Finding the right foundation can be very tricky. The trial and error process to find the perfect formula which suits your skin can be arduous. A foundation can make or break your entire look .

In this post, I am discussing about my 10 favorite foundations. I have listed both drugstore and high-end foundations that worked for my oily-combination skin type. These 10 top-performing foundations deliver the flawless, perfect look that you are looking for. This is going to be a picture heavy post. grab a cup of coffee as you read it!!

My top 10 Foundations

1. NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation – Syracuse 

Price: USD $48.00 / NZD $84.00 / AUD $72.00 / INR 3472 / GBP 32
Size: 1 fl.oz /30 ml
Packaging: It’s a Gorgeous matte glass bottle with a pump
Finish: Matte/Velvet
Coverage: Medium to Full
Longevity: 8-10 hours without touch-up (tested on dry skin)
Skintype: Normal/Combination-Oily. Works on dry skin as well. My friend who have extremely dry skin also love this

There are a total of 20 shades available for the NARS all Day Luminous Weightless foundation. It’s awesome as every skintone can find their perfect shade. NARS is well known for the yellow/olive undertones which I think is great.

The shade I picked out is “Syracuse” (I am usually an NC40-NC42 in MAC) which is about one shade darker than my actual skintone. But, this foundation totally amazed me. It blends to my skin like a dream. So so light weight and I don’t feel like I have applied makeup on my face. This foundation is a perfect match for me during summers.

Even if Syracuse is darker than my actual skin color, Once blended and applied it almost looks like I have perfect skin. The consistency of this foundation is very liquid-y and runny which is what makes it so light on the skin. I just took only 2 pumps for my entire face and neck and a little goes a long way. My actual shade for this foundation is Stromboli. It lasted for about 8-9 hours on my skin without fading. It photographs well too. The coverage is medium-high and even if you layer it. The foundation doesn’t appear cakey or settle onto your fine lines. I will surely buy a back-up bottle once I finish this.

Overall, Full, natural-looking coverage with unexpectedly weightless, 10+hour wear. Highly pigmented and perfectly balanced, this breakthrough formula builds and blends effortlessly with just one drop—the result of exclusive innovation uniquely designed to deliver long-wearing full coverage, weightlessly. Shake, pump and blend in sections for complete coverage that’s completely natural looking.

2. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF10 – 3w2, Cashew

Price: USD $38.00 / NZD $69.00 / AUD $50.00 / INR 3000 / GBP 30
Size: 1 fl.oz /30 ml
Packaging: It’s a heavy glass bottle with a golden screw on cap. Comes without a pump.
Finish: Semi Matte /dewy
Coverage: Medium to Full
Longevity: 8-10 hours without touch-up (tested on dry skin too)
Skintype: Normal/Combination-Oily. Works on dry skin as well. My friend who have extremely dry skin also love this

This foundation comes in a heavy glass bottle with a golden screw top lid. The bottle feels heavy and is not vey safe for travel. I really wish it came with a pump or a dispenser of some kind! I use the pump which I got from MAC store for this. It fits perfectly.

The consistency of this foundation is neither too runny nor too thick. It’s a medium to full coverage foundation. The formula is best suited for normal to oily skin but with a good moisturizer underneath, it can work perfectly well for dry and combination skin too. I was color matched to 3W2 Cashew. For reference, I am an NC40-42 in MAC.

This foundation has medium-full coverage. Despite its texture, this liquid foundation feels like dream once put on face. It’s very lightweight, has velvet, semi-matte finish, so I prefer working on small areas ,finish off and applying it all over the face, then blending altogether. If your skin has a lot of blemishers or acnes, and you want to hide them well with out spending a long time applying correctors, concealers etc, this would be the perfect foundation to you.  It claims to have a power to stay for 15 hours, and keep you skin look flawless for a whole day. It stayed on my face for about 8-10 hours without fading/ creasing in extreme humid weather condition too. This kind of makeup makes you look good even through humidity, heat and outdoor activity. You needn’t worry about that its color may change, it may become less neat or come off. Basically, you won’t need to touch up through the whole day when you have this foundation on. It has spf. But, it  photographs well too

Long-wearing makeup with 10+ hour staying power. Looks flawless and natural. Lasts through heat, humidity, non-stop activity. Won’t change color, smudge or come off on clothes. Feels lightweight and comfortable. For a look that lasts all day, without touchups.

3. MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation  – NC42

Price: USD $33.00 / approx. NZD $70.00 / approx. AUD $70.00 / approx. INR 2500  / GBP 25.50
Size: 0.85 fl.oz /25 ml
Packaging: Foundation comes in a squeeze plastic tube packaging. The matte black packaging also features a transparent band where you can easily monitor just how much product’s left as you near the end
Finish: Satin matte
Coverage: medium-full coverage
Longevity: 8 hours without touch-up
Skintype: Normal/Combination-Oily. not for dry skin.

This foundation comes in a squeeze plastic tube packaging with a screw cap. I love the tube packaging for foundations as it’s non messy and doesn’t require you to buy separate pump to dispense the product each time. I was color matched to NC40. But, I wanted a more tan look and so I opted for NC42 which has yellow undertones to it.

This foundation has a whipped creamy texture. Upon applying, it feels lightweight on skin and blends easily. I set this foundation using Ben Nye translucent powder. it doesn’t make your face look cakey. only a very little amount is needed for each application. This foundation is not for you if you have extremely dry skin. I have a combination-oily skin type and I prep and moisturise my face prior to applying this.

I use my beauty blender to spread this foundation all over my face. It applies evenly without streaks and lasts for about 7+ hours on my face. after which it starts to make my T zone area slightly oily. What I love about this foundation is that, it does not settle into fine lines. especially, the areas around the mouth and nose. Also, it don’t emphasize pores like other foundations. Cover up the acne and blemishes etc. It photographs well too.

Overall, a waterproof formula which is long wearing. Best suited for normal-combination skin types. The formula blends seamlessly on the skin and gives a medium to full weightless coverage and a natural satin finish. It applies evenly without streaks and lasts for about 7+ hours on my face. after which it starts to make my T zone area slightly oily. What I love about this foundation is that, it does not settle into fine lines. especially, the areas around the mouth and nose. Also, it don’t emphasize pores like other foundations. Cover up the acne and blemishes etc. It photographs well too.

4. Bourjois Air Mat Foundation – Beige*

Price: USD $29.00 / GBP 9.90
Size: 1 fl.oz /30 ml
Packaging: Squeeze tube packaging
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Full
Longevity: 8+hours
Skintype: Combination skin

I really love the look of this foundation. It reminds me of clinique foundations. The tube has a small aperture through which the product easily comes out. This foundation is available in 8 shades. I was sent two shades of this. One that matches me perfect is the shade ‘beige’

The texture of this foundation is quite thick. But, it applies evenly. This is my kind of everyday wear foundation. I got really attracted by the creme-powder finish of this foundation .I never felt the need to set this foundation. One layer gave me a full coverage look. Even though it is full coverage foundation, it doesn’t feel heavy at all and doesn’t make your face look cakey.

Bourjois Air MAT 24H Foundation has been specially developed to give skin a smooth, matte finish that lasts for up to 8 hours. Its non drying, lightweight formula lets skin breathe throughout the day and provides high coverage for a flawless matte finish. Enriched with mattifying micronized powders, Bourjois Air MAT 24H Foundation elimates shine with no mask effect for an undetectable result.

6. Natio Invisible Blend Foundation – Medium Tan

Price: $ AUD19.95 / INR 1200 / NZD $24.50
Size: 1 fl.oz /30 ml
Packaging: plastic bottle with pump
Finish: natural weightless finish
Coverage: medium
Longevity: 5 hours
Skintype: All skin types

The Invisible Blend is a medium coverage foundation that provide a ‘lasting natural finish, seamless application and weightless feel’. The shade Medium Tan is a darker shade for me. But I love how easily it gets blended and absorbed by skin. It’s very very light weight on skin. For those- ‘No Makeup- Makeup Look’ – This is the perfect choice. Natio is an australian brand and is easily available in NZ and AU. If you live in India, You can buy it from Jabong, Nykaa or Amazon.

it gives a lovely dewy shine when blended and then dries to a natural finish. As you see from the swatch It’s slightly darker. But when I mix it with my primer, It makes it one shade lighter. The Natio also has a full coverage version which is the flawless foundation variant.

Natio Invisible Blend Foundation evens out the skin tone creating a radiant look. It has been formulated with mineral pigments, argan oil and vitamin E to create a natural-looking finish that is suitable for all skin types. The pump applicator bottle allows for neat dispensing and easy application. Available in 4 shades.

6. Australis Stayput Foundation – Golden Tan*

Price: $ NZD23.00 / $ AUD16.49
Size: 23 ml
Packaging: frosted glass bottle with a pump dispenser
Finish: semi matte
Coverage: medium – full
Longevity: 6 hours
Skintype: All skin types

This Stayput Foundation is described as long-lasting, smudge-free foundation that contains moisturising multivitamins, antioxidants and broad spectrum SPF 15.

It contains Spherical silica powder which gives the skin a soft finish and brightens the face and a concentrated blend of 5 botanical extracts: Bilberry, sugar cane, sugar maple, orange and lemon. These extracts contain several naturally occuring alpha hydroxyl acids which have been proven to promote smoother, younger looking skin by increasing the rate of cell renewal.

I received two shades from PR- Natural Tan & Golden Tan. Both shades are perfect match for warmer skintones like mine. For reference, I am NC40 in MAC. Golden Tan is slightly darker. But  I like to mix both shades and use for a more natural coverage.

Foundation comes in a frosted glass bottle with a pump dispenser.  Natural tan & Golden Tan has yellow undertones. Pump dispenser makes it easy to control how much product you want. Two pump is enough for the entire face and neck area. It has a citrusy fragrance which I like. Fragrance fades off within few minutes of the application

Texture is quite thick , but feels light weighted on the skin and it blends really well too. its a medium-full coverage foundation that sets beautifully into a semi matte finish. I set the powder using Ben Nye banana powder and it doesn’t look caked up upon application.  I use a damp beauty blender to apply it as applying with a brush is kind of difficult because of its texture- brush drinks up too much foundation.. It didn’t irritate my skin or gave any breakouts.

This foundation lasted for about 5 -6 hours without any primer or touch ups in between.  For oily skin people. You might need to set this with a translucent powder for that shine problem. Its not very good for flash photography as it has SPF to it. I would say- It’s a great summer foundation.

Overall, I a good everyday foundation that has medium-full coverage that is buildable. Gives decent 5-6 hours of wear without a primer. It has a citrusy fragrance that fades off pretty soon after application. Gives a semi matte finish and suitable for all skin types. It contains moisturising multivitamins, antioxidants and broad spectrum SPF 15. Priced at 23 $NZD for 23 ml of product

7. Za Skin Beauty Liquid Foundation – Shade -22*

Price: $ NZD20.00 / INR 700
Size: 1 fl.oz/30 ml
Packaging: small squeezy bottle with a silver metallic cap
Finish: Dewy, After 3-4 hours, after that it start to shine especially on my T-Zone area.
Coverage: sheer-medium
Longevity: 4 hours
Skintype: normal-combination skintype

Comes in a small bottle with a silver metallic cap. The cute packaging is in a squeezy lightweight bottle which is very hygienic as you just squeeze out how much you like with no wastage. I personally think it looks cute and classy. One has to twist the cap to open the bottle.  It’s not hard to squeeze to get the product out but you do have to shake it well before using

If you are someone who is looking for a lightweight everyday foundation that gives a smoother look and feel with a sheer – medium coverage. Then, this product is for you. This foundation comes in 4 different shades; 20,21,22 – warm skintones & 32 – Pink skintones. 20 is the lightest shade in the range.  22 suits most warm toned Indian skintones. I am a NC 40 in MAC and 22 is a perfect match for me.

This is a  sheer-medium coverage foundation similar to MAC Face & Body. I love the dewy finish it gives after application and the texture is very much like MAC Face & Body. I got the shade 22 which is the darkest in this range. suits medium Indian skintones.

The texture is very light weight. I have sensitive skin and this time my skin does not sting, itch, get red and puffy, no break outs too.  I like the dewy finish it gives. If you have oily skin; You can set the foundation using a loose powder like Ben Nye.

This liquid foundation provides sheer to medium coverage. Though it doesn’t cover blemishes and acne scars, It really does even out the skin tone. Blends well and adheres well too. The lasting power is nothing special though. At the end of the day, everything is almost gone. But I would still use this if I’m only going out for 3-4 hours nothing more than that.

Overall, If your skin is oily, you might not like this. This liquid foundation provides sheer to medium coverage. Though it doesn’t cover blemishes and acne scars, It really does even out the skin tone. This is not sweat resistant as well. If you tend to sweat a lot the foundation will wear out in few hours.  It doesn’t appear matte as well. For my skin it gives a healthy glow only for relatively 3-4 hours, after that it start to shine especially on my T-Zone area. I like to use it indoors, especially, When I stay at home.

8. L’Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation – Pure Beige*

Price: $ NZD 29.99 / INR 899 / GBP 14.99
Size: 20 ml
Packaging: Comes in a frost glass bottle with a screw top lid. The color of the lid and the description on the front of the bottle comes in a chrome/lavender color which is beautiful altogether. No pump 🙁
Finish: Velvet matte
Coverage: Medium
Longevity: 7+ hours
Skintype:  combination – oily skintypes

This foundation is considered to be the dupe of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Maestro Foundation. I received 3 shades of this foundation to try out. Out of three, I was matched to Pure Beige. First of all start by shaking the foundation really well and take desired amount of foundation. First thing that you notice is that the consistency of the foundation is very very runny. I use a Zoeva buffer brush to apply this foundation. L’oreal recommend to use hands. however, as I get sudden acne breakouts – I prefer using brushes or sponge.

This foundation is very light weight on skin and I use my Zoeva buffer brush to apply this. It blends effortlessly on skin and feels very smooth while blending it onto the skin. It gives a silky smooth finish to the face. It does tend to cling on dry areas of my face. For testing the longevity – I skipped applying my primer. So, I think it’s not really ok for someone who has dry patches/ areas on their face unless they moisturise the dry areas of face really well using a good primer. I think this foundation is best for people with combination-oily skin.

Coverage is excellent. It goes on very light and two layers of foundation really makes my face L’Oreal claims that it is a weightless formula. On the skin it initially feels very light and soft before quickly settling to an almost velvet finish that is naturally matte and gives the impression that the skin has been set with a powder. This foundation may not be good enough to cover everything on its own and you might have a lot of concealing to do unless you have a super perfect skin. For me , the problematic area is around my eyes – So I used a separate concealer for my dark circles. There is no need to set the foundation or anything. Lasting power is pretty impressive. I tested it during the winter months and it almost lasted upto 7-8 hours with little bit of fading around my cheek area.

9. Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Liquid Makeup – Rich Sand*

Price: $ USD 7.74
Size: 1 fl.oz / 30 ml
Packaging: Squeezy tube with a  small aperture through which the product easily comes out.
Finish: matte
Coverage: Medium
Longevity: 6-7 hours
Skintype: Normal-Dry

The packaging of this foundation is quite impressive. I received the shade ‘Rich Sand’ and it’s a perfect match if you have strong yellow undertones. This range from Covergirl is specially for darker skintones. Everyone will be able to find a match.

Coverage is medium. The texture of this foundation is quite thick. But, super easy to blend and apply. Only a little amount is needed. It’s oil-free liquid formula with built-in moisturizers continuously hydrates skin for a soft, smooth, radiant look. It doesn’t leave any white cast on photos and also doesn’t make your face look ashy or cakey. it blends really well and settle to a matte finish.

10. Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation – Natural Beige* 

Price: USD $9.00 / INR 750
Size: 1 fl.oz / 30 ml
Packaging: glass bottle with no pump
Finish: dewy
Coverage: sheer – medium
Longevity: upto 6 hours during winters and lasted upto 5 hours in very humid climate
Skintype: normal-combination

Revlon Nearly Naked is a lightweight foundation that balances skin and makeup to work in harmony for an even, fresh complexion. It contains green tea, black tea, oatmeal and jojoba to help maintain skin tone and texture. it has a light to medium coverage and has broad spectrum SPF 20 to it. I hate the packaging. The glass bottle is bulky and comes without a pump.

I was color matched to Natural Beige. Medium Beige is a good match for me during winters.Consistency is watery, soft and very easily blendable and leaves a soft, natural-matte finish which is’t too matte nor too shiny, making it ideal for most skin types. It enhances your natural look and imparts a beautiful glow. The formula just melt into your skin and disappears. If you have a lot of acne, blemishes etc- You might not like this foundation. If you don’t have very good skin to begin with, I would say that you’ll definitely need to use concealer in conjunction with this product.

That Completes the list of top 10 foundations from my collection. Right now, I am testing the L’Oreal Paris Cushion Compact which I think can be soon added to my favorites. I didn’t include it in this list as it’s not a liquid foundation. So far, I have been loving the formula of it.

I hope you find this compilation useful when buying liquid foundation next time.

The foundations which are in my wishlist next are – Too Faced Born this way Foundation, Kat Von D foundation, Marc Jacobs Foundation, Cover FX foundation etc. 🙂

What are your favorite founndations? Have you tried any of the foundations from this list ?

** Items marked with (*) are PR samples. However, my review is honest and unbiased as always.