Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, plant-derived squalane, kombucha | Finish: radiant | Shades: 30
Best Dewy Finish: Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation
Why it’s worth it: For those who prefer light, dewy coverage that can easily build, Charlotte Tilbury’s customizable formula is just the thing. “It has the versatility of a primer, the mega-watt glow of a highlighter, and the perfecting properties of your favorite digital filter,” Tilbury previously told Allure. Made with custom airbrush polymers to blur the pores and glossy oils to help the skin reflect light, the foundation also contains porcelain flower to brighten the complexion. And, darlings (as Charlotte would say), you should see how it bathes the skin in a soft-focus glow.
Tester feedback: “I have three non-negotiable requirements for foundations: It has to be glowy, it has to be lightweight, and it has to look as close to real skin as possible. Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter easily meets all three,” says senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen. “With a light touch and buildable finish, this formula is able to even out all my dark spots and redness without being caked or slathered—and the finish is a glass-skin lover’s dream seeing as it does double duty for highlighter.”
Key ingredients: mica, glycerin, squalane | Finish: radiant | Shades: 12
More medium-coverage foundations we love:
Best Natural Finish: Trinny London BFF All Day Foundation
Why it’s worth it: It’s a little uncommon for a foundation to be presented in a tube but trust that Trinny London’s BFF All Day Foundation is the real medium-coverage deal. Similarly (though more low-key) to a ceramide moisturizer, this breathable, natural-matte base helps smooth and soothe skin. And despite being coined as a matte formula, it doesn’t cling to dry spots or pill when layered with other makeup. Another key ingredient is niacinamide, which hydrates while curbing excess sebum—in other words, you can expect no creasing, caking, or careless movement throughout the day.
Editor’s tip: If, by chance, you’re looking for lighter, more hydrating coverage, BFF De-Stress is so yours. It’s a tinted serum that leaves skin looking plumper and brighter.
Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, pro-ceramide, noni leaf extract, vitamin E | Finish: natural matte | Shades: 18
Best for Dry Skin: Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30
Why it’s worth it: Want to know how a real fashion icon of New York City gets flawless medium coverage and a skin-like finish? Psst: “I use this foundation on my client Jenna Lyons,” says Kasey Spickard, a makeup artist based in New York City. “It has a light-to-medium, fresh, dewy coverage that is buildable to a full-medium coverage.” What Spickard loves most about the Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation is its knack for delivering a natural-looking glow—perfect for that casually cool, no-makeup makeup look. “It really does look like skin, while also evening out skin tone and any imperfections,” Spickard says. On an even brighter note, the foundation is enhanced with SPF 30.
