Every artist starts their masterpiece with a clean canvas, a blank slate – just like every French girl starts her makeup routine with one of these amazing French foundations. It sounds obvious, but everyone knows that finding your perfect foundation is no easy feat.
The best French foundations can smooth away imperfections and give the skin that effortless, glamorous glow. On the other hand, the worst foundations…well, let’s be kind to ourselves and leave those in the past, please!
If you’ve read my French makeup tips, you know that French girls rarely wear heavy foundations. Instead, they opt for something lightweight that provides minimal coverage and evens out the skin tone.
With a ton of options on the market, shopping for the right French foundation can feel overwhelmingly tough. Liquid, powder, compact, hydrating, mattifying, cream, stick, or SPF?
You want some coverage, but you also don’t want to feel like you’re sporting a thick mask that doesn’t breathe. You want something that works, something that will help you feel most confident in your day-to-day life. Where does one practically begin on such a mission to find the best French girl foundations?
I would travel the world to find the right foundation to match my skin, and maybe you would too! Thankfully, we don’t have to go that far or that drastic today, because the best French foundations are available to shop right here in the States!
Types of Foundations
There are several types of foundation available, each with its own unique formula, coverage, and finish. Here are the most common types of foundations:
- Liquid Foundation: Liquid foundation is the most popular type of foundation. It’s available in a range of finishes, including matte, satin, and dewy, and provides medium to full coverage. Liquid foundation can be applied with a brush, sponge, or fingers and is suitable for most skin types.
- Powder Foundation: Powder foundation comes in a compact form and provides a matte finish. It’s great for oily skin as it helps to control shine and is quick and easy to apply.
- Cream Foundation: Cream foundation is a thicker, more emollient formula that gives you full coverage. It’s suitable for dry to normal skin types and is applied with a brush or sponge.
- Stick Foundation: Stick foundation is a cream-to-powder formula that’s convenient for on-the-go touch-ups. It’s easy to apply and provides buildable coverage.
- Tinted Moisturizer: Tinted moisturizer is a lightweight, sheer formula that delivers a natural, glowing finish. It’s great for those who prefer a more natural look and provides light coverage.
- Serum Foundation: Serum foundation is a lightweight, hydrating formula that provides light to medium coverage. It’s especially fantastic for those with dry or mature skin.
It’s important to choose a foundation formula that’s suitable for your skin type and desired coverage. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types to find the perfect match for your skin.
Best Foundations from France
Whether your foundation bottle is totally empty and you need a new one right this second, or you are just perusing some potential options for later, here are the best French foundations that you just won’t go wrong with.
Save yourself some precious time, skip the heartache of working with a mediocre or poor foundation, and go straight to the tried and true. After all, once you achieve that even-canvas look with your foundation, the rest of your French makeup will just feel like icing on the cake!
Best Cult Foundation: Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
Our first foundation isn’t exactly French, but trust me, a ton of French women swear by the wonders this product can work. Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation has a loyal following of French celebrities and influencers, plus it has won a ton of awards for good reason.
Called the “perfect glow flawless foundation”, you can expect a natural finish and fantastic coverage. This liquid formula is also oil-free so all my sensitive skin sisters out there, rejoice! With over 40 shades, you’re bound to find your perfect match. This is a trusted go-to foundation, and it’s the perfect step one for your makeup routine.
Shop this foundation from Sephora, Nordstrom, or Macy’s.
Best Longwear Foundation: Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra Wear Foundation
If you don’t want to worry about touch-ups every few hours and want a foundation with great staying power, this Lancome Teint Idôle Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation is for you.
Lancome’s improved formula is full coverage, recommended for all skin types, and comes in over 50 varieties. Yes, 50 so you know you’ll find your perfect match!
Oily-skin types rejoice because this foundation is oil-free! It’s also packed with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin moisturized all day and prebiotics to strengthen the skin barrier. It’s humidity-resistant for those who live in humid climates.
If you have dry skin but are not into the dewy look, Lancome’s long-wear foundation is a great choice because it has that chic matte finish. This foundation is perfect for anyone that works long hours and wants to stay looking fresh.
Best Hydrating Foundation: Chanel Vitalumière Aqua
The Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup is a celebrity favorite; both Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber are reportedly big fans of this hydrating foundation. With a soft, watery texture and lightweight coverage it’s the perfect summertime foundation for when you don’t want to wear your skin down. SPF 15 gives you light sun protection on sunny days. Available in 17 shades, this is one luxury French foundation I would get my hands on ASAP!
Best Mattifying Foundation: Givenchy Prisme Libre Matte Foundation
If you have oily skin, then you need to try this mattifying foundation: Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Matte Foundation. Blur away your imperfections and keep shine under control with this beloved French matte foundation. Pink clay absorbs excess oil while Annatto extracts result in clear skin through vitamins B2 and C. As a bonus, it’s waterproof! It comes in 35 different shades, with neutral, cool, and warm undertones available.
Best Liquid Foundation: Chanel Les Beiges Foundation
Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation formula gives you a beautiful, natural glow that looks almost like skin. It has wonderful weightless hydration (it’s actually 40% water) and comes in 35 shades. This smooth liquid foundation also lasts up to 12 hours so this would definitely be another pick for anyone that takes their day look to night with ease. Drinks after work, anyone? You’ll still be looking picture-ready. This light-to-medium coverage buildable formula is best for anyone looking to achieve a long-lasting, natural look.
Best Budget Foundation: L’Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
The L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation is your best bet if you’re shopping for French foundations on a budget.
This affordable gem is beloved by millions of women around the world. Offering medium coverage, you can apply this low-cost foundation with your fingers or a beauty blender and get the same seamless look by blending it into your neck. SPF 17 gives you light sun protection against UV rays.
Best Compact Powder Foundation: Hermès Plein Air Radiant Glow Powder
Compact powder foundations are great for on-the-go touchups to hide shine and restore an even skin tone to your face. The Hermès Plein Air Radiant Glow Powder is a fine and silky powder that gives your complexion a gentle radiance. Illuminating the skin on the go has never been easier as this Pierre Hardy-designed disc can be easily slipped into your pocket. Refills are sold separately so you can keep the container and reuse it!
Best Serum Foundation: Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Serum Foundation
The latest trend in anti-aging makeup is to use a serum foundation like the Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Serum Foundation. What is a serum foundation? What is a serum foundation? It’s a product that combines the power of a serum in a makeup format. Defy gravity and correct dark spots, wrinkles, reduced firmness, or an uneven skin tone with this illuminating anti-aging foundation from France. SPF 20 keeps the sun’s damaging rays from penetrating your skin.
Best Foundation with SPF: Guerlain L’Essentiel Natural 16-Hour Wear Foundation SPF 20
To keep our skin looking youthful, beauty babes know that SPF is a requirement! If you aren’t already wearing one under your makeup, knock it out with a two-in-one foundation with SPF 20. The Guerlain L’Essentiel Natural 16-Hour Wear Foundation SPF 20 is more in the light to medium coverage category with the result looking almost like a second skin. It’s recommended for normal to dry skin types.
There are 6 shades to choose from. Don’t forget: there’s nothing more beautiful than healthy skin so don’t skimp out on the SPF, my friends. This applies even in the wintertime or when you think you don’t need it. Those UV rays are powerful! Applying sunscreen now means less wrinkling later. You’ll thank yourself for that self-care.
Best Lightweight Foundation: Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation
The Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation unique oil-free gel formula contains 60% perfectly charged water and seaweed, meaning your skin will feel moisturized and fresh. If you have oily skin, you will fall in love with its lightweight texture. The coverage is adjustable so if you’re looking for something in the medium to full range, you’ve found it!
The formula also protects the skin from city-level sun exposure plus environmental oxidation. It comes in fifteen gorgeous shades. Don’t miss out on a gel, its application feels incredible.
Best Body Foundation: Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation
Dior’s Backstage Face & Body Foundation formula is ideal for the body because it is both sweat and water-resistant. Talk about a lifesaver at the gym or pilates class! No more feeling self-conscious about anything. If you’re a sporty gal, and you need that medium coverage, this one’s definitely for you.
You’re still going to get that natural finish, and the coverage is buildable. If you are wanting more of a full-coverage look, just use a beauty blender or brush to layer the formula. There are over 40 shades also, so you’ve got options galore.
Best Stick Foundation: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear 5-In-1 Foundation Stick
Lancome’s stick formula has a lot to offer here! The Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear 5-In-1 Foundation Stick has 24 hours of full, oil-free coverage. Next, this foundation has a kabuki brush built in. Talk about convenience. You are getting the makeup and the high-quality brush in one.
Lacome’s proprietary formula offers a natural, matte, transfer-resistant finish. Transfer fears are real, but they’re nothing to worry about here. You can choose from over 20 shades to find your perfect color. Maybe you’ve never even considered a stick foundation, but this is your sign to try it out. It’s easy and beautiful.
How to Apply Foundation
Applying foundation is a fundamental step in creating a flawless makeup look. Here are the steps to follow for applying foundation:
- Prep your skin by cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen. Wait a few minutes to allow your moisturizer to absorb into your skin before moving on to the next step.
- Choose the right foundation shade for your skin tone. Test the foundation on your jawline, and blend it out towards your neck to ensure a seamless transition.
- Dispense a small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand or onto a clean makeup palette.
- Using a foundation brush, sponge, or your fingers, apply the foundation to your face in small dots. Start in the center of your face and work your way outward.
- Blend the foundation into your skin using a tapping, rolling or sweeping motion, depending on the tool you’re using. Be sure to blend well around your hairline, jawline, and neck to avoid any noticeable lines.
- If you have areas that require extra coverage, use a concealer to spot-treat any blemishes, dark circles or other imperfections.
- Set your foundation with a light dusting of translucent powder if you have oily skin, or if you want to extend the wear time of your makeup.
- If you prefer a more natural look, you can skip the powder and simply spritz your face with a hydrating mist or setting spray.
And that’s it! With these easy steps, you can apply foundation and achieve a smooth and flawless complexion.
Voila! I hope you found your dream French foundation on our list.
