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Each and every one of us has a different opinion about what makes the perfect foundation, whether you prefer a natural-looking foundation or something full-coverage, dewy or matte finishes. However, there’s one thing I’m sure we can all agree on: none of us wants to spend more than we have to.
Let’s be honest, there are so many affordable foundations that can do the job just as well as the expensive ones. However, as someone who works in beauty, I’ve tested what feels like hundreds of foundations over the years, and I’m here to tell you that there are some formulas on the luxury market that are well worth the splurge. I’m talking about those stand-out base products that, although their prices might initially cause your eyes to water, will truly impress you and earn a permanent place in your makeup bag.
(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)
But with so many high-end foundations on the market, it can be difficult to know which formulas are actually worth the money. Well, never fear, as we’ve done the hard work for you. We spent the last few months testing out dozens of luxury foundations, skin tints and BB creams to bring to you the seven that are genuinely worth their price tag.
Keep scrolling to discover the seven best luxury foundations, tried and tested by editors.
The Best Luxury Foundations, Tried and Tested By Editors
1. Best Overall: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £47
2. Best Dewy Finish: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation, £52
3. Best Matte Finish: Burberry Beyond Wear Perfecting Matte Foundation, £45
4. Best Natural Finish: Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops, £108
5. Best SPF Formula: Gucci Éternité De Beauté Foundation SPF 15, £48
6. Best Foundation Stick: Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick, £48
7. Best Skincare-Infused Formula: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops, £62
1. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Armani
Luminous Silk Foundation
Number of Shades: 40
Key Ingredients: Glycerin
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Natural-luminous
Pros
- Adds coverage without looking cakey
Cons
- It’s a fuller coverage option, so beware
Managing editor, Poppy Nash wears the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in the shade ‘Medium 1.5’
Managing editor, Poppy Nash says, “I hardly ever wear foundation, but on those rare occasions when I find myself needing slightly more coverage, I turn to Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation. I first tried this a few years back after seeing the hype it got from beauty editors, makeup artists and brides-to-be. And it did not disappoint. In fact, I love it so much that it’s literally the only foundation I own. I like that it isn’t too heavy but still feels like it is a step up from my normal base routine. Plus, it’s not cakey at all; rather, it leaves my skin looking naturally radiant and healthy”
2. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
Chanel
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
Number of Shades: 41
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E, kalanchoe pinnata leaf extract
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Dewy
Pros
- Hydrating and glowy formula
Cons
- May be too dewy for very oily skin
Copy editor, Georgia Seago wears the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation in the shade ‘B10’
Copy editor, Georgia Seago, says, “The first thing I noticed about Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation was how weightless and hydrating it felt on my face. As someone with sensitive skin, I’d usually have to do what feels like a million steps of skin prep to make my foundation last all day without flaking or looking patchy on my skin. However, with this dewy formula, I just need my usual moisturiser (and SPF of course!), and it leaves my face looking healthy and glowy for the entire day without dehydrating or causing irritation to my skin.”
3. Burberry Beyond Wear Perfecting Matte Foundation
Burberry
Beyond Wear Perfecting Matte Foundation
Number of Shades: 35
Key Ingredients: Bamboo powder, silk-cotton tree flower extract, glycerin, vitamin E, vitamin C, darjeeling tea leaf
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Matte
Cons
- Not suitable for those with very dry skin
Junior Fashion Editor, Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolakis wears the Burberry Beyond Wear Perfecting Matte Foundation in the shade ‘120 Warm’
Junior fashion editor, Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolakis, says, “I’m quite fussy about my foundations. As someone with combination skin, it’s often tricky to find one that meets all my needs. My t-zone is excessively oily (by the time it gets to 2 P.M., blotting paper becomes my new best friend), and my cheeks can be excessively dry, especially in winter. When I was asked to test the Burberry Beyond Wear Perfecting Matte Foundation for this year’s Next in Beauty awards, my hopes were rather low. But, trust me when I say that I was pleasantly surprised. A silky, satin consistency, this formula glides onto the face with ease, creating a buttery smooth skin-like finish. Its medium to full buildable coverage allows you to have a more everyday or more glam look based on your preference. And, crazily, it seems to smooth out to an even base over every section of my skin, with the oily parts not breaking out, and the dry sections still feeling hydrated after a full day of wear.”
4. Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops With TFC8®
Victoria Beckham Beauty
The Foundation Drops With Tfc8®
Number of Shades: 19
Key Ingredients: TFC8® by Augustinus Bader, echinacea purpurea extract, Spilanthes acmella flower extract, olive leaf extract, jojoba oil
Coverage: Light
Finish: Natural-luminous
Pros
- Beautifully natural-looking coverage
Beauty director, Shannon Lawlor, says, “If I had a pound for every time someone has asked me whether the Victoria Beckham Beauty foundation is worth its money over the past few months, I’d be able to buy myself a top-up bottle. My answer is that, sadly, yes, I think it is worth every penny of its frankly extortionate price tag. If you’re someone who, like me, hates the look and feel of foundation on the skin, then this is the formula for you. It possesses the most convincing second-skin finish I have ever laid eyes upon.”
5. Gucci Éternité De Beauté Foundation SPF 15
Gucci
Éternité De Beauté Spf15 Foundation
Number of Shades: 40
Key Ingredients: Bamboo powder, hyaluronic acid, black rose oil
Coverage: Full
Finish: Luminous-matte
Pros
- A small amount goes a long way
Cons
- Requires more effort to blend
Editorial assistant, Brittany Davy wears the Gucci Éternité De Beauté Foundation (SPF 15) in the shade ‘460 O’
Editorial assistant, Brittany Davy says, “An SPF is my non-negotiable in my everyday routine, and although I’d never swap out my factor 50+ formula with a foundation, it’s never a bad idea to double up and get even more coverage in a foundation with SPF to protect my skin. Gucci’s Éternité De Beauté Foundation contains factor 15 sun protection and a full-coverage finish. As someone with dry skin, seeing a foundation described as “luminous-matte” would usually get an automatic no from me. But this formula provides my skin with a satin finish without causing patchiness and flakiness. If you have dry skin like me, my recommendation would be to make sure your skin is moisturised to make sure it lasts all day. I love how extensive the shade range is, as well as how many different undertones are catered to. The only thing I’d be wary of is that a little goes a long 3ay. If you add too much product, ot can become difficult to blend out and create an even base.”
6. Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
Westman Atelier
Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
Number of Shades: 20
Key Ingredients: Ginseng extract, sunflower-almond oil blend, pomegranate extract, tsubaki extract, ginger root complex
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Dewy
Pros
- Firms and brightens skin, while covering any blemishes and reducing redness
Cons
- Prone to leaking, so not one to travel with
SEO writer, Ava Gilchrist wears the Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops in the shade ‘Atelier II’
SEO writer, Ava Gilchrist says, “Despite paying a pretty penny for what’s technically considered a skin tint”, the Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion is hands down the only base product she’ll ever use. “I was a die-hard Kosås Tinted Face Oil girl, but when the product became defunct, I was recommended the Westman Atelier one as a worthy alternative. Boy, how I have never looked back,” she adds.
“The product itself is high coverage and blends into your skin beautifully, evening out tone and enhancing your skin’s natural glow with only a few drops. You can really make very little product stretch quite a long way, as I’m someone who really doesn’t enjoy wearing layers of makeup on my skin for prolonged periods of time. It also buffs seamlessly over my concealer (Saie’s Slip Tint Radiant All-Over Concealer) and contour (Westman Atelier’s Face Trace Contour Stick) whilst still leaving me with a radiance that’s unmatched by other products.
“I personally swear by it for all settings, but especially everyday wear. For more glamorous evenings out, you can certainly dial up the coverage, but for those who just want a lush wash of coverage without clogging up their pores or irritating their skin’s barrier, this is the one for you.”
7. Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick
Dior
Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick
Number of Shades: 25
Key Ingredients: Saccharomyces ferment, opuntia ficus-indica flower extract, camelina sativa seed oil, sunflower seed wax
Coverage: Buildable
Finish: Natrual-luminous
Cons
- May be too dewy for very oily skin
Beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden wears the Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick in the shade ‘2N’
Beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden, says, “I’ve never been a fan of foundation sticks. Past versions have always been thick, heavy and matte. But Dior’s Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick has completely changed my mind, and it’s one of the best luxury foundations I’ve tried! The texture is buttery, lending a luminous glow that’s neither matte nor too dewy (making it ideal for those with combination skin). It’s healthy-looking, radiant skin in a stick. The coverage is generous, blending into medium coverage, but it is easily layered on areas where it’s needed. The stick format makes it ideal for throwing in your bag for top-ups throughout the day, too.”
How We Tested
As beauty editors who try hundreds of foundations every year, the overall quality, wear-time, value for money, shade range and product ingredients all played a key role in deciding which luxury foundations we consider the very and are therefore worth investing in. We spent the last few months testing luxury foundations specifically to bring to you the seven recommendations that we’re able to honestly and wholeheartedly endorse.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
