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A natural, shine-free, cake-free flawless face is the goal for most makeup lovers. And, when it comes to getting that look, all it takes is some good skin prep and the proper foundation.
Below are some of our favorite natural foundations whose sole purpose is to give you the smoothest skin of your dreams. We have included both best-selling and highly-rated brands that are pretty familiar and have a variety of formulas to suit anyone’s preferences.
Choose from a unique, light-as-air mousse formula whose name implies its consistency and beautiful finish, a couple of good-for-your-skin mineral-based powders in both loose and pressed formulas, and an oldie but goodie cult favorite that will never let you down.
The Top Natural Foundations of 2024 Compared
Maybelline Liquid Foundation — Best Overall
This foundation has a cult following for a reason: it provides an ideal matte and poreless finish that never looks cakey and will last all day. Ideal for normal-to-oily skin types, it provides medium coverage and is formulated with clay and micro-powders to blur pores and stop shine all day. This foundation comes in an amazing 37 shades and applies easily with a brush, beauty blender, or even your fingers for a flawless finish.
Pros
- This foundation is dermatologist and allergy tested and non-comedogenic
Cons
- If you have really dry skin, another option might be better
BareMinerals Powder Foundation — Runner Up
If you prefer a pressed powder formulation, this option provides the medium-to-full coverage you desire in a convenient compact form. This foundation has a natural matte finish that is buildable and breathable with a weightless, micro-mesh formula that won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. This formula is also fool-proof and can easily be applied with the included sponge applicator or your favorite foundation buffing brush.
Pros
- This makeup is formulated with 90% natural ingredients
Cons
- This foundation may be ideal for more oilier skin types
L'Oreal Paris Powder Foundation — Honorable Mention
Another great supernatural foundation is this gentle makeup with a skin-improving mineral formula. This is a lightweight loose powder foundation that provides sheer to medium coverage with a natural, yet flawless finish. It comes in a unique sifter container with a swirl brush for easy application and will even out skin tone, control shine, and reduce the appearance of pores. Most importantly, it has an SPF 19 for the ultimate in skin protection.
Pros
- The formula is 100% preservative, talc, and fragrance-free
Cons
- There is a minimal shade range
Maybelline Mousse Foundation — Most Unique
Another great natural-looking foundation is this option with a unique matte mousse texture. With this foundation, you can expect a flawless, velvet-matte finish with a delightful application experience due to its air-soft feel. This foundation also features exclusive ultra mattifying powders that glide evenly and flawlessly onto the skin and will blend seamlessly for a finish that doesn’t look flat or chalky.
Pros
- This foundation is suitable for all skin types
Cons
- This foundation contains no SPF
Mom's Secret Foundation — Also Consider
This liquid foundation not only provides an all-natural finish but is also made with all-natural ingredients. Perfect for all skin types, this foundation makeup is lightweight and gives off healthy-looking coverage while enhancing your skin with nourishing ingredients.
Pros
- This product is 90% organic, vegan, gluten and cruelty-free
Cons
- As this is a natural product it is important to pay attention to the shelf life
Buying Guide: Natural Foundations
Are you planning to get your dream makeup look for a dinner date or a corporate event? Getting a dreamy makeup look is not that difficult but getting your hands on the right type of cosmetic products surely is. Makeup essentials are available in multiple types and shades, and choosing the best one from such a huge range is quite difficult. The leading natural foundations in 2024 are a must-have for your makeup routine due to their lightweight texture and natural finish.
If you are worried about getting one of the top natural foundations, go through our buying guide, which covers all the significant aspects and will give you enough information regarding the usefulness of the product.
What Is a Natural Foundation?
A general guess would be that a natural foundation is all-natural and contains nothing artificial or synthetic. Well, the guess is right to some extent as a natural foundation is produced by all-natural ingredients. To be more precise, a natural foundation doesn’t clog your pores and feels skin-like to give you a no-makeup look.
Long ago were the days when people used to put on layers of makeup. Nowadays, people are becoming aware that makeup isn’t meant to change their skin color or put on a mask to hide the skin, rather it is meant to enhance their beauty and features by concealing severe discoloration and giving dimensions to your face. A natural foundation does exactly that.
How Should You Select a Natural Foundation for Yourself?
Know your skin type
No matter which skincare essential or makeup product you are going to buy, you will always have to consider your skin type. It is because not all the products are suitable for every skin type. The same rule holds true for purchasing a natural foundation.
Some people have dry skin, while others get oil on their skins quite frequently. Similarly, some may have acne issues to deal with and others have dry patches. Every natural foundation comes with a detailed description that tells you about its compatibility with different skin types. So, make sure you know enough about your skin type before ordering your foundation.
Select a suitable shade
Natural foundations are available in a number of shades, textures, consistency, and types. How do you plan to select a perfect foundation match? It depends on your complexion and your cravings for a dream look. A suggestion by some top makeup experts is that you should apply the foundation on your cheeks and drag it down to your neck to check if it matches your skin tone or not.
Furthermore, you also need to decide what type of coverage you want for your face. If you have acne issues, you must go with the full coverage formula to hide discoloration and acne marks. Moreover, if you have a clear and fair complexion, a light coverage formula will do just enough. Choose a foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone as lighter shades will make you look gray.
Check for ingredients
It should be quite clear to everyone that natural foundations do not contain chemicals or artificial ingredients of any type. Most manufacturers have skin-friendly and allergen-free formulas to give you the best results. Still, you should check all the ingredients to see if it contains something that will irritate your skin or not.
Brand reputation
Multiple makeup brands are already present in the market with an aim to have the attention of a greater number of customers. The market is highly saturated and the customers might confuse a below-average brand for a well-reputed brand. Whenever you feel like you need a natural foundation, you should always go with a brand that enjoys a sound reputation in the market. You can check for reputation by going through the user reviews on neutral platforms.
How to Apply Foundation for the Perfect Makeup Look?
Once you have bought the right foundation, now is the time to learn about its application. The first step to getting a flawless makeup look is prepping your face.
Wash your face with a suitable face wash, pat it dry, and apply a suitable moisturizer. Let the moisturizer absorb in and then apply a gel-based primer if you have oily skin and an oil-based primer if you have dry skin. Avoid using silicone-based primers on a daily basis as these can clog your pores and you have to cleanse thoroughly to wash it off.
Finally, take out your foundation and start applying it to your face by using a damp sponge or a brush. Apply foundation all over your face with your fingers as the warmth in your fingers helps in easy application. After that, use a sponge or brush to spread it evenly and blend in for a smooth finish. Take your time in blending as it is the main step to penetrate your foundation in the skin nicely so that your skin peeks through it, giving a shinier and natural finish.
