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Foundation is quite literally the base of your makeup look, so finding one that stays put, blends imperceptibly, and feels good on the skin is serious business if you’re a makeup wearer. Luckily, season after season, brands give their most beloved formulas upgrades, so that they wear better and go on easier than ever before. In fact, the best new foundations of 2020 are some of the smartest on skin that we’ve ever seen.
To help spread the word on these cult-status foundations in the making, we’ve rounded up the best of the best formulas for fall. Whether you’re back at the office or calling in from Zoom, these bottles are the ones to know about in the days to come. Keep scrolling for our faves.
1. Exa High Fidelity Foundation, $38
Clean beauty destination Credo has been working on its own makeup line for years, and now it’s here with a game-changing foundation: Exa. Foundation has been toeing the line between makeup and skin care for a while now, but this bottle exceeds what others have done with its skin-boosting blend of ingredients that protect your skin from pollution and visible light. It has the hydrating staples of aloe vera, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate, and a long list of antioxidants, such as maqui berry, grapefruit, and peach extracts.
As for the coverage itself, it’s got a semi-satin finish with light-medium (buildable) coverage. But it feels incredibly lightweight on the skin, and absorbs to look like your natural skin, especially since there are 43 shades.
Shop now: Exa High Fidelity Foundation, $38
2. Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Foundation, $40
The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($64) has long been an industry fave. But the brand-new Neo Nude Foundation is giving the brand’s cult-fave a run for its money. The texture is like a faux-mousse that slides onto the skin as it gives light to medium coverage. It feels like you’re not wearing anything on your skin, even though you’re getting an all-over skin-like finish. Full-coverage fans can stipple on more, but if you stick with a light layer, this product nails the effortless no-makeup-makeup look.
Shop now: Giorgio Armani Neo Nude Foundation, $40
3. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare, $40
Beauty lovers have long turned to IT Cosmetics for its BB and CC creams and tinted moisturizers that smooth out the skin, and now they’re going to be raving about this foundation-skin-care hybrid. It lives up to its name “Your Skin But Better” since it has medium-coverage tops breakouts, redness, and pigmentation for a glowy, natural look. On the skin-care side, your skin’s drinking up hyaluronic acid and aloe vera plus vitamins E and B5, so you’re getting the perks of added moisture and skin barrier protection as you wear it.
Shop now: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare, $40
4. Morphe Hint Hint Skin Tint, $17
Morphe launched with a line of affordable makeup brushes that quickly gained a following, and now, it has introduced a foundation product that morphs (ahem) complexions into even-toned glory. It’s buildable and can be worn with sheer or medium coverage.
Shop now: Morphe Hint Hint Skin Tint, $17
5. Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation, $88
The new Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte is a splurge, but for a good reason. Once it spreads onto the skin, the medium-coverage, matte formula expertly covers pores and discoloration on skin. Within the bottle are soft-focus microsphere powders, which work to diffuse light, so your complexion appears Zoom-ready. Also a perk? The formula is humidity and sweat-resistant, which means it’s going to stay put underneath your face mask. Your skin gets moisturizing hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, vitamins C, E, and caffeine, too.
Shop now: Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation, $88
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