split image of red makeup and brown brushed makeup

Foundations & Primers

Foundations and primers act as a canvas to even skin, add glow, and make sure the rest of your makeup stays put. Here, find expert-vetted tips and tricks for how to best apply foundation and primer for your own personal needs, as well as the products we're loving for every skin tone.

Byrdie writer Ashley Rebecca before and after applying new Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation
I’m a Makeup Artist—Here’s What I Think of Estée Lauder’s Reformulated Double Wear Foundation

A person holding a bottle of foundation next to a closeup of the product
These Are the 7 Best Foundations for Oily Skin, After Weeks of Testing

The actor Anya Taylor-Joy with smooth and set makeup
8 Reasons Your Makeup Is Separating—and What You Can Do About It

A woman applying primer to her face in one frame and the finished look in another
We Researched Drugstore Primers Under $20, and These Are Our 11 Must-Haves

Split of two Byrdie editors
Victoria Beckham Says Her New Foundation "Feels Like Nothing"—We Put It to the Test

Two individuals showcasing skincare applications with a bottle of Haus Labs product depicted in the center
The 10 Best Foundations for All Skin Tones and Skin Types, After Testing 100+

A person using a brush to apply Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer to their cheeks and Woman applying Black Radiance Color Perfect Oil-Free Liquid with a brush to her face
The 9 Best Drugstore Foundations That Rival High-End Formulas

e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Matte Primer on a blue background.
e.l.f.'s Viral Power Grip Primer Got a Matte Makeover—Here Are My Thoughts

Woman with curly hair applying makeup to her face using a foundation brush
Liquid vs. Stick Foundation: Makeup Artists Explain the Difference

Byrdie writer Karla Ayala before and after applying makeup look using Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear foundation
Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Is My New Go-To for Full Coverage

Byrdie writer Janiah McKelton's skin before and after applying the Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence
This Under $25 Skin Tint Is Going TikTok Viral for Its Glow-Boosting Effects

A woman applying foundation with a sponge applicator
How to Apply Foundation For the Most Even, Blended Finish

Byrdie writer Karla Ayala's makeup look before and after applying the L'Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
The L'Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation Is an Everyday Winner

before and after of iman balagam wearing maybelline skin tint
Maybelline's Super Stay Skin Tint Is the Best Drugstore Formula I've Tried

Glossier foundation
Glossier's First-Ever Foundation Is Here, And We Put It to the Test

before and after photo of janiah mckelton using bareminerals Original Pure Serum Radiant Natural Liquid Foundation Mineral SPF 20
BareMinerals' Original Pure Serum Liquid Foundation Gives My Skin a Natural Glow

Katie Jane Hughes wears a cut crease smoky eyeshadow look and dewy makeup
How to DIY Eyeshadow Primer When You Don't Have It on Hand

Byrdie writer Khera Alexander before and after applying makeup including Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation
Haus Labs' Triclone Foundation Gave My Skin Completely Undetectable Coverage

Byrdie Editors Review Keys Soulcare 2-in-1 Skin Tint
We Tried the Skin Tint Alicia Keys Wears on Tour—Here Are Our Thoughts

A person shown alongside a poreminimizing primer tube
The 7 Best Pore Minimizing Primers With Blurring Effect, Tried, Tested & Approved

woman applying makeup with a sponge
How to Apply Foundation With a Sponge, Brush, or Your Fingers

Serum Foundation Products
15 Serum Foundations That Offer a Glowy, Lightweight Finish

Foundation drops in various neutral shades
Should You Use BB Cream, CC Cream, or Foundation? A Makeup Artist Advises

A smiling person next to an Armani foundation bottle and a swatch
The 10 Best Foundations for Mature Skin, After a Year of Testing 35 Formulas

Two women demonstrating foundation makeup application separated by an image of a foundation product
The 9 Best Full-Coverage Foundations for a Nearly Flawless Complexion, According to Testers

A woman looking at a makeup compact as she applies foundation to her face with a sponge
Dewy or Matte Foundation? Here's How to Make Your Decision Once and For All

Latina Woman with Creamy Moisturizer Swatch on her Cheekbone
How to Apply Primer For Long-Lasting Makeup, According to Makeup Artists

Charlotte Tilbury Foundations
Which Charlotte Tilbury Foundation Formula Is Right for You?

Person shown with an example of a longlasting eyeshadow primer and applicator displayed beside them
The 10 Best Eyeshadow Primers I’ve Tested for Pigmented, Budge-Free Eye Makeup

Deepika Padukone with glowing skin and a glam neutral eye makeup look
15 Foundations That Complement Indian and South Asian Skin Tones

Black Woman Looking Off Camera Applying Lightweight Foundation to Her Cheek
8 Lightweight Foundations for People Who Hate Makeup

Hands with two powder foundation compacts in one hand and a brush and foundation sponge in the other
The 14 Best Powder Foundations Ever

woman in soft glam makeup look staring into camera
12 Tips to Stop Your Foundation From Oxidizing, According to Experts

Foundation Makeup Bottles
The 15 Best Foundations for Weddings, According to Makeup Artists

Tanya Akim
These are the Only Foundations That Don't Irritate My Perioral Dermatitis

Close up of a woman using a beauty sponge to apply makeup
11 Ways to Fix—and Prevent—Your Foundation From Caking

Ariana Debose with flawless skin looking out the window during the 2024 Paris Olympics
How to Create Poreless Makeup, According to Makeup Artists

Primers for Combination Skin
The 10 Best Primers for Combination Skin, According to Makeup Artists

Close up of a makeup brush and powder on a cream colored background
How to Apply Powder Foundation Like a Pro MUA (According to a Pro MUA)

Zendaya on the red carpet
I Tried Zendaya's Favorite Foundation for Glowy Skin

A bottle of Armani Luminous Silk foundation with a swatch next to a person holding a smaller Armani cosmetics product
The 10 Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin, After Weeks of Testing

Young woman applying foundation to skin
Our Top 14 Foundations For Sensitive Skin, Approved by Experts

Foundation on a Variety of Skin Tones
Why I'm Over Foundation (and What I Use Instead)

A collage of a hand holding L'Oreal foundation for dry skin and a face with foundation on
The 10 Best Foundations for Dry Skin That Offer Great Coverage and Hydration, According to Testers

close up of gigi hadid's makeup against white background
9 Tips to Pick the Best Foundation Color for Your Skin Tone

Water Based Primers
12 Water-Based Primers That Keep Foundation in Place, According to Makeup Artists

Two individuals demonstrating makeup products with a foundation bottle displayed between them
The 11 Best Sweatproof Foundations That Withstand Summer Weather

A person holding a tube of Armani primer with another image of the product displayed in the background
The 11 Best Blurring Primers MUAs and Testers Recommend for a Filter-Like Finish

Person with a gray headband wearing foundation on their cheek and a person turning their head while wearing foundation
The 10 Best Foundations That Immaculately Cover Acne Scars

Two individuals demonstrating the use of cream foundation on their faces, left using a smooth applicator, right utilizing a metal-tipped device
The 7 Best Cream Foundations for Flawless Coverage, According to Byrdie Editors

Actress, Madison Bailey, with glowing skin and her makeup done by celebrity makeup artist, Jenna Kristina.
15 Foundations Top Makeup Artists Use on Their Celebrity Clients

Hallie Gould with minimal foundation
The Anti-Foundation I Keep Getting Compliments On

Tower 28 Foundation
Tower 28’s Sunscreen Foundation: Our Honest Review

woman with eyeshadow
This Is Why You Can't Use Normal Primer as Eyeshadow Primer

Bottles of Foundation Makeup
The Best Foundations to Wear for Photos, According to Makeup Artists

alix earle earing liquid foundation and hair in updo
How to Apply Liquid Foundation: A Makeup Artist's Guide

maybelline baby skin instant pore eraser
Maybelline's Baby Skin Primer Is Literally the Blur Tool IRL—And It's $7

Hallie G. taking a selfie with concealer.
My Under-Eye Concealer Creased Every Single Day—Until I Tried This

anastasia beverly hills luminous foundation review
I Put Anastasia Beverly Hills' New Luminous Foundation to the 12-Hour Wear Test

Khera Alexander wearing milk hydrogrip primer
Reviewed: A Makeup Artist Puts Milk Makeup's Hydro Grip Primer to the Test

This Little-Known Foundation Is Insanely Good at Covering Redness

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Fenty Beauty's Soft Matte Foundation Kept My Skin Shine-Free in the Georgia Heat

woman wearing bareminerals original loose foundation
Reviewed: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation

supergoop! cc cream
I Reviewed the Supergoop! CC Screen and It’s Now My New Foundation