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.
Free shipping and samples available. It gives the glow and finish of tinted moisturiser, but the coverage of medium foundation. "—Savannah Walsh, Editorial Fellow, ELLE.com, "All I need in this life of sin is a full-coverage foundation that feels lightweight. Naturally Radiant Foundation, Best foundation: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish, £42, Clinique Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup SPF15, L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24hr Freshwear Liquid Foundation, bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating SPF25 Foundation Stick, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £42, Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation (Various Shades), Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation, £36, Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation SPF30. To Estée Lauder's Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, which remains one of the most popular foundations in the UK, thanks to it's unbeatable coverage. Final thoughts: This one is a new favourite. - Nerisha Penrose, Associate Editor, ELLE.com, "I’ve been obsessed with this foundation for years. Although it’s not technically a liquid foundation, Milk’s Flex Foundation Stick glides on as smoothly as liquid and doesn’t cake into my deepening crow’s feet (also, courtesy of 2020!). Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Shade range: 50 shades from very light to very deep. Victoria Jowett, Beauty Director: Feel like your foundation can get a bit blotchy? Coverage: Medium-to-full coverage, whilst still being light and non-cakey. I still use it today because I love the solid coverage from a light powder. Lasting power: Sick of your foundation melting off by 3 o'clock? Not bad, Sleek, not bad at all.
Which honestly has been the best thing ever. "— Angel Lenise, Lead Video Producer, elle.com Matte Loose Powder Mineral Foundation … Laura writes about everything beauty and fashion related for Cosmopolitan UK and specialises in makeup, plus-size fashion and the world of YouTube.
Shade range: 35 shades, which is impressive for a drugstore brand. Coverage: Medium. Oh and if you're looking for a drugstore option, we've got you covered (literally), with Maybelline's Fit Me Foundation, that offers velvety matte coverage for only £7.99.
I'm constantly aware of all the products I mask my skin with each day, but this light, water-based foundation is gentle, soothing and never breaks me out. This stayed put from morning till 10pm (yes, I go to bed early), without going patchy or looking dull. Final thoughts: It's great to see Dior dipping a toe into the glowy foundation game - as they've long been known for their matte and satin formulas. — Ariana Yaptangco, Social Media Editor, ELLE.com, "I've been using BareMinerals products since high school—I had acne then, and it didn't break out my skin. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Final thoughts: I wore this foundation for my sister's wedding - when I knew I needed a base that would stick around all day (and night), luckily this one did not disappoint. It’s less of a stick and more of a magic wand." Final thoughts: I love it. Vic is the Digital Beauty Director here at Cosmopolitan.com/UK. Lasting power: Despite it's dewy finish, this foundation actually has decent staying power. Best Foundations Ever! - Kia Goosby, Fashion Editor for Hearst Fashion Group, "These quarantine days, I've been wearing less and less makeup. I like that it’s sheer enough for the freckles on my cheeks to shine through, but still covers up the little imperfections like broken capillaries and redness." Coverage: Medium, but can be sheered out if you want a lighter finish. Final thoughts: I love this. Final thoughts: This is the ultimate people pleaser, a winner for most skin types, whether you're dry or oily, the formula applies beautifully leaving skin looking perfected, but not overdone. Unlike so many others stick formulas, this one is water-based, meaning it feels incredibly light on the skin. Cosmopolitan, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network. Finally, the struggle to find a long-lasting formula (yes, one that won't disappear come 3pm) with beautiful coverage is over. Medium coverage, with an unparalleled glow that made me stop mid-application to take a selfie. Finish: Satin, perfect for oil-prone or combination skin types. The formula smooths over everything from acne to redness. No wonder this is the UK's best-selling foundation... Keeks Reid, Contributing Beauty Writer: This all-in-one foundation is an absolute steal. Coverage: Medium, it covers slight redness and evens out my skin tone.
Victoria Jowett, Beauty Director: I don't know how they did it, but Shiseido has managed to create a dewy foundation that's oil-free, and I'm officially obsessed. - Ariana Yaptangco, Social Media Editor, ELLE.com, "The foundation that singlehandedly got me through high school and my accompanying acne, Clinique's Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup, is smooth, oil-free, and unobtrusive. It’s an oil-free formula that promises to leave you shine free. Coverage: Medium to full, but there's zero cakiness.
Victoria Jowett, Beauty Director: I love a foundation stick (they are just so damn easy to apply) and this one totally changed the game for me. Choosing the best foundation can be tricky, it's important to find the right formula for your skin, whether it's oily, dry, or acne-prone, but it's not always easy. The consistency is runny, but don’t let that deceive you, once it’s buffed in this base isn’t budging. The formula is lightweight and gives you a silky, barely-there finish, which works well with my sensitive skin. Side note: if you prefer to take a lighter approach to your base, head over to our edit of the best BB creams next... Keeks Reid, Contributing Beauty Writer: This foundation was the biggest talking point when Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty collection launched, and with its extensive shade range and lightweight formula, what’s not to love? Victoria Jowett: From my previous reviews, you've probably guessed that I love a lightweight glowy base - so unsurprisingly, I adore this Clinique foundation. I had seen advertisements for Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint with SPF 40 and decided to give this a try. Plus, it doubles up as a concealer, I used it on blemishes and dark areas (chin, upper lip and under-eye) to even out my skin tone. It gave excellent coverage (without looking cakey), and the lasting power was second to none. Final thoughts: If you want a foundation that gives you an instant healthy glow, this is it. Lasting power: It lasts a whole working day with just a touch of powdering in my oily areas (looking at you chin and forehead). Shade range: 32 shades divided up by colour as well as undertone.