Uneven skin can make anyone feel self-conscious about their appearance. If you’ve always wanted flawless looking skin, you may have more options than you think.
According to The Dermatology Review, you could use expensive serums, get laser peels, or Microdermabrasion. Or, you could simply use a good foundation.
But almost every girl has made the mistake of choosing the wrong foundation. 3 pm rolls around and instead of picture-perfect skin, you’re left with a cakey, smudged mess. You could try the trial-and-error approach to finding the perfect one. But there are so many different kinds that it could really do a number on your bank account.
Now:
These days, foundations vary from matte to dewy finishes, light to heavy coverages, and more affordable options for designer brands. There are literally hundreds to choose from. You don’t need that kind of stress in your life.
Want to know the best part?
We spent hours testing and researching the best foundation for your skin. We even went a step further and categorized them based on your skin type.
#1 Best Foundation For Sensitive Skin Overall
Laura Mercier Silk Crème Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation
- Blurs away blemishes and evens skin tone leaving a flawless finish
- Lasts all day and won’t budge for 12 hours
- Doesn’t look cakey on the skin
Pros
A long-wear, oil-free foundation for a photo-ready, natural-looking matte finish. It features a 12-hour wear, highly-pigmented formula that blends seamlessly onto skin, hiding even hard-to-cover imperfections.
Product Ratings
Coverage
#2 Best Moisturizing Foundation For Sensitive Skin
bareMinerals bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20
- A nice, light coverage that evens out your complexion
- Looks like you aren’t wearing any makeup at all
- Dry skin is left looking bright and hydrated
Pros
A hydrating, buildable foundation and brightening serum in one. Leaves skin looking bright and dewy.
Product Ratings
Coverage
#3 Best Foundation For Combination Sensitive Skin
MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation
- Feels lightweight on your skin
- The color range is the best out there
- Looks flawless in photos
Pros
A bestselling foundation with an ultra-lightweight texture that provides oil-control and flawless skin.
Product Ratings
Coverage
#4 Best Oil-Free Foundation For Sensitive Skin
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
- Matte finish without being flat and dull
- The color range is amazing
- Lasts all day even if you have oily skin
Pros
A 15-hour, flawless foundation that stays looking fresh and natural no matter how oily your skin may be.
Product Ratings
Coverage
#5 Best Anti-Aging Foundation For Sensitive Skin
Lancôme RÉNERGIE LIFT MAKEUP SPF 20
- Skin looks smoother and feels firmer
- Will make you feel more confident and younger
- Doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles
Pros
A liquid foundation that supports a youthful-looking, radiant complexion, while leaving skin feeling ultra-smooth.
Product Ratings
Coverage
#6 Best Foundation For Acne-Prone Senitive Skin
Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup
- Won’t cause your skin to break out
- Stays on all day
- Keeps oil and acne under control
Pros
Non-irritating, oil-free foundation helps blend away blemishes and neutralize redness. Medicated ingredients help treat existing breakouts and keep them from coming back.
Product Ratings
Coverage
#7 Best Drugstore Foundation For Sensitive Skin
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte Plus Poreless Foundation Makeup
- When set with a powder it lasts all day
- Leaves a natural, matte finish that never looks cakey
- Cheap and affordable
Pros
This Maybelline foundation is cheap, oil-free, and minimizes the appearance of pores. There are 24 shades so you can find your perfect match.
Product Ratings
Coverage
Foundation for Sensitive Skin Tips & Advice
What is Foundation?
Foundation is a skin-colored makeup that is applied over your entire face. Its main job is to create an even skin tone and to hide flaws. Once applied, the foundation gives your skin an all-over even color and leaves your face looking flawless. There are two major types of foundation: liquid and powder.
Many who use foundation on a daily basis are using liquid foundation. Liquid foundations are the most common and oftentimes look better. This is because they don’t ever look cakey like powders often do.
Is liquid or powder foundation better?
This is a question that is asked by many. And, unfortunately, it’s a personal opinion so we can’t say. We can, however, give you the main differences between the two so you can decide for yourself.
Powder foundation is best for those who don’t like to feel anything heavy on their skin. The benefit to using powder foundation is that it won’t clog your pores since there are not emollients or oils in it. Also, since powder foundations are dry, using one will absorb any excess oil throughout the day leaving you shine-free. The downside to powder is that it doesn’t give you much coverage. And, the more you put on, the cakier it looks.
Liquid foundation is best for those who prefer a more dewy, airbrushed look. It also provides a lot more coverage. Liquid foundation can fill in any pores and fine lines, which makes your face look smoother. The downside to the liquid foundation is that it’s heavy and it can clog your pores. If you’re going to use liquid foundation, it’s something you definitely want to wash off every night with a makeup remover and face wash.
What is the difference between foundation and concealer?
It’s pretty typical to be confused by the two and many times, people often think concealer is an unnecessary investment. Ideally, though, concealer should be used as a last step after primer and foundation. A concealer’s main job is to cover dark circles, hide stubborn blemishes, and brighten your under-eye area. Concealer helps to make you look more awake (which is always a good thing).
The consistency of concealers is much thicker and has a much higher pigmentation than foundation, which is why you only want to use it sparingly. Unlike foundation, concealer is not meant to be worn all over your face. It’s only for the areas that need a little extra T.L.C. If you don’t already have a good concealer, you should probably get one A.S.A.P. And, to make things easier, we’ve already got a list of the best ones.
What is meant by full coverage foundation?
When it comes to foundation, you may have heard the term coverage. This simply refers to how much it actually covers your skin. Foundation can range from sheer to full coverage. Sheer coverage is the most transparent with the least amount of pigment. It won’t hide any blemishes but it can slightly even your skin tone. Sheer coverage foundation is perfect for hot, summer days, or a humid vacation somewhere tropical. Light coverage can cover uneven skin tone and slight blemishes but not much else. Light coverage foundations are for those of you with near-to-perfect skin.
Medium coverage foundation will even your skin tone completely, cover freckles, blemishes, and red scarring from acne. This coverage is ideal for most skin types. A full-coverage foundation is used to cover birthmarks, scars, severe acne, and discoloration. It is highly pigmented and can contain up to 35% pigment. Not many like full coverage, as it can get cakey with most formulas. So, save it for picture taking and special events and go for a medium to full coverage instead.
What is the best way to apply foundation?
Want to apply foundation like a pro? Here is the absolute best way.
Step 1: Cleanse and moisturize
Before putting on foundation, it’s important that your skin is completely clean and moisturized. Using a good face wash, moisturizer, and SPF can make all the difference in how your skin feels. After applying moisturizer, wait ten minutes before you put on foundation to let the moisturizer sink in.
Step 2: Prime
Primer is a step girls often skip when they shouldn’t, especially if you have enlarged pores and fine lines. Once you start using a good primer, you’ll never again go without it. Using clean fingers, apply a good primer on your T-zone to keep oily skin matte and to fill in enlarged pores and fine lines. Primers will also help your foundation stay put for the entire day.
Step 3: Apply foundation with a foundation brush or sponge
Unfortunately, there is an ongoing controversy about the best way to apply foundation. In our opinion, using a Beauty Blender is the absolute best (and many pros will agree). Simply dampen your Beauty Blender and apply foundation in the center of your face and blend out. Don’t forget to apply it over your eyelids, too.
Step 4: Conceal
Tap on concealer (with your fingers or Beauty Blender) under your eyes, on your eyelids, and down your nose. This will also help brighten those dark circles making you look more awake and give your face more dimension. Don’t forget to put concealer on any blemishes, too.
Step 5: Set with powder
You must set your foundation with a translucent powder like Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder. Using a soft brush or Beauty Blender, gently tap the powder onto areas that get shiny, such as your nose and forehead. Also, apply powder to your eyelids and under-eye area. This will keep your eye shadow in place and keep the concealer from settling into any fine lines.
How do I make my foundation look flawless?
The key to a flawless-looking foundation is flawless skin. Taking care of your skin is super important. Not only will it prevent aging down the road, but it will also help your makeup look better. First of all, make sure you’re removing makeup with a makeup remover and washing your face twice a day. It’s also important to exfoliate with either a Clarisonic or face scrub once a week to remove any dead skin cells.
After washing your face, you should be applying a toner, moisturizer, and eye cream every single time. Another tip: drink plenty of water. Our bodies are primarily made up of water so if you’re dehydrated, your skin won’t look its best. Do this and watch your skin transform. It will be looking flawless in no time. And, you could follow the steps above for the best way to apply foundation.
What is the best face primer for makeup foundation?
Obviously, the best face primer depends on your skin type. Lucky for you, we’ve found the best face primers for every skin type. But, if we had to choose one, it would be the Benefit POREfessional Face Primer. Who’s it for? The Benefit POREfessional Face Primer is for anyone who is looking to fill in fine lines and enlarged pores. Which, let’s be honest, is most of us. This makeup primer is especially good for those with oily skin, too, because it mattifies unwanted shine.
What it does: The oil-free formula fills imperfections and evens your skin tone without actually looking covered up. Why we love this product so much? Its silky formula is ultra-lightweight and gives you a flawless matte finish.
What is the best brand of foundation?
Each foundation has its pros and cons. And, the right one for you depends on your skin type. We found that the best foundation for acne-prone skin is the Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup because it’s oil-free and keeps acne under control. The Lancôme RÉNERGIE LIFT MAKEUP SPF 20 is best for those with aging skin because it’s full coverage and doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles. The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup is best for oily skin and the bareMinerals bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 is best for dry skin.
If we had to choose one foundation, it would be the Laura Mercier Silk Crème Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation because it blends perfectly, offers medium to full coverage, and lasts for 12 hours. Now, that’s impressive.
What is the best foundation in a drugstore?
If expensive beauty products aren’t your thing, we’ve got the perfect foundation for you. And, you can find it at any drugstore. Maybelline Fit Me foundation is just about as good as it gets if you’re looking for a cheap product. This stuff is heavy-duty and full coverage. Makeup users, bloggers, and reviewers everywhere love it – and so do we.
Maybelline’s pore-minimizing foundation contains their genius blurring micro-powders that erase pores and absorb oil for a naturally matte and poreless-looking finish. It also has the widest variety of colors available (24 to be specific) so you can find the exact match for your skin.
The one downfall with this foundation is the bottle. It doesn’t come with a pump like most foundations so it can be hard to get out the right amount. We recommend gently tapping out a small amount of product onto the back of your hand first.
What is the best MAC foundation?
Since MAC has so many great foundations, it’s hard to pick the best. The MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 foundation is ideal if you’re looking for something more natural and light. This foundation makes your skin super smooth and brightened. Its formula contains 77 minerals, Vitamin E, and Shea butter. And, it provides sheer to medium coverage.
If you’re looking for something with more coverage, the MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 is best. It controls oil leaving your skin with a matte finish. This foundation provides medium to full coverage. And as a bonus, it’s humidity resistant.