What she thought: I fancy myself a connoisseur of foundation. I've tried many, and I change products throughout the year -- combining for different finishes. But the Merle Norman Perfecting Makeup has found a permanent spot in my tool belt.
It lasts all day with great coverage and a luminous finish, which is hard to come by on 40-something skin. And it's perfect for my nose, cheeks, upper lip and chin, which are always ruddier than the rest of my face. The remainder of my face I simply use La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral, which is a tinted sunscreen that might just change your life. But that's a different article altogether.
What she thought: I am not a foundation wearer. (Team BB all the way.) To me, most foundations feel so heavy they're almost claustrophobic -- I'm itching to wash my face by lunchtime. Thanks to the 57 skin care products I use daily (only a slight exaggeration), I'm pretty happy with my skin. So coverage isn't that important to me.
However, there are times when I feel like I should wear foundation: If I'm going to a big event or a wedding or if I'm doing a television appearance. And my go-to -- one of the only foundations I can tolerate wearing for more than a few hours -- is Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup, $39.
As the name "Naked" suggests, this is a barely-there formula -- it feels like nothing. However, it magically makes every flaw disappear, blurs my freckles and disguises fine lines. It's also matte in the best way: without being drying or flat-looking. And if that weren't enough, it's packed with good-for-your-complexion ingredients, which makes a skin care junkie like me extremely happy. (There's Matrixyl 3000, a line-obliterating peptide, and green tea for antioxidant protection, as well as brighteners and moisturizers.)
This foundation comes in 18 shades, so there's one for every skin tone. I'm generally the palest shade, but in this case I'm the third palest -- a testament to just how wide the range really is. It's so good it has me trading in my BB. Sometimes.
Tester: Erica, Former Assistant Editor Rating: 9.0
What she thought:
I don't typically use foundation. I don't like the feeling of having a lot of product on my skin, and it's nearly impossible find a match for my skin tone. That's why I was so pleasantly surprised to come across The Queen Collection. It has so many shades for darker skin tones that I finally found my perfect match. I use the sponge applicator that comes in the compact to apply it, and a few swipes give me all of the coverage I need.
My skin also tends to get oily later in the day, and this foundation is great for quick touchups and keeping my face matte. The best part is that by the end of the day, I'll forget that I'm even wearing anything on my face, which makes this product perfect for a foundation novice (like me) who wants some backup without feeling weighed down.
What she thought: The love affair that I have with this foundation started as a complete accident. I started using this powder while living abroad when I found myself foundation-less and in a serious makeup jam. I had to forego my regular Bare Minerals, and this Benefit foundation was all I could find on the fly.
Sometimes I feel bad for cheating on my Bare Minerals with a European fling, but Benefit's powder foundation works wonders on my skin. It provides the perfect coverage I need without looking like I layered on the makeup. It stays put all day and the honey color matches my skin tone perfectly.
I use the sponge applicator when I need extra coverage, but otherwise I gently glide on a little powder with the brush provided. This little foundation has become my best friend. I don't know what I'd do without it.
What she thought: My relationship with foundation is complicated. I love it, but there's always something a tiny bit wrong -- it's slightly too dark/orange for my pale, pale skin, it feels too mask-like, it provides flawless coverage but makes me break out ... the list goes on. Which is why I'm willing to splurge on Koh Gen Do's Maifanshi Moisture Foundation. It comes in a shade that perfectly matches my fair skin with pink undertones. The formula is ultra-light and contains light-reflective mineral pigments that blur and diffuse my pores or the occasional blemish. And it layers like a dream, so I can wear it every day or for a night out.
But one of my favorite things about it is that it comes without SPF. I prefer it that way, as I like to use SPF 50 separately from my foundation. Foundations with SPF aren't my favorite, and typically cause me to break out. (Not to mention, it gives you a white cast in photos.) And, since the formula of Koh Gen Do's foundation is made with skin-loving ingredients like vegetable collagen, jojoba oil and squalene, I feel good about putting it on my face.
Finding the best foundation can feel a bit like winning the lottery. More so than any other beauty product, foundation can make or break your entire look — and the trial and error process to find the right formula can be arduous. Got oily skin? You need matte coverage that stays put all day. Mature skin requires something lightweight and dewy that won't cake or settle into fine lines.
So what are the best foundations that rose to our lofty standards? Whether they were drugstore brands or high-end splurges, these 12 top-performing foundations charmed our editors by transforming even the blotchiest and oiliest among us into women with flawless, radiant complexions.
Some foundations were multitasking and eliminated the need for concealer or powder. Others were just good ol' one-hit-wonders that got the job done. Bottom line: These top foundations totally delivered.
But, before you give them a go, keep these expert foundation tips in mind:
• Apply foundation to the center of your face and blend outward. Always use powder sparingly, and to conceal or brighten dark circles, select a concealer with a pink undertone then gently pat it on. — Jane McKay, makeup artist for MAC
• "Always prep with a moisturizer before applying foundation. The extra bit of moisture helps makeup slide on smoothly and evenly." — Barbie Laurino, a global makeup artist for Laura Mercier
• Ideally, your makeup should allow your natural skin to show through, not blanket it. "To get the lightest, most sheer layer of coverage, use a damp sponge or synthetic brush instead of using your fingers." — Makeup artist Sonia Kashuk
