The Best Foundations for Your Wedding Makeup Look
Finding the best foundation for your wedding is like dating: You have to test out the waters (and sometimes make a few mistakes) before you find "the one." Whether you want a long-lasting foundation for a summer wedding or a natural skin tint for your honeymoon, there's a perfect formula out there made to match your skin.
With so many incredible options on the market, it can be easy to walk into a makeup store and feel decision paralysis. Luckily, we don't gatekeep here, so we're sharing our top foundation picks for every finish, texture, coverage and formula. Plus, we tapped Master Makeup Artist and Co-Founder of Moonstone Artistry, Yadis Navarro, to answer all of your FAQs about picking the best bridal foundation.
We also chatted with Laney Crowell, CEO and founder of Saie Beauty, a clean, sustainable and TikTok viral beauty brand that is taking over makeup kits everywhere. Not only is Crowell sharing her best wedding day foundation tips, but she's also giving us the skinny on Saie's new Glowy Super Skin Weightless Hydrobounce Serum Foundation, which is available now on Sephora.
In this article:
- Editor's Picks: The Best Wedding Foundation for a Flawless Face
- What to Look For in Wedding Day Foundation
- How to Choose the Best Foundation for Wedding Makeup
The Best Foundation for Wedding Makeup on Any Skin
To help you find your perfect bridal foundation match, you'll want to start by identifying your skin type- whether it's oily, dry, combination, or sensitive. Then, consider the coverage, finish and longevity you want to achieve on your special day. Seems like a lot? Don't fret. I'm breaking down our foundation picks by categories so you can match your wedding foundation with your specific skin needs. With these photo-ready formulas for your engagement shoot to waterproof foundations that will last through all of your happy tears, these are the best foundations for brides who want to achieve all their wedding beauty goals.
Best Overall Wedding Day Foundation: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
Armani's Luminous Silk foundation is a cult beauty favorite amongst brides, wedding makeup artists and celebrities alike, and once you try it for yourself, it's easy to see why. The formula's Micro-Fil technology blends seamlessly into the skin while improving texture and blurring imperfections. The result is a glow-from-within finish that was made for wedding days (and it is absolutely worth every single penny).
Shade Range: 40 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural
Best Clean Wedding Day Foundation: Saie Glowy Super Skin Weightless Hydrobounce™ Serum Foundation
As a 2024 bride who's been testing foundations left and right, the new Glowy Super Skin Foundation from Saie Beauty has easily taken my top spot for the best wedding foundation. This innovative, clean formula is made with 85% absorbable skin serum and 15% mineral pigments for a luminous, true-to-skin finish that will easily keep your skin plump and hydrated. "The foundation's luxurious texture comes from a blend of squalane and a new plant-based silicone alternative that gives continuous hydration throughout the day without feeling cakey," says Crowell. "The formula is so lightweight that, as a bride, you're not even thinking about how you are wearing foundation; you're just focused on feeling like your best self."
Shade Range: 36 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Natural
Best Foundation for Wedding Photos: Too Faced Born This Way Natural Finish Longwear Liquid Foundation
A photo-friendly foundation is a must for any wedding event, which means you'll need a formula that is long-lasting, hydrating and shows absolutely no signs of flashback. That's where Too Faced Born This Way comes in. This cruelty-free foundation uses coconut water, alpine rose and hyaluronic acid for all-day hydration without making your skin feel oily. Not to mention, the lightweight and blendable texture has a natural finish that leaves your skin actually looking like skin.
Shade Range: 30 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Natural
Best Light Coverage Foundation for Wedding Day: Charlotte TilburyHollywood Flawless Filter
The Hollywood Flawless Filter: If you know, you know. This innovative product is perfect for wedding days as it acts as a hybrid primer, foundation, and highlighter, delivering a radiant and dewy finish that will leave you glowing from within. The formula is infused with light-reflecting particles that blur imperfections and give your skin a flawless, smooth appearance while still allowing your natural beauty to shine through. Plus, the Flawless Filter is buildable and can be worn alone or as a base for heavier coverage, ensuring you can customize your look according to your preference.
Shade Range: 12 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant
Best Drugstore Foundation for Wedding Day: L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation with SPF 25
Need a foundation that performs like a high-end one without the hefty price tag? Let us introduce you to L'Oreal Paris's Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation. This breathable, vegan formula works with nearly all skin types and has little-to-no oxidation throughout the day. Plus, the sweat- and transfer-proof formula will allow you to hug your wedding guests without leaving behind those dreaded makeup stains.
Shade Range: 40 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Natural
Best Wedding Foundation for Dark Skin: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation
Bad Gal Riri never misses, and that includes her Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation, which features 50 stunning shades with a large selection for medium and dark skin tones. Whether you're in the bridal party or a wedding guest who doesn't have time for a quick touch-up, Fenty's got you covered with its climate-adaptive technology that fights heat, sweat and shine. Plus, the soft matte formula instantly evens out skin tone and diffuses the look of pores—no filter needed.
Shade Range: 50 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Matte
Best Foundation for Beach Wedding: Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35 Sunscreen
For the to-be-wed who wants a natural, no-makeup makeup look for their beachside nuptials, opt for the Saie Slip Tint Dewy Tinted Moisturizer. This lightweight, non-toxic skin tint is formulated with pansy flower to fight free radicals, delivers antioxidants and protects with SPF 35 made from mineral zinc oxide. "If your wedding is on a beach or at a destination venue where you're getting a lot of sun exposure, you can wear the Saie Slip Tint for that truly natural, boho look," says Crowell. "If you want a little bit of extra coverage while still keeping it sun-friendly, you can mix a half pump of Slip Tint with the Glowy Super Skin foundation."
Shade Range: 14 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant
Best Foundation for Summer Wedding: L'Oreal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
Part foundation, part skincare, the L'Oreal Paris True Match Serum creates a beautiful lightweight base for a summer wedding in warmer temps. This fragrance-free foundation contains luminous mineral pigments to brighten the complexion and 1% pure hyaluronic acid to smooth and hydrate the skin. The best part? This incredible formula won't break the bank, coming in at only $15.
Shade Range: 14 | Coverage: Light to Medium | Finish: Radiant
Best Foundation for Outdoor Wedding: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
It wouldn't be a wedding foundation roundup without the tried-and-true Estée Lauder Double Wear. The name speaks for itself: Double Wear is a 24-hour natural matte formula that stays in place all day while concealing unwanted imperfections. This fragrance-free foundation is a top-rated bestseller at nearly every major beauty store and is even a personal favorite of The Knot's Senior Fashion Editor, Shelley Brown. "I have an oily t-zone and searched for years for a foundation that would stand up to all-day wear without creasing or sliding off my face. The first time I tried Double Wear, I could not believe how well it stayed put. I've never gone back," Brown says.
Shade Range: 56 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte
Best Stick Foundation for Wedding: HourglassVanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
If you're a fan of stick foundation, the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick is a gamechanger. Loved by celeb beauty icon Sofia Richie, this foundation offers impressive coverage that looks natural and flawless in any lighting. Its sleek and portable design makes it perfect for touch-ups on the go, giving you peace of mind that your foundation will last throughout the wedding day festivities. The formula is also long-wearing and water-resistant, making it perfect for special occasions. The stick design allows for easy and precise application, and it blends seamlessly into your skin, leaving a silky finish that will make you feel confident and beautiful.
Shade Range: 26 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural
Best Full Coverage Foundation for Wedding: KVD Beauty Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Cream Foundation Balm
Move over liquid foundation; this cream balm from KVD Beauty has got you covered (literally!). This viral formula creates a flawless finish with just a single swipe, so know that just a little goes a long way. The foundation's key ingredient, apple extract, keeps skin nourished underneath its no-budge matte finish, ensuring it will last you all the way through your last dance.
Shade Range: 40 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte
Best Two-in-One Foundation and Concealer for Wedding: MERIT The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick
If you want a clean wedding foundation, stop scrolling. Merit Beauty's The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick is a two-in-one foundation and concealer that has sold out multiple times since its release due to its popularity. The light and buildable formula contains healthy skincare ingredients like sea daffodil extract to diminish dark spots and pigmentation. Plus, the chic and convenient packaging makes it easy to toss in a bridal clutch or your honeymoon makeup bag.
Shade Range: 20 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural
Best Long-Lasting Foundation for Wedding: NARS Radiant Longwear Foundation
Want a wedding foundation that's going to last all day? NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation is perfect for any skin tone, and its 16-hour fade-resistant formula is truly magic. It's packed with a blend of fruit extracts like raspberry, apple and watermelon to create a smooth texture for long-lasting, optimal radiance.
Shade Range: 34 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Natural
Best Wedding Foundation for Oily Skin: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
When it comes to managing oily skin, there's nothing quite like the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation. For only $7, this fragrance-free formula is noncomedogenic, absorbs oil, and controls shine so you can focus on being present at your wedding events instead of touching up in the bathroom. With over 82,000 five-star ratings on Amazon alone, it's safe to say that this foundation is that good.
Shade Range: 40 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural
Best Wedding Foundation for Dry Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Medium Coverage Liquid Foundation
Dry skin? We don't know her, thanks to Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation. This celeb-favorite 16-hour wear formula uses hyaluronic acid and coconut extract to improve the skin's ability to hold water and strengthen its barrier. Hot tip: You can even engrave the lid with a name or a short message, making it the perfect gift for brides, bridesmaids and moms alike.
Shade Range: 30 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural
Best Wedding Foundation for Combination Skin: Clinique Superbalanced Makeup
Finding a wedding foundation for combination skin can be tricky, and that's where Clinique comes in to save the day. True to its name, Superbalanced is an innovative formula that delivers the right ingredients where you need them. So if you are a bride with dry cheeks and an oily T-zone (or vice versa), you can expect Superbalanced to deliver.
Shade Range: 17 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural
Best Wedding Foundation for Sensitive Skin: ILIA True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation with Niacinamide
A multitasking formula that soothes sensitive skin while still providing coverage? Yes, please! is Not only does the ILIA serum-infused foundation have skin-calming and clean ingredients like aloe vera and alantoin, but it also uses niacinamide to smooth and minimize uneven texture over time. Needless to say, this noncomedogenic and eco-friendly makeup favorite will have you looking good in both your wedding photos and IRL.
Shade Range: 30 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural
Best Wedding Foundation for Mature Skin: Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation
Pat McGrath Lab's Sublime Skin Foundation is a hit for those with mature skin. The satin formula is loaded with the brand's Vita-Serum Complex to help fight wrinkles and boost hydration. If that isn't enough to convince you that this foundation is totally wedding-worthy, it also has patented Diamond Core Powder Technology, where the pigments have a diamond shape that allows light to reflect off of them for an oh-so-radiant finish. Even Taylor Swift has used it for her music videos, if that can't convince, I don't know what will!
Shade Range: 36 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural
Best Wedding Foundation for Natural Look: NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
There's a reason TikTok immediately fell in love with the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation. 70% of this formula is made up of skin-loving ingredients like biomimetic oat to minimize redness and Japanese lilyturf to add hydration and support a healthy skin barrier. Simply apply this natural formula with a brush or sponge before your wedding shower or engagement party for a your-skin-but-better glow.
Shade Range: 36 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural
Best Waterproof Foundation for Wedding: Make Up Forever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation
Sweat-proof, transfer-proof, and humidity-proof, the iconic Make Up Forever HD foundation checks all of the boxes. What's the secret of its undetectable, true-to-skin finish? Vegetable-origin glycerol, which will help preserve moisture for a 24-hour wear that will last you all way through the late night after-party.
Shade Range: 40 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Natural
Best Foundation for the Wedding Party: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
You'll easily become a member of Team Selena when you try this luminous fluid foundation from Rare Beauty. The serum-like formula comes in 48 stunning shades, meaning it will be love at first application for everyone in your wedding party. We also can't overlook the rounded-lid packaging and large doe-fit applicator that have been continuously praised by reviewers who have limited mobility in their hands. It's a foundation made for everyone, and that's what this line is all about.
Shade Range: 48 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural
What to Look For in Wedding Day Foundation
The ultimate goal when looking for a wedding foundation is finding a formula that gives a "your skin but better" look. "When you're getting married, you're so happy and excited that you're just glowing from withinand having a foundation that lets your skin shine through on your big day will just help your natural beauty radiate," says Corwell.
To get started on your wedding foundation search, Navarro recommends establishing your skin type first, whether it's oily, dry or combination. "This will help you narrow down what type of foundation would be best for an all-day flawless look. Does your skin often appear shiny, needing touch-ups throughout the day? You likely have oily skin. Does it often feel flaky or scaly? These could be signs of dry skin. Consulting with a dermatologist or other professional can help you nail down your skin type and what to look for when shopping for makeup products.
How to Choose the Best Foundation for Wedding Makeup
Like we said above, we always recommend consulting a wedding makeup artist who can help find your perfect foundation match using information about your skin type and your wedding details like your date and venue. For now, we've tapped our experts to answer your top questions about how to choose the best foundation for wedding makeup.
How much coverage do I need?
The amount of coverage you need is often a mix of personal preference and skin type. Most ideal wedding foundations fall into the medium-to-full coverage category. However, light-to-medium coverage may be preferred for summer or destination weddings. "I always like to say less is more for clients with normal or mature skin," says Navarro. "A full coverage foundation, on the other hand, is ideal for clients with texture who may be experiencing blemishes, redness or uneven skin tones to create smoother-looking skin with minimal touch-ups needed." Psst: It's also important to not forget to use makeup primer as that can help your coverage last all day.
What foundation shade am I?
Whether your skin is warm, cool or neutral, your undertone is key to picking out your perfect foundation. Contrary to popular belief, undertone is not affected by how light or dark your complexion is, but rather the tone beneath the surface of the skin. So, how can you find yours? You can get started by swatching a few shades at your local makeup store. "The best way to try foundation is by applying a line of each shade to your jawline in a horizontal direction, side by side," says Navarro. "This will allow you to see which foundation blends into your skin."
What foundation finish is best for me?
To go matte, natural or dewy—that is the question, and it all starts with understanding your skin type, and of course, prepping your skin with the right skincare products before application. "Foundation finishes can make or break your makeup look and should ultimately depend on your skin type," says Navarro. "Oily skin types will prefer a matte finish, while someone with dry skin will likely want something more hydrating and glowy." Those with normal to combination skin have the flexibility to choose the foundation finish they desire without having to worry about how it will wear throughout the day, according to Navarro.
How do I set my wedding foundation?
Whether you want a long-lasting complexion, are battling humid weather, or simply want to avoid creasing, setting powder is going to be your foundation's BFF. It's a must for keeping your foundation in place for every wedding event, from late-night bachelorettes to 10-hour wedding days. Not a fan of powders? Crowell has one for you. "The Saie Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder is the powder for people who don't like powder," she says. "It is not going to take away your glow, but it is so incredible when it comes to making your makeup last."
What foundation do makeup artists use?
Beauty pros like Navarro always come in clutch with the best foundation recommendations. They have been testing and curating their kits for years to find the best of the best for their clients. "My current favorites in my bridal makeup kit are Makeup Forever HD Skin for normal, combination or dry skin, and Nars Soft Matte Foundation for clients with oilier skin types," she says. "Both of these foundations have buildable coverage, so I can adjust the amount I apply to the client's needs."