This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you!)
The key to glowy makeup that makes you look dewy and fresh are good natural-looking foundations. Here are 4 of the best lightweight foundations for a natural look that you can buy online right now.
A few years ago, ultra high-coverage foundations were in. All of the best-selling foundations claimed to be long-lasting and fit to cover any imperfections you could possibly have.
Although this was great for my blemish-prone teenage skin, it really didn’t make my skin look that great.
It’s no secret the more matte and high-coverage products you use, the less your skin looks like…skin.
By wearing these thick, matte foundations every day I just made my already-dry skin look even duller and textured.
I always wanted a more natural foundation look.
Nowadays, natural and dewy makeup is the most popular. The perfect foundation is one that’s able to even out the skin tone just enough to fake a flawless complexion but without looking like you’re caked in makeup.
Even though I now love natural looking foundations, I still have a fair amount that I want to cover up – leftover acne scars from my teenage years specifically – so I don’t want something that has no coverage whatsoever.
After many a trial and error I’ve found 4 of the best lightweight and natural foundations that make my skin look healthy and better than ever, but also look like I have almost nothing on my face.
Keep on reading to find out about 4 of the best lightweight foundations that you can buy right now!
My favourite lightweight foundations
The Ordinary Serum Foundation
Ever since the big launch of The Ordinary’s foundations, they flew somewhat under the radar—they aren’t exactly products that you hear about all of the time and I don’t really know why because they’re amazing.
The Serum Foundation in particular is seriously good. It’s super lightweight, with a thin and watery texture that feels nothing and glides onto the skin seamlessly. It manages to cover up a lot of redness and unevenness that I have while looking like I have next to nothing on my skin.
My only – very slight – problem with this is that if you haven’t properly prepped your skin before applying this it can collect a little in dry patches and texture. As long as you properly moisturise your skin before using this, you’ll have no problems at all.
UN_DID ‘in your face’ Water Tint*
*Product gifted by brand
UN_DID is a really cool, brand-new brand that is focussed on removing gender biases in the beauty industry, complicated beauty routines and unsustainable beauty products.
Their first product, the ‘in your face’ Water Tint for Face is a fantastic lightweight base product that is part moisturiser, part serum and part foundation. It’s formulated with ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera and Chamomile to help nourish and soothe your skin while adding just enough coverage to even everything out.
It’s a soft and silky texture that is a dream to apply to the face, it feels great and is almost completely undetectable on the skin. It makes me look like I have naturally great skin.
For a first product, I’m impressed! This is definitely a brand to watch out for – and I love everything that they stand for.
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue
This base from bareMinerals is probably about as close as you can get to a moisturiser with these foundations. It’s a super hydrating and creamy consistency with a hint of coverage that makes it perfect for everyday wear – it also has SPF 30!
The Complexion Rescue gives me a beautiful dewy and radiant finish – a lit-from-within style look. It’s a perfect natural foundation for dry skin or people who can never stop their skin from looking dull. This will perk up your complexion straight away.
The coverage is very minimal so I’ll go in with some concealer where I really need it, but on the whole I try and keep to just this!
NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil
The name ‘veil’ is very apt for this product, it’s a sheer and light coverage base that just gives your skin an overall evenness.
Even though it’s very lightweight, it doesn’t give too much of a dewy sheen which makes it great for people with oily skin.
All you need is a small pump of this over your face, with some spot concealing on any areas where you have blemishes, and you have a beautiful minimal base.
NYX is one of my favourite brands from the drugstore, all of their products are so high quality but with amazing price points. This product just further cements NYX among my favourites.
How to apply lightweight foundations
Usually I will always apply my foundations with a beauty sponge, specifically the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge.
But with these liquid, natural foundations I find that my usual sponges don’t work so well – they just soak up too much of the product so it’s hard to get enough on your face to provide any sort of coverage.
For these foundations I’ve found that the best way to use them is with my fingers. This ensures that no product is being soaked up so you’re getting as much coverage as possible onto your face.
I’ll rub the product in all over my face and then for a finishing touch I’ll use my usual buffing foundation brush in patting motions over the foundation to make sure that it’s all blending and sinking into my skin flawlessly.
Oooh, I love a glowy foundation look!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
All these foundations sound so good !
Thanks for sharing them all with us.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
I’ve heard great things about bareMinerals products. I need to try it out.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing these foundations! I would love to try the Ordinary brand. Need to remember to use the fingers with these.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
NYX is my favorite! Best products for my skin always 🙂
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Great picks! I need to try the Ordinary serum foundation.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
I adore that bareminerals one so I am so intrigued to add these other ones to my list! I’ve been using this Perfecting Skin Tint from Monuskin and it’s kind of the same and it’s super lightweight! xx
http://www.iridescentplaces.com
I love a glowy foundation! I’ve used the Complexion Rescue before and need to check out these others!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I only wear lightweight foundation. I’m not into makeup and just need something to even my skin tone. I’ll definitely have to check out the ones you suggested!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Really want to try the complexion rescue! xx
Danielle’s Beauty BlogÂ
I didnt realize The Ordinary got into makeup! Their skincare is great and they have such a great price point. Definitely would check it out.
XX Angelica
https://eraenvogue.com
Yes, they have 2 foundations!! They also just brought out a concealer that I’m DYING to try!!
a glowy foundation look is one of my favourites!!
jessica | http://www.overdressedblogger.com
I really want to try NYX and The Ordinary’s foundations, they sounds like brilliant products for everyday use. Thanks for sharing!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Makeup Forever Water Blend is one of my favourites for natural glowy looks. This is exactly the finish I like from my foundations but I can’t use any with SPF in so my options get narrowed down massively x
Sophie
I definitely have to check out some of these! I’ve heard such great things about Bare Minerals. I don’t wear foundation often because I don’t like that cakey feeling, so a lightweight one sounds perfect for me. Plus the glowy look is so pretty. 🙂
Make Life Marvelous
Ooh! NYX is one of my fav brands. I love how affordable and readily available all the products are. The Ordinary is a brand I want to try soon. Thanks for sharing x
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thanks for sharing! I was looking for a new BB cream in store yesterday as my one has been discontinued and I did look at the NYX one but I’m glad I didn’t get it – I don’t wear a lot of makeup, BB cream is it now I don’t go into the office any more, so I definitely don’t need a foundation! Even if it is a light one 🙂
Hope that you are having a good weekend!
The Bare minerals complexion rescue is my ride or die!
http://www.themakeupaficionado.com
I’ve ALWAYS wanted to try that Ordinary Foundation, so thanks so much for giving me the nudge I need to go out and try it! Also, I am obsessed with your blog, I’ve only just discovered it truly, but I love your content!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Thank you so much – you’re so kind! It means a lot xxx
Ooh I did a post just like this a week or so ago, I’ve wanted to try the Nyx one for ages you may have just sold it to me haha! I love the born to glow from nyx for a lightweight feel, the loreal water cream is amazing too I’m always reaching for that! I love that these glowy bases are becoming more popular now, they’re my favourite! Milli – millidavison.co.uk
I haven’t tried any of these, but I definitely prefer natural, lightweight bases x
I love a lightweight radiant foundation.
Yes, fingers are the best beauty tool.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
I have the bareMinerals one but haven’t tried it out yet, but this post actually makes me excited to finally open it. I can’t wait to wear this during summertime since it’s so dewy and lightweight.
xoxo Simone | https://beautymone.com