How To Choose The Best Foundation for You

Since it was first popularized in the 1930s, foundation as we know it—and the amount of it that consumers want to apply—has gone through many iterations.

While powder compacts were the norm for the first few decades of its popularity and full coverage was the preference in the 1980s, the ’90s ushered in an era of fresh-faced supermodels like Cindy Crawford, with their model-off-duty makeup emphasizing minimal, lighter coverage. In the mid-to late 2010s, the rise of the Kardashians and YouTube makeup tutorials brought full coverage and 24/7 glam back with a vengeance. And now, in the years following a global pandemic, which encouraged people to go makeup-free, and with icons like Pamela Anderson going fully fresh-faced, sheer foundation is poised to make a comeback.

“The biggest priority I’ve seen over the past several years has been skin condition and skin health,” says Toronto-based celebrity makeup artist Nate Palacios, who has worked with stars like Omar Apollo and Gracie Abrams. “This has created a huge market for brands to infuse skincare into their products and be more mindful of how products sit on skin and how realistic they look.”

Regardless of what may be in style at the moment, the truth is that the amount of coverage every makeup wearer wants is wholly individual. Palacios says she’d never tell someone what level of coverage they should wear; rather, it depends on what they intend to cover or their personal style.

“I would encourage people to focus on wearability,” she says. This means considering whether the products you purchased are suited to whichever skin type you have so you’re getting the most out of them. “No one wants to spend $80 on a foundation and then find out it doesn’t work for them because they didn’t know what to look for,” she adds.

If you’re unsure where to start, Palacios suggests looking at the base ingredients. “I would recommend a silicone base for people with normal to combination skin, oil-based for those with normal to dry skin and water-based for people who are acne-prone,” she says.

We’ve rounded up the very best foundation options for your every need—whether you’re looking for sheer, weightless coverage, some serious all-day hold or anything in between.

Best Full Coverage Foundation

Sisley Phyto-Teint Perfection

If you’re looking for full coverage, Sisley’s formula promises to keep you covered not only on the daily but also long-term, smoothing skin texture with prolonged wear. Plus, it’s long-lasting and transfer-proof so you can put it on and forget about it as you go about your day.

One/Size Turn Up The Base Full Beat Liquid Foundation

If shine isn’t your thing, then the latest liquid foundation from Patrick Starrr’s brand should be your go-to. This waterproof formula is mattifying and features lauroyl lysine, an amino acid that helps prevent makeup from breaking down or slipping and sliding.

Best Light Coverage Foundation

Estée Laudér Futurist Skintint Serum

For those beauty lovers who are looking for weightless coverage that’s so light it feels almost non-existent, a skin tint-serum hybrid is a great option. The lightweight, airy texture of this one helps even tone, and it’s infused with 85 per cent skincare ingredients.

Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick

From makeup guru Charlotte Tilbury, this sheer foundation leans heavily on the skincare side of beauty, with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid at the core of its ingredients. Because hyaluronic acid helps skin retain moisture, Palacios suggests choosing products formulated with the humectant if you’re after a dewy finish, especially if your skin tends to be on the drier side. “But if you’re acne-prone, I would be a little wary,” she says.

Best Medium Coverage Foundation

Pat Mcgrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation

Makeup artist Pat McGrath’s namesake beauty brand is where you’ll find foundation with a capital “F”—its main concern is providing coverage. “It offers medium to buildable coverage, blurring with a really beautiful skinlike finish,” says Palacios. “It’s quite ethereal.”

Patrick Ta Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation

Yet another formula from the mind of a makeup expert, Patrick Ta’s Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation provides flawless coverage that’s loaded with moisture-retaining benefits, thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid. And hydrated, lush skin means less creasing and fewer fine lines as you build the coverage.

Kylie Cosmetics Power Plush Longwear Foundation

This buildable foundation is able to withstand even the sweatiest of situations and offers breathable and waterproof medium coverage. With its emphasis on skincare ingredients, including vitamin E and niacinamide to calm and nourish skin, you can be sure that what you’re building on your skin will still be breathable.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s April 2025 issue. Find out more here.