Matte foundations can be real tricky, to say the least. If you have dry skin, I’d probably avoid them altogether, but if you have oilier skin, you’ve come to the right place. Using a foundation with a matte finish helps with oil control and creates that poreless, airbrushed finish we all know and love. It sounds pretty perfect in theory, but celebrity makeup artist and founder of Color May Vary, Renée Loiz, has a bit of advice when it comes to choosing the right one for your skin.
“With matte foundations, I like them to have a satin velvet finish so the skin still looks natural and soft. I’m not a fan of skin looking too heavy or powdery from matte foundations.Matte foundations are usually oil-free formulas that help skin that is on the oilier side or skin with larger pores. They help even out oily skin and conceal those larger pores. They’re often medium to full coverage as well, so make sure you start out with a light hand and add more only if you need it.”
Of course, I asked Loiz and another celebrity makeup artist, Beck Wainner, for their favorites. But I also decided to round out the list with a few viral foundations TikTok won’t shut up about and beauty-editor picks. It’s truly a well-rounded lineup and there’s a formula for everyone. Keep scrolling for the best matte foundations out there (in our humble opinion).