Best foundation of 2021: Here is our selection of top products for all skin types
In this in-depth study, we want to help you identify the foundation with the perfect characteristics for your skin type among the best high-end perfumery and low-cost products.
You must remember, however, that the foundation is a cosmetic that can remain on our skin for many hours, for this reason, you must take into consideration only breathable and high quality products. Whatever the texture: in cream, powder, fluid or liquid, before proceeding with the application never forget to apply a moisturizing cream base, as well as, at the end of the day, be careful to remove everything with special biphasic make-up removers.
After these clarifications, here are our product reviews after 2021 for all skin types.
Watch: How to clean your face like a beautician in your home
See also
Clarins Skin Illusion
Thanks to its pigmented serum formula, Clarins Skin Illusion evens out the complexion and illuminates the face with a splendid ultra-natural effect. It is a foundation with liquid texture, moisturizing and with SPF 15. Available in 24 shades.
Our opinion: the best second skin foundation!
Buy Clarins Skin Illusion with free shipping on Amazon for € 36.29
Studio Fix by M.A.C.
This fluid foundation is the most loved by combination to oily skin and for good reason! Studio Fix guarantees, in fact, a matte coverage with an excellent matte finish. Its formula contains a SPF15 sunscreen and silicia to reduce enlarged pores. No more oily skin, the complexion maintains an even appearance in the evening. The product is available in 64 colors.
Our opinion: the matte matte top finish!
You can find Studio Fix by M.A.C. on Amazon at the discounted price of € 26.19
Forever by Christian Dior
This foundation is able to even out any type of skin, even the most difficult, maintaining an excellent level of hydration for many hours without the annoying shiny effect. It has a rather high sun protection, SPF 35, which makes it perfect for sunny spring days.
Our opinion: the best long-lasting product!
Forever by Christian Dior is available on Amazon on offer at € 38.39
Ultra HD by Make Up Forever
© Make Up Forever see on Amazon
This iconic foundation combines flawless coverage with an imperceptible texture. The winning combination for enhancing the complexion, evening it perfectly, without obtaining an overly artificial effect. It is available in 44 shades.
Our opinion: the ideal to apply before a videocall!
Ultra HD by Make Up Forever is available on Amazon for € 52.95
Dream Satin BB Cream by Maybelline New York
Its creamy and fluid texture blends with the skin to correct its small imperfections, giving it the right brightness. This BB cream, with SPF 30 moisturizing serum, allows you to obtain a fresh and radiant complexion. It is available in 4 color variations.
Our opinion: the perfect BB cream for radiant skin!
Buy Maybelline New York Dream Satin BB Cream on Amazon for € 10.00
Lavera Hyaluron Liquid Foundation
Natural composition + light coverage without markings = the ideal combo for a gorgeous complexion. Its moisturizing formula, infused with hyaluronic acid, ensures excellent long-lasting coverage. The skin is naturally more beautiful. It is available in 4 colors.
Our opinion: the most beautiful natural effect foundation!
You can find Lavera's Hyaluron Liquid Foundation on Amazon at the special price of € 12.57
Can "t Stop Won" t Stop Foundation by NYX Professional
This popular NYX brand product has a liquid texture with an opaque matte finish. Thanks to its vegan formula, it is suitable for both normal and combination, oily and sensitive skin. No more shiny effect, the complexion remains uniform until evening. It is available in 45 colors.
Our opinion: the best cruelty-free product!
Can "t Stop Won" t Stop Foundation by NYX Professional is discounted on Amazon for € 14.99
Even Better by Clinique
Its moisturizing texture with moderate coverage immediately evens out the complexion. It is extremely reliable, ensures a uniform and luminous result for 24 hours, even on the hottest days. It is available in 56 color variations.
Our opinion: it is perfect for combination skin!
Even Better by Clinique is available on Amazon for € 24.69
Face Finity All Day Flawless by Max Factor
Max Factor's Face Finity All Day Flawless with sunscreen, SPF 20, creates a flawless look that lasts for a long time. It is particularly suitable for combination skin and allows to obtain a homogeneous and smooth skin but with a light and natural finish. We love it because it offers the hold of a primer, the coverage of a concealer and the finish of a foundation.
Our opinion: the best product 3 in 1!
Face Finity All Day Flawless by Max Factor can be purchased on Amazon with a discounted price of € 6.60
Infaillible by L "Oréal Paris
Infaillible by L "Oréal Paris is designed to guarantee long-lasting coverage without weighing down the skin.
Its formula is light, ultra-breathable, but resistant to water and lasts up to 24H. It has an SPF 25 sunscreen filter, hydrates and nourishes the skin thanks to vitamin E and natural oils. It is dermatologically tested and is available in 12 shades.
Our opinion: the waterproof foundation par excellence!
Infaillible by L "Oréal Paris is on special offer on Amazon for € 9.90
UV Protective Compact Foundation by Shiseido
This product from Shiseido is a compact powder foundation particularly suitable for oily and mature skin. It minimizes imperfections, especially the so-called "age spots" and has a particular anti-aging formula. Its SPF 30 sun protection and the characteristic of being particularly waterproof makes it ideal for the summer months.
Our opinion: just what you need on hot sunny days!
UV Protective Compact Foundation by Shiseido is available on Amazon for € 28.79
Colorstay by Revlon
Colorstay by Revlon has a fluid texture that makes it easy to apply. It allows to obtain a matte finish, which does not stain and does not leave marks. It guarantees a long duration of 24 hours and has an SPF 20 sunscreen filter. Its formula oil-free formula contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin over time.
Our opinion: the right product for those with dry skin!
Colorstay by Revlon is online on Amazon discounted at € 10.39
Defense Color Lifting by BioNike
Defense Color Lifting by BioNike has a creamy texture capable of giving an impeccable color to the complexion throughout the day. It is emollient, strengthens and protects the skin from environmental damage, free radicals and oxidative stress. The presence of banana flower and centella asiatica extracts reduces skin micro-roughness.
Our opinion: absolutely the best anti-aging proposal!
Defense Color Lifting by BioNike is available on Amazon for € 15.75
Magali Marx's advice: Clarins make-up artist
Whether it is to camouflage some imperfections, make the complexion more homogeneous or reduce the shine of an oily skin, the foundation is a fundamental product for every make-up routine of all ages. In fact, it is good to remember that, as you move on over time, the needs of our skin will change, as will the textures that will be better to use.
According to Magali Marx, expert make-up artists at Clarins "the foundation helps to unify, correct, add brightness or mattify (ed. the skin of the face). It is the backdrop for a beautiful makeup. "These are the characteristics that make foundation an essential cosmetic for everyone.
To help you choose the right product for your skin, understand the right shade, texture and coverage, we asked Magali Marx to give us some suggestions.
How to identify the right shade for you?
Finding the perfect foundation shade is like finding the Holy Grail! Yet, despite the variety of colors continuing to expand for several years, choosing the shade that matches our skin perfectly always proves to be a mission impossible. How then to choose the most suitable shade? Our make-up artist advises us to consider 3 criteria:
- the color of the skin: "Before choosing your foundation, you should try to understand what your skin tone is: light, medium, dark, very dark."
- the undertone: "How you tan is a good indicator. If you get sunburned or if your skin tends to redden after exposure, it is pale and pink. Conversely, if your skin tans easily, your complexion is golden. . A second indicator is the color of the veins. If they are bluish, it is because the complexion is pink, if they are rather green, it is because you have a golden undertone. Finally, if you are undecided between a pink or gold undertone and are afraid of making a mistake, you can choose a neutral product that suits all skin tones. "
- the result of the make-up test: "The best area to try a foundation is the chin. The neck is too light, to find the right shade you have to go closer to your face. In this case, the best option is a foundation that is not visible when you apply it. . "
Compact, liquid, powder ... the texture of the foundation varies according to the type of skin. Here are Magali Marx's advice:
- Dry skin: "First of all, dry skin needs to be deeply hydrated and nourished (you can use Toleriane Ultra Creme by La Roche Posay). It also needs regular exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and restore radiance. Thus, the makeup will look even more beautiful afterwards. The most appropriate texture for this type of skin is the fluid one. Therefore, you must prefer a light, moisturizing and luminous foundation. Clarins' advice is to add a drop of Double Serum to your foundation to increase brightness and naturalness. "
- Mixed skin: "You can choose a fluid texture with a more matte finish, especially for the central area of the face. You can work on the brightness, but on the upper part of the cheekbones or the tip of the nose, avoiding the T-zone.The most important thing to do when you have combination skin is to powder the foundation, focusing on the central area of the face. Spread the powder using a sponge with small touches of pressure. Then, with a large brush, remove the excess material by moving it towards the outside of the face. »
- Oily skin: "For this type of skin, you cannot do without a thorough cleansing. Oily skin produces a lot of sebum and if it is not removed the make-up will not hold up well. To ensure a beautiful complexion all day, it is therefore necessary to apply a ' cleansing water before foundation. Choose a compact powder product to obtain a homogeneous result with your skin. "
The correct degree of coverage of a foundation depends on the needs of the skin. The more small defects to hide, such as redness or blemishes, the higher the degree of coverage required. "If you have spots or small pimples, a foundation that is too light will not cover them, so you need higher levels of coverage. It is important, however, to choose a foundation that, in addition to providing adequate coverage, will take care of your skin and let her breathe.'
How should foundation be applied correctly?To achieve a beautiful natural complexion, the foundation must be applied lightly to avoid a too artificial result. Magali Marx explains that the application varies according to the texture:
- the compact foundation is applied with a sponge
- the fluid one with a brush: "for a light finish, it is necessary to use a brush to gently distribute the product on the face (Clarins face brush). For a more sophisticated make-up it is better to use a flat brush (Clarins flat brush). Whatever tool you use to distribute the foundation, it is a good idea, at the end of the application, to place the palms of your hands in the center of the face and spread the residues of the product outwards. This gesture will allow you to have a natural and matte finish ".
