Makeup artists use a variety of foundations, but favorites often include Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk for natural radiance, MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD for photo-perfection, Estée Lauder Double Wear for long-lasting wear, and professional brands like RCMA & Kryolan for custom mixing, as they value versatility and performance in different lighting and skin types. They often mix products or use concealers for tailored finishes, rarely relying on just one.
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It can be argued that using a brush not only gives you a cleaner routine (without the foundation-covered fingers) but also helps you achieve a smoother, seamless finish. “With a brush, you're quicker at applying and buffing in. You don't need to keep going back to make sure it's blended,” explains Katie.
The "best" foundation depends on your skin type and desired finish, but top-rated options include Armani Luminous Silk for a natural glow, Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech for comfortable coverage, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless for full coverage, and L'Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear as a standout drugstore choice. Other favorites are NARS Radiant Longwear (full coverage), Dior Backstage Face & Body (natural), and Ilia Serum Foundation (dewy, skincare-focused).
Many makeup artists swear by brands like MAC and Smashbox for their reliability and performance. These brands offer a wide range of products that cater to different skin types and tones, making them essential tools for any artist.
One of the top trends among A-listers is airbrush makeup, and one of the most popular brands in this space is TEMPTU. Used by the likes of Zoe Kravitz and Sona Kapoor, TEMPTU makeup delivers a perfectly flawless finish that stays on all night long.
"No. 1 foundation" refers to the N°1 DE CHANEL Revitalizing Foundation, a luxury makeup product focused on anti-aging, hydration, and protection, using red camellia oil for a radiant, natural finish with buildable coverage. It's known for blending natural ingredients (up to 97%) with performance, providing luminosity, comfort, and smoother-looking skin over time.
There's no single "number one," but Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation is consistently praised for mature skin (weightless, luminous finish), while Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance offers hydration, and L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Serum Foundation is a great affordable choice with SPF. Key features to look for are hydration, light-reflecting/glowy finishes, and formulas that don't settle into fine lines, with ingredients like niacinamide being beneficial for skin barrier repair.
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8 Tips for Flawless Foundation
Use a Damp Makeup Sponge
It's a question that baffles many people. Here's the kicker: You should always use a damp Beautyblender. While using a dry sponge is a common blender mistake, you should always use a wet one to reduce foundation waste and achieve a smoother and more blended finish.
To avoid drawing unwanted attention to the area, many makeup artists would recommend not applying too much, if any, foundation around the eye. Instead, they suggest using a hydrating, lightweight concealer that has been designed specifically for the under eye area.
Angelina Jolie has worn Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate Soft Radiance Foundation for a smooth, radiant finish.
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The best choice depends on your skin type, the finish you want, and how you like to apply your makeup. Liquid foundation offers more variety in coverage and finish, while powder foundation excels at oil control, portability, and quick application. Many makeup enthusiasts use both.
Best Foundation For Wrinkles
This is because heavy makeup (particularly matte foundations) formulas can sit in wrinkles and creases causing them to look more pronounced. Instead, choosing a lightweight liquid foundation that looks more like a second skin, and applying it strictly only where you really need it, will give you a healthy radiant glow.
Top-rated foundations vary by skin type and desired finish, with popular choices including Haus Labs Triclone (luminous, comfortable), Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless (full coverage, matte), NARS Light Reflecting (radiant, medium coverage), and budget favorite L'Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear (buildable, long-lasting). Other highly praised options are Dior Backstage Face & Body for overall performance and Estee Lauder Double Wear for extreme longevity.
The best foundations for mature skin are lightweight, hydrating formulas with skincare benefits that provide a luminous or natural finish, avoiding heavy coverage that settles into lines; top-rated options include Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance, L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Serum, NARS Light Reflecting, and Dior Backstage Face & Body, focusing on ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and SPF to plump, smooth, and brighten skin.
Applying too much product
It's like oil painting —the more you add, the more textured it's going to appear. If you plan to wear a full face of makeup and want to avoid a cakey foundation, apply your products in thin, even layers and let each layer dry and set before proceeding with the next step in your routine.
Is wearing a primer necessary? Not exactly. According to Machhausen, whether or not you actually need a primer all depends on your skin and how it behaves under makeup. “If you have oily skin or need your makeup to last all day, a primer can make a noticeable difference,” he says.
Our favorite full-coverage foundation is the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation, thanks to its smooth formula, excellent buildable coverage, and airbrushed finish on the skin. If you're searching for a more budget-friendly option, the Maybelline Super Stay Lumi-Matte Foundation is the way to go.
Think of primer as your pre-makeup filter. A blurring primer fills in enlarged pores, softens rough skin texture, and creates a more even canvas. It also helps your foundation sit on top of the skin instead of sinking into lines or textured areas. Look for formulas that smooth without the heavy, silicone-y feel.
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