Great makeup begins with a great foundation.
Finding your perfect fit can be a minefield, so we trawled through the results of this years Best in Beauty Awards to bring you the top 10 foundations, as voted by thousands of Australian women.
So scroll through to find your perfect fit – they’re in no particular order.
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Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear scored 4.5 stars from our Trial Team, so you know it’s a winner.
Offering high coverage with 24 hour wear, this foundation leaves your skin looking radiant and velvety without caking.
Available in 40 shades, it’s simple to find your perfect match.
“I wore this on some of the hottest days where the temperature went over 35 degrees and I was covered in sweat but somehow it stayed on my face and gave it a matte finish and did not end up transferring anywhere. I highly recommend this foundation.” bh member Soph. Read more reviews here…
Nutrimetics Professional Flawless Air Serum Foundation SPF 15
Nutrimetics Professional Flawless Air Serum Foundation SPF 15 is a lightweight foundation formulated for that highly coveted ‘your skin but better’ finish.
Suitable for all skin types, this foundation is buildable so if you’re looking for higher coverage on certain days, that’s easy to achieve.
Blending skincare and makeup, the formula contains marine algae extract to improve skin firmness.
“Love this foundation it just feels so smooth and gives the best coverage. It’s my go to daily foundation I’m loving wearing it every day not just for special occasions. the colour can be built up to develop a heavier coverage if needed without feeling thick. The look and feel are amazing and you feel like your skin is made of silk, there is no heavy clogged feeling with this foundation. Lasts right through my busy day with just a mineral powder touch up. I love that this foundation is part of my skincare routine as the serum component acts to hydrate the skin to make it look younger with a flawless finish” – bh member naturalskincarebeauty. Read more reviews here…
Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Everyday Perfection Bouncy Makeup
Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Everyday Perfection Bouncy Makeup mixes the best of skincare and makeup to revitilise and awaken the skin.
Enriched with peppermint, ginseng and caffeine to refresh dull skin.
Combining a powder and a cream, the gel-like formula leaves skin soft with a luminous finish.
“I have been using this product for the past week for work and I really enjoyed it. I have been using liquid foundation for years because I love the coverage and finish. However, sometimes my skin turns will dull after I remove all my makeup. So i want something that can provide me a medium coverage and skin benefits. I do notice EA Flawless Finish awakens, energises and revitalises my skin. I love the natural finish and love the smooth texture on my skin, most importantly it feels weightless. My skin appears to look healthy throughout the day and even after I remove all my makeup.” – bh member Joey502. Read more reviews here…
Maybelline New York FIT me! Matte + Poreless Foundation
Maybelline New York FIT me! Matte + Poreless Foundation has 285 reviews, a clear majority of which are big fans of the cult-favourite foundation.
Perfect for those with oily skin types, the mattifying foundation features micro-powders to absorb oil and give an airbrushed finish.
“This foundation by Maybelline is a classic, I have tried both the dewy and matte, and according to my skin type, the matte is more suitable for me as I do have combination skin. You only need a few dots when applying, and minimal powder after. Using this with the fit me matte pressed powder is a great combination. The packaging also has a sponge and a mirror, making it very convenient to bring on the go.” – bh member all rounded beauty. Read more reviews here…
CLINIQUE Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup SPF 15
CLINIQUE Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup SPF 15 is infused with light-diffusing pigment pearls to soften imperfections.
This foundation gives the skin a luminous finish, perfect for a natural and wearable glow.
“This products was exactly what I was expecting. It glided on beautifully and gave me that instant glow and hydration which is where my skin struggles. I constantly need my skin to feel hydrated because it dries out quickly since I’m exposed to outdoors and harsh environments as I do participate in regular sport and training. The product stays and does not smudge of and can be applied minimally.” – bh member kimberley286. Read more reviews here…
Revlon ColorStay™ Makeup with Time Release – Normal/Dry
Revlon ColorStay™ Makeup with Time Release – Normal/Dry is the ultimate long-wearing foundation.
The time release technology has been created to minimise the need for touch-ups for up to 24 hours, perfect for long days.
“I started using this foundation a few months ago because it was on sale. Prior to this my skin was getting so dry that I would have to keep applying moisturiser to my forehead during the day. This is perfect – stays on all day and doesnt feel really dry like other foundations do. It is a sheer to medium coverage and the shade is really close to my natural skin colour (there is quite a range of colours available). I even wear it on weekends because it is so natural looking.” – bh member Mariamne. Read more reviews here...
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10 has been named the best foundation of 2019, and with good reason.
With 379 reviews (most of which are glowing), this semi-matte foundtion is the perfect combination between high-coverage and long-wearing, without being cakey or unnatural.
A beauty editor staple, this foundation has won in the Best in Beauty awards on four different occassions since 2013, proving itself to be a staple for every beauty lovers makeup kit.
“I fell in love instantly with it and it does not dissapoint! I have dry skin and i struggle to find foundations sometimes that dont look cakey. I always look for full coverage, satin finish foundations that are very longwearing and this ticks all of my boxes! As it is a matte foundation i never thought it would work for me but gee whiz it does!” – bh member shanhads. Read more reviews here…
Nude by Nature Natural Mineral Cover Foundation
Nude by Nature Natural Mineral Cover Foundation is a cruelty-free foundation that you can wear either sheer or build up to full coverage.
The lightweight formula adapts naturally to skin tones, evens out pigmentation, covers redness and conceals enlarged pores.
With jojoba esters to nourish the skin and koalin clay for a flawless complexion, this is a foundation that takes great care of your skin while you wear it.
“Coverage is light-medium, so perfect for daily wear. It doesn’t feel cakey at all and honestly doesn’t feel like anything is even on your face which I love. It blends really nicely and doesn’t leave any streaks or lines. With every other foundation, my skin has been looking disgustingly shiny by midday but this product absolutely stays put even without setting powder or primer!” – bh member co99. Read more reviews here…
M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 was the runner up for 2019’s Best Foundation.
The formula is medium but buildable coverage that gives a matte finish. It’s long-lasting and oil free, making it perfect for those with oily skin types.
“I have heard so many wonderful things about this foundation but was so scared to try it as i knew it was a matte foundation! I have very dry skin so matte foundations normally look horrendous on my skin. I was invited into MAC to get colour matched and they helped me create the perfect base to have underneath this foundation. Firstly they used the fix+ and then the strobe cream in peachlite and this created the perfect base for this foundation. My skin was so hydrated and luminous after these two products the studio fix looked flawless and glowy on top of it! I love the coverage and the longevity of it, such an amazing foundation with an amazing amount of shades!” – bh member shanhads. Read more reviews here…
jane iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation
jane iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation isn’t just a foundation, it’s also a concealer, powder and broad spectrum SPF 20.
Pine bark extract, vitamin E and algae extract hydrate skin and combat free radicals, while titanium dioxide and zinc oxide protect from the sun.
“I love the smooth barely there finish of this pressed mineral powder base. It delivers an even toned complexion without feeling heavy and importantly on hor days or when you have those hot flushes it lets my skin breathe and remains where it should – where I applied it. The formula is suited for very sensitive skin. The pressed compact refills are budget friendly and lasted me with daily usage just over 3 months”. Read more reveiws here…
The Arden one looks so nice
I've used a few of these, however I'd like to try the Nutrimetics because of the lightweight formula.
Where are you located I might be able to help?
I've been using MAC for years. I'm very happy with it.
I have tried the FitMe and liked it, very keen to try Lancome's one, has been on the wishlist for a while.
Have used this foundation and found it to be excellent. Love Revlon products.
Ooh lovely brands
Suprised born this way isn't on this! It's my absolute favourite, although I can never get a good shade match haha
If you have time then definitely go for it, also do not hesitate to request for lighter/darker shade from what you have been matched if you wish as you know your skin best. Many people have unfortunately been color matched to a shade lighter.
I saw lancome Absolue have a foundation and Giorgio Aramni has a new one too, a nude one
The Lancôme one gives me a flawless finish.
Maybelline for me.
I love them all