If You Hate Foundation, These Natural-Looking Alternatives Will Win You Over

Shades: 12

This Summer Fridays skin tint/foundation hybrid is without doubt the best base product out there for those who don't like wearing foundation. The coverage is light, so if you prefer a fuller-looking face, it won't be for you. However, if you're in the market for a sheer skin perfecter that's ideal for daily use, this is the best I've ever tried. It's lightly hydrating, doesn't sit on the skin's surface, and takes down redness and discolouration with concealer-like ease. If you haven't found the perfect no-makeup-makeup base product yet, I can assure you it's this.

Shades: 42

I genuinely could not believe just how much I fell in love with this stuff considering it's pretty full coverage. In fact, I love it so much that after trying it for the first time, I wore it every single day for a month, which is entirely unheard of for me. The finish is somewhere between satin and matte. It doesn't dull the skin at all but doesn't leave it looking greasy or dewy either. The coverage is relatively full, but you can just use less if you want to sheer things out. The most impressive thing about this foundation though is the way it doesn't scupper the skin's natural radiance or glow. Whenever I wear it, I'm guaranteed compliments on my skin (not my foundation)!

Shades: 30

This is a cult product that deserves every ounce of hype it receives online. It has a thicker consistency than most skin tints and feels more like a foundation than other products of its kind, but the finish is unbelievably natural-looking. Plus, it's chock-full of skin-loving ingredients that treat the skin while it works.

Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden also adores the dewy finish of this stuff. "I can't live without Ilia's Skin Tint," she says. "The serum texture melts into the skin and offers impressive coverage that doesn't look heavy. Instead, it imparts a healthy, dewy glow, while the additions of niacinamide and squalene genuinely leave my skin looking better as I wear it. It's by far one of the best Ilia makeup products."

Shades: 30

Don't be fooled by the skin-tint-like bottle, this stuff is a foundation through and through. It has an impressive amount of coverage (one layer will deliver medium coverage, but it can be layered for more) and delivers a truly radiant, dewy glow. Formulated with a plethora of hydrating skincare ingredients, it's the sort of foundation that really works with skin rather than against it. 

Price shown is member price.

Shades: 21

With a buildable medium coverage, this foundation is surprisingly lightweight on the skin, but provides an impressive soft-focus effect with a radiant matte finish that doesn't look flat or cakey. It's also oil and fragrance-free, making it ideal for those with breakout-prone or sensitive skin. If you're looking for a forgiving matte foundation for the evening that still looks natural, this is it.

Shades: 20

Oily people, if you don't like having to use powder over your foundation, keep scrolling—this stuff will likely need a dusting of something mattifying if your skin is already oily. However, if you have normal-dry skin, you won't be able to get enough of this super-dewy drops. The formula is almost impossibly lightweight and invisible on the skin, delivering a truly stunning, dewy finish, which is perfect for those with dull or dehydrated skin. Don't be fooled by the water-like consistency of the product—it's delivers seriously impressive coverage.

Eleanor is also a fan of Westman Atelier's drops. "On the days when I want lightweight coverage, I reach for these drops. I'd recommend giving them a good shake beforehand to ensure the pigment is mixed, but it lends the skin the most dewy, radiant finish while still letting my freckles peek through," she says.

Shades: 16

When Chanel first launched this product (albeit with a different name and formula) a few years back, I'll admit I didn't really get it. However, the brand gave things an update, producing something that is nothing short of perfection. Containing spheres of pigment that are suspended in a skin-loving, gel-like concoction of water, antioxidants and hydrating emollients, this formula delivers whatever your skin needs most at that time. Plus, the cooling gel consistency makes it beautifully glow-boosting. If you want a no-fuss, hydrating, natural-looking base for everyday wear in the warmer months, look no further.

Shades: 32

If I could have any beauty wish granted, it would be for this foundation to be cheaper. However, it is without doubt the best proper foundation I have ever used. With a beautifully buildable medium coverage, it becomes one with the skin in a way that, in my opinion, no other foundation can. It just leaves skin looking healthy. Considering the price, I really don't like shouting about this foundation too much, but I can't bring myself to round up the best natural-looking foundations out there and not include this. If you have £126 going spare or are looking to invest in your beauty regime, it's a magnificent buy.

Shades: 18

Dior's Forever foundations are a real hit amongst foundation lovers, so as a foundation-hater, I've surprised myself with how much I love this stuff. If you love a totally blurring, fully disguising, skin-smoothing foundation with impressive coverage, Dior Forever foundations are absolutely magnificent. However, if like me, you prefer your complexion to look as though it can breathe, this Hydra Nude formula is a great option. It still packs a hefty amount of coverage, so personally, I'd use this just in the evenings, but with a 55% water base, it delivers a skin-like finish that doesn't possess a hint of cakeiness.

Shades: 46

Nars is famed for its excellent foundations, and the Light Reflecting Foundation is no exception. Unlike the brand's cult Sheer Glow, which has a relatively full-coverage, satin finish, this stuff puts glow first and has a buildable, medium coverage that allows you to tailor your results. I find it a little too glowy in the summer, but it's ideal for colder months when my skin is drier.

Shades: 30

For when you need a slightly fuller coverage this foundation is the one to go for—particularly if you have oily or combination skin and prefer a natural matte finish to your skin. It's creamy, packs a blemish-disguising punch and leaves skin looking like skin. The ball-point style applicator makes it easy to conceal just where you need it without masking your skin.

Shades: 18

If it's a dewy finish you're seeking, them Hourglass's Veil Hydrating Skin Tint is bound to tick all the boxes. "The creamy formula melts into the skin with a second-skin finish, leaving my complexion looking glowing and radiant," says Eleanor. "It's my everyday go-to when I want a natural-looking, dewy finish that doesn't feel like I'm wearing a mask. Plus, this is one of the best colour matches I've had from a base product in a long time."