The 8 Best Smudge-Proof Foundations, According to a Beauty Editor

With hundreds of foundations on the market, finding the best formula for your skin is no small feat. And as a beauty editor with oily skin things can feel even trickier when it comes to finding a foundation that’s actually going to last. Naturally, over the years, I’ve tended to gravitate towards more full-coverage foundations over more natural-looking formulas in the hope of bolstering their staying power. But now that I’m in my mid-30s and my skin is changing again, I’ve found myself gravitating towards more lightweight skin tints or more hydrating formulas that are less likely to cling to dry patches. However, dewy foundations aren’t renowned for their longevity—and if there’s one thing that I want from my foundation it’s for it to be totally smudge-proof.

Thankfully, there are foundations out there that you can apply first thing in the morning and will still be firmly in place by the end of the day—no budging. And there are other things that you can do to improve the longevity of your foundation too. “Don’t use too much skincare before you put on your foundation as excess emollient on the skin is a surefire way to increase slip,” advises makeup artist Andrew Denton. Plus, mixing up your application techniques can also boost staying power. “Applying foundation with your fingers instead of a brush will help push the foundation into your skin with the heat and contact from your fingers massaging the foundation into place and enabling it to set and stay in place for a prolonged period of time,” says Denton.

Best smudge-proof foundations

(Image credit: @hungvanngo)

Ahead, my pick of the very best smudge-proof foundations that I’ve tried and tested—plus some recommendations from trusted fellow beauty editors and makeup artists.

The best smudge-proof foundations:

1. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Matte Longwear Foundation

3. ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick

4. Monika Blunder Beauty Blunder Cover

5. BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15

6. Sculpted by Aimee Satin Silk Longwear Foundation

7. Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

8. L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32hr Freshwear Liquid Foundation

Mica Ricketts

Mica Ricketts is a freelance beauty editor, copywriter and regular contributor toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK. She also writes for titles including Marie Claire Refinery 29 and Cosmopolitan, and previously worked atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK as Beauty Editor. With experience in both editorial and content management, she also works with beauty brands and small businesses on brand messaging and content strategy. As a busy mum of two, she is passionate about finding efficacious beauty products that can disguise all signs of tiredness with minimal effort.