The 18 best foundations for every skin type in the editorial test - including tips from a make-up expert

How do you find the best foundation? We interviewed an expert and tested and rated the best-known foundations ourselves.

For many people, foundation is part of their daily routine. Sure, as the word suggests, a good foundation is the basis for everyoneflawless The needs are as different as the products available on the market - which is a good thing, but can also be overwhelming. The question is: How do I find the right one?formineHigh?

For this purpose, we consulted an expert who answered the most important questions about foundation for us and gave tips for choosing the “perfect match”. Gordana Hoffmann is training manager at Shiseido Germany and has been working in the beauty industry for many years.

What awaits you:

1. Quick Shop: The 5 best foundations at a glance
2. How do I find the right foundation for my skin type?
3. How do I find the right shade for my foundation?
4. What are the best foundations for a natural look?
5. The 16 best foundations in comparison
6. What is the best technique for applying foundation?

Quick Shop: The 4 best foundations at a glance

How do I find the right foundation for my skin type?

Gordana Hoffmann says it is extremely important to find the right foundation for yourself. After all, not every foundation is equally good for everyone. She says: “The foundation is actually a bit like that. It has a similar performance and task and on top of that it should 'perfect' the skin.” In her eyes, the most important thing is to pay attention to the nourishing properties of the foundation and choose it to suit your own skin type. “There are foundations that are oil-free or silicone-free. There are foundations that are liquid, others are powdery and mattifying. And all foundations can still be nourishing. What is important with every foundation - as with day creams - is that it also protects the skin from environmental stress, or more precisely from UV rays. Sun protection factors are therefore essential for protecting the skin.” Another tip from her: When choosing the texture, pay attention to the texture and formulation of theor day cream. If the two are similar, it makes building the entire look easier and more cohesive.

Trick for choosing the right foundation for your skin type:

“Which foundation works best depends on your skin type,” says Gordana Hoffmann and explains what you should pay attention to.

• If IoilyIf I have skin, I should lean towards a foundation that is moisturizing but also powdery and mattifying and contains little or no oily components.
• If I'm more likely to onedry skintend, then I need oneultra-moisturizingproduct and maybe even one on top of thatnourishing oilscontains.

How do I find the right shade for my foundation?

Once you have found the product with the right ingredients and the right texture, it's time to find the right color and undertone. Many foundations differentiate between warm, cool and neutral undertones. One thing is clear: the greater the color variation, the better and easier for the users. A helpful tip that Gordana Hoffmann gives when finding the right shade: “Some people actually use foundation to look tanned. However, this is not necessarily recommended because you often see edges when you look towards the neck. The best color is the one that is invisible.” What she means is that foundation shouldn't be used to make the face look more tanned. Take on this taskor.

Trick for the right color match for your skin tone:

Gordana Hoffmann has the ultimate tip on how to find the “invisible” – i.e. most suitable – foundation color for you: “Choose three potentially suitable shades for yourself. Apply a stripe of all three colors across the jawline and down the neck. It's the color that blends seamlessly into the neck, so to speak. The foundation should be based on the color of the neck.”

What are the best foundations for a natural look?

and glowy make-up looks are omnipresent and determine the. Gordana Hoffmann also confirms this: “The trend continues towards 'glowy', which makes perfect sense, because skin that shows fresh transparency looks radiant, and the glow factor gives this naturalness.” But how exactly do I achieve this naturalness – despite or even thanks to a foundation? In fact, you can achieve this with almost any product. The expert explains how it works: “Of course a foundation works if you have chosen the right texture and color for you. The right amount is crucial. Less is more, because most foundations are, as they say in modern German, 'buildable'. This means you can apply the product in multiple layers depending on how much coverage you want to achieve.” Another tip for you: Start with a small amount of foundation and apply it from the center of the face outwards. If you don't have enough opacity, you can edit and correct individual areas.

From matte to hybrid to glowy: the 18 best foundations in comparison

You decide what is important to you in a foundation. Whether high coverage, nourishing ingredients or clean formulation. Here we show you products from different price categories for every skin need and every taste - including impressions from our editors who have tested them themselves.

1. Beste Serum-Foundation: “Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation” von Mac Cosmetics

• Tested by:Allegra Isert, Beauty Editor
• Skin type:rather dry

• Colors:56
• Opacity:medium
• Finish:radiant

Why we love the product:A classic on the market that the brand continually reinvents and adapts to different skin needs. This version of the “Studio Fix Foundation” is enriched with serum, which makes it even more nourishing.

Beauty Editor Allegratested the foundation and found: “I've heard a lot about the 'Mac Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation'. That's why I was happy to finally test it myself. Since I prefer to apply my make-up with a sponge, it is important to me that the foundation can be blended quickly and easily. And she does! In the sense ofThe Serum Foundation gets extra points from me because it not only unifies the skin tone, but also provides moisture thanks to hyaluronic acid. This is ideal for my rather dry skin, especially in winter. Even though the formula is very opaque, the result is still natural - just the way I like it. What do I like best about the “Mac Studio Radiance Serum Foundation”? The extremely large selection of colors. With a total of 56 shades, there is something for everyone.”

2. Beste Full-Coverage-Foundation: “Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation” von Fenty Beauty

• Tested by:Lena Raab, Beauty Editor
• Skin type:Combination skin

• Colors:50
• Opacity:hoch
• Finish:matt

Why we love the product:Full coverage? Yap! You don't need a lot of this foundation to give you an even look. It refines the skin's appearance and acts like a filter over the skin. It offers long-lasting wear, is sweat-resistant and available in 50 shades.

3. Best nourishing foundation: “Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation” from Shiseido

• Tested by:Leona Ullmann, Beauty Affiliate Editor
• Skin type:sensitive, oily T-zone

• Colors:24
• Opacity:medium
• Finish:radiant

Why we love the product: Affiliate Beauty Editor Leonatested the “Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation” from Shiseido herself and can say: “The name says it all. This foundation is suitable for anyone who likes the feeling of not even feeling the foundation on their skin. It feels light as a feather and constantly refreshes itself thanks to the “ActiveForce™ Technology” incorporated into it. The result is a flawless finish and a comfortable, luxurious feel. Perfect for everyday wear or layered for a nighttime look!”

4. Best lightweight foundation: “Vegan Collagen Serum In Foundation” by Lumene

• Tested by:Lisa Zirngast, Affiliate Fashion Editor
• Skin type:normal

• Colors:10
• Opacity:light to medium
• Finish:glowy

Why we love the product: Lisa, Affiliate Fashion Editor,says: “I'm not a fan of extremely covering make-up. That's why Lumene's 'Vegan Collagen Serum in Foundation' was a very good choice for me. The product is very easy to apply and build up, which I find super important. So you can work your way up to the desired coverage layer by layer without ever feeling like it's too much. Since I have very fair skin, many foundations turn out to be too yellow or orange for me. Everything came together on this one.”

5. Best drugstore foundation: “Invisible Cover Foundation” by Catrice

• Colors:40
• Opacity:medium to high
• Finish:soft-matt

Why we love the product:What is (unfortunately) not a given for drugstores: offering many colors and undertones. You can buy this liquid foundation from Catrice at the drugstore and it is available (online in the shop and at multi-brand shops) in 40 different colors. It refines the complexion without making it look mask-like and even has a moisturizing effect thanks to hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.

“Invisible Cover Foundation” von Catrice

6. Best luxury foundation: “Forever Skin Glow” by Dior

• Colors:43
• Opacity:medium
• Finish:radiant

Why we love the product:There are many foundations in the high-end segment that perform well. A favorite that we can recommend, especially for dry skin, is this one from Dior. Because the formula consists of 86 percent of a care base enriched with flower extracts, the product helps to intensively moisturize the skin, ensuring a natural finish.

“Forever Skin Glow” von Dior

7. Best foundation for sensitive skin: “Toleriane Corrective Make-up Fluid” by La Roche-Posay

• Colors:6
• Opacity:stark
• Finish:soft-matt

Why we love the product:Even if you have sensitive skin, you shouldn't have to go without a primer. The fluid from La Roche-Posay supports sensitive skin with a soothing formula with thermal water, glycerin and neurosensins and protects it from UV radiation with SPF 25.

“Toleriane Corrective Make-up Fluid” from La Roche-Posay

8. Best foundation under €20: “Perfect Match skin tone-matching makeup” by L'Oréal Paris

• Colors:42
• Opacity:medium
• Finish:radiant

Why we love the product:If you've ever looked for a foundation at the drugstore, you've probably come across “Perfect Match” from L'Oréal. It has a nourishing formula with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, and the texture melts into the skin. The choice of colors is also worth highlighting for the drugstore.

“Perfect Match skin tone-matching makeup” from L'Oréal Paris

9. Beste Cushion Foundation: “Mask Fit Red Cushion SPF40 PA++” von TirTir

• Colors:40
• Opacity:hoch
• Finish:silky-matt

Why we love the product:Cushion foundations have the advantage that they are easy to use thanks to the small “cushion” or sponge as an applicator. With this foundation from TirTir, a Korean brand, you benefit from nourishing ingredients such as niacinamide, reliable coverage and sun protection factor 40.

“Mask Fit Red Cushion SPF40 PA++ Foundation” von TirTir

10. Best foundation for a glowy finish: “Dewy Drop Foundation” from Caia Cosmetics

• Colors:12
• Opacity:light to medium
• Finish:radiant

Why we love the product:If you are looking for a foundation for every day or just love the glowy look, you will definitely be happy with this. The “Dewy Drop Foundation” is a type of serum foundation, a hybrid of skin care and make-up. With light to medium coverage, it ensures an even complexion - the ultimate Scandi glow included.

“Dewy Drops Serum Foundation” by Caia

11. Best foundation with a high SPF: “Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Original SPF 50” by It Cosmetics

• Colors:22
• Opacity:hoch
• Finish:naturally

Why we love the product:Well, strictly speaking, this product is not a foundation, but a CC cream (). But due to the high coverage, for which this creamy CC Cream from It Cosmetics has already gone through the roof online, you can use it as such. In addition, it conceals skin imperfections and is enriched with an “anti-aging serum” made of hydrolyzed collagen, peptides and other active ingredients.

“Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Original LSF 50” von It Cosmetics

12. Best Long-Lasting Foundation: “#Fauxfilter Foundation” by Huda Beauty

• Colors:39
• Opacity:stark
• Finish:matt

Why we love the product:When the keyword “flawless complexion” comes into play, this foundation from Huda Beauty comes into play. It has strong coverage and long wear and mattifies the skin - so that the overall appearance looks as if a filter had been placed over it. So it's ideal for those days when you want a full-glam look or when you need a foundation that lasts reliably.

“#Fauxfilter Foundation” von Huda Beauty

13. Best foundation with a skincare character: “Even Better Clinical Serum SPF20” from Clinique

• Colors:42
• Opacity:medium
• Finish:matting

Why we love the product:Serum foundations are special in that they are a hybrid of facial care and make-up. This serum foundation is enriched with “3-serum technology”, contains an exclusive molecule as well as vitamin C, salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid and also offers great coverage. Ideal for anyone with combination skin who doesn't want to miss out on a care factor.

“Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20” von Clinique

14. Best foundation for a nighttime look: “All Hours Foundation” by Yves Saint Laurent

• Colors:37
• Opacity:hoch
• Finish:soft-matt

Why we love the product:The finish of this foundation from YSL is not too matt, but not too glowy either. Despite the soft-matt finish and full-coverage formulation, it lies so light on the skin that it is barely noticeable. This is possible thanks to the “Skin-Fusing™ technology”, which is intended to imitate the composition of the skin with the aim of creating a “second skin feeling”.

“All Hours Foundation” von Yves Saint Laurent

15. Best foundation for combination skin: “Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation” by Nars

• Colors:33
• Opacity:light
• Finish:naturally

Why we love the product:This foundation, loved by celebrities, is a bestseller for a reason. The formulation with extracts from raspberry, apple and watermelon helps to smooth the skin's texture and is even intended to improve it in the long term. The foundation is long-lasting, gently mattifying, breathable and easy to apply.

“Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation” von Nars

16. Beste “Clean Beauty”-Foundation: Lily Lolo

• Colors:18
• Opacity:medium
• Finish:matt

Why we love the product:A good option for those who are more comfortable with powder foundation and like natural cosmetics is a mineral foundation or powder. This from Lily Lolo conceals gently, is easy to apply and is made from 100 percent natural ingredients.

“Mineral LSF 15 Foundation” von Lily Lolo

17. Best medium coverage foundation: “Louminous Silk Foundation” by Armani

• Colors:37
• Opacity:medium
• Finish:radiant

Why we love the product:This liquid foundation from Armani Beauty is buildable so you can play with the coverage from medium to heavier. Highly effective pigments and an oil-free formulation give it a silky texture that glides over the skin. It is repeatedly mentioned and highlighted as a favorite by celebrities and make-up artists around the world.

“Luminous Silk Foundation” von Armani

18. Best foundation for mature skin: “Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation” by Shiseido

• Colors:17
• Opacity:medium to high
• Finish:radiant

Why we love the product:This foundation plays with light. Thanks to the integrated, adaptable “Light-Adjusting Technology” as well as a mixture of pearls and light-reflecting and powder particles, the skin has a fresh appearance - you could also say: a fresh glow that should last all day. It is suitable for all skin types, but particularly mature skin looks even fresher and more radiant.

“Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation” von Shiseido

What is the best technique for applying foundation?

As different as we humans are, we also apply make-up differently. Of course, this also applies to make-up artists and experts who work with a wide variety of techniques. “I personally love using brushes,” says Gordana Hoffmann. She finds that working with her fingers does not provide the same coverage or precision. “This keeps your fingers clean, you can determine the opacity and blend everything well. However, it is important that the brushes are washed and disinfected regularly. My recommendation: disinfect after each use and wash thoroughly once a week. Hygiene is essential.”