For something that makes such a difference to the overall look of your makeup it’s hard to swap from a favourite.
But there are so many reasons to. The main one is that skincare and makeup innovations are happening all the time, delivering new finishes to foundations as well as texture changes that can be so much more enjoyable to wear than the thick, pore-clogging foundations of old.
Your skin type may also have changed since you last shopped for a new foundation. Skin condition can change due to factors like hormonal shifts and even stress, seasonal changes (cold weather dries skin, humidity increases oil), and aging which means skin has less oil and collagen over time. Your skincare habits—like over-exfoliating or switching to more hydrating products—can also impact skin balance and the way foundation lasts on skin.
After swings between very matte, and very dewy foundations, right now there’s plenty of products that are a happy medium between the two. They deliver on evening out skin tone and hiding discolouration and redness, and have a gently-luminous finish, leaving skin looking soft, smooth and flawless, but still like your actual skin.
What’s more, they are formulated with skin nourishing ingredients and have a lightweight feel, so you don’t get that feeling of being desperate to take off your makeup after a long day.
Don’t forget to also update your foundation brush, it makes a huge difference to the way makeup blends and sits on skin.
Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation SPF15
Bobbi Brown is an incredibly reliable choice when it comes to foundations, proving its worth over decades. This release is a modern take with a light feel, enough covarage to make you feel like skin looks great but a nice natural matte finish. It has a good diverse colour range including different undertones too.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation
Looking for full coverage? This is your best bet. It covers everything you need to for a beautiful even finish without looking fake. Its velvet-matte finish lasts reliably throughout the day on lots of different skin types, too.
Patrick Ta Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation
The name says it all really. This creates luxe, expensive looking skin, like you’re just had a facial. It has a serum-like finish with medium coverage, and does have a slightly more dewy finish but works well with other products like setting powder and blush.
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
It’s not new but it’s still hard to beat the finish and wear of this foundation and its why its still a mainstay in so many makeup artists kits. You can build it up nicely on skin where you need more coverage too.
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation
Leading the way in high-tech, lasting formulation, there’s a reason this has gone viral on social media. It has weightless medium coverage that sits beautifully on skin and comes in a wide range for shades. It flatters mature skin without settling in lines, and even includes arnica that helps reduce redness.
Nude By Nature Perfect Skin Filter Foundation
If you want a more silky, satin-matte finish, this foundation offers a bit of a blurring effect that helps hide pore. As with many products from nude by Nature it has lots of skincare extracts too, With Australian berries, Vitamin E and Licorice Root for hydration and antioxidants that will protect skin throughout the day.
Chanel Healthy Glow Foundation
With the winning combo of being hydrating, but also long-wear, this foundation is a favourite. It feels like a second-skin on and has a lovely radiance that looks especially good on more mature skin or dry skin.
