Best foundations in Australia

The best foundation for every skin type in Australia

• Best overall foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Mattifying Liquid Foundation
• Best cruelty-free foundation: The Ordinary Coverage Foundation
• Best vegan foundation: Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
• Best foundation for dry skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint
• Best foundation for oily skin: Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation
• Best foundation for mature skin: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
• Best full-coverage foundation: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation
• Best sheer foundation: MAC Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation
• Best powder foundation: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
• Best drugstore foundation: L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation
• Best dewy foundation: Revlon PhotoReady Candid Glow Foundation
• Best matte foundation: L'oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte 24Hr Foundation

A foundation is a makeup product applied on the face to create a smooth, even base. It comes in many different forms, including stick, cream, powder and liquid. Liquid options are the most popular because they offer sheer to full coverage without looking cakey.

Shopping for a foundation can be an overwhelming experience because there are hundreds to choose from. To find the best product for your skin, consider the level of coverage you want, your undertone, the type of foundation you prefer and the price. Other factors to consider include the foundation's scent, longevity and SPF feature.

For this list, we examined hundreds of foundations available in various online retailers like Amazon, Adore Beauty and MECCA. We chose products based on customer reviews and ratings. We also chose options for each category based on key product features such as value for money, shade range, coverage level and packaging.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

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For the best overall foundation, our pick is Maybelline's Fit Me Matte & Poreless Mattifying Liquid Foundation. This iconic product has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 63,000 Amazon reviews.

A mattifying foundation that provides a flawless finish, Fit Me Matte & Poreless is a cult favourite. It leaves a long-lasting, natural finish to the skin while controlling shine and blurring pores. It is lightweight and doesn't cake. Apart from being non-comedogenic, this foundation is dermatologist and allergy-tested. It comes in 40 shades as well.

Customers praised the product's ease of use, value for money and longevity. It can be applied using a brush, beauty sponge or just your fingers. It gives a medium, buildable coverage that doesn't feel heavy on the skin. One major con for buyers is that this foundation tends to oxidise over time. Some recommend getting a shade lighter to offset this issue. Others also found the formula too mattifying for dry skin.

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Our choice for the best cruelty-free foundation is The Ordinary's Coverage Foundation, which has an average rating of 4.35 out of 5 stars on Adore Beauty and Myer.

A full-coverage foundation with a creamy texture, The Ordinary's Coverage Foundation comes in 21 shades and offers a semi-matte finish. It can be sheered out for a more natural effect or built up to hide imperfections and redness.

The Coverage Foundation is a budget-friendly option if you're looking for a cruelty-free base. It spreads easily using a sponge or brush. The highly saturated pigments are suspended in the brand's proprietary spreadability system to give a naturally smooth finish. It doesn't cling to dry patches, making it a suitable candidate for dry skin. But people with oily skin might need to use a setting powder with this product.

Check out our full review of The Ordinary Coverage Foundation to learn more.

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We recommend the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation as the best vegan option. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 reviews on MECCA.

Featuring a vegan and cruelty-free formula, Too Faced's Born This Way Foundation offers medium to full coverage that can be sheered out with a moisturiser for off-duty days. It has a semi-matte finish that blurs imperfections while smoothening the skin's texture for a radiant look. While the formula is matte, it has alpine rose to add a bit of glow to the skin. It also comes in 35 shades to suit most skin tones.

Despite offering heavy-duty coverage for glam looks, this foundation is lightweight and non-cakey. It offers a naturally flawless finish that lasts all day. According to reviews, it has superb oil control while adding radiance to the skin. It also doesn't oxidise. But despite being infused with hyaluronic acid, some people with dry skin said it gets patchy around the eye area.

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If you have dry skin, you might want to give Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint a try. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint is an oil-free, sheer coverage product that provides plumpness and hydration to the skin. It offers a radiant, natural finish for everyday wear, leaving the skin smooth-looking and even. It is non-comedogenic and comes in 10 shades.

An easy-to-use product, this foundation doesn't settle into fine lines and dry patches. It is non-cakey, giving a sheer, dewy finish that lasts all day. While it doesn't cover imperfections, it evens out redness for a more put-together look. The shade range is quite limited, which makes finding a perfect match a bit difficult.

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Shiseido's Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation is our pick for the best foundation for oily skin. It has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from Amazon and MECCA reviews.

The Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation is an oil-free, hydrating and long-wearing base that offers up to 24 hours of weightless wear. It features ActiveForce technology that claims to prevent the foundation from creasing or fading. It is also formulated with thyme extract to infuse the skin with antioxidants and protective polymer that prevents skin damage from free radicals. It comes in 30 shades to fit most skin tones.

Customers praised the product's flawless finish, ease of application and longevity. It has a waterproof and smudge-proof formula that offers medium, buildable coverage. It has a natural finish that controls oil throughout the day, even in humid conditions. Reviewers added that it doesn't oxidise or cling to dry patches, making it suitable even for those with drier skin. But because the formula is heavy-duty, removal requires a cleansing oil or micellar water.

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We recommend Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation as the best option if you have mature skin. This product has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Sephora and 4.6 on Myer.

Inspired by charmeuse silk, this Giorgio Armani foundation uses Micro-fil technology to sculpt and brighten the skin. It offers medium coverage for a flawless, lit-from-within glow. It also blurs imperfections and doesn't settle into fine lines for a more natural finish. Apart from being dermatologically tested, it comes in 40 shades.

Despite its hefty price tag, this product has won many loyal customers over the years. It has a fuss-free, lightweight formula that can be applied with any tool of your choice. Its fluid consistency sinks into the skin without enhancing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It is non-greasy and fragrance-free as well. Some customers said it's not really buildable, but this seems to be a minor concern.

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For the best full-coverage product, we chose Estée Lauder's Double Wear Foundation. This foundation has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Adore Beauty and Sephora.

This foundation offers long-lasting full coverage that is lightweight and non-cakey. It has a matte (but not flat) finish that looks flawless and natural. According to the brand, it is heat-resistant, life-proof and doesn't oxidise. It comes in over 50 shades as well.

A waterproof product, the Double Wear Foundation is a classic favourite. Avid users stated that they have used this foundation for years and it has never failed them. The matte finish offers fantastic oil control, perfect for those with oily skin. It is also easy to blend using a sponge or brush for buildable coverage, to hide redness and imperfections. The product is housed in a sleek glass bottle with a gold cap, but you need to buy the pump separately.

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MAC's Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation is our choice for the best sheer foundation. On MECCA, it has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars and 4.5 on Adore Beauty.

The MAC Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Foundation is the reformulated version of the backstage favourite Face & Body Foundation. Now with a wider shade range, this product still gives the same sheer, buildable coverage and radiant finish that the old formula was known for. It has an ultra-fluid texture that spreads easily using a brush, sponge or your fingers.

This foundation is a great option for those who want a model-off-duty look. While it might be too sheer to cover imperfections, it gives a naturally glowy finish to the skin that lasts all day. It can also be used on the legs and body. It comes in over 20 shades as well.

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If you prefer powder foundation, check out the MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. This product has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon and Myer.

Another cult favourite from MAC, the Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation comes in a handy compact for on-the-go application. It offers medium to full coverage to even out redness and cover imperfections. The finish is matte and lightweight, suitable for oily skin. Apart from being sweat and humidity-resistant, it doesn't have any flashbacks.

Numerous buyers were impressed by the product's smooth texture, longevity and ease of application. It can be used as a base makeup, a setting powder and for touch-ups throughout the day. It comes in a wide range of colour-true shades to fit most skin tones. However, those with mature skin said it tends to settle into their fine lines. Some customers found the included sponge flimsy and recommended using a buffing brush for a more flawless application.

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For the best drugstore option, we recommend the L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation, which has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Available in 40 shades online, the L'Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation offers medium to high coverage with a dewy finish. It has a lightweight formula that is easy to blend to even out the skin tone and hide imperfections. It also comes in an elegant glass bottle with a pump that dispenses just the right amount of product for the entire face.

Customers praised the product's weightless formula, easy application and value for money. It layers well without looking cakey or clinging to dry patches, making it suitable for mature and dry skin. Despite having a dewy finish, people with oily skin said it doesn't make them look overly greasy. It's a great option for everyday use, though is not as long-lasting as higher-end products.

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With a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Myer, we chose the Revlon PhotoReady Candid Glow Foundation as the best dewy foundation.

This foundation offers light to medium coverage with a dewy finish. According to the manufacturer, it goes on like a moisturiser and finishes like a lightweight foundation. It has a creamy formula infused with prickly pear oil for hydration.

Candid Glow helps even out the skin tone while minimising the appearance of imperfections. It has a long-wearing formula that glides smoothly using any tool of the trade. It comes in 16 shades and is free of parabens, harmful dyes, phthalates and fragrances. It doesn't cling to any dry patches, but the dewy finish may be too much for those with oily skin.

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We picked the L'oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte 24Hr Foundation as the best matte foundation. It has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 5,000 reviews.

This foundation has a lightweight formula that gives a demi-matte finish – not too matte or dewy. It has medium to full coverage that helps cover imperfections while minimising the look of pores. It claims to last up to 24 hours and comes in over 20 shades.

Suitable for oily skin, the Pro-Matte Foundation blends seamlessly for a naturally flawless look. Customers said it is easy to build up to full coverage, eliminating the need for a separate concealer. It is quite affordable at less than $20, but some reviews found the foundation too heavy despite the lightweight claims. Others said it gets cakey when layered.

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Amazon prices last updated on 24 May, 2022 at 07:58 pmeBay prices last updated on 24 May, 2022 at 03:28 pmThe Iconic prices last updated on 23 May, 2022

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What are my main options?

Shopping for foundation can be a confusing and sometimes overwhelming experience. Not only is there a huge range of products to choose from, but they also come in different styles, shades and to suit different types of skin.

One key factor to consider is that foundations feature different shades designed to suit one of the following skin undertones:

• Cool. If you fall into the cool category, your skin has pink, red or bluish undertones.
• Warm. Yellow, peachy and golden undertones are classed as warm.
• Neutral. As the name suggests, this classification applies to people with a combination of cool and warm undertones.

These tones are often represented with a letter on the product label – C for cool, W for warm and N for neutral – but that's not the case with all brands. For example, Clinique uses N for neutral, P for pink (suitable for cool undertones) and G for golden (suitable for warm undertones) on its foundation shade names.

You'll also want to consider the foundation formula you prefer. There are several options to choose from, including:

• Liquid. A popular and versatile choice, liquid foundation offers a smooth finish and can suit a wide range of coverage needs and skin types.
• Cream. Cream foundations are often a convenient choice, they hydrate your skin and don't sink into wrinkles like some other options.
• Powder. Easy to apply and touch up when you're in a hurry, powder foundations are well suited to oily skin.
• BB/CC cream. BB (beauty balm or blemish balm) and CC (colour correcting) creams are a relatively new option. These hybrid options combine light coverage with moisturising ingredients to help protect your skin. Tinted moisturisers are also available.

Whether you opt for a liquid, cream, powder or some other option your choice may also be influenced by your personal preference in terms of texture. For example, you may decide that a liquid foundation simply feels softer and smoother on your skin, or that a powder is easier to apply evenly.

Need help finding the right foundation for your skin? Check out our guide to the best foundations or our guide to the best foundations for people with pale skin.

How to compare foundations

Need help finding the best foundation to use on your face? There are a few important factors you need to consider when comparing your options:

As always, it's a good idea to shop around to find the best value for money. Check out our guide to the best sites to buy foundation online for more information.

Foundation and sun protection

If you'll be spending any time in the Aussie sun, it makes sense to look for a foundation that offers some level of sun protection. However, there are a couple of factors you should be aware of before you buy.

The Cancer Council also points out that:

• Just like any other sunscreen, cosmetic sunscreen will need to be reapplied regularly to provide sufficient protection.
• Most cosmetics don't provide any protection in water.

As a result, instead of using cosmetics that feature an SPF, the Cancer Council recommends using SPF30 or higher sunscreen that has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) if you're going to be sweating, swimming or spending a long time outside. Check out our sunscreen buying guide for more details.

3 things to consider

There are a few other factors you should also consider before buying foundation. These include:

• Try before you buy. With colour charts and detailed online quizzes to help you find your perfect foundation, it's easier to buy online than ever before. But the best way to work out whether a foundation is the right choice for your skin is to head in-store and try before you buy by testing them on your jawline. If possible, check how the foundation looks in natural light – this will help you determine what works and what doesn't.
• Don't rely on shade names. If you're switching foundation brands, don't trust that the shade one brand calls "beige" will be exactly the same as another brand's "beige". Shade names aren't universal, so sample any new product before you buy.
• Makeup goes off. Thinking of splashing out on a high-end foundation to use only on those rare special occasions? Keep in mind that foundation goes off, so it's a good idea to check the use-by date on the label. Generally, many foundations last for around 12 months.

Frequently asked questions

• How do you know your undertone for foundation?

  To find your undertone, check the inside of your wrist. If your veins look blue or purple, you most likely have a cool undertone. If the veins are green, you have a warm undertone. But if you can't tell if the veins are blue, green or purple, you might have a neutral undertone.

• How can you make your foundation last all day?

  A solid skin prep can help your foundation last all day. Make sure your skin is clean and well-hydrated before applying your base makeup. This ensures the foundation glides on effortlessly and sticks to your skin all day.

  Using a primer can also help with your foundation's wear time. You can also bake your face to seal in the product – just apply loose powder all over your face and let it sit for about 3 minutes before blending it out.

• How do you stop your foundation from caking?

  To avoid caking, make sure your skin is well-hydrated before applying your foundation. Apply a small amount of product and slowly build up the coverage to hide blemishes and redness. Use a brush or beauty sponge to blend the product and set your face with a thin layer of powder.

Best Rated Foundation Award breakdown

	Total Score	Overall rating	Value for Money	Ease of application	Coverage	Shade options
Bareminerals	8.35	4.45	4.64	4.77	4.55	4.68
Maybelline	8.29	4.49	4.41	4.53	4.45	4.51
Other	8.17	4.44	4.38	4.42	4.46	4.24
Estee Lauder	8.13	4.46	4.08	4.34	4.5	4.4
Revlon	8.11	4.39	4.12	4.39	4.39	4.49
MAC	8.1	4.47	3.96	4.35	4.35	4.37
L'Oreal	8.05	4.34	4.28	4.4	4.34	4.24
Clinique	7.96	4.32	4.18	4.48	4.24	4.32
NARS	7.73	4.35	3.65	4.12	4.12	4.29
Elizabeth Arden	7.36	4	3.85	4.15	4.05	3.85
Lancome	7.3	3.97	3.64	4.03	4.06	3.88