Guerlain, probably, because they really do amazing formulations, even though Tarte’s my favorite, I only really LOVE one of formula.
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MAC or Giorgio Armani
bourjois probably! i have the healthy mix serum, 123 cc cream and city radiance, and alternate use between them depending on desired coverage and length of wear for that day. cheap and good that’s bourjois!
Oooh me too!
Pür Cosmetics! I can’t live without their 4-in-1 foundation — it’s the perfect shade, formula, AND opacity for me.
Another really tough one! Okay, so I absolutely ADORE my Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation. Except when it’s hot and humid outside or my skin is getting a few breakouts (yep, at 57 y.o.). I need something that sticks around no matter what, but doesn’t make my skin look dry and parched, and safe for my sensitive skin. Probably MAC?
I have yet to try Guerlain! Maybe I’ll put the Lingerie de Peau on my Christmas wishlist 🙂
Probably NARS (mainly due to Sheer Glow) as I’ve tried their All Day Weightless formula and hear good things about their other formulas.
Estee Lauder, no doubt about that!
I love their Double Wear in all three variations 🙂
EL DW 4 Life!!!!
Right now? Catrice. Affordable and working great for my skin.
This is tough… There are so many great foundations that simply don’t match to my skin! I’m very fair but with yellow/ neutral undertones and freckles. Finding a good color match is next to impossible.
That being said, MAC face and body (nc1/2 combo) and Dior Airflash 201 are great. Natasha Denona 20 is also a great match, but the texture is odd. Very thick but sheers out to very light coverage. It wears OK (5-6 hours), but still feels like a beast to remove.
My two favorite foundations are from NARS and I’m quite happy with them, but, if money is no object, I would choose smth like Sisley or La Mer.
Dior. Airflash is the most gorgeous foundation of life. Forever is nice and long lasting. Nude air serum is just lovely and Capture Totale has a gorgeous medium buildable satin finish. Plus the powders are awesome too.
Either IT CC Cream (which, I guess, doesn’t quite count as a “foundation”), Guerlain Lingerie de Peau or Clarins Skin Illusion (I don’t think a lot of people know just what a nice product that is). I’d be reasonably happy with any of those 3 products or the 3 brands.
Urban Decay Naked Skin Liquid. I had a hard time finding a foundation because I can’t stand the way they feel on the skin. Naked Skin leaves my face feeling — Naked! I’ve tried dupes, but I can’t stand the way they feel.
Armani all the way!
Make Up For Ever!
Lancome…hands down
If Guerlain Beige Pale was a match, possibly them. Otherwise MUFE or NARS cause I’m so fair they are the only ones who make stuff white enough for me that’s preblended and commercially available.
Tom Ford, especially after the beyond amazing customer service I received from them recently. Total class act, if I wasn’t already in love with the brand, I’m that much more in love!
Clé de Peau! I have über dry, mature skin and throughout the years, CdP has continued to make stellar foundations that offer buildable coverage without looking or feeling heavy, that have a subtle dewiness that doesn’t look oily, and that leave my skin feeling soft and moisturizerd without settling into fine lines. My current favorite is the Radiant Fluid Foundation which I like to lightly set with Météorites. Although CdP reformulantes and comes out with new versions–the same as all the other brands–there always seems to be one well suited to my needs. Bonus points: There’s always a perfect color match 🙂
Couldn’t have said it better myself Eileen!! I’ve got uber fair normal skin and the radiant fluid foundation is my go to as well.
This is a tough one for me because if I had answered it a few months ago my answer would be the Chosungah 22 C & T luminous foundation in the lightest shade because it matches my very pale skin and has a peachy/pink undertone. I also have dry, mature skin and it doesn’t look cakey on my skin. Recently I have been trying a few more foundations in an effort to get better coverage for my hyperpigmentation and so I have tried Marc Jacobs Remarkable foundation and Nars Sheer Glow. I like both a lot but will have to say that the Marc Jacobs ticks all the right boxes for me. I have also tried his sheerer foundation and like that for days when I am just running errands, etc. and don’t need a fuller coverage foundation.
I really love the Korean cushion foundations in terms of their ease of application, undertones, etc. but the ones that I have tried don’t have enough coverage for me, even with repeated application.
Estee Lauder Double Wear. One and done for me.
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra (or a variation) has been my longtime go-to foundation.
La Prairie’s cream foundation is the best foundation I’ve ever tried.
It’s perfect in quality, confort and finish.
I prefer it more than the TF’s, the MJ’s, the Guerlain’s, or the Dior’s.
Lise Watier or if pressed, MAC. I’m fair olive and don’t need heavy coverage and also don’t have easy access to Sephora or large department stores to try new things. Lise Watier has shades to match me in a couple lines, I can get it locally and it’s Canadian.
i’d say mac, because finally a reason to test their whole range. i don’ t believe in one holy grail anyway, i have different needs from day to day.
Givenchy, especially the Teint Couture Foundation but also the Teint Couture Balm. I´m also thinking about splurging on the Radically No Surgetics even though it is really pricey.
Chanel. The best match for my skin’s undertone.
I think right now Makeup Forever wins, love the ultra HD foundation stick so much, only one I want to use (for now).
Lancome 100% I love the teint idole ultra and their stick foundation
Armani…so light
Estée Lauder Double Wear
BareMinerals. They have color matches for me, their stuff doesn’t oxidize on me, and their foundations work great with my oily, sensitive skin. The Original Foundation Full Spectrum SPF 15 in Fair has been my staple for nearly two decades. I also really love the BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation in Bare Porcelain 01. For light days, the Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Cream Gel in Opal 01 is perfect. It feels like I’m not wearing anything, but it gives a surprising amount of coverage, and it brightens the skin beautifully.
And before some comments on bismuth oxychloride: It is present in the Original Foundation, but not the matte powder foundation. It is not in the Pure Brightening or the Complexion Rescue. I’m not sensitive to it, but some people are, so be aware and be careful.
NARS liquid foundation. It seems like the only one that really works for me and I finally found a pretty close skin tone match.
Laura Geller I prefer to apply the baked with a slightly wet brush. So blendable and the fair is perfect for my light to medium skin tone with pinkish undertones.
Thank You so much for the comment about using a damp brush with you Laura Gellar baked foundation.. I wanted to love this foundation, but didn’t untill I read your review and tried with a little wet brush… perfect!
Thanks Bon Bon
You are so welcome. I have helped some friends convert from dry to damp. It makes such a difference. Also blends the pan colors very well. Glad to help. Merry Christmas…lol!
Estee Lauder for sure. It’s easy to sheer out and builds nicely. I’m oily and Double Wear is one of the only foundations that doesn’t oxidize or breakdown on my oil slick skin. It’s also one of the best matches for my pink undertone.
Beauty Bliss Cosmetics. It is a mineral makeup sold by a lady in New Mexico. You can mix your own or she will create a perfect color for you face. As I have aged, my skin has changed color and it is so nice to have someone recalibrate my makeup color for me. The foundation lasts forever, since it is powder and melts into your skin to look natural. It has some SPF properties and is absolutely gentle to sensitive skin. I have been using it for about 10 years. It’s easy to travel with–no TSA problems and a little goes a long way. 30 oz jar costs $12.50. Can’t bet that!
YSL but there are a lot that I have yet to try that have received great reviews but for right now it would be YSL.
I do use only one brand, personally and professionally: Jane Iredale.
Mary kay
Perricone No Foundation Foundation! Best liquid foundation I’ve ever used. I never expected to like it–have no idea why I even bought it! But I’m glad I did. It’s perfect.
Bare Minerals
Cle de Peau – the color match and real skin look I get from their foundations is impeccable. My secondary choice is Armani.
It Cosmetics
Dior. Best foundation ever for my skin.
Nars for tinted moisturizer.
I can’t choose. I love all of my foundations so much. I don’t have any favorites. But if I had to think of one, it’ll have to be MUFE. It’s amazing. Absolutely amazing.
NARS. All the others are from Mars. ?
Christine, I completely agree that Guerlain makes great foundations. However their pumps drive me nuts! As I get to the bottom, the pump seems as if it can’t get that last quarter amount out. Other than that this is my favorite.
Anything Guerlain, I love all their formulas don’t know why the gold version didn’t make it to the US though
MAC
I love Chanel. Also like Estee Lauder foundation.
Armani – but too bad they D/C the Face Fabric 2nd Skin Makeup! I do have a few stockpiled, but my 2nd fav is Scott Barnes for my dry, winter skin.
Armani has a new foundation coming out in early 2017 that Tim Quinn said is for the Face Fabric fans. It won’t be exactly the same, but it’s supposed to be made for people like you. Face Fabric is where I first fell in love with Armani and I still have one tube unopened myself. I’ll have to break into that soon, but I just found an unopened Maestro compact foundation and have been playing with that for fun. I think it’s a little too full coverage for me; I definitely like lighter coverage and dewy finishes, but regardless Armani foundations are just top notch.
Thank You Lea for that info! I had heard that Armani received non stop emails this past year from customers that suddenly couldn’t find it. It definitely had a devout following!
I never tried the Maestro formula because I had never wanted nor needed a fuller coverage base- but I would be thrilled to find one in my makeup drawer- lucky you!
In winter months I’ve noticed that I react to the cold in a way I never did before- with some red splotches that disappear when I warm up, but I’m seriously looking for another winter base that has more coverage but retains that invisible feel that Face Fabric has.
You definitely made my day Lea- my week in fact! Thanks again.
Yay – reading this has now made my day! I’m with you, I want a foundation to even things out but not be full coverage. I prefer the Maestro Glow to the regular Maestro; the original is too matte for me though you can control the coverage with the Maestro formulation. I’m only “lucky” to find foundation in my beauty closet because I have a horrible habit of buying back-ups sometimes – hence why I still have a Face Fabric! I am making an effort to shop what I already have though, so it’s been a fun experiment so far.
Depending on the price point you want to spend, I do really love my Cle de Peau radiant liquid foundation. I’ve not found anything with that same mousse like texture of Fabric, but you can control the level of coverage and it’s one I like wearing year round. Unfortunate side is the price; I think it’s around $120 but the bottle lasts for me given how much I apply on a daily basis.
My favorite foundation is from Senna cosmetics.
L’oreal .
Why? A lot of options to go for weither it’s shade or formula. I’ll always find what I need.
Probably MAC, Clinique or Estee Lauder. I know all owned by Estee Lauder but they are the only brands I have consistently liked foundations from over the yrs!
If money was no object I would choose Shisiedo because they make their foundations with a really good range for very fair skin with pink undertones. It is a long lasting foundation, but alas very expensive here.
For everyday wear, I always go back to the Rimmel Match Perfection in light porcelain. It could wear a bit longer, but it goes on like a dream and is the right shade for me.
Bourgeois Healthy mix. Great coverage, longevity, color match. Price Is right .
Chanel- vitalumiere Aqua is my holy grail natural looking daily look and has broad spectrum spf15
Buxom Show some skin. Feels great, like nothing & it’s the best colour match for me in Tickle the Ivory.
Why Cle de peau of course! (Because it’s absolute perfection). But I have to say if IT cosmetics improved their shade selection they’d really give my beloved CdP some competition.
I think it’s a tie between MUFE (for their Mat velvet foundation!) or IT Cosmetics (For their Celebration powder foundation! But we can’t seem to get IT cosmetics here in Canada/Ontario??)
I just ordered my first MAC foundation, though, so that might be my new fave!
BareMinerals Original for sure! Once I started wearing it many years ago, I knew my skin improved, but was absolutely amazed when everyone I knew, as well as complete strangers, complimented me on my beautiful SKIN, not makeup,
Either Guerlain or MAC.
I don’t even know what my intentions here are. Just curious if someone experienced the same thing:
I was shopping around for a new foundation, and tried the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea foundation, after reading the positive review on here and that it’s Christine’s new favorite. But I found it to not work for me at all! While we have different skin (lol obviously, and probably why it didn’t work for me), I was surprised because I absolutely love the Guerlain foundations that she rates so highly and seem to prefer. I get why those are such great formulations, as I experienced their positive qualities firsthand. They really do look like skin, have natural coverage, and don’t emphasize texture imperfections. But not with the Tarte one! I am absolutely surprised with how cakey it looked on, and how much it clung to dryness. It just sat on top of the skin and looked like foundation. This kind of confused me, because I tend to agree with all of the descriptions I read on here about quality, performance, etc… and when I come to buy those highly rated products, I also enjoy them immensly. I understand why they deserve those coveted spots.
I ended up buying the MAC studio waterweight foundation instead, after trying 5+ different serum foundations. To be honest, I think it’s a better product. It’s still not as amazing as the Guerlain Lingerie de Peau, but the price per oz is great, it has SPF, comes in tons of colors, applys very easily with a brush, sponge, or hands, has buildable coverage, and looks super natural. People don’t think I am wearing foundation and compliment my skin. Which is bananas.
I would LOVE to know Christine’s take on it. Or anyone else on here. Because so many YT beauty gurus are inconsistent and just describe things with vague adjectives and don’t give me a good feel of product quality.
I haven’t tried ALL of the foundations out there, but I’ve tried many and Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation/Concealer is #1 on my list 🙂 It’s soooo gorgeous. Glides on like a dream and covers everything without looking dry or cakey. And a little goes a very long way!
Free of charge? Armani. If I actually have to pay but am still prohibited from other brands, then Maybelline. Armani Luminous Silk is my number 1 pick, but it’s 60 bucks and I do go through a foundation quickly when it’s not summer. Maybelline holds slots 2 and 3 for me, with their Better Skin and Fit Me lines. Better Skin looks amazing, but if I touch my face, it gets on my fingers and then on everything I touch after. If not for that, I might like it even better than Armani, and it’s 12 bucks. Fit Me (Smooth & Dewy) is a thinner, medium coverage foundation, looks great but if I have anything I want to cover, I need a separate concealer. I don’t with the other two. Oh, and Fit Me is only 6 bucks at Walmart.
I have to go with Dior….
MUFE!
I have three formulas in summer and winter shades. They look wonderful on my aging skin (absolutely skin-like with the Water Blend one) and they make the best colour match over all my many foundations.
Hands down I will never stop using Laura Mercier’s Silk Creme Photo Edition Foundation. It takes very little to cover the whole face, and it smooths out every imperfection. It’s full coverage but doesn’t feel heavy AT ALL, and you can’t “see” it on your skin. The finish is luminous and so beautiful. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
YSL for sure!!!!
Tarte for foundations! As a fair girl, they’re one of the few brands with whom I can find a match, plus I enjoy many of their formulations! Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation in Fair Beige is my favorite foundation of all time; matches well and wears beautifully! Good coverage without being too heavy and never breaks me out. I also really loved Tarte Maracuja Miracle Foundcealer in Fair, which was awesome, but unfortunately a discontinued QVC release. From Ulta, the Tarte Double Duty Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation in Fair Neutral is the lightest powder foundation I’ve ever found (which is a good thing..lol); wears well and provides great coverage, especially for a powder. I’m looking forward to trying out Tarte’s Rainforest of the sea foundation now that a lighter shade exists!