Having luminous, glowing skin on your wedding day is every bride’s wish. But can you make that dream a reality?
The truth is there are a ton of foundations out there, but not every foundation will work for your individual needs. That’s why it’s so important to try out some of the better options before the big day. By giving them a test run, you’ll be able to see how they hold up and if your makeup still looks great by day’s end.
To help you figure out which foundation is best for bridal makeup, we’ve compiled a list of the best bases to consider for your wedding day. Whether you like high-end makeup, bargain deals or natural formulas, you’re sure to find the right foundation for your wedding day.
In This Article
Best High-End Foundations
Opting for high quality makeup can be a great investment in your appearance and, there are many brides and makeup artists alike who swear by designer foundations. If you prefer higher-end makeup, here are the six best foundations to consider for your big day.
1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
Price: $39.95-$62
Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Estee Lauder, Amazon, Sephora, Ulta
Clean rating: Free of synthetic fragrance, gluten, parabens, phthalates, sulfites, drying alcohols, mineral oil and animal-derived ingredients.
Most common praise: Long-wear, blends well, natural looking coverage
Most common complaints: Too costly, too heavy
No matter what color your skin is, you’re sure to find your match with this foundation. With a whopping 56 shades to choose from, this U.S. bestseller could be your perfect match. Offering medium coverage and a matte finish, Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup helps even skin tone and control oil and shine for 24 hours at a time.
2. Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Matte Foundation
Price: $68
Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Givenchy, Sephora, Nordstrom
Clean rating: 97% natural ingredients. Free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, formaldehyde, mineral oil and oxybenzone
Most common praise: Hydrating, good coverage
Most common complaints: Pricey, scented
With 35 shades broken into neutral, warm, and cool undertones, matching your skin tone is easy for most brides. This hydrating formula offers long-lasting, matte, buildable coverage with a natural dewy finish that works to improve your skin’s quality over time.
3. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Price: $39-$69
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Armani Beauty, Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue
Clean rating: Cruelty-free, oil-free, talc-free
Most common praise: Long-lasting, blends well
Most common complaints: Scent, price
This award-winning foundation comes in 40 shades making it easy to find your color match.
Not only does it help to improve skin texture and blur imperfections for a silky, smooth finish, it offers buildable medium coverage that is perfect for any bride looking for a natural, dewy look.
4. Gucci Éternité De Beauté 24 Hour Full Coverage Luminous Matte Finish Foundation
Price: $39-$69
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Gucci, Nordstrom, Sephora
Clean rating: Vegan, paraben-free; sulfate-free; gluten-free; talc-free
Most common praise: Blends well, good coverage
Most common complaints: Scented, price
This full coverage foundation contains hyaluronic acid and black rose oil to enhance skin hydration as well as bamboo powder to absorb shine for a matte yet glowing finish. While most users agree this foundation is long-lasting and blurs pores, some users with drier skin found it too thick and cakey.
5. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation
Price: $57-$65
Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Sephora, Amazon, Ulta, Lancôme
Clean rating: Oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic
Most common praise: Good coverage, hides flaws
Most common complaints: Pricey, not ideal for dry skin
Best for oily, combination and normal skin, this full-coverage foundation is available in more than 50 shades and comes in warm, neutral and cool undertones for a more successful match. Offering a natural yet matte finish, Lancôme bills it as a 24-hour, transfer-resistant product. Users agree that it covers and evens skin well while still feeling light.
6. Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation
Price: $39
Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Uoma Beauty, Ulta
Clean rating: Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, talc-free and D5-free
Most common praise: Good coverage, lightweight
Most common complaints: Color matching can be difficult
With 51 shades to choose from, this multi-award winning foundation is available in six custom formulation groups based on your complexion and undertone. Infused with skincare ingredients, including berry extract for extra hydration, this formula boasts the ability to minimize the appearance of pores, soften fine lines and conceal redness, rosacea and dark spots.
Best Drugstore Brand Foundations
Who says you need to spend a bundle to get great coverage and a flawless complexion? While many drugstore brands struggle to live up to the more expensive designer brands, these five foundations have received stellar reviews across the board and are ideal for any thrifty bride looking for her perfect foundation.
1. NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation
Price: $7- $10
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy on: NYX Cosmetics, Ulta, Amazon,
Clean rating: Vegan, cruelty-free
Most common praise: Lightweight, blends well
Most common complaints: Not effective for oily skin
With buildable, medium coverage that comes in 45 different shades, this is a good choice for any bride with dry, normal or combination skin who wants a glowing complexion. This foundation goes on smooth and blends well for an even-toned look with a radiant, dewy finish. For best results, we suggest pairing it with your favorite primer.
2. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup
Price: $6.80
Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon, CVS Pharmacy, Walmart, Walgreens
Clean rating: Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, oil-free
Most common praise: Good coverage, long-lasting
Most common complaints: Not good for dry skin
Formulated to address the texture issues of normal to oily skin, this foundation absorbs oil and controls shine without clogging pores. Available in 40 shades, it offers medium matte coverage and a natural finish that also minimizes pores. Some long-time users did note, however, the new formulation, which includes clay, is not quite as good as the original product.
3. CoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation
Price: $7.59- $12.49
Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon, Ulta, Target
Clean rating: Cruelty-free, oil-free, paraben-free
Most common praise: Good coverage, blends well
Most common complaints: Scented, some found consistency too thick
Developed with what CoverGirl calls “flexi-hold technology,” this foundation is said to offer “a strong yet flexible film” once applied to give you a smooth and flawless face. This matte, transfer-resistant foundation, which is available in 40 shades, absorbs excess oil and helps to minimize the appearance of pores when paired with a primer.
4. Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy Liquid Foundation Makeup
Price: $6.89-$7.49
Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Wet n Wild Beauty, Amazon
Clean rating: Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, talc-free, paraben-free
Most common praise: Good value, blends well
Most common complaints: Scented, color matching can be difficult
Ideal for normal to dry skin, this moisturizing formula offers buildable medium coverage for a natural, dewy finish. While some users say it hides pores and fine lines for a flawless face, there were a few who said it made their pores more noticeable. While this foundation works well for users with dry to normal complexions, it does not offer the same results to those with oily skin.
5. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup Foundation
Price: $9.56 – $13.49
Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Neutrogena, Amazon, Target
Clean rating: Paraben-free, oil-free. Contains titanium dioxide, talc and fragrance.
Most common praise: Lightweight, blends well, has SPF 20
Most common complaints: Only available in 14 shades
This lightweight formula is silky smooth and blends beautifully into the skin for a natural-looking finish. Although it’s not a full coverage foundation, it is buildable, making it ideal for brides that need heavier coverage. Formulated with a blend of antioxidants, including vitamin E, this foundation works to improve the tone and texture of your skin. While this foundation should work well for most skin types, brides with sensitive skin should give this one a miss.
Best Natural Foundations
If you’re chemical conscious, then opting for a natural foundation is the right move for you. Natural foundations have fewer synthetic ingredients and are less likely to cause skin irritation for those with sensitive skin. They also tend to be fragrance-free, which is important for those who are prone to allergy or scent-induced headaches.
Here are our five favorite natural foundations.
1. Almay Skin Perfecting Comfort Matte Foundation
Price: $6.33-$13.99
Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Almay, Amazon
Clean rating: Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and oil-free. No parabens, phthalates, SLS, mineral oil and formaldehydes.
Most common praise: Lightweight, gentle formula
Most common complaints: Limited shade range
Available in 16 shades, Almay’s lightweight matte foundation offers medium coverage that’s buildable to suit the needs of your complexion. This dermatologist-tested foundation also boasts a hydrating effect for a softer more even skin tone, minimized pores and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines.
2. 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Full Coverage Water Foundation
Price: $48
Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Integrity Botanicals, 100% Pure
Clean rating: Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free. No parabens, propylene glycol, Dye or SLS.
Most common praise: Natural finish, good coverage
Most common complaints: Problems with makeup pump
Formulated for normal to dry skin, this hydrating fruit pigmented foundation offers full coverage with a satiny finish. Containing anti-aging red wine resveratrol, alpha lipoic acid, green tea and aloe as well as pomegranate and açai oils, this foundation helps plump the skin for a more youthful appearance.
3. rms beauty ReEvolve Medium Coverage Liquid Foundation
Price: $52-$67
Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Buy on: RMS Beauty, Sephora
Clean rating: Non-comedogenic and silicone-free. No phthalates, formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers, oxybenzone or octinoxate.
Most common praise: Blurs imperfections, evens skin tone
Most common complaints: Some found formula too thick
Although the most costly of the clean foundations, ReEvolve also has a high-end ingredient list that includes Tightenyl, moisture-rich vegetable squalane and soothing organic aloe that aids in hydrating and firming the skin. Offering medium coverage, it gives a natural almost satiny finish making it perfect for those with dry to normal skin.
4. bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Price: $38-$47
Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Buy on: bareMinerals, Sephora
Clean rating: Vegan, no parabens, sulfates or phthalates, gluten-free, oil-free
Most common praise: Long-lasting, goes on smooth
Most common complaints: Color matching can be difficult
Boasting only five ingredients, bareMinerals offers sun protection, coverage and a natural looking glow. Made from minerals that are clinically proven to improve the appearance of skin over time, this powder foundation offers buildable, matte coverage and helps to control shine.
5. Well People Bio Stick Foundation
Price: $27
Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Well People, Ulta,
Clean rating: Free from parabens, avobenzone, oxybenzone, GMOs, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrance and other toxic ingredients.
Most common praise: Gives healthy glow, blends well
Most common complaints: More shades needed
This handy foundation stick is perfect for brides looking for light coverage and a natural glow. Available in 14 shades, it offers hydration and coverage and can even be used for contouring or as a bronzer. The vegan foundation is fortified with vitamin E as well as plant-powered ingredients such as castor seed oil and safflower seed oil.
Best Hydrating Foundations
If you have dry to normal skin, or even combination skin with occasional dryness, opting for a moisturizing foundation can be a great choice to both nourish your skin and even out your complexion. Here are our five faves for a hit of extra moisture.
1. ColorPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Hydrating Foundation
Price: $16
Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Buy on: ColorPop, Ulta
Clean rating: Cruelty-free, vegan, no added fragrance, alcohol, or parabens.
Most common praise: Lightweight, blends well
Most common complaints: Not as long-lasting as some
This dermatologist-tested formula offers medium but buildable coverage with a natural finish for a healthy no-makeup look. Hyaluronic acid, fruit extracts and coconut water work to hydrate your skin upon first use while helping to fade fine lines and improve skin texture over time. If you have oily skin, you will likely need to use a setting powder to enhance the product’s longevity.
2. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare
Price: $44- $55
Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Buy on: IT Cosmetics, Sephora, Ulta
Clean rating: Free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehydes and phthalates
Most common praise: Good coverage, improves skin tone
Most common complaints: Pricey, doesn’t conceal pores
Available in a whopping 40 shades, this hydrating formula is ideal for brides with drier skin, but also for those with dullness and uneven texture. While pricey, the ingredient list — hyaluronic acid, hepes acid, aloe vera, vitamins E and B5 — is top-notch and works to give you brighter, smoother skin over time. This formula works well for most skin types, but some users with larger pores found it did little to conceal them.
3. Essence Pretty Natural Hydrating Foundation
Price: $6.99- $9.99
Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Essence, Amazon,
Clean rating: Vegan, paraben-free, alcohol-free, oil-free, gluten-free. Contains fragrance
Most common praise: Long-lasting, affordable
Most common complaints: Not ideal for oily skin
Available in 31 shades, this hydrating formula uses aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin while also giving medium coverage and a natural finish. If you need extra coverage, this foundation is buildable and will work well over your favorite primer.
4. CoverGirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk Tint Foundation
Price: $3.92
Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon, Ulta, Walmart
Clean rating: No parabens, sulfates, mineral oil or talc.
Most common praise: Lightweight, natural looking coverage
Most common complaints: Not effective for ladies needing full coverage, light scent
If you’re looking for a sheer, lightweight foundation that looks and feels natural, this could be just what your skin needs. Infused with hydrating coconut milk and aloe extract, this hydrating foundation works for all skin types and is an especially good choice for brides with sensitive skin. This foundation gives a dewy, natural looking glow. If you need spot coverage, try pairing it with CoverGirl Clean Fresh Hydrating Concealer.
5. Physicians Formula Butter Believe It! Foundation + Concealer
Price: $12.48-$15.99
Reviews: 4 out of 5 stars
Buy on: Amazon, Physician’s Formula
Clean rating: Vegan, talc-free, gluten-free, paraben-free
Most common praise: Long-lasting, great for dry skin
Most common complaints: Not fragrance-free, not effective for oily skin
This unique foundation and concealer formula is chock-full of hydrating ingredients including murumuru butter, cupuaçu butter and tucuma butter, from the Amazon rainforest. This foundation’s creamy texture works best on dry to normal skin types and offers medium buildable coverage. Users note that it conceals while simultaneously seeming to melt into the skin for a natural, radiant glow. For a flawless face, consider using it with Physicians Formula Butter Believe It! Putty Primer.
