A flawless complexion sets the stage for any striking makeup look, and achieving this begins with the right foundation. Matte foundations, in particular, provide a smooth canvas that downplays shine and delivers a polished, even skin tone that lasts all day.
These weightless wonders are not just another step in your beauty routine. They possess the transformative power to balance and harmonize your complexion, minimizing the appearance of pores and imperfections. Moreover, matte foundations are known for their ability to control excess oil, making them an ideal choice for those looking to achieve a shine-free finish.
To apply, begin with a small amount and blend evenly over the face, adding more if necessary. Remember, the goal is a natural, seamless look. For that airbrushed finish, consider using a foundation brush or sponge to ensure the product is evenly distributed and fully integrated into the skin.
There is an impressive variety of matte foundations available today, each claiming to offer unique benefits, from full coverage to long-lasting formulas. But irrespective of their individual promises, a good foundation should provide uniform coverage, withstand the demands of the day, and maintain a true matte finish without causing dryness or flaking.
From our research, we’ve identified a selection of matte foundations that consistently deliver exceptional results. These top performers have proven their prowess by providing excellent coverage, comfortable wear, and an enduring matte finish without compromising skin health.
- Buildable coverage
- Fade resistant
- For normal to dry skin
- On the pricier side
Bobbi Brown’s Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation is a dream!
The formula is designed to look as good as it feels, and its natural matte finish has a breathable and weightless feel. The foundation helps keep excess oil and shine in check while also concealing redness and discoloration—something that most foundations don’t do.
It’s available in 43 shades, so you’re sure to find your perfect match. And the best part? It minimizes pores and strengthens the skin’s barrier over time, so your complexion is left looking flawless all day long—no touch-ups needed!
“Not only does it cover different tones, but it also evens out my skin and looks flawless! Makeup also applies so easily,” explained one tester.
- Available in 50 shades
- Shine-free
- Diffuses the look of pores
- May be difficult to color match
If you’re looking for a foundation that’s going to match your skin tone, look good on camera, and more, this is a great pick.
Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation is the real deal. It’s got climate-adaptive technology to fight heat, sweat, and shine, so you can keep your cool no matter what kind of weather you’re facing.
It also features medium to full coverage, so your skin will look flawless through whatever adventures you have planned (and even if you decide not to wear makeup).
The foundation comes in 50 shades, so there’s one for everyone—and they’re all made with soft matte pigments to give each shade a natural finish that won’t make you look like a disco ball at night.
- Seamless blending
- Last up to 24 hours
- SPF 25 UV protection
- Price point
Armani Beauty’s Power Fabric + Foundation is one of our all-time favorites. It has a natural matte finish that doesn’t look flat or dry and lasts all day—even through workouts and running errands.
It’s lightweight, but it gives me medium to full coverage. I personally hate heavy foundations, and this one is just right for me. The formula is really unique—it uses micro–fil technology to allow pigments to lay flat on the skin so that you get a flawless look without any streaks or lines.
We also love that it has SPF 25 sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. It’s also available in 30 shades, so finding your match should be easy.
According to reviews, “Although the price is steep, it absolutely is worth it! It isn’t too oily but also doesn’t dry your skin out and look all cakey.”
- True color
- 16-hour wear
- Great for oily skin
- Tendency to dry quick
When you want to look like you but better, there’s the NARS’ Soft Matte Foundation. It’s a medium-to-full coverage product that blends seamlessly into your skin, creating a natural-looking matte finish.
The brand’s anti-oxidation complex works to help prevent color shifting as you wear it. The oil-absorbing powders create a smooth, mattified, second-skin look while keeping pores under control.
Available in 34 shades, this sweat-proof foundation is buildable—you can apply it lightly for light coverage or layer it on for more dramatic results. It also lasts 16 hours, making it great for all those long days.
“I have combination skin and prefer a matte finish. The finish on this foundation is perfect,” explained one beauty enthusiast. It’s light and buildable; a small amount goes very far.”
- Full coverage
- SPF 40 broad-spectrum
- Camouflages imperfections
- Limited shades
With a matte finish, this foundation from IT Cosmetics offers full coverage and is the perfect solution for those with oily skin who need to combat shine.
The color-correcting pigments instantly camouflage redness, acne scarring, and large pores so that you can achieve a natural-looking finish. The skin-loving benefits include anti-aging benefits thanks to the inclusion of SPF 40 broad-spectrum physical sunscreen as well as natural ingredients like colloidal clay to absorb oil and tea tree extract to combat blemishes.
The only downside is that this product is currently only available in 12 shades—though it’s worth noting that they blend seamlessly.
- Weightless
- Skincare hybrid
- Sweat-proof
- May be heavier than other foundations
Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Foundation is the ultimate in luxury. It has the skincare benefits of a serum, and the product itself has the weightless feel of airbrushing.
The foundation comes in 44 shades that work for both undertones and overtones. If you’re looking for full coverage, this foundation will give you that—but it won’t sit on top of your skin like other full-coverage foundations do. Instead, it has a natural matte finish that leaves your skin looking pore-blurred and airbrushed.
If you’re looking for a foundation that gives you flawless coverage without causing breakouts or clogging pores, we recommend this!
- Adjustable coverage
- Infused with skincare ingredients
- 51 shades
- Can be a bit watery
UOMA Beauty’s foundation is a combination of skincare and makeup. It’s available in 6 custom formulations to meet your skin’s needs, making it the ideal foundation for any skin type.
The biomimicry pigments deliver a vibrant matte finish that is light and airy, giving you a hydrated yet weightless feeling on your skin. The formula is long-lasting, so you can rest assured that your skin will look as good at the end of the day as it did when you first applied it!
UOMA has 51 shades available that are incredibly easy to match your complexion.
One reviewer explained, “I’ve been testing it out, and it’s become my favorite foundation I’ve ever used. The blend, the color match, the stay, everything is just perfect. Wow, wow, wow.”
- Oil-free
- Won't cause breakouts
- No touch-ups needed
When it comes to foundation, you want something that will give you a flawless finish and last all day. Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation is great for oily skin because its formula is matte and humidity-resistant.
Plus, it has SPF 10, which means that you’ll be protected from the sun even if it’s hot outside. The best part is that this foundation doesn’t settle into fine lines or caked-on areas of your skin. It provides flawless coverage while keeping oil at bay all day long.
Not to mention, you can choose your intensity level and undertone so it matches your skin exactly.
- Works well with oily skin
- Buildable coverage
- Lightweight
- May be difficult to color match
Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation lasts up to 24 hours, which is pretty impressive. The formula is matte and has full coverage that evens out skin tone, making you look like you just stepped off a runway.
The liquid formula comes in 28 shades, so there’s one for everyone. Its ultra-dense pigments were made using ultramarine blue and chromium oxide green pigments, so they’re purer, deeper shades than most foundations on the market today.
There’s also no gray cast to this foundation—it doesn’t make your skin look chalky or ashy—and olive tones aren’t too yellow or orange either (which can happen with some other brands).
- Soft-focus matte finish
- Waterproof
- Transfer resistant
- May not work with oily skin
Too Faced’s Born This Way Matte Finish Foundation is a medium-to-full coverage formula with buildable coverage that can be applied in layers to create a flawless look.
It’s made with coconut water, which helps replenish the skin’s moisture levels, and hyaluronic acid, which helps create a youthful appearance. The foundation has transfer-resistant properties, so your skin will stay matte throughout the day.
It also stays true to its color, so you don’t have to worry about looking like a different person when you see yourself in the mirror. If you’re looking for an oil-free product that will keep your skin hydrated and help it stay moisturized all day long, this is definitely one of the best options on the market!
What to Look for in Matte Foundation
Foundation Type
There are several types of foundations in the market, each with its own unique attributes. For matte makeup looks, you’ll want to look for oil-free, shine-absorbing formulas that help to control excess oil and deliver a flawlessly matte finish. Liquid foundations are commonly available in matte versions, but you can also find matte powder foundations that provide buildable coverage and are great for touch-ups throughout the day.
Coverage Level
Depending on your skin’s needs and the look you are going for, you may want different levels of coverage. Matte foundations are often medium to full coverage, excellent for concealing imperfections and evening out the skin tone. However, if you prefer a more natural look, there are lightweight foundations that offer sheer to medium coverage while still keeping the shine at bay.
Longevity
One of the key advantages of matte foundations is their long-lasting nature. They are designed to resist sweat and humidity, making them a perfect choice for long days or special events. When choosing a foundation, check the product’s claims about its longevity and check user reviews to see if it lives up to the promise.
Shade Range
Finding the right foundation shade is crucial for a natural-looking makeup application. High-quality matte foundations usually come in a broad spectrum of shades to cater to various skin tones. Make sure to consider your skin’s undertones (warm, cool, or neutral) to find the most flattering match.
Skin Type Considerations
While matte foundations are often recommended for oily or combination skin types due to their oil-absorbing properties, there are formulas out there designed to work with all skin types. For dry skin, look for foundations with hydrating ingredients to prevent the foundation from clinging to dry patches. Those with sensitive skin should consider fragrance-free and hypoallergenic options to minimize the risk of irritation.
