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The 15 Best Foundations for 2026

The 15 Best Foundations For 2026

Best Foundations

Have you found ‘the one’ yet? Of course, we’re talking about finding the best foundation for your skin type. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to acing your base. With so many types of coverage and finishes it can be tricky finding your perfect match. No matter what your skin type - oily, dry, or combination - make use of our trusty Foundation Shade Finder to find a powerhouse foundation for you. Once you find it, you'll never look back.

Best foundations at a glance - our top picks:

Best foundation for dry skin: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £39

Best foundation for mature skin: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £47

Best full coverage foundation: Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Liquid Foundaton, £39

Best foundation for buildable coverage: Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Long Wear Foundation, £17.99

Best foundation for combination skin: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation, £39

By Sephora UK Makeup Editorial Team

Writers and experts

Updated: 15 April 2026

YSL Beauty

All Hours Foundation SPF39

Yves Saint Laurent

All Hours Foundation - 24-Hour Matte Foundation With High Coverage

£44.00

Best long-lasting foundation

Add a bit of luxe to your complexion routine with this premium, long-lasting YSL Foundation. Guaranteeing your base stays flawless whether you’re at your desk, the dancefloor or something in-between. Packed with pigment, this full coverage foundation is water and transfer resistant, making it budge-proof. Foundation with an oil-free formula - acne-prone skin sufferers can rejoice.

Tried and tested: “The most sleek and smooth liquid foundation I have ever tried - you know a foundation is great when your hubby notices and says your skin looks flawless today! Thanks YSL, you have ticked all the boxes of shade, coverage and quality.” - Customer Review
ILIA

True Skin Serum - Foundation

ILIA

True Skin Serum - Foundation

£50.00

Best for a skin-like finish

Skin that looks like skin has never been easier. Meet ILIA’s True Skin Serum-infused Foundation with buildable, medium coverage and a beautifully natural finish. Now with active levels of skincare ingredients, including Niacinamide and Allantoin, this silky, breathable formula helps smooth and soothe to visibly improve bare skin over time. From an array of 30 shades, the weightless foundation melts in and seamlessly blends for all skin tones.

Tried and tested: "Great coverage, smooth application. Not too heavy. Doesn't crease or crack - feels like it moves with you. Great polished look!" - Raina B, Customer Review
MERIT Beauty

The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

MERIT BEAUTY

The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

£34.00

Best stick foundation

For anyone who believes foundation should work smarter, not harder, MERIT The Minimalist is a modern classic. This clever complexion stick sits somewhere between foundation and concealer, delivering effortless, targeted coverage exactly where you want it - and nowhere you don’t. With a natural, skin‑like finish and a formula that blends in seamlessly, it’s perfect for streamlined routines, busy mornings and makeup bags that value versatility. Swipe it on, buff it out, and enjoy that “I woke up like this” confidence.

Tried and tested: "I have normal to dry skin and I found this to be fantastic. My skin looks very even and airbrushed without feeling or looking heavy. I would say if you have very dry skin it probably wouldn’t be suitable and I could see it clinging to dry patches. Shade range is great and has a great longevity! I loved the product so much I have since bought more MERIT things to try out." - Gabrielle, Customer Review

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FAQs

The 15 Best Foundations For 2026

What is foundation?
Foundation makeup can be applied to the face to help create an even skin tone or cover blemishes. Liquids, powders, creams, or sticks - all forms of foundation help to smooth out the skin and help your natural beauty shine.
Foundations provide the best of both worlds; whether you fancy a subtle look or want to amp up the drama, there are buildable formulas from sheer to full coverage. Choose the best finish for your skin type: dewy for a radiant glow, matte for a shine-free appearance, or natural to strike a balance. Liquid foundations are the most versatile, and are suitable for most skin types. For those with oily skin, powder or matte foundations are your best bet. After more hydration? Opt for cream foundations, similar to the likes of a CC cream. And if you're always on the go, stick foundations are the most convenient and super easy to apply.
Many foundations include hydrating ingredients like moisturisers, pigments to add colour, and SPF protection. With a range of foundation shades and undertones, it's possible to find a shade that's true to you. Or, mix two shades together to get a match made in heaven. And if you're asking, how do you apply foundation? Use makeup brushes, sponges, or your fingers - the choice is yours.
What to look for in a foundation
Consider your skin type. If your skin is typically dry, look for a foundation that uses hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid. This will help give your complexion a healthy, dewy finish. For oily and spot-prone skin, opt for oil-free and non-comedogenic bases to curb excess shine. Combination skin can be hard to please. Your best bet would be an oil-free formula that’s made with hydrating ingredients so you can nourish drier areas of your skin without clogging oilier patches.

What type of finish do you prefer? This will help you narrow down the search. Whether you like a radiant glow, a velvety matte effect or a subtle hint of coverage, think about what look you want to achieve before you start scrolling.

Ease of application. Are you likely to wear your foundation over a primer? Do you take the time to blend in with a foundation brush? Or, are you more inclined to quickly apply with your fingers? Different foundations will lend themselves better to different application methods. At a glance, full coverage formulas will usually need more patience to blend in properly with a brush or beauty sponge, while lightweight, sheer options only need the warmth of your fingers for a natural-looking finish.
How we choose the best face foundations
When narrowing down the very best foundations, we're looking for the formulas that tick all the boxes: coverage, staying power, blendability, shade range and bonus skincare benefits. Of course, your reviews play an important part, too. When a foundation racks up all those five star reviews, we pay attention. If you're looking for something that won't break the bank, there's some impressively low-priced options in here.

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