Like so many people, I have had somewhat of a turbulent relationship with foundation. Since I'm not a fan of matte makeup looks for myself, every aspect of my beauty routine is dedicated to bringing out my inner glow. Trying to find the perfect, natural-looking base that works to smooth and blur without totally repainting my complexion has proven tricky over the years. In fact, I've tried just about every foundation that's ever come my way in a bid to find the ideal second-skin formula. Finding a foundation that allowed my skin to breathe seemed like a long shot.
Throughout my career as a beauty editor, I've come across countless foundations that have promised a solution but instead result in clogged pores and dry patches within a few hours of wear. Mostly, however, the foundations I have tried have been, quite frankly, so-so. These are the sorts of foundations that remain in your makeup bag for many months, but you gradually find yourself reaching for them less often once you struggle to find ways to make them work with your current routine.
Occasionally, I come across a foundation that delivers such a glowy, dewy, and healthy-looking finish that I reach for it day in and day out, dispelling any lingering belief that the right foundation can't strike the right balance between delivering an ethereal glow that could make angels weep and keeping your skin looking like skin rather than a Facetune filter. They're definitely out there, albeit a little harder to ID without some trial and error (or help from the pros).
Luckily, you have us to do the hard work this time around and don't have to waste money on products that won't deliver. Keep scrolling for the official Who What Wear guide to the most glowing, dewiest foundations with the help of my fellow beauty editors.
Armani Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation
For me, the picture-perfect finish of this Armani Beauty foundation offers fully outweighs its luxury price point. Its high-performance formula instantly blurs texture and delivers a lit-from-within glow while improving skin's natural radiance overtime. Not to mention model and co-founder of Joja Activewear Jasmine Tookes uses it religiously.
Product Benefits: Formulated with Micro–fil technology that allows color pigments to lie flat for seamless blending and layering
Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
"This foundation is one of the glowiest formulas I own. I use it whenever my skin is especially dry or dull because it contains good-for-skin ingredients like biomimetic oats, Japanese lilyturf, and cacao peptides. Together, these ingredients reduce redness, strengthen the moisture barrier, and minimize the effects of environmental stressors. It's a high-tech formula for sure." — Kaitlyn McLintock, associate beauty editor
Product Benefits: Immediately reveals an even skin tone; improves the appearance of skin clarity over time (even after makeup is removed)
Saie Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation
"This is one of my absolute favorite foundations. I love a formula that adds warmth and radiance without making you look oily. This one does exactly that and is also super hydrating and comfortable to wear all day." — Shawna Hudson, associate beauty editor
Product Benefits: Formulated with rice bran peptides to reduce the appearance of fine lines, pores, and dark spots for a brighter skin tone
Make Up For Ever HD Skin Hydra Glow Hydrating Foundation
"People who love a dewy finish will love Make Up For Ever's newest foundation. The lightweight, medium-coverage, luminous finish is so pretty, and unlike other glowy formulas, this one doesn't sink or settle into my fine lines and uneven texture." — McLintock
Product Benefits: Uses the brand's Hydra-Skin Booster Complex that mimics the hydrating and plumping effect of a sheet mask
Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation
As long as the Ambient Soft Glow Foundation is on the market, there won't be a time it's not in my makeup bag. Inspired by the iconic Ambient Lighting collection, this foundation features a transfer-resistant formula infused with blurring spheres, light-diffusing pigments, and skin-nourishing white tea extract.
Product Benefits: Formulated with blurring spheres to minimize the look of imperfections for skin that stays smooth, even, and glowing
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
"I just tried this formula from Lancôme recently and holy wow. I can't believe I slept on it for so long! It doesn't clog your pores or feel too heavy (for my fellow acne-prone folks out there), but it adds this gorgeous, subtle glow to the skin that looks even better with a spot of Chanel's Bronzing Cream." — Hudson
Product Benefits: Updated formula is packed with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, moringa seed extracts, and prebiotics
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Ilia's award-winning tinted serum is formulated with light, dewy coverage; mineral SPF; and potent levels of skincare ingredients. It uses niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and plant-based squalane to hydrate and plump the skin while improving elasticity and replenishing moisture. Since incorporating it into my makeup lineup, my complexion has never looked better.
Product Benefits: Combines makeup, skincare, and SPF into one step to improve the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles
Chanel N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation
"This is by far my favorite foundation formula I've tried yet (and I've tried a lot). The lightweight formula feels like nothing on the skin, yet it provides perfectly buildable medium coverage that's radiant and dewy. I'm not talking about the kind of radiant and dewy where it looks like you dipped your face in oil. I'm talking about that soft, lit-from-within look that's hard to master. I wear this almost every day. It's that good." — McLintock
Product Benefits: Its hero ingredient is red camellia oil, which delivers comfort and helps maintain skin barrier function
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint Foundation
I don't hear enough hype for Danessa Myricks's hydrating, smoothing, skincare-infused skin tint, and I'm on a mission to fix that. It provides light coverage and a skin-like, radiant finish, supercharging the skin with nourishing ingredients including cactus extract, vegan collagen peptides, and ceramides to strengthen and protect the skin barrier.
Product Benefits: Offered in 16 versatile shades that are designed to address redness and unevenness for all skin tones
Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation SPF 15
Offering radiant medium to full coverage and UV protection with SPF 15, Dior's Forever Skin Glow Hydrating Foundation helps to visibly reduce pores for a smooth, radiant complexion. It's extremely lightweight on the skin (so much so that I forget it's there) and locks in moisture without creating shine—a must for an ultra-dewy makeup look.
Product Benefits: Delivers up to 24 hours of color-true wear and hydration while also being completely heat and humidity resistant
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