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The Best Liquid Foundation

Last updated on July 19, 2022

We looked at the top 6 Liquid Foundations and dug through the reviews from 20 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Liquid Foundations.

Our Review Process

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If you’re looking for that picture-perfect flawless skin, having some foundation in your makeup bag is always a good idea. However, there are so many options when it comes to foundation, it can hard to know where to even start.

If you have dry skin, liquid foundation is your friend. This product has a creamy consistency which will moisturize your skin while you wear it. It’s also easy to get more coverage with a liquid foundation than with other types such as powders or sticks. If you have oily skin, you can still use liquid foundation, but it’s best to look for an oil-free option. This way, you won’t end up with a greasy look.

The most important – and arguably difficult – part of selecting liquid foundation is choosing the right shade. Going too dark or too light will not look good and will actually stand out on your face, which isn’t the look you want to achieve with foundation. To test different shades, many people think it’s best to apply it to your forearms to see if it matches. However, for many people, their forearms are actually a lot darker than their faces because they are more exposed to the sun. Instead of trying the foundation on your forearm, try it out on your inner wrist or even your chest. If you want to test the foundation color on your face, apply a small amount to the center of your face and then blend it out on your cheeks. Make sure to test out the foundation in good lighting that is natural so you can ensure you’re seeing the color correctly.

Our Picks For The Top Liquid Foundations

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Oil-Free Liquid Foundation

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Maybelline

Fit Me Matte + Poreless Oil-Free Liquid Foundation

You get a medium-coverage natural-looking matte finish with this liquid foundation. It is best for normal to oily skin. The foundation is buildable.

Overall Take

Medium CoverageThis liquid foundation offers a natural-looking matte finish.

Pros
" Blurs out fine lines and pores. Lightweight. Buildable coverage. Oil-free formula. Non-comedogenic. Dermatologist-tested. Easy to spread. Suitable for all skin tones."
Cons
"Not ideal for dry skin."
 Runner Up

Milani Conceal + Perfect Cruelty-Free Concealer & Liquid Foundation

Milani

Conceal + Perfect Cruelty-Free Concealer & Liquid Foundation

This double duty product is foundation and concealer in one. It hides any skin imperfection with a water-resistant formula. A little goes a long way with this product.

Overall Take

Double DutyThis liquid foundation also acts as a concealer.

Pros
" Accessible price point. 44 shade options. Full-coverage result that lasts all day."
Cons
"Some found it thicker than their normal foundation. Some found that it 'dragged' on the skin, especially around the eye area. Quite a few testers said that it sat in their pores and imperfections."
 We Also Like

L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24 Hour SPF 15 Liquid Foundation

L'Oreal Paris

Infallible 24 Hour SPF 15 Liquid Foundation

This long-lasting liquid foundation lasts up to 24 hours. It creates a smooth finish with a glow. The foundation is ideal for normal to dry skin.

Overall Take

Long LastingThis liquid foundation lasts up to 24 hours.

Pros
" Budget-friendly. Long-wear formula. Contains SPF."
Cons
"Can be drying and may look more matte than dewy for some."
 Strong Contender

Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Liquid Foundation

Covergirl + Olay

Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Liquid Foundation

This liquid foundation reduces wrinkles with its anti-aging formula. It also evens skin tone and reduces dark circles. The foundation is certified cruelty free.

Overall Take

Reduces WrinklesThis liquid foundation has an anti-aging formula.

Pros
" Instantly reduces the look of wrinkles and fine lines. Moisturizes the skin. Evens out the skin tone. Cruelty-free."
Cons
"Only comes in 16 shades, which means not everybody will find their perfect match."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the liquid foundations available to purchase.
6

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Byrdie, Elite Daily, BestReviews, I Am the Makeup Junkie, Style Craze.

502,416

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 6 Liquid Foundations and also dug through the reviews from 20 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Liquid Foundations.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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What to Look For

  • Did you choose a foundation color that is too light for your skin? You can combine it with a little bit of bronzer to darker it up. If the foundation is too dark for your skin, mix it with a little bit of moisturizer to lighten it up.
  • In addition to getting the shade right, it’s important to match the liquid foundation to your undertones. If you have a warm complexion, you likely have a yellow undertone. If you have a cool complexion, then you likely have a pink undertone. If your skin tone is more on the neutral end, you can use a yellow undertone liquid foundation as well.
  • When choosing the coverage level you need, consider what kind of look you prefer. For example, if you don’t like wearing a lot of makeup and prefer a natural look, then you’re going to want sheer coverage liquid foundation. This type of foundation is also easy to build upon. If you want liquid foundation that will last all day without requiring touch-ups and covers acne and discoloration, then opt for full coverage.
  • Not sure which finish you need? It can depend on your skin type. If you have normal to dry skin, opt for a foundation with a dewy finish. If you have oily skin, opt for a matte finish. For mature skin, choose a satin finish.
  • If you tan easily, then you’re probably going to want to choose several liquid foundations and use them based on the season you’re in. For example, in the spring and summer months, you may want to choose a darker liquid foundation and use a lighter one in the fall and winter months.

Liquid Foundation Rankings

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No matter what kind of liquid foundation you have, if you don’t apply it correctly, it won’t give you the look you’re trying to achieve. If you want to get more coverage and use a larger amount of product, then it’s best to apply it with a brush. If you want to add moisture and sheerness to the foundation, use a wet sponge to apply it. For a more natural-looking aesthetic where the liquid foundation is worked into your skin, opt for using your fingers to apply it.

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