13 Best Matte Foundations To Try Out In 2024, As Per A Makeup Artist
Stop worrying about your makeup melting down your face with the right formulations.
Grace has been a professional makeup artist for 5 years. Her tryst with makeup started as a hobby and developed into something more. She experimented with all sorts of makeup looks on herself and posted pictures on social media. She then went to Michael Vincent Academy to cultivate her skills and learn makeup artistry at a professional level.
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Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior to this, she was a part of a digital marketing company in Kolkata where she wrote stories on travel, beauty, and home décor.
Read full bio of Baishali Bhattacharya
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
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Experience: 7 yearsMadhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through the various facets of content creation and refinement with ease.
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Not everyone likes a shine on their face, and if you have been looking for the best matte foundation to keep your skin natural-looking, we have what you need. Matte foundation is perfect for people who like to keep their makeup intact all day. Be it sweat or excess sebum excretion; gloss foundation eventually melts away. A matte foundation absorbs the unwanted oil with its powdery texture. It also conceals the pores and lines and covers the spots evenly. Here are the 13 highest-rated matte foundations to help you flaunt a natural look.
In This Article
The 13 Best Matte Foundations For A Smooth Finish – 2024
1. Best Long-Lasting Formula:Revlon ColorStay Matte Finish Liquid Foundation
The Revlon ColorStay Makeup Foundation wears for up to 24 hours. It offers the best coverage with SPF 15. It glides smoothly onto the skin and leaves a gorgeous look. It also withstands the oil and greasiness and stays on the skin throughout the day.
It does not settle into the fine lines. Its time-release technology, which is specially formulated for combination or oily skin, controls oil secretion and shine and leaves a matte finish. The foundation is available in 43 different shades, ranging from light to medium to dark. Still not sure about the product? Check out the multiple rave reviews that boast its quality and exceptional results.
Skin Type: Combination and oily, acne-prone skin
Texture: Liquid
- Lightweight
- SPF 15
- Wears up to 24 hours
- Glides on easily
- Minimizes large pores
None
"I like the blendability of this foundation. I also admire its variety in shades and long-wear advantage. It offers overall excellent coverage with a matte finish. However, it slightly creases after a point of time."
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 15,761 reviews claiming its efficacy.
2. Best Lightweight:L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Foundation
The L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Foundation gives you a matte finish and keeps oil at bay for up to 24 hours. It has medium coverage and is perfect for everyday use. It resists sweat, humidity, and heat. It leaves a buildable coverage.This product from the celebrity-endorsed brand itself is lightweight and creamy. It glides onto the face smoothly. It creates a flawless base and blurs imperfections, revealing your timeless beauty.
Skin Type: Normal to oily skin
Texture: Liquid
- Lightweight
- Long-wearing
- Glides smoothly
- Transfer-resistant
- Sweat-resistant
- 24-hour shine control
- Leaves a streaky orange finish
3. Best Allergy-Tested:Maybelline New York Dream Matte Mousse Foundation
The Maybelline New York Dream Matte Mousse Foundation makes your matte stay for up to 16 hours with medium-to-full coverage. It is lightweight and mattifies effortlessly, leaving a shine-free finish. It does not leave a cakey appearance.
This long-lasting foundation mousse from the celebrity-endorsed brand glides onto the skin easily and gives a flawless finish. Reviewers love the product because the unique matte foundation for sensitive skin does not clog the pores and reduces pore size. It is allergy-tested, dermatologically-approved, and safe for daily use. To get a better understanding of the product, you can check out this video of the reviewer’s experience with it.
Skin Type: All skin types (including sensitive skin)
Texture: Mousse
- Long-lasting makeup wear
- Lightweight
- Glides smoothly
- Dermatologist-tested
- Allergy-tested
- Non-comedogenic
- Provides perfect coverage
- May dry the skin out
Pro TipRevlon ColorStay Matte Finish Liquid Foundation Best Long-Lasting Formula | L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Foundation Best Lightweight | Maybelline New York Dream Matte Mousse Foundation Best Allergy-Tested | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1.25 x 1.25 x 4.13 inches | 0.74 x 1.85 x 4.78 inches | 1.31 x 2.06 x 3 inches |
| Weight | 1.06 Ounces | 1.44 Ounces | 0.92 Ounces |
| Skin Type | - | AllColor | AllColor |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 15,761 | 3,067 | 7,972 |
| Price | $10.99 | $11.31 | $6.5 |
4. Best Fragrance-Free:Rimmel Stay Matte Full Coverage Mattifying Foundation
The Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation is lightweight. It has an airy mousse texture that will keep your skin from feeling oily or greasy throughout the day. It blends in well with the skin and minimizes pores.
It does not sink down into the fine lines and wrinkles and leaves no cakey appearance. The oil-free, silky-smooth formula offers an all-day shine-free natural finish. Many reviewers agree that this long-lasting liquid foundation gives a baby-soft powder finish and poreless look that ensures long-lasting makeup wear. If you want to know more about this product, check out this video on YouTube.
Skin Type: Oily skin
Texture: Liquid
- Lightweight
- Fragrance-free
- Gives full-coverage
- Reduces the appearance of pores
- No cakey appearance
- Does not settle into fine lines or wrinkles
- Long-lasting
- Leaves orange streaks
- Could dry the skin out
- Consistency is too thick
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 8,601 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
5. Best For Buildable Coverage:NYX Professional Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation
The NYX Professional Powder Foundation creates a matter-finish to help you achieve a flawless complexion. It is lightweight and offers enough coverage to mask blemishes and redness. It offers buildable coverage for long-lasting makeup wear.
The powdery texture does not dry the skin out. It perfectly blends with the skin tone. You will look naturally flawless with minimal effort. This is an excellent matte foundation for combination skin, especially for those who are not a fan of liquid foundation and have just started their makeup journey. The product is not tested on animals, which makes it ideal for people seeking cruelty-free makeup choices. This video takes you through the tester’s experience with the product and its specific details.
Skin Type: Combination skin
Texture: Powder
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Controls oil secretion
- Shin-control finish
- Buildable coverage
- 100% vegan
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 648 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
6. Best For Enlarged Pores:Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation
The Covergirl TruBlend Matte Liquid Foundation is formulated with Flexi-hold technology. It creates a strong yet flexible film on the skin that delivers a smooth, flawless, matte-finish look. This unique matte foundation for acne-prone skin absorbs excess oil and reduces the visible appearance of pores. The soft matte formula glides effortlessly with the skin tone and stays up to 12 hours for long-lasting makeup wear. Ethically conscious consumers are obsessed with this product as it does not undergo any animal testing.
Skin Type: Normal to oily skin, and acne-prone skin
Texture: Liquid
- Absorbs excess oil
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Long-lasting wear
- Provides a strong, flexible film
- Not transfer-proof
- Not sweat-resistant
"It's one of my favorite foundations due to its diverse shade coverage. It makes my skin look fresh, not dry or sweaty. It conceals my skin blemishes without being too heavy or cakey."
7. Best Waterproof:Phoera Oil-Control Liquid Foundation
If you want a two-in-one foundation that brightens your look and conceals imperfections, the Phoera Oil-Control Liquid Foundation is the right pick. This waterproof foundation provides full coverage with a soft matte finish. It is lightweight and easy to blend.
It contains whitening and mattifying ingredients that correct an uneven skin tone and plump your skin. This liquid foundation can mask fine lines and wrinkles and reduce pore size. It boosts radiance for 24 hours and leaves skin feeling silky smooth and shine-free.
Skin Type: Dry and oily skin
Texture: Thick Liquid
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
- Easy to wear
- Provides 24-hour makeup wear
- Long-lasting
- Protects the skin
- Leaves orange streaks
"I genuinely love the astounding coverage that this foundation provides, great for masking minor scars and blemishes on the skin. Yet, I struggle to find a shade that blends with my skin tone, - they're often too dark or pinkish. I've experienced some breakouts post-use, but it might be due to my new skincare routine. It’s best suited for dry skin, as I noticed an increase in oiliness throughout the day. It tended to settle in my fine lines, perhaps better for younger skin. Overall, I’m happy with the coverage, doesn't make you greasy, and I intend to continue its use."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has received 15,047 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.
8. Best Vegan Formula:bareMinerals Matte Foundation
The bareMinerals Matte Foundation is formulated with mineral sunscreen with a broad spectrum SPF 15 that protects your skin from sun damage. It delivers breathable, buildable sheer-to-full coverage with a silky matte finish.
The product claims to reduce the appearance of pores by 93% and improves skin clarity by 85%. It is oil-free, and its baby-soft powder finish absorbs excess oil and soothes your skin, and leaves a shine-free, flawless look. It is ultra-lightweight, 100% vegan, and non-comedogenic.
Skin Type: All skin types (except sensitive skin)
Texture: Translucent powder
- Provides buildable coverage
- Lightweight
- 100% vegan
- Non-comedogenic
- Breathable
- No settling into fine lines
- SPF 15
- Control excess oil secretion
- Expensive
"I've used Bareminerals foundation for sometime now and I liked its coverage and lovely finish. Whenever I use this one, the makeup remains light on my face and not heavy at all. It is very easy to apply, making it my go-to foundation."
9. Best Shine Control:Clinique Stay-Matte Makeup Foundation
The Clinique Stay-Matte is a lightweight makeup foundation perfect for the ‘no-makeup look’. It is humidity-tested and absorbs shine, controls oil, and resists sweat for a flawless matte finish. This is a true liquid foundation that holds your natural finish all day long and controls excess oil secretion for 8 hours. This natural matte finish formula comes in 20 different shades.
Skin type: Normal to oily skin
Texture: Liquid
- Dermatologist-tested
- Lightweight
- Fragrance-free
- Controls oil secretion
- Medium coverage
None
"This product has just the right consistency. It's not too thick or runny and offers excellent coverage as well. It feels light and is particularly suitable for my skin, especially when paired with the right primer and setting spray. Overall, the lasting and matte finish makes it a dependable option."
10. Best Transfer-Resistant:Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
The Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup is an oil-free, oil-control foundation that provides a matte finish for over 24 hours. The transfer-proof foundation has buildable coverage and is perfect for all-day wear, even for the most active and demanding lifestyle. It has SPF 10 which gives you some protection against UV rays. The lightweight liquid foundation glides smoothly, keeping your skin looking fresh no matter what the day throws at you. The formula is available in a wide range of shades to suit different skin tones, including warm, neutral, as well as cool skin tones.
Skin Type: All skin types
Texture: Liquid
- Transfer-resistant
- Waterproof
- Oil-free
- Matte finish
- Lightweight
- Expensive
11. Best Oil-Free:Almay Skin Perfecting Comfort Matte Foundation
The Almay Skin Perfecting Comfort Matte Foundation delivers a natural-looking, flawless matte finish. It offers long-lasting makeup wear for up to 16 hours. This oil-free foundation provides buildable coverage that blurs fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes. It blends easily with the skin tone. It leaves the skin feeling velvety soft and silky smooth. Plus, the brand doesn’t test on animals, ensuring that your skin care is cruelty-free.
Skin Type: All skin types
Texture: Liquid
- Dermatologist-tested
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- SLS-free
- Mineral oil-free
- No formaldehyde
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance-free
- 100% vegan
- Oil-free
- Not suitable for mature skin
"This foundation seems promising for those with acne-prone skin. Its diverse coverage options, perfect match for my undertones, and pleasing absence of any scent caught my attention. It offers me a long-lasting matte finish, making it ideal for special occasions."
12. Best Skin Brightening: Cover FX Power Play Foundation
The Cover FX Power Play Foundation has a lightweight and breathable formula. It is designed to provide full coverage and a natural matte finish. It contains an ultra-fine powder trio to conceal pores and a fermented algae component to shield against free radicals.
Apart from being waterproof, sweat-proof, and transfer-proof, it also provides effective protection against pollution. This matte foundation is free from harmful chemicals and is available in a wide range of shades to suit a variety of skin tones.
Skin Type: Normal, combination and oily skin
Texture: Liquid
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Water-proof
- Sweat-proof
- Transfer-proof
- Talc-free
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
None
"I loved the full coverage of this foundation, which easily blends into my skin. For an ideal application, I found out the best way is by using a sponge and patting it onto your face. It certainly offers long-lasting coverage that's buildable."
13. Best Pigmented Formula:A. Girl Pro Matte Foundation
The L.A. Girl Pro Matte Foundation is a liquid weightless formula that provides smooth and buildable coverage for both day and night wear. The creamy formula is infused with vitamins E and B5, and sunflower oil that smoothen and soften the skin. The foundation leaves an airbrushed matte finish.
The antioxidants work on the blotting effect to help minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines. The foundation does not leave a cakey appearance. This highly pigmented makeup foundation brightens the skin tone. It is perfect for all skin types.
Skin Types: All skin types
Texture: Creamy liquid
- Lightweight
- Paraben-free
- 100% vegan
- Highly pigmented
- Non-comedogenic
None
"This foundation is ideal for daily use as it is lightweight yet full coverage. Blending it is a breeze, either with a brush or sponge. Amazingly, it made my skin appear effortlessly younger and flawless. It's like a magical match for my skin, earning me endless compliments."
These are the 13 best matte foundations available online. In the following section, we will see what a matte foundation is.
What Is A Matte Finish Foundation?
A matte finish foundation often has a powdery texture and absorbs excess oil. It leaves one with a velvety finish that pulls light inward. If you want oil-free makeup that lasts from day to night, a matte foundation works like a miracle. It perfectly suits oily complexions. It blurs pores and reduces excess sebum from the sebaceous glands, leaving an airbrushed look all day long.
Let us now check out the benefits of matte finish foundations.
Benefits Of Matte Finish Foundations
- They offer a lightweight texture and will not leave the skin feeling heavy or cakey.
- They are easy to blend and provide buildable coverage for enhanced features.
- They are effective in absorbing excess oil without clogging the pores.
- These oil-free foundations are often sweat-resistant and are appropriate for hot, humid climates.
The following section discusses the factors you need to look for before purchasing a matte finish foundation.
Best Matte Finish Foundation – A Buying Guide
- It should be oil-free and non-comedogenic to perfectly suit an oily skin tone.
- It should be able to provide medium to full coverage for an all-day makeup hold.
- It should have a powdery finish that absorbs excess oil and sebum without stripping off the skin’s natural moisture.
The Bottom Line
For more natural-looking makeup, you can try different matte foundations in accordance with your skin type and tone. Matte foundations don’t offer shine; rather they absorb extra oil from your skin and prevent excess sebum production. The Revlon ColorStay Matte Finish Liquid Foundation is ideal for oil-control and is crease-resistant, while the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Foundation is sweat-resistant and offers a buildable creamy coverage. The Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation offers a long-lasting hold and works for acne-prone skin. These matte foundations glide smoothly while reducing greasiness from your face to make for an enhanced beauty experience. While choosing the best matte foundations, find the ones that provide buildable coverage. However, steer clear of the matte foundations that cannot hydrate or nourish your face after application, and always conduct a patch test before proper use.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya is certified in makeup techniques and loves to review different makeup products. After thorough research, she has provided a detailed list of the best matte foundations in this post. She went through numerous reviews and feedback on multiple forums and brand websites to help you pick the best matte foundation that absorbs unwanted oil with a powdery texture. The products listed in this post withstand the oil and greasiness and stay on the skin throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skin type is matte foundation best for?
Matte foundation is the best for combination and oily skin types.
Is matte foundation better for older skin?
No, matte foundations settle into the fine lines and wrinkles and accentuate them. So, it is not good for older skin.
Can I use a dewy concealer with my matte foundation?
Yes, you can use a dewy concealer with a matte foundation. This helps take care of the oily zones without leaving traces of patches and dry skin.
Does mixing loose powder into a foundation actually make it more matte?
No, it does not make the formula matte, but it helps control the oiliness and holds the matte look for longer hours.
Do you need setting powder for matte foundation?
No. Using setting powder for a matte foundation is not necessary, but it helps keep your makeup in place and prevents oiliness in the T-zone.
Which is better: matte or liquid foundation?
The matte finish and liquid formula foundation are suitable for oily and combination skin types and offer long-lasting, full coverage. But a matte finish foundation is better for controlling the oiliness of the skin.
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