Finding the right foundation can be an arduous task. You have to think about your skin type, are you oily or dry, combination or sensitive? You have to think about your skin undertone – are you warm, cool or can you go either way? And of course there’s actually finding the right colour full stop. The one that blends effortlessly with your natural skin colour and tone, while making your skin look fresher and more fabulous.
So where’s a girl to start in the eternal search for her perfect foundation? Well, we’ve found our top ten* foundations that Beauty Review members have rated and loved – and you can’t beat a good recommendation from New Zealand women!
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24h
What They Say: Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24h’s Eternalsoft Polymer allows increased comfort level with ultra‑long wear. NAI pigments are specially coated pigments, which maintain consistent pH level with skin, so color stays true all day.
What You Say: After trying a few different mineral powders and foundations I asked for a sample of Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24h. LOVE! Goes on smoothly, great coverage and even after a full day its still on and my face is not shiny! I just bought the full size and it is worth every cent. BR Member, jones2foster
MAC Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation
What They Say: MAC Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation is a one-step powder and foundation that provides a smooth, flawless, all-matte, full-coverage finish. Long-wearing, velvety texture allows skin to breathe.
What You Say: This Powder is amazing it has a great smooth consistency that gives medium to full coverage depending on how much applied. I use it to set my foundation and it spreads nice and evenly over my skin hiding all my freckles and unwanted acne scars! It also leaves it feeling very soft and velvety. BR Member, Jess_eca89
Avon Skin Goodness Mineral Liquid Foundation
What They Say: Lightweight breathable foundation with Avon’s exclusive mineral blend plus vitamins and antioxidants provides essential moisturisation and buildable coverage.
What You Say: I love the formula of this foundation and the good-for-your-skin, mineral aspect! It's gorgeously light when on but with great coverage and I find it makes my skin glow! Thumbs up from me! BR Member, Sparkle-e
bareMinerals Original Mineral Foundation
What They Say: Our award-winning bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation gives impeccable coverage with the look of beautiful bare skin.
What You Say: I was bought the starter kit for a birthday present and I have never gone back to liquid foundation! Its so perfect for my skin, I have dry and oily skin, and can easily break out. If you don't like wearing heavy makeup, this is perfect for you, light but good coverage. Great product! BR Member, natasha_jaye
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation
What They Say: Give your skin a radiance boost and leave it looking flawless for up to 16 hours! Bourjois’ new Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix foundation is enriched with a fruit therapy formula to enhance your complexion.
What You Say: It smells amazing, has a silky feel when applied and blends beautifully! I have dry skin and this foundation gives me a dewey glow, it lasts all day and doesn't oxidise or cake at all. I set it with translucent powder which helps it last. BR Member, Chelledunky
Max Factor CC Cream
What They Say: MAX FACTOR CC Cream provides intense complexion correction immediately on application, to create a healthy, natural-looking glowing skin statement.
What You Say: This is awesome! Has great coverage and a little goes a long way! I have very pale skin and the fair was a great match for me. Goes on smoothly and stays put, I love this on days that I just can't be bothered with a face full of foundation, quick and easy to apply and looks fantastic. BR Member, Devoured
Nude By Nature Natural Mineral Cover Powder Foundation
What They Say: This Award Winning product will enhance and even out your skin-tone, cover redness, enlarged pores and pigmentation, and is suitable for use on all skin types.
What You Say: I love the light feeling on your skin and how easy it is to apply and blend. The SPF is a nice added bonus. It gives you great natural coverage and does not make my skin break out. 100% recommend. BR Member, chelche_16
Revlon Colorstay Foundation Combination/Oily Skin
What They Say: REVLON Colorstay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin provides longwearing coverage with a lightweight formula that won’t cake, fade, or rub off.
What You Say: The product is easy to blend and lasts all day when set with a pressed powder. The pump bottle is also perfect for dispensing small amounts. I have oily/acne prone skin and this didn't break me out and also reduced shine. BR member, fangirl555
Estee Lauder Double Wear
What They Say: 15-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity.
What You Say: Year after year I keep coming back to this foundation. I was initially introduced to this product on my wedding day and I've never looked back! It goes on easily, gives amazing coverage and stays put all day! BR Member, Alasha Randle
e.l.f Studio Acne Fighting Foundation
What They Say: This lightweight acne fighting foundation works to disguise redness, blemishes and uneven skintone.
What You Say: I LOVE THIS PRODUCT SO MUCH! I use a mixture of buff and porcelain depending on what time of the year it is. It blends effortlessly, it has full, even coverage and can be layered on without looking cakey. BR Member, helenelow
So there you have it – your top ten foundations! How lucky are we to have such an amazing range of foundations at an excellent range of price points, that we can try and buy to get our most flawless face ever?
So do tell, was your favourite foundation in there? Are you tempted by a foundation you saw? Yet to review your foundation? Get reviewing and share with our members your fab foundation find!
* The top ten foundations have an overall rating of at least 4/5, with a minimum of ten reviews.
Avon Skin Goodness Mineral Liquid Foundation - the picture is of the powder but yes I was a fan of this one! It's discontinued now but if your lucky you can find it. The blushers eye shadows and bronzers of this line were luminous and had a bit of sparkle and luster without being over the top. I loved colour stay as a teen with real bad acne. Would like to try a few more of these