The Best Foundations Ever

This category covers the very best foundations available, regardless of price. Feel free to weigh in on your favorites. This list is actually comprised of two separate lists:
1) The Beauty Insider's Picks: My own personal list of the best products in that category, in no particular order
2) The Popular Vote: The results of a poll I did of over 1000 beauty-savvy consumers, in order of popularity

The Beauty Insider's Picks
1. Paula Dorf Moisture Foundation Oil Free (“Sand”): This translucent, water-based foundation lets your skin show through while still, amazingly, providing great coverage. $36
2. Makeup For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup (custom shade): This product was the secret behind the flawless skin of the Baywatch cast. It’s a water-based gel that is super light and waterproof, leaving skin uniform, flawless, and no-makeup natural. I turned to this foundation for my wedding. $37
3. Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Powder and Too Faced Blenders (“3 Carat”): I am never without one of these ultraportable products. When I need more coverage, Blenders is an easy-to-use foundation stick with a different shade on either end. It gives a powder finish and even, natural coverage in a hurry. Absolutely Flawless is an adorable compact that contains a concealer and a matching wet/dry foundation that I use for a polished, everyday look. Absolutely Flawless: $29.50; Blenders: $27.50
4. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (“#7”): This is my number one foundation. It provides even, flawless coverage that is virtually undetectable, and, true to its name, it makes your complexion glow. When I’m going for a more bronzed look, I mix it with the Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer until I get the desired effect. $52.50
5. Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Foundation (“574”): This portable compact holds a full-coverage cream foundation with a satiny-powder finish that leaves skin flawlessly matte yet very natural. $24
6. TIGI Bed Head Fat Free Foundation Stick (“#3”): This weightless, oil-free foundation is packed with vitamins and green tea extracts to care for your skin. It achieves a rare thing for a foundation: complete coverage that never looks or feels heavy. $20
7. MAC Studio Tech (“NC30”): This refreshingly creamy, buildable compact foundation is a blend of water, powder, and moisturizers. It glides on easily, covers as much or as little as you want it to, and leaves a soft, semi-matte powder finish behind. $26
8. Body & Soul Beauty Makeup (“#6”): This long-lasting, semi-matte formula gives complete coverage from morning to night. The texture is richer than many modern foundations, but the finish is natural and never heavy. $35
9. Vincent Longo Water Canvas Cream-to-Powder Foundation (“Natural Tan”): This innovative product was the first of its kind. It’s so sheer and light, it looks like naturally flawless skin. Plus, it’s moisturizing but oil-free and non-comedogenic, making it perfect for all skin types. $52.50
10. Classified Cosmetics ERA Face Spray On Foundation (“Y7”): This is the first patented, aerosol, oil-free foundation, and it’s amazing. You close your eyes and spray it on, and it leaves behind a flawless, professional, virtually undetectable finish. It’s a multipurpose water-resistant wonder that works as a concealer, foundation, lash builder and lip primer. No powder necessary. You can even use it on your body. $55

The Popular Vote
1. MAC Studio Fix, $23.50
2. Jane Stay Calm Liquid Makeup in “Naturally”, $4 (approx.)
3. Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation in “Ivory”, $58
4. MAC Studio Tech in “NC30”, $26
5. Prescriptives Virtual Skin Super-Natural Finish Foundation in “Real Cream”, $32.50
6. Cover Girl Aquasmooth Makeup in “Ivory”, $7 (approx.)
7. Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation in “Blush Ivory”, $38
8. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in “#2” and “#4” (tie), $52.50
9. Giorgio Armani Matte Silk Foundation in “#5.5”, $52.50
10. L’Oreal Quick Stick Instant Foundation in “Nude Beige” and “Soft Ivory” (tie), $10 (approx.)