But we'd be lying if we said there have never been times when this trusty staple has let us down. Have you ever noticed how your flawless finish becomes noticeably less perfect under the harsh glare of office lights? Or perhaps the pores you didn't notice while doing your makeup at home suddenly appear offensively large in the bathroom mirror of your favorite brunch place? This is because many factors can influence our foundation's performance, from the lighting and temperature to the humidity in our environment, our activities throughout the day, and even the time of day.
As inconvenient as this is, sometimes the prep alone doesn't help, and you may need to invest in a product with specific properties designed to withstand certain activities, environments, or occasions. This is why we've done extensive research with the sole purpose of curating a list of the best foundations for every occasion and budget, followed by tips on how to pick the right foundation for a particular event to keep your skin happy while looking flawless. Let's get into it.
Evie's product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
Daytime Casual Foundations
Quick Errand Runs
Foundations that apply quickly and wear comfortably for grocery and errand runs, coffee grabs, and other short daytime outings are essential for busy lifestyles. Choose a foundation that provides light coverage, has a natural-looking finish, and is comfortable to wear for extended periods in various weather conditions. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to keep your skin fresh and hydrated, as well as an SPF factor to protect it from the sun's harmful rays.
Save: ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Acid Tinted Moisturizer, $15 | Splurge: Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, $36
Active Gym Sessions
Sweat-resistant foundations that won't look cakey on the skin but also won't budge during an intense workout are a must-have for those who love hitting the gym during the day. Opt for a lightweight, non-comedogenic foundation with medium coverage that won't clog your pores and cause breakouts, but avoid overly matte formulas, as these can make your skin look plastered and dull.
Save: L'Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation, $14 | Splurge: Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation, $40
Sunny Beach Days
Foundations that lightly even out the skin tone, provide natural-looking radiance, and cover blemishes and imperfections are the perfect choice for those who still want a little something on their skin, even while enjoying a day at the beach. For this summer's favorite activity, opt for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream with high SPF to keep your skin protected from the harmful effects of UV rays while looking effortless and glowing.
Save: ULTA Tinted Moisturizer SPF 24, $14 | Splurge: IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation SPF 40, $47
Clean Girl Makeup
To create that clean girl, no-makeup look, choose a tinted moisturizer or light-coverage foundation that allows your skin to look like skin while smoothing and evening out your complexion.
Save: Revolution Beauty Skin Silk Serum Foundation, $14 | Splurge: Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25 with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide, $42
Daytime Glam Foundations
Corporate Office Meetings
Flawless coverage, while lasting throughout a long workday, is essential for those who need to look polished and professional in business settings. Opt for a medium to full-coverage foundation that can be built up or sheered out, depending on your preference. Look for long-wearing, transfer-proof formulas with a semi-matte finish to prevent shine from appearing throughout the day without looking cakey.
Save: L.A. Girl Pro Matte Foundation, $9 | Splurge: Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Luminous Natural Matte Foundation, $62
Brunch with Friends
Make sure your makeup look reflects the fun and relaxed atmosphere of weekend brunches by choosing a lightweight, radiant foundation that enhances your appearance in natural daylight settings and makes your skin look like it's glowing from within.
Save: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Instant Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Makeup, $14 | Splurge: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Skincare Foundation, $48
Daytime Weddings
Daytime weddings demand a foundation that offers a high-definition finish that makes you look photo-ready, even if you’re caught in the background of someone else's pic. Opt for a sheer, buildable foundation with light-reflecting particles to give you a flawless appearance in photos and natural lighting without looking heavy. Don't forget to set it with the tiniest bit of powder under the eyes for moments when emotions may run high.
Save: Revolution Beauty Conceal & Define Full Coverage Foundation, $12 | Splurge: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation, $69
Date Night Foundations
Dinner and a Movie Date
Date night demands looking absolutely flawless, so choose a high-coverage foundation with a radiant finish that will make your skin look smooth like butter under various lighting conditions. Opt for long-wearing formulas that won't settle into fine lines while enjoying your food and won't transfer onto your date's clothes or face if you lean in for a kiss during the movie.
Save: e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Satin Foundation, $6 | Splurge: Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Liquid Foundation, $42
co*cktail Night with the Girls
For a glam night out with the ladies, choose a foundation that offers medium to full coverage with a matte finish to create a polished and sophisticated look. Look for long-wearing formulas that can withstand dancing and sweating without melting off your face, but also make sure not to go too heavy with the application to avoid a cakey look.
Save: NYX Bare With Me Blur Tint Soft Matte Foundation, $14 | Splurge: Dior Forever Matte Foundation, $57
Comedy Stand-Up Show
If your date night includes a comedy show, choose a foundation that won't settle into smile lines and will ensure you look as good at the end of the show as you did at the start, no matter how much you laugh.
Save: NYX 24HR Full Coverage Matte Foundation, $15 | Splurge: One/Size Turn Up the Base Blurring Foundation, $35
Special Event Foundations
Holiday Parties
For a festive party with family, friends, or coworkers, opt for a foundation that adds the tiniest touch of sparkle and keeps you looking radiant through the night.
Save: WYN BEAUTY Featuring You Hydrating Skin Enhancing Tint SPF 30, $29 | Splurge: Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation, $34
Black Tie Weddings
A black tie wedding calls for a high-definition foundation that gives you a flawless, airbrushed finish and will make you look good in photos taken with the flash on. For this occasion, choose a long-wear formula with buildable coverage and a semi-matte finish to keep your skin looking polished and natural rather than shiny or overly done.
Save: L'Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation, $17 | Splurge: Huda Beauty FauxFilter Luminous Matte Foundation, $42
Live Concert Attendance
Smudge-proof foundations that maintain your glow amid the energetic atmosphere of a live concert and still make you look flawless in photos taken under the stage lights are a must-have for music lovers. Opt for medium to full-coverage formulas with light-reflecting particles to create an alluring, ethereal effect that will make you stand out in the crowd.
Save: CoverGirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation, $13 | Splurge: Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation, $45
Photoshoot Ready Foundations
Engagement Photo Session
While choosing the perfect foundation for an engagement photoshoot will likely depend on the lighting, you can't go wrong with a formula that offers a natural but polished result and makes your skin look radiant in both natural and artificial light. Opt for a medium to full-coverage foundation with a satin finish to give you a flawless, photo-ready look while still looking like yourself.
Save: e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Hydrating CC Cream SPF 30, $15 | Splurge: Estée Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long Wear Makeup SPF 19, $52
Maternity Photoshoot
To capture the beauty and glow of motherhood, choose a long-lasting yet lightweight foundation with a radiant finish. Long-lasting formulas are not only fantastic for staying put throughout a few hours of photos but are also less likely to settle into fine lines and creases. And a light to medium coverage formula will look more natural, while the radiant finish will enhance your pregnancy glow and remain in tune with the theme of the shoot.
Save: Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Liquid Foundation, $7 | Splurge: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Medium Coverage Liquid Foundation, $49
Professional LinkedIn Profile Photos
Airbrush foundations with a semi-matte to matte finish typically translate the best into digital photography due to their ability to create a smooth, polished look and minimize the appearance of shine and visible imperfections.
On the other hand, avoid light-reflecting foundations, as these will exacerbate your skin imperfections in certain lighting settings and won't give you the professional, polished look that a LinkedIn profile photo demands.
Save: L'Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation, $15 | Splurge: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation, $49
Travel Adventure Foundations
Airport Style
To avoid dehydrating your skin and exacerbating every imperfection, apply a lightweight, breathable, and sheer-coverage foundation while traveling, expecting layovers, or in flight before landing.
Save: L'Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, $20 | Splurge: Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation, $52
Tropical Vacations
Hydrating foundations with a semi-matte finish and added UV protection are ideal for humid climates and sunny destinations, so your skin can stay moisturized and protected while still looking flawless in those perfectly curated vacation photos.
Save: Tarte Mini BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $18 | Splurge: Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation, $43
Ski Lodge Weekends
Cold, dry air can wreak havoc on your skin, so make sure to choose a foundation that offers maximum hydration and extra protection against the harsh elements. Opt for long-wearing, creamy formulas with medium to full coverage and a satin or dewy finish to keep your skin looking hydrated and healthy while hitting the slopes or enjoying a drink après ski.
Save: L'Oréal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation, $18 | Splurge: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation, $57
Backpacking Adventures
If you still want to look polished and put together even while backpacking across the globe, opt for lightweight, water-resistant foundations with a hydrating formula and buildable coverage. These formulas will not only withstand sweat and humidity but can double as concealers when the goal is to save space by packing a limited amount of multitasking products that can cover up blemishes, conceal imperfections, even out the complexion, and keep your skin hydrated when needed.
Save: Flower Beauty Light Illusion Liquid Foundation, $15 | Splurge: Too Faced Born This Way Natural Longwear Liquid Foundation, $46
Closing Thoughts
Now, we're not suggesting that you need a separate foundation for every single scenario imaginable. But the average woman has two to three foundations in her beauty arsenal – one for everyday wear and others for special occasions, seasonal changes, or various destinations. So, the idea of selecting the right foundation for different circ*mstances isn't as extravagant as it might initially seem.
Choosing the appropriate foundation can truly make a difference in your appearance and, by extension, your confidence. So, why not treat yourself to a foundation that not only enhances your natural features but also holds up to the demands of your lifestyle?
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