We asked some of the top celebrity makeup artists in the world what they consider to be the best foundation in the world. Here, the 10 formulas they swear by for the best skin of your life.
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Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation ($46)
“It’s buildable and natural. It glows, but not too much. It looks good on everyone. It could use a few more darker shades, but it’s a special formula.” –Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg
Shu Uemura Cream Cover Stick Foundation
“My all-time favorite foundation has since been discontinued, but it gave buildable coverage, was comfortable on the skin for hours and always looked radiant in photos. Plus, it was so easy to travel with in my kit as a carry-on. Full coverage or just for touch ups, this stick foundation was the best.” –Celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin
Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Youthful-Look 24H Foundation SPF 25 ($46)
“I love it because it mimics skin’s natural texture and is buildable to the coverage level you desire. It’s self-setting, so no need to finish with any powder if you don’t want to. Also, it has a unique type of SPF—the first of its kind—that has NO flashback. So for artists or people around a lot of flash, it’s genius.” –Celebrity makeup artist Sarah Tanno
Koh Gen Doh Maifanshi Moisture Foundation ($70)
“It’s got the best pigment range, staying power and finish—and it comes in this toothpaste-like tube that travels wonderfully.” –Celebrity makeup artist Dionne Wynn
“It’s a ultra-lightweight with a luminous finish, has great buildable coverage and is perfect for anyone looking to fake amazingly glowy, hydrated skin.” –Celebrity makeup artist Amber Amos
Surratt Beauty Surreal Skin Foundation Wand ($65)
“It comes in an amazing tube with an artist-designed brush on the end and acts as a primer, foundation, and powder in one. It has buildable coverage that never looks cakey or heavy. The undertones of the shades are perfect, which is something many brands don’t think about. With the proper blend of color, you don’t need 900 options that are all yellow, you can cover global skin tones with 15 options.” –Celebrity makeup artist Mary Irwin
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($44)
“I’m obsessed with this high-gloss complexion ‘booster’ than can be used by itself, under, over or mixed with other foundation products. It gives a beautiful, radiant glow to the skin that looks illuminated and perfected. I incorporate this in 99% of all complexion that I work on. It love it alone for sheer, glowy coverage or mixed into other foundations for lit-from-within skin. A makeup artist must-have!” –Celebrity makeup artist Michael Patterson
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation ($43)
“It’s full coverage, makes skin look and feel smooth and has a dewy finish, which is something I always look for.” –Celebrity makeup artist Millie Morales
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($64)
“My favorite of all time. It comes in a good shade range and totally melts into the skin, so the application is easy and flawless. It provides such beautiful coverage without being heavy or cakey.” –Celebrity makeup artist Maddie North
Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect Foundation ($52), L’Oréal True Match Super Blendable Makeup ($11)
“The best foundation is one that creates buildable coverage. It must be able to last for at least 12 hours, and must have wide range of shades for a variety of natural skin tones. These are my favorites at the moment that check all of the boxes.” –Celebrity makeup artist Markphong