14 Foundations You Can't Live Without

Makeup

14 Foundations You Can't Live Without

One of these 14 crowd pleasers from Revlon, Prescriptives, MAC and more could give your skin a flawless finish -- sans airbrush experts

September 9, 2008 | by Charli Schuler | 39 COMMENTS

We've heard complaints about foundation ranging from too heavy and drying to too light and oily, not to mention "too few shades" and "too expensive." So we made a list of the foundations that garnered praise from TotalBeauty.com members. Check out which brands and formulas got the most consumer stamps of approval and consider whether you should switch to something new.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Clinique Dewy Smooth Anti-Aging Makeup SPF 15, $22.50

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products mentioned

Clinique Dewy Smooth Anti-Aging Makeup SPF 15

8.6

Dior DiorSkin AirFlash

8.7

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Cream Foundation

9.0

Shiseido The Makeup Powdery Foundation

8.9

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

8.8

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10

8.8

Prescriptives Virtual Skin Super-Natural Finish

9.3

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

8.8

CoverGirl Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream...

8.5

Amazing Cosmetics Velvet Mineral Powder

9.3

Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation SPF 20

9.1

GloMinerals gloPressed Base

9.4

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Great choices.

by Mollysunshine Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 01:45AM Report as inappropriate

The best foundation is the Temptu Airbrush System. It does not penetrate pores, and imparts a beautiful luminous finish.

by CaroleVonAllten Friday, February 22, 2013 at 10:37AM Report as inappropriate

Great list

by LittleBunny Friday, February 22, 2013 at 10:03AM Report as inappropriate

I love Revlon Colorstay. I just don't like that I have to mix two different shades to match my skin.

by Monique3 Friday, February 22, 2013 at 08:09AM Report as inappropriate

great suggestions!

by AstridB Friday, February 15, 2013 at 11:16AM Report as inappropriate

Good article yet I wish there was one for each skin type. The best for dry skin only and so forth.....

by ShanthiDevi Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 05:57PM Report as inappropriate

So incredibly helpful! Thank you!!

by karinn_ferber Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 07:50AM Report as inappropriate

My first ever foundation was by Prescriptives. I'm not sure why I ever stopped purchasing it.

by GetGlamoured Friday, June 8, 2012 at 07:53AM Report as inappropriate

I really enjoy the articles like these because when I run out of foundation and start looking for a new one, I can look for some here!

by beautyinme Friday, May 4, 2012 at 08:33AM Report as inappropriate

I've tried a few of these.. I really want to try the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer.

by MssDani Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 01:30PM Report as inappropriate

I really want to try the Dior Skinflash but its so expensive I dont know if I can justify that one to my husband! then again if it really makes you look airbrushed and it lasts a long time I would definately give it a try...

by Alisunshine Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 10:21AM Report as inappropriate

Foundation simpletons.

by MARYP1010 Friday, March 16, 2012 at 01:55PM Report as inappropriate

I want to try Revlon colorstay, have seen lots of good reviews. Too bad can't be tested at drugstores. Any One with yellow undertones who have tried it? :)

by makeup4ever Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 12:46AM Report as inappropriate

I have found that I prefer tinted moisturizers to foundations these days.

by powerwoman033 Monday, March 12, 2012 at 08:42AM Report as inappropriate

i seriously want to try the revlon colorstay

by NYdesichick Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 03:53PM Report as inappropriate

I don't wear foundation but I am going to start. This is very helpful in getting me started.

by mccombss Monday, February 20, 2012 at 10:14AM Report as inappropriate

wish i could try em all. get tired of wasting money on this stuff.

by libby_stady Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 07:28PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting!

by volta Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 02:59AM Report as inappropriate

Love my Estee Lauder Double Wear!

by Secretblush13 Monday, January 9, 2012 at 11:00PM Report as inappropriate

LOVE the Estee Lauder Double Wear, and their Max Coverage Double Wear too. They last forever on my oily skin. Had a horrible time with the Revlon Color Stay. It clogged my pores so badly, and it smells like paint. Felt like my skin was smothering under this stuff.

by sandra_verochi Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 08:46AM Report as inappropriate

Revlon Color Stay--agree. Anything revlon makes is usually the best cheap drugstore option. Otherwise, love bobbi

by naughtnone Monday, November 14, 2011 at 12:56PM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful

by kmb1129 Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 02:04PM Report as inappropriate

nice selections! very helpful @LipglossandSpandex i totally agree with you on the MAC prolongwear! i have combi skin.. so totally works for me!

by Mssaralee18 Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 12:52PM Report as inappropriate

I would like to see a "top drugstore foundations" =)

by Yen Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 10:00PM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried any of these but my mom loves Maybelline Age Rewind and Revlon ColorStay. I'm a HUGE fan of MAC ProLongwear SPF15 foundation--amazing on my oily skin!

by LipglossandSpandex Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 09:39PM Report as inappropriate

i like maybelline newyork. :O

by yckitsmary Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 07:20PM Report as inappropriate

I model and my makeup artists usually uses Bobbi Brown. It leaves a very natural look and feel on my skin and I use this at home too. I can't find anything better. :)

by brendag20127 Friday, March 18, 2011 at 01:43PM Report as inappropriate

revlon colorstay is really awesome

by judyangel101 Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 01:20PM Report as inappropriate

funny... I'm living without it, Hard Candy all the way.

by Bon_Bon Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 04:11PM Report as inappropriate

I love Covergirl foundation. It works better for me than any department store brand

by LittleBunny Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 11:42AM Report as inappropriate

I wish CoverGirl's Clean makeup or mark's had made it on. Laura Mercier's is great but way too expensive for me.

by kayla_d_moore Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 05:47AM Report as inappropriate

I love Clinique makeup, works great!

by ambawag Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 02:11PM Report as inappropriate

there's only what? two foundations here that i can purchase at a local drugstore can i see some more i'm not willing to spend $40 on makeup i'll only allow myself to wear once a week

by crazygirl21 Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 12:46PM Report as inappropriate

Not all of these are uber expensive. I have heard only good things about the Revlon Colorstay as well as the CoverGirl Mousse. I would love to snag some of Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer! Everyone is always raving about it.

by pynkNymphette Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 04:56PM Report as inappropriate

wow, i guess these are the supposed highest rated foundations, but they're really not budget friendly. Perhaps rename the quiz "best makeup for splurgers?"

by hostagekitty Friday, November 26, 2010 at 05:17PM Report as inappropriate

most of these are waaayyyy expensive!

by kenya Monday, November 22, 2010 at 09:00AM Report as inappropriate

which "brow corrector" works best?

by abc727 Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 11:22AM Report as inappropriate

any idea which "brow corrector" works best?

by abc727 Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 11:16AM Report as inappropriate

casjen57 you should try the PurePressed Base with the Handi Brush that jane iredale makes. The puff seems to be intended for emergency touch ups only! The brush will provide a lighter application and if you use one of the hydration sprays after you apply it helps it look more like your skin. My dermatologist recommended that to me and I've been hooked ever since!

by glamourgirl15 Monday, March 16, 2009 at 12:18PM Report as inappropriate

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