While I’m sure each of us will have differing opinions of what constitutes the perfect foundation, from lightweight to full-coverage and dewy to matte finishes, there’s one thing I’m sure we can all agree on: a great base product will usually leave your complexion looking a little more even and a little less textured.
That’s not to say we should all be reaching for a full-coverage foundation at every opportunity. On the contrary, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful bases are those that still allow our natural skin to show through—these can even be tinted moisturisers. No matter your preference for type or finish, however, what a great base should offer is a little added polish, camouflaging imperfections, evening out your skin tone and making every day look (and feel) like a great skin day.
So, when I saw a new wave of foundations hitting the shelves, foundations which promised all of the above and came in a range of finishes to suit all foundation tastes, you better believe my beauty editor senses started tingling. Dubbed blurring foundations, these formulas promise not only to camouflage and conceal with a natural-looking, second-skin finish but also to leave the skin looking like it’s in soft focus, too.
Of course, I ran out and got my hands on one at the first opportunity (Laura Mercier’s Real Flawless Foundation, in case you were wondering), to put it to the test. The results? My usual dewy skin tints have been dismissed, and I now find myself reaching for some variation of a blurring foundation every day.
(Image credit: Jazzria Harris)
So, what exactly are blurring foundations, and what makes them so elite when it comes to finish and formulas? To find that out, I turned to an expert, international education and events manager at Laura Mercier, Karl Díaz-Hellín Hodson.
“Blurring foundations and tinted moisturisers create a natural, radiant complexion that looks effortlessly refined,” he told me. “With soft, buildable coverage, they don’t mask your skin; they enhance it. The result is a breathable, comfortably smooth and subtly luminous finish that looks like your skin, only better.”
I’m sure you’re beginning to see why blurring foundations have since become my go-to base of choice; however, if you need more convincing, I asked Díaz-Hellín Hodson to dive a little deeper…
What Is a Blurring Foundation?
“Blurring foundations are designed to soften the appearance of fine lines, pores and uneven texture by diffusing light across the face,” explains Díaz-Hellín Hodson.
So, what’s the difference between a blurring foundation and a matte foundation? “Both blurring and matte foundations are designed to perfect the complexion, but they achieve this in different ways,” he tells me. “Blurring foundations and tinted moisturisers create a luminous, skin-like finish by softly reflecting light. Matte foundations, on the other hand, are formulated to absorb excess oil and control shine, leaving a velvety finish that’s especially suited to oily or combination skin.”
Who Is a Blurring Foundation Best Suited For?
“Blurring foundations and tinted moisturisers are suitable for a wide range of skin types and concerns,” Díaz-Hellín Hodson told me. “They’re especially good foundations for mature skin, as their soft-focus effect helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without settling into them. For those with textured or uneven skin, these formulas work to minimise the look of pores and smooth rough patches, creating a softly blurred, more even complexion. Plus, thanks to hydrating properties, blurring foundations are also ideal for normal to dry skin types, delivering a radiant glow with lightweight, comfortable coverage that lasts throughout the day.” The takeaway? Few won’t benefit from switching their traditional foundation for a blurring finish instead.
How to Apply a Blurring Foundation
“For the best results, start by prepping your skin with a hydrating primer,” Díaz-Hellín Hodson advises. “This enhances the smoothing effect. When it comes to application, the tool you choose makes a difference. For a softer, sheer finish, use a fluffy foundation brush or don’t be afraid to use your fingertips to apply. For more coverage and control, opt for a dense brush and apply in thin, buildable layers, focusing on areas that need extra blurring, like around the nose or cheeks. Lastly, to set the look without diminishing its glow, set your makeup with a translucent loose setting powder where needed, such as the T-zone.”
So, now you know all the benefits that come with a blurring foundation, you’re probably eager to get your hands on one. To help, I’ve rounded up 9 of the best blurring bases from lightweight skin tints to full-coverage foundations. Here’s the full edit…
The Best Blurring Foundations
1. Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir
Kylie Cosmetics
Skin Tint Blurring Elixir
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Soft matte
Shade range: 24
Pros
- Contains hydrating hyaluronic acid
- Buildable coverage
Cons
- Very runny so be careful when applying
One of the first lightweight blurring foundations that I got my hands on, Kylie Cosmetics Blurring Elixir, is still one of my favourites. The finish is light yet buildable, something that I look for in a foundation, and it doesn’t feel heavy or thick on the skin. Alongside the natural-looking pigment, the formula also contains hyaluronic acid, which works to hydrate as it covers. This not only makes this skin tint feel incredibly comfortable to wear but also ensures it applies smoothly and easily without clinging to any dry patches or leaving unwanted streaks. The finish is matte yet not masking—think skin that looks softly diffused and radiant.
2. Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet
Chanel
Ultra Le Teint Velvet
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Velvet matte
Shade range: 15
Pros
- True blurred finish
- Features SPF15 protection
Cons
- May be too matte for some tastes
- Expensive
Chanel’s blurring foundation may be at the more expensive end of the spectrum, but wow, it’s worth every penny. While many foundations claim a velvet-like finish, this is one of the only formulas I’ve tried that truly delivers on that claim. Smooth to apply and transforming into a blurred soft-matte finish on the skin, this is blurring foundation at its best. Blemishes appear less prominent, fine lines are camouflaged and skin looks calmed and even. My only wish is that there were more shades available, especially at the darker end of the spectrum, for even more accessibility.
3. Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation
Nars
Soft Matte Complete Foundation
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Soft matte
Shade range: 34
Pros
- Great for oily skin
- Medium to full coverage
Cons
- May be too matte for some
Now, I know I said blurring and matte foundations had different properties, but in my opinion, Nar’s Soft Matte foundation bridges the gap between the two. For that reason, it’s a great choice for oily skin types or those who want a full-matte finish while also wanting to achieve an airbrushed effect. As well as leaving skin shine-free for up to 16 hours (something I can vouch for, as I often wear this during long days in the office), it also softly blurs and camouflages as it covers. While the finish is described as full coverage, I’d actually describe this as medium to full, as it can be sheered out or built up, as you desire. Personally, I love this foundation layered over an illuminating primer for a little added radiance.
4. Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation
Laura Mercier
Real Flawless Foundation
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Skin-like matte
Shade range: 26
Pros
- Camouflages pores and fine lines
If you spend any time online or on social media, especially in the beauty sphere, I can guarantee you’ll have heard of Laura Mercier’s Real Flawless Foundation. The blurring formula went viral in early 2024, famed for its ability to leave skin with a filter-like finish in real life. In action, it does just that, blending and concealing seamlessly for a seriously seamless look. My only word of warning: build up light layers rather than going in heavy on first swipe to keep things looking natural.
5. Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint
Another lightweight option, Iconic’s Blurring Skin Tint offers a little more coverage than Kylie Cosmetics’ base, yet still sits firmly in the skin tint family. For me, this is the perfect everyday foundation: lightweight, natural-looking, yet offering a “my skin, but better” finish. Once again, the shade range sadly needs some increasing; however, on all other fronts, this is a winner.
6. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Coverage: Full
Finish: Matte
Shade range: 44
Pros
- Camouflages fine lines
- Seamless finish
Cons
- May be too matte for some
Blending skincare and makeup in one, Charlotte Tilbury’s newly reformulated airbrush foundation is a full coverage, blurring foundation perfected. The formula is infused with powder particles, which blur and prevent shine, while Charlotte’s phyto youth technology also works to target visible signs of ageing. It’s also designed to move with your skin, so it won’t go cakey throughout the day or settle into any fine lines that may become more prominent. And the finish? Airbrushed doesn’t even begin to describe it.
7. Rimmel London Kind & Free Mattifying Skin Tint
Rimmel London
Kind & Free Blur It Out Mattifying Skin Tint
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Matte
Shade range: 20
Pros
- Infused with hydrating ingredients
- Affordable
Cons
- Lacks that luxury feeling
Priced at under £10, Rimmel’s blurring foundation is one of the best affordable options available if you’re looking for an entry point into blurring formulas. Available in 20 shades, which span from porcelain to espresso, the lightweight skin tint softly evens out skin texture and tone with a natural-looking matte finish. Plus, it’s also infused with vitamin E to hydrate and soothing botanicals to calm and soothe, so you can rest assured this isn’t just camouflaging your skin but working to improve it, too.
8. Benefit The Porefessional Smoothing + Blurring Matte Foundation
Benefit
The Porefessional Smoothing + Blurring Matte Foundation
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Natural matte
Shade range: 40
Pros
- Doesn’t settle in pores or fine lines
Cons
- Needs some skin prep if you want a glow
If you’ve ever shopped for a pore-minimising primer, you’ll have most likely come across Benefit’s Porefessional. The velvet-smooth primer became the go-to for oily-skinned girls like myself in the 00s, leaving skin blurred and prepped to perfection, ready for any makeup that followed. This year, the brand created the perfect second step in that routine, the Porefessional foundation, a smoothing and blurring formula which draws upon the properties of their primer alongside a medium, buildable pigment. On the skin, it blends easily, working to camouflage but not cover, while niacinamide works below the surface to further smooth skin over time. Will your pores disappear instantly? No, but will they look smoother and less prominent after use? Most definitely.
9. Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Velvet matte
Shade range: 25
Pros
- Full-coverage finish
- Great for oily skin
Cons
- May not be suitable for dry skin
Lastly, we have Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Blurring Second Skin Foundation. A great option for oily skin types, it’s a medium-to-full coverage, which blurs pores and imperfections while also minimising shine. Throughout the day, it wears beautifully on my skin, becoming slightly more radiant with minimal slipping or sliding. In comparison, however, I have heard that on dry skin, it can settle a little into fine lines that arise throughout the day, so keep this in mind to ensure it’ll work for you.
How We Chose
In preparation for writing this article, it was important to me to ensure I’d put every foundation included well and truly through its paces. Whether it was a formula I’d used and loved for years, or a new launch I’d recently added to my makeup collection, I revisited them all, comparing each one to ensure it could be named one of the best blurring foundations. Some I wore to work, where they faced busy commutes and ever-changing office air con, while others were tested at day-long bottomless brunches or at dinner with friends. Whatever their test criteria, however, each blurring foundation passed with flying colours, applying seamlessly with a perfectly blurred finish.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
