The Best New Foundations, Tested By Us
Luminous Silk Foundation
£49 | Armani Beauty
“For every day, I tend to reach for my trusty light base and heavy-duty concealer combination over a traditional foundation. But I still like having one on standby for special occasions to help my skin appear more uniform. For years I’ve worn Armani’s rightly iconic Luminous Silk. It wears beautifully, evening out discoloration without fully masking the skin beneath – I love that when I apply it, I can still see my freckles coming through. I totally get the heartbreak of having one of your ride-or-dies reformulated, but don’t panic, this is reassuringly close to the original, yet somehow better. The lit-from-within, skin-like quality remains, but with added hydration and comfort thanks to niacinamide, glycerin and Mediterranean flower extracts. The shade range has also expanded to 44, with green and blue pigment added to help those with olive and deeper skin tones find a truer match. I wear shade 4.5.” – Orin Carlin, Beauty Writer
Available at LOOKFANTASTIC.COM
Forever Skin Glow Foundation
£52 | Dior
“In all honesty I normally avoid the word ‘glow’ when choosing foundations to try, as my skin can get oily through the day and I worry they might just induce more shine. But I gave this a try and am thrilled I did, because it’s becoming a firm favourite. Niacinamide helps with oil control but hyaluronic acid keeps the skin moisturised, and the result is a radiant – not reflective – finish. I like that it’s truly buildable too, working as well as a light, tone-evening wash as it does as a full-coverage look. Shade 3N is a near-perfect match for me.” – Jenn George, Beauty Director
Available at BOOTS.COM
Double Wear Longwear Matte Foundation
£39.50 | Estée Lauder
“My first proper dabble with make-up was slathering myself in Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation back in my early teens. My ethos? The thicker the better. However, it always stuck with me that it was an exceptionally fast-drying formula that needed to be worked into the skin quickly. Fast forward nearly 10 years and it’s firmly back in my make-up kit, thanks to its skincare-infused update. It’s more of a glow-giver, and you have way more time to build and blend. It’s still more of a medium-coverage foundation, and has been the one I reach for when I have a work dinner or I’m getting dressed up for date night as opposed to day-to-day wear.” – Mollie Burdell, make-up artist & SheerLuxe contributor
Available at ESTÉELAUDER.CO.UK
Double Serum Foundation
£41.65 (was £49) | Clarins
“This is the kind of foundation I reach for when I want real coverage but still want my skin to look like skin. It gives that polished, luminous satin finish that makes you look fresh, rested and pulled together without ever tipping into heavy. The texture is beautifully light, but it has enough substance to even everything out properly, and you can build it exactly where you need it. What I really love is that signature Clarins sensibility: makeup that gives you instant payoff, but always with skin in mind.” – Alex Steinherr, beauty expert & SheerLuxe contributor
Available at CLARINS.CO.UK
Skin Base
£30 | REFY
“Refy’s first foray into foundation leans into what the brand does best: simple, low-key make-up. It's a lightweight gel formula that hydrates as it goes on, thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while giving that fresh, skin-like finish. The clever push-pump bottle with its built-in palette feels considered rather than gimmicky, making it easy to control exactly how much you use and keep things mess-free. I’ve been wearing it for weeks now, especially on days where I want a lighter coverage without giving up a glowy complexion.” – Sapna Rao, Deputy Editor
Available at SPACENK.COM
Natural Matte Longwear Foundation
£34.80 (was £43) | NARS
“I’ve been a loyal fan of NARS Radiant Longwear Foundation for over a decade. When they launched the matte version, it immediately shot to the top of my make-up wish list. As expected, I’m completely sold on the formula. It delivers the same full coverage I love, but with a more velvety, shine-free finish that still feels comfortable on the skin (and not at all drying like some matte formulas). I find it perfect for the daytime as it’s got such staying power. I wear shades Iguacu or Naminia, depending on whether I’ve been on holiday or not!” – Nana Acheampong, Fashion Broadcaster & Editor
Available at BOOTS.COM
The Foundation Drops
£104 | Victoria Beckham
"Never has there been more hype over a foundation than the Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader The Foundation Drops. A skin-first foundation, the colour matching on this is quite incredible – it seamlessly blends into skin leaving almost no visible sign that you’re wearing make-up (except for the fact your complexion has just undertaken a huge glow-up). Despite looking and feeling minimalist, the formula is hardworking – the signature Augustinus Bader TFC8 complex rejuvenate cells over time, giving you that 'your skin but better' feeling." - Billie Bhatia, Contributing Editor
Available at VICTORIABECKHAMBEAUTY.COM
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