whose clientele includes Gabrielle Union, Ashley Park, and Lily Collins.

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I Tried the Most Controversial Foundation Ever to Go Viral on TikTok

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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

In all my years writing about beauty, I’ve never seen a foundation be so controversial. Folks on TikTok are divided on whether it’s a foundation miracle or the worst product they’ve tried. The truth? Like many things in beauty, it’s all about preference. But of course, I’m going to give you my Jones Road What the Foundation review  because, well, I have thoughts . The TL;DR: like most of Jones Road Beauty, What the Foundation is great for those looking for more natural coverage.

But first, let’s discuss the basics. There are 12 shades of the “tinted moisture balm,” which correspond with the brand’s Face Pencil ($25 at Jones Road ), which can be applied to areas that need more coverage, such as redness around the nose or dark under-eye circles . WTF’s formula includes jojoba oil and sodium hyaluronate for moisture and skin nourishment. It has a light coverage with a dewy finish. It doesn’t dry down but you can set it with powder if you prefer.

It’s called What the Foundation because when founder Bobbi Brown and her team tried it, they quickly said “What the…”

What the Foundation

If you saw Meredith Duxbury ‘s TikTok videos, you know people were unhappy with the way she reviewed What the Foundation. That’s because she grabbed her usual massive amount of product and spread it onto her face like she does with a full-coverage foundation. That’s not going to work here. Mikayla Nogueira also didn’t love the formula, saying it didn’t “look good on me” and the “scent is overwhelming.”

And then there are those who absolutely love the coverage and the texture. Search TikTok and you’ll find hundreds but I especially loved the reviews from @ iamsohello and Shelbey Wilson . The former uses shade Pecan and says she “didn’t expect it to work.” She ends up really liking it and says she would “definitely recommend it if you like a light coverage.” Wilson uses shade Porcelain and says it “goes on like a moisturizer” and “looks very pretty.” She’s a fan.

I had a feeling I was going to like What the Foundation. That’s because I like a light coverage with a dewy or natural finish. If you prefer full coverage or a matte finish, this isn’t for you. Brown says it also isn’t for those with especially oily skin . She also says not to apply moisturizer as a base—WTF is moisturizing enough—so I used sunscreen and left my skin alone otherwise. Using shade Beige, I applied a light layer onto my skin and rubbed it in like I would my skincare. It looked pretty but to test the coverage, I applied one more layer and a little Face Pencil in shade 08 on my red areas. You can see it in action here .

I finished with Jones Road Miracle Balm in Flushed ($38 at Jones Road ) across my cheeks and nose. If you want a little more color, try Jones Road’s new The Best Blush ($28 at Jones Road ).

The results? Really nice! The finish is dewy but not greasy on my combo skin. I applied a little powder under my eyes to avoid any creases. The formula smoothed out my dry spots, covered some redness and lightly evened my skin tone. I like that you can still see my freckles — something I’m appreciating as I get older. This is a perfect everyday makeup for me. For a night out, I’ll stick to a more typical medium-coverage foundation for more of glam look. One thing I agree with folks on? The smell is a bit strong. It’s a natural smell (from plant oils) and didn’t stick around on my face but I can see how it’s strong initially.

What the Foundation isn’t for every makeup wearer but it’s a definite win for those who prefer a “your skin but better” vibe. Because of the buzz around this product, shades keep selling out, along with Miracle Balm hues. So, grab it while you can.

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15 Best Serum Foundations for an Impossibly Dewy, Skin-Like Finish

By Iman Balagam

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

We find that in 2023, a full-coverage foundation can feel tiresome when it comes to daily use. It's hard to pull out all the stops when a majority of your week is spent working from home. Plus, a full-coverage foundation not only has the potential to  clog up pores when combined with sweat, but it can also be time-consuming and require significant effort, something we don't always have the energy for.

However, we have been playing around with  serum foundations — a hybrid makeup product that combines the benefits of a skin-care serum with the coverage of a foundation. This type of foundation typically has a lightweight, silky texture that blends easily into the skin, offers buildable coverage, and leaves a natural-looking (never overdone) finish.

Unlike traditional foundations, serum foundations usually contain active ingredients such as  hyaluronic acid ,  vitamin C , or  peptides that can improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. This means that, in addition to providing coverage, serum foundations also work to hydrate, brighten, and smooth the complexion. 

If you're nervous about trying serum foundations, makeup artist  Aaron Barry has a tip. "You can expect serum foundations to be radiant and glowy, but if your skin type is on the oily side , I would suggest trying a sample first," he says. Another tip is to swatch-test the foundation, as "foundations tend to oxidize and become darker," Barry notes, "so judge the true shade match after 20 minutes if possible."

With so many options out there, it's easy to get overwhelmed. So, we did the heavy lifting for you by compiling 15 of the best serum foundations that not only benefit the skin but create the illusion that you're not wearing any foundation at all.

LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation

Rose Inc. Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum

The LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundatio n, which picked up a 2021 Best of Beauty Award for best medium-coverage liquid foundation, is enriched with nourishing ingredients, such as ashwagandha, hyaluronic acid,  turmeric , and avocado oil, to create a seamless and natural-looking finish. It's perfect for daily use, as it's undetectable on the skin. Makeup artist  Jamie Dorman loves this serum foundation for its vast shade range (35 shades, to be exact) noting that "as a makeup artist, it can be difficult to find a product with this many skin-like shades for all skin depths." (P.S. LYS also has an editor-approved Triple Fix Concealer you'll also want to check out.)

Made from a powerful blend of hydrating hyaluronic acid, acetyl tetrapeptide-2, and  squalane , we simply can't get enough of this Skin Enhance Luminous Skin Tint Serum Foundation from Rose Inc (which is available in 14 shades). And neither can makeup artist  Jason Hoffman , who calls this his number one pro kit product because it "evens the tone and improves the skin's texture without the look of makeup. The cherry-on-top testament? "I've personally used three bottles and counting," Hoffman reveals.

L'Oréal Paris

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50

Ulta Beauty

Westman Atelier

Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Dewy Foundation Drops

Credo Beauty

Despite its drugstore price tag, L'Oréal Paris's Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50 is just as impressive as its more expensive counterparts. The lightweight, fragrance-free formula comes in 30 shades (one of the more impressive ranges in this list) and is infused with vitamin B3 (also known as  niacinamide ) and glycerin for all-day hydration and a blurred, never-cakey finish.

Founder Gucci Westman wanted a base product that was light, rich, and had just the right amount of radiance when formulating  Westman Atelier's Vital Skincare Dewy Foundation Drops , and it's safe to say she delivered. One Allure editor says that the formula sinks into the skin with minimal blending, and the luminosity lasts all day — thanks to ingredients such as hydrating tsubaki oil, brightening  ginseng , and healing pomegranate extract. An added bonus: 20 shades are available across light, medium, tan, and deep tones. 

Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation

Ilia Beauty

KVD Beauty Good Apple Serum Foundation

Ilia is one of our favorite brands because all of its products (including the fan-favorite Super Serum Skin Tint ) give you that highly-coveted "no-makeup makeup" look. The True Skin Serum Foundation is no exception, with its lightweight formula that includes  allantoin , aloe , and niacinamide to help smooth and calm the skin, resulting in visible improvement over time. 

Barry describes Ilia True Skin (which has a solid range of 30 shades to choose from) as his favorite serum foundation across a wide range of skin types, including mature skin. "I've used this foundation on clients aged 16 to 65 and I love the life-like, glowy finish [it lends each person]," he attests, adding that it's very blendable by nature and pairs well with cream blush, contour, and highlight.

When you think of KVD Beauty you may think of heavy, extremely long-wearing beauty products that can withstand anything including the "take them swimming on the first date" test. However, the brand's latest launch, The Good Apple Serum Foundation , takes a different approach by providing maximum coverage in a lightweight formula that feels barely noticeable on the skin — and across  40 shades , to boot. The foundation is enriched with apple extract, a rich source of antioxidants that nourish the skin, and quince leaf extract, which minimizes shine and keeps skin looking fresh throughout the day. 

The Ordinary

The Ordinary Serum Foundation

Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Intensive Serum Foundation SPF 40

Bluemercury

Drugstores aren't the only place you can get a bang for your buck nowadays.  The Ordinary has earned itself a reputation for developing high-quality products that won't break the bank. The skin-care-like Serum Foundation not only comes at an affordable price point and in a whopping 36 shades but it also provides moderate, semi-matte coverage that seamlessly blends with the skin for a natural look.

By Aliza Kelly

By Jolene Edgar

By Kara Nesvig

Bobbi Brown's Intensive Serum Foundation SPF 40 may not immediately come to mind when you think of the skin- and health-enhancing benefits of traditional herbal medicine. However, the newly-reformulated foundation comes in 23 shades and is infused with anti-inflammatory cordyceps and brightening ginseng, which work together to enhance the skin's appearance, increase radiance, and shield against external stressors.

Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Serum Foundation SPF 20

No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation SPF 15

Unlike other lightweight formulas that mysteriously vanish by the end of the day, Dior's Capture Totale Serum Foundation SPF 20 stays put, no matter the circumstances. You can use a brush to blend the foundation seamlessly — just remember that it's quick-drying, so work quickly — or simply apply it with your fingers and rub it in like a moisturizer for a more natural finish. While there are 11 shades to choose from, we hope this shade range expands to include a wider variety of deeper skin tones.

Reminder: while this foundation contains SPF, we (and the American Academy of Dermatology) recommend SPF ratings of 30 or higher and suggest applying a separate  layer of sunscreen prior to makeup.

It only takes a few pumps of No7's Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation SPF 15 to instantly diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles, resulting in firmer, more even-looking skin. Available in 12 shades, the formula is enriched with a blend of Matrixyl 3000+ (No7's powerful peptide technology) and moisturizing hibiscus, both of which contribute to the foundation's impressive results. 

Juice Beauty

Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation

Perricone MD

Perricone MD No Makeup Foundation Serum SPF 20

Juice Beauty's Phyto-Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation (which is available in 13 shades) does more than simply cover the face with pigment — it's formulated to create a blurring effect that will leave people whispering about your skin-care routine. The secret to the foundation's effectiveness lies in its pure blend of hyaluronic acid, acetyl tetrapeptide-2, and squalene, which work together to deliver a hydrating, natural finish. 

We love it when our favorite skin-care brands venture into the makeup world to give us the perfect fusion product. One such example is Perricone MD's No Makeup Foundation Serum SPF 20 , which uses neuropeptides to improve the appearance of wrinkles, sagging, dullness, and discoloration, while bisabolol offers antioxidants to brighten and promote the skin's natural healing process — all while giving the skin a buildable, semi-matte finish. (We just wish it came in more shades, as the eight currently available don't offer a ton of range.) 

Josie Maran

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Serum Foundation

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF 25

It was only a matter of time until Josie Maran added her signature ingredient — 100 percent pure  argan oil  — to a lightweight serum foundation. The Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation is formulated with chameleon pigments that adjust to match the skin's tone, delivering a velvety and flawless finish every time. (Sadly, it's only available in three shades variants: fair light, light medium, and medium dark.) 

Sensitive skin hive, rise! Another drugstore foundation that should be on your radar is Neutrogena's Sensitive Skin Serum Foundation . All 15 shades are free of fragrances, dyes, parabens, phthalates, alcohol, and sulfates. Its key ingredient is pro-vitamin B5, which is designed to minimize the appearance of redness, blur imperfections, and reduce the visibility of fine lines, leaving you with a smooth and flawless complexion. 

Clinique's Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF 25 offers the best of both worlds by providing both long-lasting coverage and the transformative benefits of a serum in an admirable 42 shades. Infused with powerful ingredients such as vitamin C,  salicylic acid , and hyaluronic acid, the formula works effectively to visibly diminish the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone and provide ample hydration. 

Read more about Allure editors' favorite makeup:

• 11 Best Eyebrow Pomades for Sculpted, Dagger-Sharp Brows
• Why Is This Brown Lip Gloss All Over TikTok?
• The Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Foundation Is Unlike Any Base Makeup We Have Ever Tried

Now, watch Rachel Bilson's glowing beauty routine:

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They Said Foundation Couldn't Be Filmed, and It Still Hasn't Been

A few great performances do not save apple tv+'s faithless adaptation of isaac asimov's classic sci-fi series..

In 1966, Isaac Asimov ’s Foundation trilogy was voted the best science fiction series of all time at the Hugo Awards. Other series have certainly surpassed it since then, although it’s still considered the work that codified the genre. Despite its fame, because the series is an epic on a galactic level told over the course of 500 years or so, with dozens of characters, conflicts, and stories, no one ’s figured out how to bring Foundation into live-action. Apple TV+’s new Foundation series hasn’t figured it out either.

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Foundation the TV series is not Foundation the book series. There are a few bones of the original story in there, sure, including the premise. Mathematician/psychologist Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) creates the field of psychohistory, in which the future can be pathetically predicted —not for individuals, but humanity in general—and has discovered the horrifying truth that the 12,000-year-old Galactic Empire is going to fall, beginning a new dark age that will last 30,000 years. It can’t be stopped, but it can be reduced to a mere millennium by creating a repository of human knowledge to become the foundation of a new civilization. It’s an astoundingly great premise that could never be served in a movie, and a TV adaptation was never going to be easy. The first Foundation book alone is made up of five separate novellas that have no characters in common, and take place over 150 years. Very, very few of those characters are developed because we spend so little time with them. They’re not the story—the Foundation is, and how it develops over time.

TV audiences would, understandably, have a hard time getting invested in a show where the entire cast and conflict changes every episode. Showrunner David S. Goyer —writer of about a billion DC superhero movies—limits Foundation ’s first season to the first two-fifths of the original novel and ties them together in a somewhat forced way. Goyer’s idea to have Lee Pace play an eternally cloned Emperor Cleon is a clever way to give the series a (basically) consistent antagonist. Changing characters’ genders and ethnicities is a must for modern times—there were virtually no female characters in Asimov’s early books—and, of course, it doesn’t affect the story in the slightest. And he begins the show with a bit of sci-fi spectacle that will absolutely hook audiences into rooting for Hari’s grand plan to succeed.

Here’s the catch: Making a 10-episode season out of about 100 pages of text is an act of lunacy on par with turning The Hobbit into three movies. So much needs to be added to fill out these episodes, which feel so much longer than the hour they generally run. Some of these additions are incredibly welcome. Hari’s protégé Gaal Dornick and Salvor Hardin (in two terrific performances from Lou Llobell and Leah Harvey, respectively) get extensive and badly needed backstories to expand their characters. Emperor Cleon, who barely figures in the first book, not only has his own major storyline but is technically three people: Brother Day (Pace), the younger Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton), and the senior Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann).

Most of these additions are invented out of whole cloth, having nothing to do with the story of the Foundation. Honestly, after most of the second episode, the show and the books are pretty much unrecognizable. Even if you’re coming in without having read a page of Asimov, you’ll still notice the drawn-out plots that go nowhere, the padding, and the weird choices the show has the characters make to keep the plot from moving forward. Cheap, nonsensical melodrama fills the series (somehow, Seldin’s plan stops suddenly working because two people get in a relationship, so he has to break them up). Then there’s the show’s terror that people might not make certain connections, so it shows something, has the character comment on it to themself, and then maybe throws in a flashback to someone saying something relevant even if it was said three minutes prior. The show also wants to have pew-pew laser battles and ship fights and spacewalk mishaps and junk, none of which offer anything you haven’t seen before, and are usually used to just run out the clock anyway.

I can’t complain about how it feels like—despite the fact that psychohistory shouldn’t also be able to predict individual actions—Hari’s plan relies exclusively on individual people, because that’s a problem with the Foundation books, too. But it’s compounded in the show because Hari needs to have somehow predicted a survivor of a gunfight and their ability to stop a bomb from going off at the last second. It’s hard to care about a plan when nothing ever appears to be going according to it. The second and bigger problem is all the generic sci-fi action is directly counter to what made the Foundation series so beloved—a celebration of knowledge, history, science, and human connection, and the hope of a new galactic civilization rising from it all.

Foundation doesn’t want to be Foundation . It wants to be the heady, thoughtful, revelatory first season of Westworld , so it pontificates about politics and religion and souls, but it doesn’t have the depth to say anything important. The TV series also wants to be Game of Thrones with its political maneuvering (most of which is invented wholesale for the show), but once Hari Seldon’s spaceship takes off, those imperial politics have virtually nothing to do with the Foundation. It also wants to be a sci-fi action show. It’s so busy trying to be all of these things that it doesn’t have the time to be Foundation . For people who don’t know or care about the source material, the result is extremely pretty but not particularly compelling sci-fi. For people who know or are fans of Isaac Asimov and his work, I feel compelled to warn you that if you watch the show you will see a scene so enraging that you will tear your TV in two with your bare hands; then you’ll realize how utterly unnecessary the scene was, and tear it into four.

Goyer’s Foundation isn’t Asimov’s Foundation . It’s not an adaptation, and it’s so different that calling it “inspired by the works of Isaac Asimov” still feels like a stretch. Maybe it truly is impossible to bring this seminal work of science fiction into another medium, but other shows could still do a hell of a lot better job than this.

The first two episodes of Foundation just began streaming on Apple TV+. Single episodes will drop weekly thereafter.

Wondering where our RSS feed went? You can pick the new up one here .

'Foundation’ Season 2: Release Date, Trailer, Cast, and What to Expect

Starring Emmy-nominated actors Jared Harris and Lee Pace, 'Foundation' returns to AppleTv+ this July.

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When is foundation season 2 coming out, watch the foundation season 2 trailers, what is foundation season 2 about, who's in the cast of foundation season 2, who is making foundation season 2.

Brace yourselves for Season 2 of Apple TV+'s hit series Foundation ! Since the premiere of its first season, Foundation has captivated audiences worldwide with its compelling storytelling and remarkable performances thanks to a roster of acclaimed actors such as Jared Harris and Lee Pace . The global phenomenon, produced by Skydance Television and visionary storyteller David S. Goyer , was officially renewed for a brand-new season in October 2021. Featuring an international cast, the monumental adaptation chronicles the stories of four crucial individuals transcending space and time as they overcome deadly crises, shifting loyalties, and complicated relationships that will ultimately determine the fate of humanity.

Based on the award-winning novels by Isaac Asimov , Foundation chronicles a band of exiles on a mission to save humanity and rebuild civilization as the fall of the Galactic Empire looms closer. The story of the novels spans a thousand years, but you won't have to wait that long to find out what happens next. Here’s everything we know so far about Foundation Season 2.

Editor's Note: This article was updated on July 8 with the latest trailer.

RELATED: David S. Goyer on His Long-Term Plans for ‘Foundation' and How Streaming Finally Allowed the Story to Be Told

The highly anticipated Season 2 of Foundation consisting of 10 episodes will premiere worldwide with the first episode on Friday, July 14, 2023, exclusively on Apple TV+. Subsequent episodes will be released every Friday on a weekly basis. While you wait for Season 2, you can now catch up on all ten episodes of Foundation Season 1 on Apple TV+ with the following link:

Watch on Apple TV+

The teaser trailer for Foundation Season 2 was released on May 11, 2023, and you can see it in the player above. In the latest teaser, Sareth is depicted early on, hinting to Brother Day about her intentions, while soldiers and clerics march, foreshadowing imminent upheaval. This one is actually the second trailer we've seen for the season. The first trailer , a sneak peek, showcased the Foundation's sacrifices in their quest to safeguard humanity, and a sense of impending destruction now looms large, as Seldon's devoted followers strive to dismantle the structures of the Empire. The inevitability of bloodshed becomes apparent as the Foundation endeavors to establish a new empire, prompting the Cleons to question the group's true ability to foresee the future. Check it out here:

The official trailer for Foundation Season 2 landed on June 13, 2023. The video is roughly two-and-a-half minutes long, revealing more about the impending Second Crisis and the unraveling of the Cleons. Watch it here:

On July 6, a new clip from Foundation Season 2 was released, showing us a glimpse of the coming crisis. See it right here:

Foundation delves into the narratives of four pivotal individuals who transcend the boundaries of space and time. Their journeys are fraught with perilous challenges, ever-shifting loyalties, and intricate relationships that hold the key to the destiny of humanity. At the heart of the story is revolutionary figure Dr. Hari Seldon, who foresees the imminent collapse of the Empire. Alongside a devoted group of followers, he embarks on a quest across the vast expanse of the galaxy to establish The Foundation, a beacon of hope for rebuilding and safeguarding the future of civilization. The ruling Cleons, a lineage of emperor clones, become enraged by Hari's predictions, fearing the erosion of their unrivaled dominance as they confront the harsh reality of potential irrelevance.

In Foundation Season 2, set over a century after the finale of the first season , tension escalates across the galaxy. As the Cleons unravel, a vengeful queen plots from within to dismantle the Empire. Meanwhile, Hari, Gaal, and Salvor stumble upon a colony of Mentalics possessing powerful psionic abilities that pose a threat to the very fabric of psychohistory. The Foundation enters a phase of religious fervor, spreading the teachings of the Church of Seldon throughout the Outer Reach and inciting the Second Crisis: a full-scale war against the Empire. Amidst these monumental events, the narratives of the four central characters intertwine as they navigate treacherous crises, navigate shifting allegiances, and grapple with complex relationships that will ultimately determine the fate of humanity.

Related: 'Foundation' Review: Apple TV+ Asimov Adaptation Delivers Both Heart and Hard Sci-Fi Action

Foundation features a talented cast led by Emmy-nominated actors Jared Harris and Lee Pace. Harris portrays Hari Seldon, a mathematician who develops psychohistory, a science that predicts the future based on probabilities. Pace plays Brother Day, the middle-aged member of a genetic line of clones who holds the title of Emperor in the Galactic Empire. Lou Llobell and Leah Harvey also star as Gaal Dornick, Seldon's protégée, and Salvor Hardin, the Warden of Terminus, respectively. Gaal Dornick is a young woman defying societal norms, and Salvor Hardin is a heroic figure facing the Foundation's first crisis. Foundation Season 2 features the return of Laura Birn , Cassian Bilton , and Terrence Mann , adding further depth to the cast. Birn portrays Eto Demerzel, the majordomo to the Emperors, who is one of the few remaining androids from the ancient Robot Wars. Bilton takes on the role of Brother Dawn (Cleon XIV), the youngest member of the genetic clone lineage of Cleon I, and the designated successor to Brother Day. Mann portrays Brother Dusk (Cleon XI and XII), the eldest member of the Cleon clone series, who has retired from his role as Emperor.

The second season also sees a host of new characters joining the ensemble cast, portrayed by a talented group of actors. Isabella Laughland brings energy and confidence to the role of Brother Constant, a devoted cleric spreading the teachings of the Church of the Galactic Spirit. Kulvinder Ghir portrays Poly Verisof, the intelligent and cynical High Cleric struggling with alcoholism. Ella-Rae Smith captivates as Queen Sareth, using her wit and charm to pursue a hidden quest for vengeance. Holt McCallany embodies Warden Jaegger Fount, the protector of Terminus against external threats. Dimitri Leonidas portrays Hober Mallow, a sarcastic trader forced into a selfless cause. Ben Daniels embodies Bel Riose, a once-loyal general whose allegiance to the Galactic Empire falters. Mikael Persbrandt takes on the role of the formidable Warlord of Kalgan, driven by hate and psychic abilities. Rachel House brings mystery to the character of Tellem Bond, the leader of the Mentalics. Lastly, Nimrat Kaur adds intrigue as Yanna Seldon.

RELATED: Jared Harris on ‘Foundation,’ How the Series’ Superpower Is Math, and the Unique Way the Spaceships Were Constructed for the Actors

Foundation is created for Apple and produced by Skydance Television. Spearheaded by showrunner and executive producer David S. Goyer, the production team consists of esteemed individuals such as Alex Graves , David Ellison , Dana Goldberg , Bill Bost , Robin Asimov , and Marcy Ross , all serving as executive producers. Under the guidance of Goyer, known for his work on acclaimed projects, the team brings their collective expertise and creative vision to bring Isaac Asimov's iconic novel series to life. Goyer has gained significant recognition for his notable contributions to the realm of superhero films. He has also crafted scripts for various cinematic gems, including Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D ., the gripping Blade trilogy spanning from 1998 to 2004, and the highly acclaimed Dark Knight trilogy masterminded by Christopher Nolan from 2005 to 2012.

The Best Organic Foundations: 2024 Guide to Truly Clean Foundation

This article covers everything you need to know about natural foundations that use clean, organic ingredients. If it’s going to covering your entire face, make sure you’re applying healthy ingredients that actually nourish and improve your skin. So many people focus on covering up imperfections with conventional makeup filled with microplastics, harmful synthetics, petroleum derived ingredients and toxins and wonder why their skin isn’t improving. It’s 2024 and it’s easier than ever to switch to organic foundations that ACTUALLY WORK. This guide to organic foundation includes truly non-toxic makeup brands who use majority certified organic ingredients. So toss aside your BareMinerals foundation, and read on for the best non toxic foundations that give complexion perfection.

Table of Contents

Ingredients to Avoid in Foundation

When you’re looking for a nontoxic foundation, be sure to avoid certain ingredients that may cause skin irritation or other potential health concerns. Here are some ingredients to avoid in your foundation:

• Bismuth Oxychloride: While the FDA has approved bismuth oxychloride as safe for use in cosmetics, it can cause skin reactions for a lot of people.
• Parabens: These are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics but have been linked to hormonal disruptions and potential reproductive issues.
• Fragrance: Synthetic fragrances can be a common allergen and may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Opt for fragrance-free or products scented with natural essential oils.
• Oxybenzone: This chemical is found in some foundations with SPF, but it can potentially cause skin allergies and hormonal disruptions. Try using foundations with physical sunscreens like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead.
• Synthetic Dyes: Artificial colorants, such as FD&C or D&C, can cause sensitivity and potential irritation. Look for foundations with natural or mineral-based colorants.
• Mineral Oil: This petroleum-derived ingredient can clog pores and may not be suitable for acne-prone or sensitive skin types.
• Talc: Linked to potential cancer risks. To this day, talc is still often found in powder foundations.
• Sulfates: These are cleansing agents that can be harsh and drying for the skin.
• Phthalates: These chemicals are used to enhance fragrance and texture but may be endocrine disruptors.
• Silicones: While not necessarily harmful, some individuals may be sensitive to silicones, which can give a smooth texture but may cause breakouts or irritation.
• Alcohol: High concentrations of alcohol, such as denatured alcohol, can be drying and irritating to the skin. Seek foundations without excessive alcohol content.

Best Clean Foundation Brands

We continuously update our articles, and sadly, one of my favorite organic foundation brands Vapour Beauty closed down in 2023. Some of their shades are still available here , but once it’s gone it’s gone. Since Vapour is no longer, this list is a little shorter now.

100% Pure Healthy Foundation

If you’re looking for an all natural foundation that allows your skin to still look like your skin but is buildable to provide more coverage when needed, 100% Pure Healthy Foundation is a great option to consider. This is one of the cleanest foundations on the market, made mainly of 100% Pure’s signature base of Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Rice Starch and fruit extracts and supercharged with Maqui Berry, Coffee Cherry, Muscadine Grape, and Mangosteen.

100% Pure Healthy Foundation is an all around great clean and natural foundation for skin of all ages and skin types.

• For: Oily, Combination and Normal Skin
• Finish: Matte
• Number of Shades: 9
• Coverage:  Light to medium
• Wear: Long lasting

Here’s what OBL reader Mariela says about 100% Pure’s foundation:

Love this foundation so much, coverage is medium to full, leaves skin smooth, covers all my redness, and does not cling to my dry patches. Shade Creme is perfect for my fair skin with neutral undertones. Staying power is good for 6 to 8 hours i would say, and then you need to touch up a little. my skin is dry to combination i use this foundation almost 4 months on and off

Here’s what another reader says:

I’m a huge fan of 100% Pure and I love the non-toxic & natural ingredients in the foundation, but I find that it settles into fine lines and creases easily. I have oily/acne-prone skin with dry blemish spots here and there and the foundation clings on to the dry spots like crazy! I’m almost finished with the bottle, but I don’t think I will repurchase. My search for a green foundation continues!

Another OBL reader says:

I love this foundation, it’s formulated from plants and aloe Vera juice and it is my favourite foundation. I am tanned with combinated skin and I use the shade golden peach and it exactly matches my skin.It does have SPF 15 in it so when you first put it on it will look a little paler but once it sets in it will slowly blend into your skin. I use a damp beauty blender and I find that it applies seamlessly. It goes on matte with medium to full coverage and suits oily or combination skin best.if you have dry skin I would suggest blending it in with a drop of your favourite facial oil to give it a much fluid texture and dewy finish. My favourite way of wearing it during the winter is with one pump of my SeaBuckthorn best skin ever and this foundation mixed. it moisturises the skin and leaves behind fresh dewy appearance.I don’t need it feel thlike need the need to powder after as this foundation sets in dry. I have so far repurchased this 5 times to date from the first time I discovered it and I love it.

Check out OBL readers’ thoughts on 100% Pure  here.

INIKA Organic Liquid Foundation

My top pick for an organic foundation for mature skin is Inika Organic Liquid Foundation. 100% of the ingredients used by Inika Organic are ethically sourced, natural and derived from botanicals or minerals. Inika is also certified organic and natural by multiple organizations, so you can be certain that 70%+ of the ingredients in each product is organic.

Inika foundation seems to have more of a drier, thicker formula though its formula is focused on hydrating with all natural and organic ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice and a blend of oils.

Inika Liquid Foundation gives a little bit more coverage than their BB cream, but I would still consider the coverage to be light and maybe medium for some skin. The formula dries very quickly and leaves a matte finish.

If you’re looking for a majority organic and all natural (73% organic) product, Inika’s foundation is an option to look into. If you’re unsure and are looking to try a few of their foundations and primer, Inika offers foundation samples in the form of an introductory trial kit directly on their website

INIKA Foundation is a great non toxic foundation for mature skin and oily skin types.

Check out OBL readers’ thoughts on INIKA  here.

100% Pure Full Coverage W a ter Foundation

100% Pure Full Coverage Water Foundation a fantastic full coverage natural foundation. The 100% Pure foundation is best for sensitive skin because it contains only gentle plant extracts and rice starch, which is SO soothing for irritated skin.

100% Pure has the most organic Foundation options that are truly all natural and is a great makeup brand to start your clean beauty journey with. They offer a handful of different kinds of face foundations to suit different skin types and coverage needs. Besides four different kinds of foundations, 100% Pure also has a BB cream and tinted moisturizer.

• For: Dry Skin
• Finish: The 100% Pure website says dewy but I found this to be more off a matte finish for me, similar to Healthy Skin Foundation’s finish
• Coverage: Medium to Full
• Number of Shades: 19

The 100% Pure Water Foundation offers the most inclusive shade range of 19 different shades, provides the most coverage out of all the 100% Pure foundations, and while thick doesn’t feel overly heavy on the skin. If you’re looking for an organic foundation that also provides lots of coverage, 100% Pure’s Water Foundation is it. This would be one of my top picks out of all the foundations, my other being the Healthy Foundation if you’re not looking for substantial coverage and would like your skin to look like your skin. And lastly, 2nd Skin Foundation if you love an oil serum foundation.

Whie it says on the bottle and site that the finish is dewy, I find the 100% Pure Water Foundation finish is matte on my dry skin. One layer is all I need for good coverage. Any more and I feel the foundation would look too cakey. Instead of plastics, synthetics and possible toxins, 100% Pure Water Foundation begins in an organic Aloe Juice base and is enriched with fruit extracts, oils from Acai and Pomegranate, and skincare ingredients like Red Wine Resveratrol and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

SAVE : Affiliate discount code OBL saves 20% at 100 Percent Pure

Fitglow Beauty Foundation

Fitglow’s organic foundation is best if you want a natural, skin like finish.

Fitglow Beauty Foundation is a very lightweight organic foundation with a silky smooth consistency. It applies flawlessly and simply feels fantastic on the skin, neither heavy nor drying. The wand applicator may or may not be an application you’d enjoy though. I love how Fitglow Beauty Foundation makes your skin look like your skin, but more beautiful and airbrushed.

The Fitglow Beauty foundation is truly skincare that acts as a foundation. It’s 98% Organic, 95% Whole Food Based and contains Vitamin C, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid,Seaweed Brighteners and Beta-Carotene to increase collagen production and boost skins ability to diminish spots, freckles, hyper-pigmentation, sun damage plus improve elasticity.

While Fitglow Foundation works for all skin types, this is a fantastic organic foundation for mature skin and oily skin types as it has the most skincare-like formulation and a natural finish.

Coverage : Light to Medium

Finish : Natural, satin finish

SAVE : Discount code OBL15 saves 15%

ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation

ILIA’s True Skin Serum Foundation gives skin a beautiful natural, satin like finish. Depending on the condition of your skin, True Skin Serum Foundation may give you somewhere between light to medium coverage.

The formula has added mastic gum, which helps fight oil production, and active levels of Niacinamide and Allantoin to improve skin barrier health, soothe inflammation and increase your skin’s ability to retain moisture.

I have to say the ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation is silky and smooth, feels lightweight and wears well throughout the day. Note that ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation does contain the silicone Dimethicone, which lends to its silkiness factor. If silicones cause you to break out I would proceed with caution.

Unlike the Super Serum Skin Tint and C Beyond Triple Serum (which I don’t recommend),  ILIA’s True Skin Serum foundation does not have a greasy or cakey factor to it. ILIA Beauty does include dimethicone in their foundation.

Check out OBL readers’ thoughts on ILIA  here.

Honorary Mention: Araza Beauty Coconut Cream Foundation

Araza Beauty makes nearly 100% organic makeup and their foundation comes in a cream format. I would only recommend this if you’re looking for a very rich, moisturizing cream foundation. I have a full Araza Beauty review here .

Andrea is a clean beauty expert from Los Angeles, California with 10 years of experience in natural skincare and organic living. She writes for Organic Beauty Lover using her expertise to guide readers in choosing the best clean products. Andrea graduated from the University of Southern California in 2012 and has worked at multiple skincare companies, big and small. Connect with her @organicbeautylover .

2 responses to “The Best Organic Foundations: 2024 Guide to Truly Clean Foundation”

I wanted to say THANK YOU for this list. I have a severe tomato allergy, and until recently a few years ago I didn’t know that most organic/natural brands use tomato enzyme as a bonding agent. Lists like these make it much easier to sort through everything out there to narrow down the products NOT to use.

Thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear that it helped you!?

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13 Best Powder Foundations, According to Makeup Artists & Derms

By Clare Holden

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

As a makeup artist for more than 15 years, I’ve seen how powder base foundations have improved from the chalky makeup we used to know. The best powder foundations work with your complexion instead of trying to camouflage it with heavy pigments. They come in a range of coverages, from light to full, and have shine-controlling capabilities, with some even providing the added benefit of SPF . Plus, they offer a quicker and cleaner application than their liquid counterparts—making them travel-friendly for when you’re short on time and need to do your makeup in a hurry. We spoke with professional makeup artists and dermatologists to learn how to apply powder foundations, and find out their personal favorites. I’ve tested many of these myself and found picks for every skin type, age, and budget.

The best-rated powder foundations, at a glance

• Best Overall: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Foundation , $44
• Best Drugstore : L’Oréal Paris Makeup Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder , $17
• Best for Oily Skin : The Lawless Skin Smoothing Talc Free Powder , $39
• Best for Dry Skin : Maybelline Super Stay Up to 24HR Hybrid Powder-Foundation , $15
• Best for Acne-Prone Skin : Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Loose Powder , $15
• Best Full Coverage : Patrick Starr OneSize Turn Up the Base Foundation , $38

Your powder foundation questions, answered

• What is the best-rated powder foundation?

What powder foundation has the best coverage?

Are powder foundations good for mature skin, which is better: liquid or powder foundation, best overall: mac cosmetics studio fix powder foundation.

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Foundation

For powder bases, the MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation is a favorite for many makeup artists. Found in most professionals’ kit, and beloved by both myself and Miami-based professional makeup artist Natalie Dresher , it comes in a wide range of shades and undertones that make it easy to find your exact skin match. The formula is suitable for all skin types, but especially for those with oily skin. It helps to reduce the appearance of pores and control shine, and its long-wearing formula is both sweat- and humidity-resistant. But it’s the matte finish combined with its velvety texture that really makes this foundation stand out.

Save when you shop for the best powder foundation deals with these  Nordstrom promo codes .

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Loose Powder

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Loose Powder

As someone with sensitive skin, I personally love how minimalist the formula of this loose powder foundation feels upon applying. Whenever I’m suffering breakouts or feel my skin needs a time-out from heavy products, I go for this mineral powder from Physicians Formula. It also comes with a handy air-cushion blender sponge for an easy application. A little bit goes a long way: I can’t even remember when I bought mine, and it is still more than half full—it seems like it will last forever, so it’s definitely worth the money.

Save when you shop for the best powder foundation deals with these  Amazon promo codes .

Best for Dry Skin: Maybelline Super Stay up to 24HR Hybrid Powder-Foundation

Maybelline Super Stay up to 24HR Hybrid Powder-Foundation

This powder foundation from Maybelline is a great choice for dry skin. The noncomedogenic formula is designed to prevent caking and patchiness, making it a great option as an everyday base as it won’t leave your skin looking flakey. It’s also sweat- and water-resistant so it’ll hold up against whatever the day throws at you without transferring. This foundation is easy to apply, with one swipe delivering a medium coverage that can be built up to full if you desire.

Best for Oily Skin: The Lawless Skin Smoothing Talc Free Powder

The Lawless Skin Smoothing Talc Free Powder

Dresher recommends this product for those with oily skin: “It’s my favorite choice for those with shinier complexions, and one I use on my more natural clients.” She adds, “It also works great for those with fine lines.” The soft matte finish is extremely flattering, and the addition of plant-based squalane helps the skin to retain moisture.

Save when you shop for the best powder foundation deals with these  Sephora promo codes .

Best Full Coverage: Patrick Starr OneSize Turn Up the Base foundation

Patrick Starr OneSize Turn Up the Base foundation

Another favorite of Dresher’s, this foundation is suitable for all skin types and available in 32 shades. The pigments have been triple-milled to make them as fine as possible for a seamless and lightweight base. This powder has also been infused with rice silk powder to leave your skin with a soft-focus finish.

Best for Medium Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

Acclaimed makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s setting powder is so luxurious it can be worn on its own or over foundation. Infused with rose wax and almond oil to give your skin a soft and supple feel, the microfine powder nanoparticles add a blurring effect to leave your base looking smoother. It also contains light-reflecting properties for added radiance and luminosity.

Best for Mature Skin: Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation

Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation

Kaolin clay combines with antiaging ingredients in this powder foundation from Cover FX to provide a veil of color that is perfect for those with mature skin. Dresher recommended this product, saying, “I do love the Cover FX powder mineral foundation on my mature-skin clients. It’s light and still adds coverage.” Suitable for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, it can be applied with a powder brush for a natural look or with a damp sponge to achieve a more full-coverage finish.

Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Makeup Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder

L’Oréal Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder

This lightweight powder foundation from L’Oréal is one of our favorite drugstore makeup finds . It offers medium to full coverage that can be applied in minutes. Despite its matte finish, it feels lightweight and breathable on the skin, and the noncomedogenic formula means it won’t clog your pores. I particularly love how well it controls shine throughout the day.

Best Budget: NYX Professional Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Mattifying Powder

NYX Professional Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Mattifying Powder

One of my personal favorite drugstore brands, NYX products always manage to provide high quality formulas without breaking the bank. Their Can’t Stop Won’t Stop powder is no different and cleverly uses rice powder to mattify the skin and give it a smooth clean finish. This powder can be used to apply a veil of color or be built up to achieve a more full coverage base that reduces shine and absorbs excess oil from the skin. In addition to its 10 shades it also comes in a Bright Translucent option if you're looking to create a naturally radiant-looking base.

Best Splurge: Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation

Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation

Bobbi Brown

If you’re looking to invest in a powder foundation, the finish of this powder compact from no-makeup makeup pioneer Bobbi Brown definitely looks and feels elevated. This powder has a cashmere-soft texture that gives the skin a more polished and put-together appearance that never appears heavy or overdone. It blends into skin beautifully, concealing everything from blemishes to fine lines to pores, leaving your complexion with a natural and fresh finish.

By Astro All-Starz

By Daniel Rodgers

By Héloïse Salessy

Best Loose Powder Foundation: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15

BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15

The BareMinerals Original Mineral Foundation is on the pricier side on this list, but you really can’t beat the coverage and mineral-based SPF 30. Jennifer Gordon MD , a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas, recommends it for sensitive skin and easy reapplication. The added benefit of mica and bismuth oxychloride help give your complexion a softer appearance and a luminous finish.

Best for Fair Skin: Colorescience Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder

Colorescience Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder

“One of my favorites things to have in every purse is the Colorescience Sunforgettable brush-on shield,” says Dr. Gordon. Those with fair skin need all the extra protection they can get, and this powder provides not only SPF 30 but also a veil of sheer matte coverage. “Colorescience is one of the best powder foundations I have ever used. It gives good coverage, doesn’t dry you out, and has SPF. They have multiple colors and go on nicely, as it comes with a built-in brush,” Dr. Gordon says.

Best for Dark Skin: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation

This powder foundation from Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty was an instantaneous hit when it was first released. Available in 50 colors, it has one of the widest shade selections available for a powder foundation. It can be built up easily from a light to full coverage, making it ideal for both day and night looks, and the soft-matte finish works with every skin type. The thing we love most about this product, though, is how it doesn’t crease or settle into any dry patches or fine lines on the skin, instead remaining smooth-looking for hours.

What is the best powder foundation?

From my own experience as a makeup artist and after speaking with other beauty insiders, the verdict was unanimous: The MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Foundation is still the best in the business. Dresher confirms this, saying, “The MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation is a tried-and-true powder foundation. I have a whole palette I made of these, and I love them for the amazing shade range they have!”

Along with the MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation , Dresher recommends the Patrick Starr OneSize Turn Up the Base foundation when looking to create a fuller coverage base. She praises its smooth formula and says it’s always on set with her.

Powder products are renowned for settling into fine wrinkles in the skin, but that doesn’t mean powder foundations are off the table for those with mature skin. In fact, as long as you moisturize your skin beforehand, a powder foundation can actually provide a soft veil of coverage that looks like your own natural skin but better. “Powder is more breathable and lightweight, and there are many that can also give great coverage and SPF as well. If you are very dry, think about a dimethicone based product, which helps sit on top of the skin to avoid the flaky look and can reflect light nicely to reduce the signs of aging,” says Dr. Gordon.

When it comes to choosing between liquid or powder foundation, there is no decisive winner. Both work well for different looks and occasions. Powder foundations can, however, be especially beneficial for those with oily or sensitive skin. “If you have very oily skin, powder may hold up better, especially in hot or sweaty situations,” says Dr. Gordon. “And if you have sensitive skin, powder may be a safer choice, since it often has fewer ingredients,”

Glamour Beauty

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By Jake Henry Smith

Il Makiage primer review – will it make your foundation last longer?

Looking for an honest Il Makiage Primer review before you give it a try for yourself? You've come to the right place.

In my opinion, primer is one of the most underrated products in any makeup bag. Wish your foundation sat better on your skin? Get yourself a primer. Want that carefully applied base to last for longer? That’ll take a primer. Frustrated by 12pm forehead shine? The solution is (you guessed it) a primer.

The best primers come in lots of different guises. There are ones that bring glow to lacklustre complexions, ones that grip your foundation like velcro to keep it in place and even green and orange-toned ones formulated to colour-correct things like redness and hyperpigmentation . 

I’ve tried a lot of primers over the years, and the ones that get my vote always have the same credentials. Firstly, I like my primers to be matte. I have combination skin, with an excessively oily T-zone, so rely heavily on this part of my routine to prevent my colleagues from being able to see their reflections in my forehead by lunch. My second piece of criteria is that they’re smooth in texture, which will help to make my prominent pores and increasingly prominent fine lines less noticeable. What I don’t want is anything that feels too powdery or chalky (lots of mattifying primers are) or that makes my skin look odd and unnatural if I don’t follow with foundation. 

I’m pleased to report that Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer delivered on all of this picky Beauty Editor’s demands. Read on for a deeper dive.

• Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer for £36 at Il Makiage

Il Makiage primer review – our lowdown on the No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer

The packaging.

Let's start this Il Makiage primer review with the first impression. The brand's No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer comes out punching with silver, mirrored, disco ball-esque packaging. Whether you love it or not will depend on your personal preference. For me, it was six to one and half a dozen to the other – it looks really nice on my dressing table but as it is solid plastic with no squish, it does take up quite a bit of space in my makeup bag. 

I can’t find anything to suggest that the tube is recyclable, which is a shame, and the other downside is that as it’s opaque, you can’t see how much product is left. The only indicator you can really use is how light it feels. 

The formula

There isn’t a huge amount to say about the Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer formula and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Instead of overpromising with added active ingredients (normally included at too low a level in makeup products to make any discernable difference to the skin), they’ve kept things pretty simple. 

The bulk of the INCI list is made up of silicones, which, as an ingredient have gained a bit of an unfair reputation in recent years. Their key function is to provide products with a smooth, spreadable texture that creates a soft, silky film. However, some experts believe that when used in conditioners silicones can prevent moisture from getting into the hair and that in makeup they can do the same for the skin – as well as potentially blocking pores. 

Personally, I haven’t noticed any adverse effects on my skin when using silicone-based primers, and definitely not with this one from Il Makiage. I think the silicones are what make the primer such a joy to apply and gorgeous to wear, leaving my skin feeling baby smooth with a soft-focus satin finish. 

How does it look and feel on the skin?

Now to the crux of the Il Makiage primer review – how does it actually perform? It’s impossible to say without feeling like you’re straying into marketing lingo territory, but Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer really does feel like a second skin. Or, more specifically, it feels exactly how I wish my skin felt naturally. It’s lovely and light, and not at all heavy and cossetting. It also doesn’t dry down by much, so it’s easy to move and you don’t get any uncomfortable tightness as it sets. I also think that this is one of the reasons why it works so nicely with foundation, as they merge together as you blend your base over the top, instead of sitting as two separate layers. 

As for how it looks on the skin, I’d describe it as an airbrushed effect. My skin still looks like my skin, but just smoother, with fine lines and pores less apparent and the shine from my T-zone dulled. It is mattifying, but not to the extreme, so I didn’t end up with a complexion that looked flat or like it had had the life zapped out of it. The formula is transparent, which means most importantly that it will suit all skin tones with no ashiness or white cast, and also that you don’t have to follow with your best foundation or best tinted moisturiser if you don’t want to. If you’re not sure how to use a primer , it’s always the first step in your makeup routine. 

Does it improve the wear of your foundation?

I believe the main job of a primer is to improve a foundation's staying power, so obviously this Il Makiage primer review had to take that into consideration. I take my skincare pretty seriously and am well aware of what you need to do in order for your foundation to sit nicely on the skin and go the distance. Ideally, you need to be using one of the best facial exfoliators (an acid or a scrub) regularly to remove old cells from the surface and prep with one of the best face moisturisers (and probably also a hyaluronic acid serum ) so you’ve got a nice smooth, nourished canvas to work with. However, no matter how diligent I am with my skincare routine I still find that if I wear foundation without primer then my skin either drinks it all in, or it slips and slides around my face during the day – neither of which are ideal. 

This primer is particularly great at improving the wear of your foundation for two reasons. The first is that although it doesn’t feel tacky or sticky, it still somehow manages to hold my base in place. This is especially handy when it’s hot, and it has stopped my makeup from descending into soup on more than one occasion. The second is the mattifying and smoothing effects. Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer works like Polyfilla on pores and fine lines, which prevents my foundation from creeping into them and making them more noticeable, at the same time preventing the oils in my skin from disrupting and moving my makeup. Genius. 

I’ve done a direct comparison for the purpose of this Il Makiage primer review, and my usual foundation stays put for considerably longer when I apply this first. 

Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer: My verdict

It’s fair to say that this Il Makiage primer review is pretty glowing – I think the No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer is brilliant. For my oily-slash-combination complexion, it works wonders to smooth skin and keep shine at bay, and feels like the grown-up version of the very chalky, super matte primers I gravitated towards for the same reasons as a teen. What works for me won’t work for everyone though, and If your skin is lacking in oil then this probably won’t be the primer for you. In this case, I’d recommend trying one of the best primers for dry skin instead. 

Price-wise, at £36 I’d say it’s fairly standard for a premium primer, and my first tube (I’ve got through one and a half so far) lasted for a reasonable amount of time with everyday use. There is the option to subscribe to deliveries every 4 months, which is not only convenient (no one wants to be caught out realising that pump was their last) but also makes it slightly cheaper at £32.40.  All-in-all, if your goal is smoother-looking skin and a longer-lasting foundation, then this primer is well worth a try. 

• Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer for £36 at Il Makiage 

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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‘Who Is That Color?’: A Makeup Brand Is Said to Miss the Mark by Several Shades

Beauty influencers have criticized Youthforia, saying the brand didn’t adequately test the darkest shade of its Date Night Skin Tint Serum Foundation.

By Sandra E. Garcia

When Youthforia, a young makeup line that once received a nearly half-a-million-dollar investment from one of the celebrity investors on “Shark Tank,” released its darkest foundation yet, a collective sigh among Black women could be heard across social media. In the past, beauty brands, including many industry heavy-hitters , have fumbled products for darker skin tones, and the quality of new complexion-matching cosmetics remains inconsistent.

Golloria George, a dark-skinned beauty influencer who lives in Texas, was tipped off about the release by her followers, who tagged her on other reviews of the new shade, and she decided to buy the foundation. But when she tried on the shade, she immediately got angry. She drove to her nearest Target and bought a small jar of black acrylic paint.

In a video she posted to TikTok last week, Ms. George applies the jet black paint to one cheek with a brush, then does the same on the other side with Youthforia’s Shade 600 foundation. Stone-faced, she looks directly into the camera and asks, “Enough: Who is that color?” The video, in which Ms. George calls the shade “tar in a bottle,” has been seen over 34 million times, and others have posted similar videos.

@javonford16 Stitch @golloria #cosmeticchemist #makeupforwoc #youthforia #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Javon Ford Beauty

After she posted the video, Ms. George said, her anger turned to sadness.

“The beauty industry really does not care about dark-skinned women,” Ms. George said in a phone interview. “We’re not seen as humans, and it’s really freaking sad.”

“Black beauty is already so rough as is,” she added. “The only thing we asked for was to be included. If anybody of a lighter complexion can go into a Sephora and Ulta and get their shade with no problem — foundations, bronzer, contours — why shouldn’t I be able to? Why do I have to then become a cosmetic chemist in my room and start mixing stuff to create my shades instead of just being included on the first time?”

Here’s what we know about the controversy surrounding the brand’s latest release.

What is Youthforia?

Youthforia is a makeup brand that debuted in 2020 with a single product: a shimmering lip gloss that the company’s founder sold out of her apartment during the Covid lockdown. In the vast landscape of makeup lines already on the market, Youthforia has tried to set itself apart by saying that consumers could sleep in its makeup. In a March 2023 episode of “Shark Tank,” Youthforia’s founder, Fiona Co Chan, secured a $400,000 investment from the billionaire Mark Cuban on the strength of her pitch about the company’s “bio-based” beauty products, including a color-changing blush oil that the company claims interacts with the skin’s pH to provide “the perfect flush.”

“I wanted makeup that acted like skin care — that, if I wore it, it would make my skin better,” Ms. Chan said on the show.

How have previous product drops fared?

Last year, when the brand released its Date Night Skin Tint Serum Foundation, it drew criticism for including only four shades for dark skin. Even the darkest shade, called deep neutral, was not dark enough for Ms. George to be able to use, according to a video she posted at the time .

In a TikTok video that has been deleted, Ms. Chan apologized for the relatively narrow range of shades in the initial batch, adding that more shades were being developed and that the first drop was simply a “proof of concept.”

Ms. Chan and representatives for Youthforia have not responded to numerous requests for comment for this article. But on April 24, the Youthforia TikTok account uploaded a video in which Ms. Chan responds to a comment that reads “so about that last foundation shade…????” In the video, Ms. Chan races around a mall “street casting” to find someone to model the darkest shade of Youthforia foundation.

In a photo booth, she takes pictures of two young men on whom she has applied Shade 600. “Now, our shade grid is finally complete,” Ms. Chan says in a voice-over. “I’m so excited to launch these 10 new shades.”

How could a foundation be jet black?

Javon Ford, a cosmetic chemist in Los Angeles who has worked with popular beauty and skin-care brands like Milani and Youth to the People, was not involved in the formulation of any Youthforia products. But based on his experience with similar brands, he has an idea where Youthforia may have gone wrong.

“What I think happened is that they did not have a color benchmark,” he said. “A color benchmark is basically a reference that the manufacturer or lab has to follow to match.”

According to Mr. Ford, brands will often use competitors’ foundations, such as those manufactured by Nars or Fenty Beauty — whose initial 40-shade drop in 2017 was a game changer in an industry that had often treated shade for dark skin as an afterthought — to make sure that they are at least meeting that standard.

Could the foundation possibly match someone?

When Mr. Ford inspected the ingredient list for the foundation, he found that the formula contains a small amount of white base in it, which has the effect of making the undertones of the foundation dark gray.

“It is just not a human shade,” Mr. Ford said. “Nobody is gray, nobody is pitch black because there are undertones.”

Is Youthforia still selling Shade 600?

Yes. The Date Night Skin Tint Serum Foundation — which Youthforia sells in 1.18-ounce bottles for $48 apiece — in Shade 600 is still available on the brand’s website and at Ulta.

Taking Care of Your Skin

A great complexion is not something you are simply born with. follow the tips below and feel more confident in your skin..

Want to start taking better care of your skin? This guide can help .

The U.S. is flooded with fake botox. Here’s what to watch out for .

Some skin care products can help treat dark circles under your eyes. But they may not live up to their brightening claims .

Considering lip fillers? It’s key to understand the potential risks  and have realistic expectations about the results.

Those tiny blood vessels that typically crop up around your nose, cheeks or chin are common and can be unsightly, but spider veins are not a nuisance you have to live with .

Too many products can stress out your skin. Here’s how to scale back .

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• Foundations & Primers

The 15 Best Foundations for Mature Skin, Loved by Testers

Flawless coverage for a smoother and more radiant complexion.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• What to Look For
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie / Alli Waataja

After months of testing, we awarded the Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving SPF 25 Foundation as our best overall pick because it's full of soothing and hydrating ingredients and offers a wide range of shades. If you're looking for a budget-friendly pick that's also long-lasting, check out the L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation .

If you're noticing signs of mature skin , such as sun spots , hyperpigmentation , fine lines, or decreased elasticity, it's a natural part of aging, but factors like genetics and sun exposure can accelerate the process. Fortunately, products like foundations can help address these concerns. Board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, MD , advises looking for foundations with active ingredients like antioxidants and moisturizers. These can stimulate collagen production, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and lighten discoloration. For mature skin, choosing a foundation that blurs texture, blends discoloration, and doesn't settle into fine lines or accentuate dry patches is key.

So which ones are best? To find out, we asked our Byrdie testers to try 20 of the best foundations for three whole months. We asked them to evaluate each formula on coverage level, ingredients, finish, shade range, application, and overall appearance, then checked in with them at the one- and three-month marks to gather their insights. The result: A definitive list of the best foundations for mature skin.

Best Overall

Kosas revealer foundation spf 25.

Full of soothing and hydrating ingredients

Natural finish

Extensive shade range

Lightweight, liquid texture

Contains SPF

Can irritate sensitive skin

Coverage: Medium | Shades: 36 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tester: Our tester Michele’s primary skin concerns are redness, under-eye dark circles, and wrinkles.

One-Month Review: Michele loved the look and feel of this foundation. One pump was enough to provide ample coverage without any heaviness or caking. The formula had a nice smooth texture and Michele didn’t need to layer in additional moisturizers; the formula was hydrating enough on its own. 

Three-Month Review:  After using this foundation three times a week over three months, Michele considered it her go-to foundation. She loved the lightweight feel and impressive coverage and awarded it bonus points for including SPF 25. 

Overall Thoughts: This foundation is our top pick for just about anyone with mature skin. Its smooth, blendable formula (containing 96% natural origin ingredients) provides medium coverage that minimizes pores and vanishes blemishes. Plus, it’s infused with a plethora of skincare ingredients, including hydrating hyaluronic acid and squalane , and radiance-boosting caffeine and niacinamide . 

Best Long-Lasting

L'oréal paris age perfect serum foundation.

Natural, lightweight finish

Long-lasting formula

Includes niacinamide and glycerin to soothe the skin 

Can be drying

Coverage: Light | Shades: 30 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: No

Tester: Our tester Nellah’s skin concerns are fine lines, dark circles , and age spots.

One-Month Review: Nellah used this foundation five to six days a week and was pleased with its even coverage and staying power. It was lightweight and applied smoothly. Despite ordering the product online, she even managed to get a great color match for her skin. 

Three-Month Review: Nellah was impressed with this foundation after three months of consistent wear. It provided a smooth and even-toned finish that was never cakey, and it wore really well throughout the day.

Overall Thoughts: This budget-friendly option is a good all-rounder for mature skin. Formulated with niacinamide and glycerin to hydrate and soothe, its serum-y texture provides lightweight coverage for a natural finish. And for those dealing with sun damage, SPF 50 is a welcome addition.  

Best Lightweight

Pat mcgrath labs sublime perfection foundation.

Pat McGrath Labs

Quick and easy to blend

Weightless, liquid consistency

Crease-resistant

Beautiful satin finish

Doesn’t provide full coverage if that’s what you’re looking for

Coverage: Medium | Shades: 36 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: No 

Tester: Our tester Ivy’s main skin concerns are under-eye dark circles and large pores.

One-Month Review: Ivy initially thought the foundation was a little too lightweight compared to the full-coverage formulas she usually gravitates toward. That being said, she liked its blendability, pore-blurring effects, and how it effortlessly melted into her skin.   

Three-Month Review:  Ivy used this foundation twice a week when she wanted to look polished but not “done up.” Because it’s so light and serum-like, she would recommend it to “anyone who lives in a beachy location with a low-maintenance makeup routine but who likes luxury brands.”

Overall Thoughts: If your mature skin tends to be dry, this serum-y foundation is a good option. It’s weightless and won’t settle into lines and wrinkles while also providing buildable coverage with a natural skin look. We also love that it includes hyaluronic acid for hydration and ceramides to support skin barrier function.

Byrdie / Joy Kim

Best Foundation Stick

Westman atelier vital skin.

Violet Grey

Formulated with squalane for moisture

Inclusive shade range

Looks smooth over texture

Can become oily quickly

Coverage: Medium | Shades: 21 | Finish: Natural/radiant | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tester: Our tester Carrie’s main skin concerns are wrinkles, under-eye dark circles, redness around the nose, and dry skin .

One-Month Review: Carrie quickly dubbed this her “new favorite makeup product.” She appreciated that it functions as a foundation or concealer , covering dark spots and freckles effortlessly without feeling too heavy on the skin. She also liked the stick design, which was easy to travel with.  

Three-Month Review: After using this foundation four days a week for three months, Carrie couldn’t say enough good things about it. She was impressed with the level of coverage and how easy it was to use.

Overall Thoughts: This luxurious formula is ideal for those who want medium-to-full coverage. The stick aids targeted application to conceal redness and hyperpigmentation, and it blends and spreads easily with help from a brush. The addition of squalane provides much-needed moisture for mature skin and camellia seed oil helps protect against environmental pollutants.

Best Mattiying

Fenty beauty pro filt'r soft matte foundation.

Matte finish isn't too dry or chalky

Lightweight

Very extensive shade ranged

Dries down fast, which requires quick blending

Coverage: Medium to full | Shades: 60 | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tester: Our tester Chrissy’s main skin concerns are redness, dryness around nose, oily forehead, and under-eye puffiness.

One-Month Review: Chrissy noted that this foundation was so weightless that it “doesn't feel like I even have make-up on.” It blended seamlessly, covered effectively, was a perfect match for her skin, and stayed looking fresh all day long. “I absolutely love this foundation and love getting compliments on it,” she added. 

Three-Month Review:  After using this foundation every day for three months, Chrissy was sold on its ability to keep her skin looking smooth and matte from morning until evening. Her complexion never looked oily or slick during the testing period. 

Overall Thoughts: If you have oily or combination skin, this mattifying formula is for you. It will keep your complexion sheen-free without being overly drying, and it won’t budge with sweat or humidity either. 

Best Blurring-Effect

Giorgio armani beauty luminous silk foundation.

Lightweight, liquid consistency

Skin-like finish

Looks undetectable on the skin

Formula dries fast, so you have to blend quickly

Coverage: Medium | Shades: 40 | Finish: Natural/luminous | Cruelty-Free: No

Tester: Our tester Martha’s main skin concerns are wrinkles and age spots.

One-Month Review: Martha said this product felt surprisingly lightweight, considering the thorough coverage it provided. It blended seamlessly into her skin, making wrinkles appear smoother. “I love the way my skin looks and feels,” she said. “There’s no cakeyness or creases that appear from the other age/wrinkle foundations I have tried.”

Three-Month Review: By month three, Martha liked this foundation so much that she planned on buying another bottle. Her only complaint was that the formula dries fast, making it tricky to blend. 

Overall Thoughts: This buildable, medium-coverage foundation covers dark spots and blemishes effortlessly without being so heavy that it accentuates lines and wrinkles. Glycerin provides a welcome dose of hydration, while Armani’s signature blurring formula improves the look of skin texture and tone for a flawless finish.

Best Radiance-Boosting

Bobbi brown intensive serum foundation.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Contains cordyceps for a skin-plumping effect

High SPF to UV protection

Enhances coverage

Bottle is on the heavier side

Coverage: Medium-to-full | Shades: 27 | Finish: Natural-looking radiance | Cruelty-Free: No

Tester: Our tester Emily’s main skin concerns are redness and fine lines.

One-Month Review: Emily liked that this foundation could be layered in areas where she needed more intensive coverage without it feeling heavy or greasy. It looked great on, allowing some of her skin's “natural luminosity to show through,” and she appreciated that it included SPF, which saved her an additional skincare step.  

Three-Month Review:  After using the foundation for three months, Emily noticed that one pump was the perfect amount, providing solid coverage that didn’t settle into forehead lines. 

Overall Thoughts: Who doesn’t love a makeup product with skincare benefits? This foundation contains cordyceps, a medicinal mushroom shown to protect skin from oxidative stress that leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, improving the look of your complexion over time. It’s also full of emollients (which trap moisture on the skin) and humectants (which pull moisture from the air to the skin’s surface) to keep skin looking radiant and dewy for up to 12 hours. 

Best for Dry Skin

Estée lauder futurist moisturizing foundation spf 45.

Lightweight. full-coverage

Moisturizing formula

Can be difficult to control how much product comes out of the tube

Coverage: Medium-to-full | Shades: 28 | Finish: Radiant | Cruelty-Free: No

Tester: Our tester Jodi’s main skin concerns are hyperpigmentation and under-eye dark circles.

One-Month Review: On first impressions, this foundation felt very light for a full-coverage option. Jodi applied it using her fingertips, noting that it seemed to “melt” into her skin and didn’t feel heavy at all. “I also love that there is an SPF. I know I need to wear sunscreen daily but unless it’s in my make up or skin care products, I'm bad about including it,” she added. 

Three-Month Review:  After using this foundation every day for three months, Jodi was pleased with how lightweight it felt, how easy it was to apply, and how good it made her complexion look. “I don't even feel like I'm wearing any makeup and I think it looks great,” she said. 

Overall Thoughts: A full-coverage foundation can be too heavy for dry skin types. This formula combats the issue with a plethora of skincare ingredients, including chia seed extract to condition, jojoba oil to hydrate, and SPF 45 to protect against UV damage that can increase dryness.

Best Weightless

Nars light reflecting advanced skincare foundation.

Melts into skin quickly

Slight chemical smell

Coverage: Medium, sheer | Shade Range: 10 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: No

Tester: Our tester Kseniya’s main skin concerns are occasional breakouts and under-eye dark circles. 

One-Month Review: Kseniya appreciated that the Nars online color matching tool, which recommends a shade based on your current foundation, worked perfectly. Her foundation was an exact match for her skin tone and provided lightweight, long-lasting, blendable, and buildable coverage. 

Three-Month Review: Kseniya was impressed with this Nars foundation , noting that “it provides nice coverage, gives the skin a nice glow, and is totally weightless.” She also recommended it as a good winter foundation because it did a good job of covering patches of dryness without contributing to the issue. 

Overall Thoughts: This fan-favorite foundation does it all: blurring fine lines, smoothing skin texture, and concealing dark spots and redness. What’s more, it promises to improve skin clarity and condition over time thanks to the inclusion of soothing biomimetic oats, blue light-blocking cacao peptides, and anti-inflammatory milk thistle. 

Best Dewy-Look

Make up for ever reboot active care foundation.

Blends quickly

Dewy, radiant finish

Can emphasize pores

Coverage: Light | Shades: 22 | Finish: Radiant | Cruelty-Free: No

Tester: Our tester Holly’s main skin concerns are wrinkles, dark circles, redness, and large pores.

One-Month Review: Holly was impressed with this foundation’s thorough coverage that lasts all day and needs minimal touch ups. It went on smoothly no matter what tool was used to apply it, and the finish was noticeably dewy. 

Three-Month Review: After using the foundation regularly for three months, Holly was impressed with its ability to reduce the look of fine lines and creases around her eyes. The dewyness of the formula was another huge plus, especially in the dead of winter. “I've noticed that my normal dry skin patches are not showing up like they typically do around this time of year,” Holly said.  

Overall Thoughts: If you’re looking for a foundation that will feel moisturizing and leave your complexion dewy, this one from Makeup Forever is a great choice. It’s formulated with moisturizing glycerin and ginseng, which can help with collagen production, and the lightweight, water-rich texture is incredibly soft and hydrating.

Best Splurge

Gucci full coverage luminous matte finish foundation.

Gucci 

One layer provides full, even coverage

Fragrance is relatively strong, which can irritate sensitive skin

Coverage: Full | Shades: 40 | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: No

Tester: Our tester, Cecilia, was looking for light coverage that wasn’t too noticeable.

One-Month Review: Cecilia finds most foundations too drying for her skin, so she was pleasantly surprised to find that this formula from Gucci manages to be light and moisturizing. “It glides on like butter and doesn't have a sticky feel, yet doesn't dry out my typically dry skin,” she said.  

Three-Month Review: This foundation became Cecilia’s “going out” go-to. It made her skin radiant enough to render her usual highlighter obsolete. Although the formula is more expensive than she would have liked, she believes it’s worth the splurge.

Overall Thoughts: Formulated with hyaluronic acid and black rose oil to moisturize, as well as bamboo powder to absorb shine, this foundation is a great option for people with mature skin who prefer a matte finish. 

Best Buildable Coverage

Chanel ultra le teint flawless finish foundation.

Provides excellent coverage

Not ideal for oily skin

Coverage: Full | Shades: 35 | Finish: Soft matte | Cruelty-Free: No

Tester: Our tester Kimberly’s primary skin concerns are discoloration, fine lines, dark under-eye circles, and dry skin.

One-Month Review: This foundation struck a great balance between lightweight enough that it doesn't crease but substantial enough to mask fine lines and pores. Kimberly praised the formula for its buildable coverage, saying: “I can wear a lighter skim coat on weekends and other days where I want minimal coverage, and build that layer up whenever I want a full finished-face look.”

Three-Month Review: At the three-month mark, Kimberly declared herself “obsessed” with this blendable, buildable foundation, noting: “It goes on so smoothly and gives me good coverage when I feel like I'm not having a great skin day.”

Overall Thoughts: If you’re looking for a foundation that will last all day long and that you can rely on during a special event, we highly recommend checking out this one from Chanel. Its buildable formula provides flawless, crease-resistant coverage with serious staying power.

Best for Dark Spots

Dior backstage face & body foundation.

Blurs the appearance of texture and fine lines

Easy to blend

Covers redness and dark spots effectively

Takes a while to dry

Coverage: Medium | Shades: 43 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: No 

Tester: Our tester Masego’s primary skin concerns are dryness, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.

One-Month Review: Masego found this foundation quick and easy to apply and praised its lightweight, natural finish. It was also a major asset in the fight against hyperpigmentation. “I sometimes need to apply a lot of product to cover up the dark patches on my cheeks, and I find that I do not need a lot of this foundation to get decent coverage,” Masego said. 

Three-Month Review:  Masego felt that this foundation made her skin look beautiful. It’s very lightweight, does not clog pores, and leaves her skin feeling moisturized.

Overall Thoughts: With its super-lightweight, liquid consistency and effortless blendability, buildable coverage, and gorgeous, natural-looking finish, this foundation is an all-around pleasure to use. It’s also easy to blend and build, which makes it great for concealing dark spots and redness .

Most Hydrating

It cosmetics your skin but better foundation.

Lightweight coverage

Hydrating formula

Not full-coverage enough to conceal hyperpigmentation if that's what you are looking for

Coverage: Medium | Shades: 40 | Finish: Natural | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

Tester: Our tester Michelle’s primary skin concerns are wrinkles and under-eye circles.

One-Month Review: Michelle called this a good day-to–day foundation. It has a nice natural finish and does a decent job of evening out the complexion, but for events that require more complete coverage this formula was too lightweight, in her opinion. 

Three-Month Review: This is the foundation Michelle says she reaches for on days when she wants more of a no-makeup makeup look. It has a nice matte finish and lasts well throughout the day. 

Overall Thoughts: Infused with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera , and vitamins E and B5, this lightweight foundation soothes and moisturizes the skin throughout the day. Although it’s billed as medium coverage, we would describe this as more of a tinted moisturizer , suitable for those who prefer a more natural-looking finish.

Best Natural Finish

Koh gen do maifanshi aqua foundation.

Seamless application and blendability

Doesn't settle into fine lines

Moisturizing feel on the skin

We wish it came in more shades

Coverage: Medium | Shades: 10 | Finish: Luminous | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tester: Our tester Jordan’s primary skin concerns were large pores and uneven skin tone.

One-Month Review: The lightweight consistency of this formula suited Jordan’s preferences perfectly. She found that it evened out her skin tone, felt light and clean going on, and smoothed out well with a sponge applicator. 

Three-Month Review: Jordan was happy with this foundation but did stress that she had to prep her skin before applying it. “As with any foundation, I really need to exfoliate first, or it highlights any dry skin. I also like to put on a primer to smooth over my pores so that the foundation does not sit in them,” she said.

Overall Thoughts: Formulated with a moisturizing blend of jojoba oil , olive squalane, and shea butter , this foundation hydrates the skin without crossing over into greasy or heavy territory. 

What to Look for in a Foundation for Mature Skin

• Ingredients: Although you can get moisture and antioxidant benefits from your moisturizer before foundation application, Dr. Green recommends seeking out a formula that contains moisturizing ingredients and antioxidants, like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide, as well. 
• Texture: According to makeup artist Jenny Patinkin , a foundation that’s thinner and lighter in texture will help to best camouflage any blemishes without sinking into lines or large pores that you’re trying to detract attention from. 
• Finish: Luminous or radiant finishes can sometimes be a bit too glowy for more mature skin, whereas matte ones can tend to look flat and dry, says Patinkin. Of course, this will vary depending on your specific skin and your preference, but for a nice middle ground, she recommends opting for one with a radiant finish.

When it comes to mature or aging skin, Patinkin says it's best to use a patting or tapping motion to achieve a flawless application. “The stretching and tugging that can happen when using fingers or a brush can not only accelerate the further breakdown of collagen and elastin, but when the skin stretches during application, it will naturally bounce back in place and carry the makeup with it," she says. "This is what causes creasing and settling."

Patinkin suggests avoiding foundations with mineral-based formulas if you have mature skin. “They tend to have a heavier level of coverage and a higher powder content, both of which can end up accentuating the age-related changes we want to camouflage, such as enlarged pores or fine lines.”

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing foundations for more than 10 years, and she’s tried almost every single one on this list for herself. 

Esme Benjamin is a freelance writer, editor, and podcaster based in New York. She began writing and editing for the Byrdie commerce team in 2023. As a wellness expert, she has a particular interest in naturally-derived beauty ingredients and the intersection of beauty rituals and self-care.

For this story, contributors spoke to experts to discuss important things to consider when looking to purchase foundations for mature skin. Those experts include: 

• Dr. Michele Green, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with a practice in New York City. She's a frequent media contributor and skincare expert.
• Jenny Patinkin is a celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and entrepreneur known for her eco-friendly and age-aware approach to beauty.

According to our  Diversity Pledge , 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any foundations for mature skin from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at  [email protected]  and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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Huang ZR, Lin YK, Fang JY. Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds: potential uses in cosmetic dermatology. Molecules. 2009 Jan 23;14(1):540-54. doi: 10.3390/molecules14010540. PMID: 19169201; PMCID: PMC6253993.

Herman A, Herman AP. Caffeine's mechanisms of action and its cosmetic use. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2013;26(1):8-14. doi: 10.1159/000343174. Epub 2012 Oct 11. PMID: 23075568.

Kim S, Jung E, Shin S, Kim M, Kim YS, Lee J, Park D. Anti-inflammatory activity of Camellia japonica oil. BMB Rep. 2012 Mar;45(3):177-82. doi: 10.5483/BMBRep.2012.45.3.177. PMID: 22449705.

Park JM, Lee JS, Lee KR, Ha SJ, Hong EK. Cordyceps militaris extract protects human dermal fibroblasts against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and premature senescence. Nutrients. 2014 Sep 16;6(9):3711-26. doi: 10.3390/nu6093711. PMID: 25230212; PMCID: PMC4179184.

Huber KL, Fernández JR, Webb C, Rouzard K, Healy J, Tamura M, Voronkov M, Stock JB, Stock M, Pérez E. HYVIA™: A novel, topical chia seed extract that improves skin hydration. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Sep;19(9):2386-2393. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13469. Epub 2020 May 27. PMID: 32378329.

Gad HA, Roberts A, Hamzi SH, Gad HA, Touiss I, Altyar AE, Kensara OA, Ashour ML. Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity. Polymers (Basel). 2021 May 24;13(11):1711. doi: 10.3390/polym13111711. PMID: 34073772; PMCID: PMC8197201.

Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, Chon S, Kaur S, Mahmood K, Kizoulis M, Southall MD. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015 Jan;14(1):43-8. PMID: 25607907.

Scapagnini G, Davinelli S, Di Renzo L, De Lorenzo A, Olarte HH, Micali G, Cicero AF, Gonzalez S. Cocoa bioactive compounds: significance and potential for the maintenance of skin health. Nutrients. 2014 Aug 11;6(8):3202-13. doi: 10.3390/nu6083202. PMID: 25116848; PMCID: PMC4145303.

Song, K. C., Chang, T. S., Lee, H., Kim, J., Park, J. H., & Hwang, G. S. (2012). Processed Panax ginseng, Sun Ginseng Increases Type I Collagen by Regulating MMP-1 and TIMP-1 Expression in Human Dermal Fibroblasts.  Journal of ginseng research ,  36 (1), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.5142/jgr.2012.36.1.61

Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A. The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review. Iran J Med Sci. 2019 Jan;44(1):1-9. PMID: 30666070; PMCID: PMC6330525.

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The Heart of Stark: Reaching patients through school-based health centers

In partnership with The Repository, every Monday, Stark Community Foundation highlights positive happenings in our community. Here’s to Good News Mondays !

As the area’s only locally owned and operated independent health system, Aultman Health Foundation has expanded its services to incorporate school-based health centers (SBHCs), a new community-based care model.

Within the past 10 years, SBHCs have emerged as effective models for improving student access to healthcare and closing the gap experienced by those who live in underserved communities.

SBHCs remove obstacles to seeking healthcare, including a lack of transportation and missing instruction when leaving school to attend an appointment, by functioning like a primary care office inside of a school building.

More: 'It's just like a doctor's visit.' Canton City Schools students to get telehealth access

A provider sees students— and even teachers and staff— during their school day. The provider can perform rapid tests for conditions like COVID-19 and strep throat, recommend treatment and even send prescriptions to the pharmacy.

Thanks to state funding, Aultman Health Foundation now serves 11 school districts throughout Carroll, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties.

In the coming years, there are plans to expand the program even further using the $6.8 million the organization received through the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative. Aultman partners Brown Local Schools , Claymont City School District and Tuscarawas Valley Local School District all received funding to expand their offerings and facilities to reach more children and families.

Aultman serves these schools through a mix of on-site clinics and school-based telehealth services. With telehealth, an on-site nurse serves as the hands for a remote provider, transmitting critical information quickly via a secured video call platform.

For example, the nurse can use a Bluetooth stethoscope to share the patient’s heart, breathing and bowel sounds or use an optical otoscope to transmit pictures of the inner ear. Using this information, the provider can make a diagnosis and share the plan for treatment with the student and their guardians.

Aultman was one of the first in Ohio to establish a school-based telehealth service through an SBHC, partnering with Rittman Exempted Village School District to pilot the program in 2018.

Today, its SBHCs have proven to be a major success. In 2023, the return-to-class rate across Aultman’s SBHCs topped 70%. In addition, patients gave the health centers an 87.5% satisfaction rating. The program is a great example of what can happen when government entities, school districts and healthcare providers come together to address critical needs in local communities.

Stark Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals. Learn more at  www.starkcf.org .