Reformulated & renewed: Long wear foundations aren't what they used to be

Long wear foundation has been around for years.

In fact, it's highly likely that you've dabbled in the base makeup category before. 

But in 2024 it's time to get reacquainted because long-lasting foundations have been rethought and old classics have been reformulated to meet the modern standards of comfort we've grown accustomed to as contemporary makeup wearers. 

If you're being reintroduced to long wearing formulas in 2024, then know that these top rated picks aren't cakey or drying like foundations of the past. Instead they're infused with skin care ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and antioxidants, which help to improve all day comfort, as well as, minimising the impact of wearing makeup for extended periods of time.

In the market for base makeup that doesn't budge? Ahead, the best long wear foundations according to BEAUTYcrew...

2024's Top 3 Best Long Wear Foundations

1. Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation, $11.03, Amazon Australia
2. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10, $75, Adore Beauty
3. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, $79, Adore Beauty

Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation
from $11.03 at Amazon Australia

Maybelline's Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation is a worldwide best-seller for a reason. It's an insanely affordable, natural matte foundation that's free from unnecessary ingredients such as oils and fragrance, and lasts up to 12 hours after application. Plus, it's available in a whopping 40 shades and is infused with flexible micro-powders, which control shine and blur pores.

Key features:

Available in 40 shades
12 hour wear time
Natural matte finish
Medium to full coverage
Ideal for normal to oily skin types
Oil and fragrance-free
Non-comedogenic

Available at:

• $11.03 from Amazon Australia
• $12.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $25.99 from Adore Beauty

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10
from $75 at Adore Beauty

Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation has a long list of positive attributes. The fresh matte foundation provides buildable coverage in 60 shades. But that's not all. It also boasts 24-hour wear without oxidising or creasing. It's water, sweat, humidity and transfer resistant. It controls oil all day, but it never looks cakey or streaky. It doesn't settle into fine lines or pores. It's free from oils, fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulphites, drying alcohols, mineral oil, animal-derived ingredients, gluten and acne-causing ingredients too. Impressed? It's hard not to be. 

Key features:

Available in 60 shades
24 hour wear time
Fresh matte finish
Medium to full coverage
Oil and fragrance free
Sweat, heat, humidity and water-resistant
SPF 10

Available at:

• $75 from Adore Beauty
• $75 from Sephora
• $75 from MYER

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
from $79 at Adore Beauty

Are you an OG fan of Lancôme's Ultra Wear Foundation? The recently reformulated complexion perfecter is just as lightweight and comfy on skin as you remember, but now the natural matte, full-coverage foundation is enriched with hyaluronic acid, probiotics, vitamin E and moringa oil. Plus, it contains oxide green and ultramarine blue pigments to ensure everyone is able to find their perfect shade including olive and darker skin tones.

Key features:

Available in 45 shades
24-hour wear
Infused with hyaluronic acid, probiotics, vitamin E and moringa oil
Natural matte finish
Medium to full coverage
Thin, breathable formulation
Waterproof and sweat, humidity, and transfer resistant
Mineral oil free and non-comedogenic

Available at:

• $79 from Adore Beauty
• $79 from The Iconic
• $79 from MYER

M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF15
from $72 at Adore Beauty

M.A.C's Studio Fix Foundation has been a favourite of makeup artists and enthusiasts alike for generations, but the makeup product has recently had its formula overhauled to include over 80 per cent skin care ingredients. Oil-controlling sugar kelp extract and hydrating red algae extract and hyaluronic acid are just a few of the new additions to the old favourite formula. However the foundation has maintained the lightweight and long wearing, soft-matte finish and buildable coverage we've come to love too. 

Key features:

Available in 71 shades
24 hour wear
Natural, soft-matte finish
Medium to full coverage
Infused with 87 per cent skincare ingredients
Sugar kelp extract controls oil
Red algae extract and hyaluronic acid hydrate
Waterproof and transfer, sweat and humidity resistant
Oil-free and non-comedogenic 
Doesn't cake, crease or settle into fine lines
SPF 15

Available at:

• $72 from Adore Beauty
• $72 from The Iconic
• $72 from M.A.C Cosmetics

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 35HR Foundation
from $13.47 at Priceline

If you prefer a more natural-looking finish from your foundation, then this hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and 2 per cent niacinamide-infused pick should be on your radar. The skin care ingredient-enriched formula is clinically proven to improve the overall radiance of the complexion too. It boasts a sleep-proof and 35 hour wear promise, which in all honesty, we'd be concerned if you felt the need to test out, but it's definitely a good to know. 

Key features:

Available in 34 shades
35 hour wear
Infused with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and 2 per cent niacinamide
Clinically proven to improve skin radiance
Sleep-proof, waterproof, crease-resistant and transfer-resistant
Cruelty-free and vegan
SPF 20

Available at:

• $13.47 from Priceline
• $15.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $23 from ASOS

Fenty Beauty Soft’Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation
from $64 at Sephora

Fenty Beauty's hero product Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation ($62 from Sephora) will officially welcomed its radiant counterpart on April 26th at Sephora and Fenty Beauty. Rihanna's newest foundation formula offers the same long wearing goodness as it's soft matte predecessor, but it also features a wealth of really cool technology and skin care ingredients, which make this a luminous foundation that all skin types (yep, even oily skin) can enjoy. 

Key features:

Available in 50 shades
Longwear, waterproof and transfer-resistant
Luminous, radiant finish suitable for all skin types including oily skin
Medium, buildable coverage ​
Infused with brightening Kakadu plum extract and hydrating Cyprus papyrus leaf cell extract
Contains Natural Luminous Complex illuminates without looking oily
No flashback, plus crease and fade proof
Controls oil and improves the appearance of dark spots

Available at:

• $64 from Sephora
• $64 from Fenty Beauty

Main image credit: Getty

Want to do a bit more research before you commit to buying? Here are 10 of the best foundations with the official BEAUTYcrew seal of approval.