7 of the best photo finish foundations for your next big event

We all know and love MAC's Face & Body Foundation, but their radiant sheer formula takes model off-duty makeup to a whole ‘nother level. Transform yourself into something off of a catwalk with this photo-flattering foundation, that’s lightweight and hydrating on skin for up to eight hours post-application. 

$55 at MECCA

Pat McGrath caused quite the stir when she dropped this sublime offering. A religious experience in the world of makeup, this stuff somehow manages to feel like nothing on the skin while simultaneously doing everything for your complexion. Texture-smoothing, hydrating, radiant and long-wearing, this magical elixir feels like skin but looks like an Instagram filter IRL. Pure heaven.

$110 at Pat McGrath Labs

​​This boujee foundation went viral on TikTok, it’s just that good. Packed full of skin care-inspired goodies like hyaluronic acid, caffeine and vitamins C and E, it’s not hard to see why some of the platform’s most-trusted beauty content creators are so in love with it. Mikayla Noguiera even staked her claim on the formula, and said it was her “wedding foundation” of choice. “[It’s] soft-matte yet doesn’t remove radiance, it covered all my redness [and] beautifully masks texture,” Nogueira explained in her TikTok review.  

$135 at MECCA

This just so happens to be the J-beauty foundation Lana Condor swears by for flawless on-camera skin. The Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation is all about hydration without looking like an oil-slick. Think: a gleaming radiant, red-carpet finish and a minimisation of pores, fine lines and wrinkles. The formula utilises emollient moisturisers such as jojoba seed oil, olive squalane and shea butter for a plump, dewy, youthful-looking complexion. 

$74 at Adore Beauty

If you’ve always been terrified of face-cracking, cakey and drying full-coverage foundation formulas, then this pick is here to cleanse your complexion’s palette. Formulated with Magic MossCellTec™ technology which helps to boost hydration by 216 per cent, plus AirCool™ tech to help fight humidity and sweat, this pick will keep your skin looking fresh and vibrant while also holding up after spending all evening on the dance floor (priorities). Charlotte’s also managed to pack in some wrinkle-minimising and anti-pollution technology too, so it’s a great all-rounder for a full-beat that can take you from the office to drinks with friends and beyond. 

$65 at MECCA

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation has a worldwide cult-following for a reason. If you’re after a true satin-silk finish that looks flawless on camera, then you really can’t go past this frosty glass bottle. Lightweight and formulated with micro-fil technology, you can count on this fluid formula to not settle into fine lines, wrinkles, pores or accentuate any texture you’ve got going on either. A must-try for any self-professed beauty lover. 

$105 at Adore Beauty

We love this chic little offering. As far as we’re concerned, this is the perfect handbag companion thanks to it’s stylish leather and gold-embossed packaging. Plus, the easy on the go compact format means less mess for touch-ups throughout the day. A must for long events (hello wedding season) thanks to it’s buildable medium coverage and dreamy radiant finish, you can trust this little guy to smooth and perfect skin for that photo ready finish you’re after. 

$110 at YSL Beauty