I have been using foundation since I was 16. I know, a rebel faze that got stuck with me until now and forever. The first ones were terrible, way too oily, or too dry, too dark, thick, you name it. Nothing flattering. But I guess, until you don’t try, you will never learn. Especially when it comes to your face. Even if a foundation looks perfect on your friend, this won’t be a rule applying to you too, sadly. So you gotta keep trying until you find your holly grail. What I am about to write now, is a guide of foundations I have tried for a long time and can say if they worked or not for me. There are tons of reviews out there, but I guess, one extra won’t hurt anyone. Actually, I am putting them on a podium from the least favorite to the best I’ve tried so far. Here we go!

 

10. Clinique Superbalanced makeup

[button color=green url=]very dry skin [/button][button color=red url=]medium coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]medium wearing [/button][button color=orange url=] dewy[/button]

This is a great equalizer for combination skin. But is more on the very dry skin and if you are not using powder, you are doomed to glow like a Christmas tree. And not the cool one. It provides moisture and absorbs oil where needed. Minimizes appearance of fine lines. Contains anti-irritants and antioxidants and it is water resistant. I have been using it in my teenage years, when I didn’t take care of my skin properly, so I had a bit of an acne due to using this foundation. It does have good reviews, but for the good side of it, you really need to try it.

More info here.

 

9. Sephora Instant Radiance

[button color=green url=]Dry skin [/button][button color=red url=]Medium coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]Short wearing [/button] [button color=orange url=] Dewy[/button]

This is an oil-free foundation that instantly brightens and moisturizes the skin for a flawless complexion. Flatter your natural features with this lightweight foundation. The light-reflecting pigments visibly erase signs of fatigue and soft focus imperfections and an energizing cocktail of pomegranate and kiwi extracts provide the skin with nourishing, reparative vitamins. It has a buildable coverage, but it doesn’t last too long. It feels great on the skin, like a cashmere and it is not really matte, it instantly brighten and hydrate for a radiant complexion. More info here.

8. Chanel – Perfection Lumiere

[button color=green url=]Dry to medium skin [/button][button color=red url=]Light coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]Short wearing [/button][button color=orange url=] Matte[/button]

I really wanted to like this foundation. Chanel is one of my favorite brands when it comes to makeup and they actually replaced Pro Lumiere with this one, an improved formula, so they said. The actual consistency is good, kinda thick, it blends easily and leaves my skin feeling silky soft and looking smooth. Also it sets quickly. The coverage is low to medium, but still has a natural, matte finish, which I don’t really like. It won’t be that great for a dry skin. You also have to have imperfection free skin to fully enjoy this foundation. What I don’t really like about it is it doesn’t last too long, perhaps 5 hours even if you are using a setting powder.

More info here.

 

7. Chanel – Vita Lumiere

[button color=green url=]Dry skin [/button][button color=red url=] Light coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]Short wearing [/button][button color=orange url=] Dewy[/button]

I bought this foundation after discovering Pro Lumiere has been discontinued. It is a nice foundation with a satin finish, for a radiant, natural, youthful-looking makeup. Revives tired, dull complexion. I didn’t use it as much, because during the summer it is too rich and oily. I tried to use it during the winter, but the color was too dark for me. It has a low to medium coverage, so it will be great for clean, dry complexions. It also contains moisturizer, ensuring maximum comfort for the skin.

More information here.

6. MAC Studio Fix Fluid

[button color=green url=]Medium to oily skin [/button][button color=red url=] Full coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]Long wearing [/button][button color=orange url=] Matte[/button]

A modern foundation that combines a natural matte finish and medium-buildable coverage with broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 15. What I love about this foundation is that it has full coverage when you need it. But, what I’ve noticed is that you need to have a perfect face to look the best, which fails to prove the need for a full coverage foundation in the first place. It is not like Nars, who I always use when my face goes through some war and it doesn’t have that much coverage.

Also, what I hate about this foundation is it applies really hard, you have to be quick because it sets really fast. It is best to use a damp blend sponge or a stipple brush. It also oxidizes so it is really hard to find a color to match when you are quite pale. I have placed it in the 6th rank because it does look flawless when applied well on a hydrated complexion. Also you don’t need a powder because it  contains specially treated micronized pigments and soft-focus powders for a super-smooth look that helps minimize the appearance of imperfections. It also has a long lasting power, which is great, but it does feel like a mask on your face, it is heavy.

5. Nars Sheer Glow

[button color=green url=]Dry to medium skin [/button][button color=red url=] Medium coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]Medium wearing [/button][button color=orange url=] Matte [/button]

A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage. Replete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, skin is hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother. It looks amazing on your skin and it is also good on hot weather. Apply with a foundation brush or your fingers ~ Francois Nars recommends that you use your fingers as the warmth of the hand allows the skin to accept the foundation better, and fingers allow for quick application and blending.

What I don’t like about it is it doesn’t provide that sheer glow stated. It is more on the matte side and I personally don’t look good with a matte face because I do have imperfections that needs to be minimized with the power of light and refection. Also, doesn’t have a long lasting power but I do prefer it due to its coverage and natural feel.

4. By Terry – Cover Expert

[button color=green url=]Dry to medium skin [/button][button color=red url=] Light to medium coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]Medium wearing [/button][button color=orange url=] Matte [/button]

This foundation has a medium coverage and will reveal a flawless complexion with a natural finish. When I first wore it, felt like I had nothing on, so my self esteemed that day kinda lowered, thinking all my imperfections were on display. No such thing, this would make a perfect summer foundation because it won’t create that mask effect, you won’t even feel it on your face. It glides and plumps your face in an instant. The bad thing about this foundation, that I found not working for me is the matte-powder texture I am not a fan of. Also, the price for this foundation is way too high and I have found better ones for less.

3. Lancome – Teint Idole Ultra 24h

[button color=green url=]Dry to medium skin [/button][button color=red url=] Medium to full coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]Long wearing [/button][button color=orange url=] Dewy [/button]

I love this foundation. Offers long-wear and comfort more than any other foundations. 24h long-wear for endless perfection. It provides a flawless looking, even complexion with a velvety-smooth, shine-free finish, with a dewy look. It is also hydrating, very important during winter. You do need to avoid it in hot weather, it will drip all over and will sweat your pores, looking like fresh dipped in paint. Leaving in London is perfect in cold weather almost all year round, so high score there. It is buildable, with a medium to full coverage, but it will not make you look like having a mask on.

2. Chanel – Pro Lumiere

[button color=green url=]Dry skin [/button][button color=red url=] Medium to full coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]Long wearing [/button][button color=orange url=] Dewy [/button]

This foundation has been the best I have ever tried. Had it for 2 years then it got discontinued and I am so sad. Been looking for something like it, with no luck. It gives a semi-matte, luminous finish that looks polished. Provides dewiness and full coverage at the same time. I might say it works better for dry skin, because tends to be a bit oily, so is more suited to the cooler months. I simply love the smooth professional finish, with a healthy glow. You can use some translucent powder to last longer. It doesn’t feel like a mask on your face and the most important, doesn’t break out the skin. The bad thing is it can get very shiny after a few hours on a oily skin or during the summer, so it won’t be that great for photos.

1. Armani – Luminous Silk

[button color=green url=]Dry to medium skin [/button][button color=red url=] Medium to full coverage [/button][button color=blue url=]Long wearing [/button][button color=orange url=] Dewy [/button]

I have recently bought this foundation, after reading everyone raving about it. I must say, it deserves the special number 1 in my foundations top because it is unbelievably the best one yet. It is so light when you apply it, you can’t even feel it, which is so important, especially during summer days. Gives a perfect silky finish, captures the glow of your skin. Your complexion looks airbrushed. The coverage is I’d say medium and can be built up. It literally makes your skin looking better, without revealing you are wearing anything on. It melts into your skin almost instantly and is a dream to blend. I was afraid of the lasting power, as it seems so lightweight, but I couldn’t believe watching myself in the mirror after wearing it for more than 10 hours, it looked like it was applied right then! It doesn’t settle in your creases, doesn’t smudge and doesn’t oxidase.

I am using a translucent powder on top, from MAC that is the best I’ve used and they are a perfect match. This foundation is amazing for photographing and it makes your skin look like its naturally flawless. I have also been looking for a dewy finish, and this one comes close to perfection.