9 foundations with the official BEAUTYcrew seal of approval

from $82 at Lancôme

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation somehow manages to impart a soft-matte finish for up to 24 hours without leaving your skin looking like an arid desert. Lancôme spent eight years developing the Eternal Soft technology so you can enjoy a shine-free, flawlessly retouched complexion without a ‘Photoshop For Dummies’ guidebook. 

"Second skin and never looks cakey. I love the formula and how buildable it is. I use one layer for daily use and can build it up when I am going out. It comes in a glass pump top bottle and though pricey, is worth the money. I love the extensive shade range and how it looks so perfectly close to my natural skin color (shade 03 beige diaphane). It is oil-free and has a matte finish and doesn't make my acne worse. It applies well with so many different types of applicators. It does have fragrance so those who are sensitive may not like it but I will buy this for as long as they make this!!" – Ati S, REVIEWcrew® Member

Key features:

24 hour breathable coverage
Sweat, humidity and transfer resistant
Waterproof
Natural matte finish
Available in 50 shades

Available at:

$82 from Lancôme
$82 from Adore Beauty
$82 from Sephora

from $115 at Giorgio Armani Beauty

As far as foundations go, Luminous Silk’s reputation precedes itself. It imparts a blurring swathe of velvet-matte, medium coverage radiance. It diminishes blemishes, pigmentation and texture with ease too. No wonder it’s a crowd favourite. 

"The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is a long-time favourite of mine. I find the coverage to be better than any other foundation I’ve tried and it lasts the entire day, no matter what I’m doing. I was recommended this by my dermatologist, who said it’s great for acne-prone skin as it’s lightweight and doesn’t clog pores. It feels very soft and silky (hence the name I suppose!) and applies super easily. I recommend using a brush when applying, as it seems to blend the foundation better than a sponge." – Tiarne Blackwell, BEAUTYcrew's Shopping Producer

Key features:

Lightweight foundation
Medium coverage
Finish inspired by charmeuse silk
Enhances the skin's lit-from-within-glow
Available in 40 shades

Available at:

$115 from Giorgio Armani Beauty
$115 from Sephora
$115 from MYER

from $19.49 at Chemist Warehouse

This is a drugstore foundation that can play with the big dogs (AKA high-end foundation). It provides long-lasting, lightweight full coverage that doesn’t get cakey or dry throughout the day. Infused with vitamin Cg, the formula works to brighten skin as well as perfect it, so you can smooth texture and enhance radiance too.

"This foundation is amazing because it delivers everything it claims. The foundation has a lightweight texture with high coverage without looking thick or cakey. I have dry skin and this foundation doesn't crease or crack on my skin (I did apply a hydrating primer as a base). Very good quality foundation at a very affordable price." – Helen T, REVIEWcrew® Member

Key features:

Formulated with Vitamin Cg
Enhances radiance and brightens skin
Smooths texture
Improves the appearance of skin over time
Available in 18 shades

Available at:

$19.49 from Chemist Warehouse

from $54 at Sephora

If you're not a fan of heavy coverage but still want an airbrushed complexion then you need to try thus blurring skin tint from Fenty. It's infused with a hydrating skin care complex that diffuses the appearance of imperfections to create a flawless, even-toned base.

"Not to be dramatic or anything, but this foundation is a total game-changer (thanks Rihanna). With its lightweight formula and skin-blurring capabilities, the formula feels like I’m wearing nothing at all. All the while my skin is left looking flawless (if I do say so myself)." - Emma Allcock, BEAUTYcrew’s Content Producer

Key features:

Light coverage
Blurs imperfections
Smooths over texture
Infused with a hydrating skin care complex
Available in 25 shades

Available at:

$54 from Sephora

from $120 at Sephora

Into a foundation that makes your skin look its best without being detectable? This foundation features a moisturising vita-serum complex that works to minimise the formation of wrinkles. Plus, it’s infused with diamond core powder technology (yep, seriously) which helps to perfect skin texture, while smoothing and blurring the appearance of fine lines, pores and imperfections. Ultimately, it provides skin with a luminous, lightweight, soft-focus filter *chefs kiss*.

"The day I ran out of this foundation was the saddest day of my dry-skinned little life. I’ve tried countless formulas that I’ve liked a lot since then but they've never hit the mark the same way this one did – Alexa, cue Shania Twain’s 'You’re Still The One'. It’s a devastating realisation because it’s one of the most expensive foundations I’ve ever used. But if $120 is the price I have to pay for perfection – I’m handing over the cash. Why do I love it so much? Maybe it’s the lightweight, almost water-like feel of the formula, or perhaps it’s the way it seamlessly blends into my skin. It could be the fact that its radiant finish makes me look like I’ve been getting regular hydrofacials (goals). Plus, it also smooths and blurs imperfections like dark spots, fine lines, texture and uneven skin tone without masking my complexion, which I love." – Briar Clark, BEAUTYcrew’s Beauty Editor

Key features: 

Weightless, serum texture
Buildable light to medium coverage
Infused with hyaluronic acid and ceramides
Soft-focus finish
Available in 36 shades

Available at:

$120 from Sephora

from $70 at Charlotte Tilbury

Thanks to a formula that’s enriched with skin-loving ingredients (like hydrating hyaluronic acid and brightening rose complex), you’re guaranteed to get a few compliments on how good your skin looks with this on your face. It provides lightweight, medium coverage, and a healthy-looking glow that smooths and perfects your complexion. 

"I fell in love with the Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation as soon as I first tried it, and it hasn't left my makeup bag since. I find the medium coverage perfect for both day and night, as I can sheer it out for a more natural look, or build it up where needed. My favourite way to apply this foundation is with a damp makeup sponge, which leaves a streak-free, smooth finish. The formulation includes a rose complex, hyaluronic acid and coconut extract for hydrating and brightening, leaving my skin with a healthy-looking glow that lasts all day. There are also 30 shades available in the range (I wear 3 Neutral), which means there’s plenty of choice for all skin tones." –  Aja Walter, BEAUTYDIRECTORY's Editor

Key features:

Buildable medium coverage
Beautiful, healthy-looking, your-skin-but-better finish
Infused with hyaluronic acid and rose complex
Enhances radiance
Smooths and plumps fine lines
Available in 30 shades

Available at:

$70 from Charlotte Tilbury

from $18.99 at Chemist Warehouse

The Maybelline New York Super Stay Up to 24HR Skin Tint creates buildable light-to-medium coverage for a skin-like finish and a natural, radiant look. Plus, the infusion of vitamin C helps to improve  and brighten the appearance of skin over time. 

"As someone who has only ever purchased high-end makeup products, this has been my go-to, everyday makeup tint and has now become a staple in my beauty regimen! This serum formulation sits so nicely over my combination skin. I specifically love the fact that it does not accentuate my textured areas or any congestion/blemishes that appear on my face. In fact, I have found that the Vitamin C infused formulation has diminished the look of my acne scars and evened my complexion. The formula is super lightweight and very buildable – I have worn this alone as a tint for "no makeup-makeup" days and built it up and layered it for a medium-coverage, flawless base. I love how quick and easy this makes my makeup regimen, as it blends flawlessly and is streak/cake free." – Simone G, REVIEWcrew® Member

Key features:

Infused with vitamin C
Light to medium coverage
Natural, radiant, skin-like finish
Brightens the complexion over time
Resists sweat, humidity and fading
Up to 24 hours of wear
Available in 12 shades

Available at:

$18.99 from Chemist Warehouse
$19 from Big W
$22.79 from Priceline

from $110 at Sephora

Wish you could wear a blurring filter all day long? This foundation smooths imperfections, unifies your complexion, and still looks natural IRL. The lightweight, buildable and long-wearing formula leaves a velvety veil on the skin that blurs the appearance of pores, blemishes and texture too. 

“If you’re willing to spend a little extra in the name of velvety coverage (or you’re simply after a killer special event base to keep in your beauty bag’s back pocket), I cannot sing the praises of this one loud enough. A lightweight, long-wearing liquid that builds up to your desired coverage (but offers impressive blurring and blemish-camouflaging benefits with even the smallest swipe), it’s a skin-polishing natural matte that goes on silky smooth and doesn’t drag, even if you have dry skin like me.” – Delaney Loane, BEAUTYcrew's Editor

Key features:

Contains hydrating hyaluronic acid
Available in 40 shades
Offers full coverage in a luminous-matte finish
Breathable and weightless on skin
Controls shine

Available at:

$110 from Sephora
$110 from MYER
$110 from David Jones

from $32.95 at Adore Beauty

Sick of having to apply multiple steps to get your base looking flawless (or are you over the thick feel of 'flawless' foundation?). Try this three-in-one primer, foundation and concealer hybrid, designed to offer an airbrushed aesthetic whilst still looking (and feeling) beautifully lightweight and fresh.

"This was a beautiful foundation to try out, I tried number 44 Warm ivory which matched my pale with yellow undertone complexion really well. I did my normal skin care routine underneath and applied it using a beauty blender for an airbrushed look and boy was it an airbrushed look, I was quite impressed, it lasted me from 6am till 7pm at night with no oxidation or weird creasing. It felt smooth and lightweight but buildable, I also applied a setting powder and setting spray. Would I recommend this? Yes I totally would." – Lea M, REVIEWcrew® Member

Key features:

Acts as primer, concealer and foundation in one go
Blends and builds easily
Glides onto skin for a smooth finish
Lasts all day
Offers an 'airbrushed' look without feeling heavy

Available at:

$32.95 from Adore Beauty

$32.95 from Priceline