The Best Foundations of All Time, According to Makeup Artists (2024)

Finding the perfect foundation for you can feel like a monumental task. There's so much to consider: Does the shade match both your skin tone and undertone? (This alone is daunting.) Is it made for your skin type? (Do you need an especially hydrating foundation that doesn't cling to dry patches? Or maybe you prefer an oil-free formula to help keep shine in check?) Then you need to consider the coverage, longevity, and finish. (Dewy and luminous? Or matte and flawless?)

Our Top Picks:

To stop your head from spinning, we turned to the ultimate foundation experts: makeup artists who have tested a ton of foundations on themselves and their clients and know firsthand which ones blend best, last the longest, and won't make you break out. Discover their favorites—plus some of Oprah Daily beauty editors' go-tos—below.

This foundation is a personal favorite of mine. And, after a recent wear test, makeup artist Jonet Williamson says she's adding it to her kit, too. "I'm highly impressed with the lightweight feel, the coverage, and how long it lasts throughout the day," she says. It also has a great shade range with a variety of undertones. The formula includes fermented arnica to help reduce redness and antioxidants to protect the skin.

Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic's new foundation is already one of Williamson's go-tos. "It melts into the skin beautifully, leaving a nice, glowy finish. And it has great coverage," she says. "I’d recommend it to anyone with normal to dry skin who want a luminous sheen." The formula moisturizes with grapeseed oil and squalane.

Williamson says this is a must in her professional kit because it's long-lasting and doesn't feel heavy on the skin. The formula contains a Japanese technology the brand calls ActiveForce that helps it repel sweat and oil, so your makeup looks fresh and smooth for longer. It also has SPF 30 to protect the skin.

Need a foundation that will survive through snow, rain, heat, and everything in between? Try this oil-free foundation. Luna says it's one of her favorites for longevity. It also has an impressive shade range with over 55 shades to choose from.

"This option caters to skin issues common to specific skin tones," Luna says. It's available in 51 shades and six custom formulations to meet your skin’s unique needs. For instance, the deeper shades help address hyperpigmentation, while lighter shades target redness, explains Luna. Every formula offers a weightless and hydrating finish.

"One of my favorite matte foundations is Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation," says makeup artist Mali Thomas, who is a global artist in residence for Bobbi Brown. "It creates the most flawless long-lasting coverage that feels incredible on the skin and makes it look so smooth." While it's matte, it isn't drying or uncomfortable to wear because it contains hydrating glycerin.

"My love for this foundation runs deep," says Thomas, who recommends it for sensitive and mature skin types. "The hydrating formula is packed with vitamin B5 to help your skin look its best. It also gives you a luxurious glow without breaking the bank."

It doesn't get more lightweight and hydrating than this formula made with 60 percent water. Thomas says it makes your skin look like "you've been living stress-free." And even though it's a ton of water, it still offers buildable coverage. "It blends like a dream and is perfect for dry skin," Thomas says.

An oldie but a goodie, according to makeup artist Dominique Lerma, who says it's a personal favorite that she uses on herself and her clients. "It's a hydrating full-coverage formula that provides skin benefits and the perfect amount of coverage," she says. It comes in 22 shades and contains skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, SPF, niacinamide, and vitamin E. "I can’t preach about this foundation enough."

Lerma calls this foundation a pro makeup artist's "best-kept secret." It's a buildable and full-coverage foundation infused with aloe vera. "The finish is subtly luminous, allowing for skin to show through," Lerma says. "I am obsessed with this for no-makeup makeup beauty."

If you like a full-coverage look or want a foundation for special events, try this one. Lerma says it's her holy grail for weddings, red carpets, and other events. "Know that it is full coverage; a little goes a long way," she says.

Made with niacinamide, Luna like this indie beauty pick because it can help improve skin tone and reduce redness. It also contains botanical adaptogens to help protect the skin from the effects of stress.

Cover up pores, pimples, and more with this formula that's enriched with soft-focus powders to give a luminous and smooth look.

You can't go wrong with this affordable drugstore pick. It was recently reformulated without alcohols or fragrance, making it perfect for all skin types. It also contains hyaluronic acid and has an impressive shade range.

Both transfer- and waterproof, this medium-to-full coverage formula lasts for up to 16 hours. But what's most impressive is its $7 price tag.

It's a powder, but it doesn't look cakey or sacrifice your skin's natural glow. The coverage is full but lightweight and breathable.

If you don't love the feel of a full-coverage finish but still want something that will even out your skin tone, this serum foundation won't disappoint. It melts into the skin and gives a hydrated, radiant glow, thanks to the moisturizing plant-based squalane and hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide also helps even out skin tone over time, while SPF 40 keeps it protected.