In my experience, traditional liquid foundations have offered better coverage than a lot of mousse, balm, cream, and powder formulations that I’ve tried — not that there’s anything wrong with them. While I agree that liquid formulas can have their flaws, the best liquid formulations are not the kind that feels too heavy or goopy on the skin or the kind that melts into a sunscreen-like white cast at the slightest hint of perspiration! There are such products out in the market for sure, but I’ve meticulously curated a list of those that won’t disappoint you! 

In fact, when curating suitable foundations — drugstore, premium, and luxury products alike — I tested them and filtered out the best ones by going through customer reviews and feedback. Next, I checked their finish, coverage, lasting power, as well as skincare benefits — so, you can expect a lot of that in this article. Scroll away to see my recommendations. I hope you like them!

• 1
  Best for All Skin Types

  L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation

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Ideal for everyday wear, this popular foundation promises fresh wear without caking or settling into fine lines. Formulated with breathable, ultra-flexible pigments, it adapts to the skin's movements, ensuring a comfortable feel throughout the day. Its texture blends seamlessly, concealing imperfections and creating an even complexion without heaviness. 

The shade natural buff is suitable for those with neutral undertones, offering a versatile option for a wide range of skin tones. With its oil-free and transfer-resistant formula, it withstands heat, sweat, and humidity, making it suitable for all-day wear in any environment.

Coverage: Full

Shades: 39

Finish: Natural, semi-matte

Lasting Power: 24 Hours

Quantity: 30 ml

2

Best Budge-proof

Revlon Liquid Foundation

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This foundation boasts a unique blend of features designed to cater to specific skin types and needs. Formulated with a long-wearing technology, it promises extended coverage without the need for constant touch-ups. Its medium to full coverage ensures an even complexion, concealing imperfections while providing a natural finish. 

Enriched with SPF 20, this foundation offers added protection against harmful UV rays, making it an ideal choice for daily wear. Its oil-free, hyaluronic acid-enriched formula is tailored to suit normal and dry skin, providing hydration and sun protection without clogging the skin’s pores.

Coverage: Medium to full coverage

Finish: Matte

Shades: 27

Lasting Power: 24 Hours

Quantity: 30 ml

3

Best Buildable Coverage

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Oil-free Foundation

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Crafted with an oil-free formula, it effectively controls shine and minimizes the appearance of pores for a smooth, airbrushed look. The foundation allows for a customizable, buildable coverage, ensuring a natural yet perfected appearance without feeling heavy on the skin. Its matte finish helps to absorb excess oil. 

Hence, it is suitable for those with a combination of oily skin types. The shade classic ivory is a versatile option with neutral undertones, catering to a wide range of fair to light skin tones. 

Coverage: Sheer to medium

Finish: Matte

Shades: 39

Lasting Power: 12 Hours

Quantity: 30 ml

4

Best Sweat-resistant

bareMinerals Barepro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation

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This foundation boasts a lightweight, breathable formula that provides full coverage with a natural matte finish, ideal for those seeking a flawless complexion that lasts all day. Crafted with a mineral-rich formula, it not only provides long-lasting coverage but also promotes skin health and radiance. 

The inclusion of SPF 20 offers added protection against harmful UV rays, making this skin-balancing foundation suitable for daily wear. With its 24-hour wear time, this foundation ensures a reliable performance that withstands sweat, humidity, and daily activities without caking or fading.

Coverage: Full

Finish: Natural matte

Shades: 29

Lasting Power: 24 Hours

5

Best Flawless Coverage

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup Foundation

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Infused with antioxidant-rich Vitamin E and Feverfew, it nourishes and protects the skin while providing a lightweight and breathable formula that ensures a natural, radiant finish. This foundation's broad-spectrum SPF 20 sunscreen protects against harmful UV rays, shielding the skin from premature aging and sun damage. 

Its lightweight texture allows for easy application and seamless blending, creating a smooth and even complexion without feeling heavy or cakey. The shade natural ivory is tailored to suit fair to light skin tones with neutral undertones, offering a versatile option for a wide range of individuals.

Coverage: Sheer

Finish: Natural, satin

Shades: 14

Quantity: 1 fl oz

6

Best Lightweight

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

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This lightweight, non-comedogenic formula provides sheer coverage while offering broad-spectrum SPF 40 protection against harmful UV rays. Infused with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and plant-based squalane, it hydrates, smooths, and refines the skin, leaving it looking radiant and healthy. 

Additionally, it helps to defend against environmental stressors such as blue light and pollution, making it an ideal choice for those living in urban environments. Its versatile shade range, including Bom Bom ST5, ensures a perfect match for a variety of skin tones.

Coverage: Light coverage

Finish: Dewy

Shades: 25

Quantity: 30 ml

7

Best Waterproof

Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation

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This innovative foundation offers buildable coverage without caking, ensuring a natural yet perfected look. With its buildable formula, it helps create a smooth and even base makeup. The matte finish provides a polished appearance that lasts up to 24 hours, making it perfect for long days and special occasions. 

Formulated to be waterproof and sweatproof, this foundation withstands humidity and moisture without smudging or fading, ensuring a flawless look that stays put all day long.

Coverage: Medium

Finish: Matte

Shades: 33

Lasting Power: 24 Hours

Quantity: 1 fl oz

8

Most Long-lasting Foundation

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Buildable Full Coverage Foundation

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This buildable foundation offers full coverage that lasts all day, ensuring a flawless complexion from morning to night. Formulated with innovative technology, it provides a natural matte finish that helps to control excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores. 

Its resilient formula withstands humidity, sweat, and daily activities without smudging or fading, making it perfect for any occasion. The lightweight texture allows for easy application and seamless blending, ensuring a comfortable wear that feels breathable on the skin.

Coverage: Medium to full

Finish: Natural matte and glowy

Shades: 50

Lasting Power: 24 Hour

9

Best All-day Hydration

No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Serum Foundation

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Infused with a potent blend of anti-aging ingredients, including peptides and vitamin C, it helps to firm, brighten, and even out skin tone while providing buildable coverage for a flawless complexion. The inclusion of SPF 15 offers added protection against sun damage, helping to prevent further signs of aging. 

The shade Warm Ivory is a versatile option with warm undertones, suitable for a wide range of fair to light skin tones. Its lightweight and dewy formula creates a luminous base that makes the skin radiant and youthful.

Coverage: Medium

Finish: Dewy

Shades: 18

Lasting Power: All day

Quantity: 30 ml

10

Best Packaging

Mac Studio Fix Fluid Spf 15 Foundation

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Formulated with SPF 15, it offers added protection against the sun's harmful rays, helping to prevent premature aging and sun damage. The lightweight and blendable texture makes it easy to apply and build coverage according to your preference. The shade NC25 is a versatile option with warm undertones, suitable for those with light to medium skin tones. Packaged in a sleek and convenient bottle, this foundation is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups or travel.

Coverage: Medium to full

Finish: Natural matte

Shades: 8 (on Amazon)

Lasting Power: -

Quantity: 30 ml

11

Glo Skin Beauty Luminous Liquid Mineral Foundation

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Infused with mineral-rich ingredients, it helps to improve uneven skin tone, smooths texture and corrects imperfections for a flawless complexion. The inclusion of SPF 18 as well as vitamins A, C, E, and green tea extracts provides added protection against harmful UV rays as well as oxidative stress defense, preventing premature aging and sun damage.

With its lightweight and buildable formula, this foundation creates a dewy finish that leaves the skin looking luminous and radiant. The shade Tahini is a versatile option with neutral undertones, suitable for a wide range of skin tones.

Coverage: Sheer to medium coverage

Finish: Dewy

Shades: 10

12

TimeWise Matte-wear Liquid Beige 7 Foundation from Mary Kay

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Designed to control excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores, it creates a smooth and velvety canvas that stays matte throughout the day. Its oil-free formula is suitable for all skin types, including oily and combination skin, providing a comfortable wear that withstands heat, humidity, and daily activities. The shade Beige 7 is a versatile option with neutral undertones, catering to a wide range of medium skin tones.

Coverage: Full

Finish: Matte

Quantity: 29 ml

13

bareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Foundation

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Infused with a blend of minerals, including iron oxides and titanium dioxide, this foundation provides broad-spectrum SPF 20 protection against harmful UV rays, safeguarding the skin from sun damage and premature aging. 

The formula's mineral-rich composition helps to promote skin health and radiance while providing buildable coverage that leaves the complexion looking naturally flawless and luminous. Its lightweight and breathable texture ensures comfortable wear throughout the day without clogging pores or feeling heavy on the skin.

Coverage: Medium

Finish: Matte

Shades: 30

Now that you have seen my product recommendations for the best liquid foundations, glance through my buying guide to make an informed purchase.

In a good liquid foundation, look for:

1. Skin Type Compatibility: Choose a formula suited to your skin type (dry, oily, combination) to ensure optimal performance and comfort.

2. Coverage Level: Decide on the coverage you prefer (light, medium, full) based on your desired finish and skin concerns.

3. Finish: Consider whether you want a dewy, matte, or satin finish to achieve your desired look.

4. Longevity: Opt for long-wearing formulas if you need your foundation to last throughout the day without frequent touch-ups.

5. Ingredients: Look for non-comedogenic, oil-free, and fragrance-free options, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

6. Shade Range: Choose a foundation with a diverse shade range to ensure a perfect match for your skin tone.

7. SPF: If sun protection is a priority, select a foundation with added SPF to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.

8. Hydration: Consider foundations with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin for added moisture and comfort, especially for dry skin types.

Start with a clean and moisturized face to ensure smooth application and better blending.

Apply small dots of foundation on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin, then blend outwards using gentle, circular motions for a seamless finish.

Start with a small amount of foundation and layer as needed to avoid a heavy, cakey look.

Blend foundation downwards towards your jawline and neck to avoid harsh lines and ensure a natural transition.

Use concealer to spot-conceal any blemishes or imperfections before setting your foundation with translucent powder to prolong its wear.

Customize your foundation by mixing in moisturizer or illuminator for added hydration or radiance.

Carry a compact powder or blotting papers to touch up any areas that become oily or shiny throughout the day without disturbing the rest of your makeup.