The Hands-Down Best Foundations Money Can Buy — Period

MAC Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation ($46)

Let's be real: MAC carries quite a few completion products, but yet, the Radiance Serum Powered Foundation still knocked our socks off. It comes in 48 shades covering a large range of skin tones and undertones, and we love that it's sensitive-skin friendly. The formula contains a whopping 33 skin-care ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, olive and jojoba oils, and glycerin. Read our full MAC Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation review.

Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation for Buildable Coverage ($34)

It's not every day that you come across a gel-cream foundation formula. This one from Glossier takes the claims "breathable" and "lightweight" to new heights. But still, it's ultra buildable, so if you want to get full coverage, you totally can. It comes in 32 shades with five different undertones, and a soft, natural-looking finish. It's packed with skin-care ingredients such as glycerin and squalane for hydration and wild rose berry extract to balance skin and control shine. Read our full Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation for Buildable Coverage review.

Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30 ($56)

If you're looking for a lightweight, medium-coverage formula that gives you flawless skin and packs in the skin-care benefits, allow us to introduce you to this one from Shiseido. It has a radiant, glowy finish that feels good on your skin thanks to included ingredients like niacinamide and prebiotics. There are 30 shades in the range and it offers SPF 30 coverage. Read our full Shiseido RevitalEssence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30 review.

Make Up For Ever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation ($45)

This foundation is so good, four of our editors tried it and all fell in love. The medium-coverage formula has a natural finish and comes in 40 shades. The lightweight liquid helps cover and blur imperfections without feeling heavy or cake-y on the skin. Read our full Make Up For Ever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation review here.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation ($40)

Makeup fanatics are obsessed with this Fenty foundation for its semi-matte finish and enormous shade range. It's perfect for anyone who gets a little oily in their T-zone and stays matte elsewhere.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30 ($53)

This cult-classic was recently reformulated with new shades, a higher SPF, more hydrating ingredients, and chic new packaging — but we'd be pressed to say it's better than the OG.

Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation ($43)

When you need to bring out the big guns, this product leaves behind a matte finish that's waterproof and sweat-resistant. Perfect for oily types, this stuff stays put all day.

It Cosmetics Your Skin but Better CC+ Cream With SPF 50+ ($47)

A CC cream, but make it extra (in all the best ways). This product works like magic to cover up any rosacea, dark spots, or unevenness, but somehow still imparts a dewy glow that never feels heavy or greasy on skin.

Sephora Collection 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation ($20)

This Sephora foundation contains hyaluronic acid for a smoothing effect, along with vitamin E for added protection against free radicals, so you can treat your skin while you cover up.

Caliray Freedreaming Clean Blurring Skin Tint ($40)

"Skin tints" are all the rage right now, but if you want that same lightweight feel of a tint but with a smidge more coverage, that's where this product steps in. Our editors can attest: this liquid formula is breathable, buildable, and pretty damn hard to beat.

Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25 ($41)

You know that feeling when you look in the mirror and think, "Damn, I look good," but there's no particular reason why? That's what will happen when you're wearing this tinted moisturizer/foundation hybrid. The formula is so lightweight and breathable, you can barely tell you're wearing anything at all, but step back, and you'll notice your skin is instantly more even — and just a touch more glowy, too.

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation ($49)

We hate to say it, but TikTok was spot-on with its reviews of this viral foundation: not only is the coverage like a ring light in a bottle, but it's also loaded with hyaluronic acid to give skin an extra dose of moisture (so everyone — from oily skin types to dry — can indulge). Read our full review here.

Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation ($48)

We are such big fans of this foundation, it won a 2023 POPSUGAR Beauty Award. The medium-to-full coverage foundation leaves behind a natural cake-free finish and covers hyperpigmentation like a dream. It even helps control shine for the entire day — all while looking just like skin. Read our full Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation review.

Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick ($36)

The best thing about this product (besides its light to medium coverage and lightweight finish)? A few swipes of the stuff holds up against sweat and shine all day.

Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Matte Powder Foundation ($20)

Sephora added this formula to its "Best Skin Ever" complexion line, and it's perfect for fans of powder foundations. From the 40-color shade range to the affordable price tag, and the incredible coverage, POPSUGAR editors were immediately impressed by this gem of a find.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($69)

This formula is a bestselling fan favorite for good reason: the liquid foundation yields an impressive pigment payoff and can build from sheer to medium coverage while looking completely natural.

Lys Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation ($24)

Just when you thought the perfect foundation didn't exist, this one entered the chat. Its medium coverage makes it easy to camouflage dark spots or breakouts, while its hydrating blend of avocado oil and hyaluronic acid ensures it never feels cake-y. It's so good, it even won a coveted POPSUGAR Beauty Award.

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare ($46)

The formula packed inside this bottle is so airy in texture that it's almost velvety to the touch, but its results are even better: one swipe and skin looks brighter, more even, and not at all cakey.

L'Oréal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation ($17)

The sponge-like compact in this foundation is soaked with superfine pigments that leave behind a subtle — yet buildable — finish.

NARS Cosmetics Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation ($50)

This is another NARS formula that gives skin a radiant finish without it feeling too "radiant" — as in, it gets you the coverage you want, while leaving behind a subtle sheen that ever-so-slightly catches the light.

Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum ($49)

One glance at this product and you might mistake it for a skin serum — pigment lodged within a formula in microencapsulated spheres can do that — but one swipe of this weightless liquid and you'll see what editors are raving about (psst, it's glowy, more even-toned skin).

Armani Beauty Neo Nude Foundation ($48)

Smear on this light foundation and you might be surprised at its coverage potential. The texture is almost water-like at first, but it leaves behind an ultra-smooth finish that looks natural and can be easily layered.

L'Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum ($20)

The best thing about this foundation's formula is that you can build up your desired coverage with each drop. One to two gives you a barely there effect, while three to four covers any breakouts or hyperpigmentation like a charm. Read our review of it here.

Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation ($30)

When you want something that covers you up but doesn't feel like it's covering you up, look no further than this Rare Beauty foundation. The serum-like formula smooths on like velvet and feels invisible on skin (just add a dab of the pigment onto each area with its handy wand applicator) while simultaneously lending the just-right amount of coverage. What can we say? Selena Gomez knows good skin.

Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation ($27)

If you have trouble keeping shine or grease under control, this product will be a lifesaver. The creamy formula provides medium coverage and contains a microfine powder that absorbs oil so you stay fresh all day.

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation ($46)

This formula goes on smooth like a tinted moisturizer, but adds an amazing amount of coverage like a medium- to full-coverage foundation — so you can get the best of both worlds.

CoverGirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation ($12)

If you could bottle the "skinimalism" trend, you would be able to find it in this formula. It offers light to medium coverage, so you can smooth out any unevenness, but it'll never cover your freckles (because why cover what makes you . . . you?).

Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Anti-Pollution Foundation ($6)

This foundation completely covers up blemishes (with zero concealer necessary) but still manages to leave behind the subtlest, skin-like finish — because why not get you a foundation that can do both? It's also formulated with antioxidants to ward off environmental aggressors.

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow ($7)

When you're after that lit-from-within glow but want enough coverage to ensure nothing else dims your shine, reach for this foundation.

NARS Light Reflecting Foundation ($50)

It's hard to think of a foundation NARS hasn't done right, but if we had to pick one favorite, it'd be this one. Available in 36 shades across a range of undertones, you're bound to find a fit — which is a very good thing, because these lit-from-within (but make it full-coverage) results are not to be missed.

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation ($10)

This matte formula is best suited for dehydrated skin, with a smoothing concentrate that works with skin's texture for a seamless, luminous finish instead of accentuating any seasonal-induced rough patches.

CoverGirl Outlast All-Day Foundation ($7)

A great foundation for less than the cost of a Chipotle burrito? That's exactly what this is: a hydrating, full-coverage, and it lasts so long, you'd think you slathered on the primer (even if you didn't).