What she thought: Full-coverage foundation is about as appealing to me as paying $65 for a product that'll run out in two months. Which is to say not very. But this L'Oréal gem has everything I normally like in a BB cream, with a couple bonuses.
The texture is surprisingly lightweight and breathable. And the coverage is matte, but not cakey, seamlessly blending with my skin to airbrush blemishes and redness. This stuff doesn't dehydrate my dry skin over the course of the day. Plus, I'm able to find a near-perfect match for my skin tone. For less than $15, I feel like I've scored.
What she thought: I've been using Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint even before I came to Total Beauty. Two years and dozens of BB creams, CC creams, tinted moisturizers and foundations later, this is still my go-to makeup for a flawless complexion.
Going on, this rich foundation feels like a creamy, tinted moisturizer. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, it keeps skin hydrated -- but still manages to stay in place -- all day. Medium-coverage with a dewy finish, it checks all the boxes for someone with dry, sensitive, 40-something skin.
The biggest selling point for me: I can wear this every day and never suffer a breakout. It also doesn't hurt that I'm complimented on my skin every time I wear it. If you're looking for a next-level ultra-luminous look, pair it with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette -- it will make your skin look otherworldly.
What she thought: For me, foundation's a bit of a security blanket. After years of a not-so-great complexion, I can't imagine going outside the house without it. Problem is, the full coverage I desire comes with lots of undesirable side effects (namely, a mask-like finish, too-thick texture and clogged pores that exacerbate my skin issues).
This is why the Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation has been such a revelation. True to its name, the consistency is lighter than air, but it doesn't feel greasy like some serum foundations, nor does it suffocate my pores. It offers complete, buildable coverage (if I dab a little extra under my eyes, I can forgo concealer), yet my skin still looks natural and radiant. It's the closest thing to sorcery I've seen in my life.
Even better: It offers great bang for my buck. A little goes a long, long way -- one tiny drop is all I need to cover my entire face -- so I wouldn't think twice about shelling out $48 for a bottle, knowing that it will last roughly an eternity.
What she thought: I fancy myself a connoisseur of foundation. I've tried many, and I change products throughout the year -- combining for different finishes. But the Merle Norman Perfecting Makeup has found a permanent spot in my tool belt.
It lasts all day with great coverage and a luminous finish, which is hard to come by on 40-something skin. And it's perfect for my nose, cheeks, upper lip and chin, which are always ruddier than the rest of my face. The remainder of my face I simply use La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral, which is a tinted sunscreen that might just change your life. But that's a different article altogether.
What she thought: I am not a foundation wearer. (Team BB all the way.) To me, most foundations feel so heavy they're almost claustrophobic -- I'm itching to wash my face by lunchtime. Thanks to the 57 skin care products I use daily (only a slight exaggeration), I'm pretty happy with my skin. So coverage isn't that important to me.
However, there are times when I feel like I should wear foundation: If I'm going to a big event or a wedding or if I'm doing a television appearance. And my go-to -- one of the only foundations I can tolerate wearing for more than a few hours -- is Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup, $39.
As the name "Naked" suggests, this is a barely-there formula -- it feels like nothing. However, it magically makes every flaw disappear, blurs my freckles and disguises fine lines. It's also matte in the best way: without being drying or flat-looking. And if that weren't enough, it's packed with good-for-your-complexion ingredients, which makes a skin care junkie like me extremely happy. (There's Matrixyl 3000, a line-obliterating peptide, and green tea for antioxidant protection, as well as brighteners and moisturizers.)
This foundation comes in 18 shades, so there's one for every skin tone. I'm generally the palest shade, but in this case I'm the third palest -- a testament to just how wide the range really is. It's so good it has me trading in my BB. Sometimes.
Finding the best foundation can feel a bit like winning the lottery. More so than any other beauty product, foundation can make or break your entire look — and the trial and error process to find the right formula can be arduous. Got oily skin? You need matte coverage that stays put all day. Mature skin requires something lightweight and dewy that won't cake or settle into fine lines.
So what are the best foundations that rose to our lofty standards? Whether they were drugstore brands or high-end splurges, these 12 top-performing foundations charmed our editors by transforming even the blotchiest and oiliest among us into women with flawless, radiant complexions.
Some foundations were multitasking and eliminated the need for concealer or powder. Others were just good ol' one-hit-wonders that got the job done. Bottom line: These top foundations totally delivered.
But, before you give them a go, keep these expert foundation tips in mind:
• Apply foundation to the center of your face and blend outward. Always use powder sparingly, and to conceal or brighten dark circles, select a concealer with a pink undertone then gently pat it on. — Jane McKay, makeup artist for MAC
• "Always prep with a moisturizer before applying foundation. The extra bit of moisture helps makeup slide on smoothly and evenly." — Barbie Laurino, a global makeup artist for Laura Mercier
• Ideally, your makeup should allow your natural skin to show through, not blanket it. "To get the lightest, most sheer layer of coverage, use a damp sponge or synthetic brush instead of using your fingers." — Makeup artist Sonia Kashuk
