Best Liquid Foundations in Canada
With an incredibly overwhelming amount of makeup available, including foundations – it can be tricky deciding what might work best for you. Liquid foundations have become more popular than ever, if not the most popular, and with an array to choose from across multiple price points, it’s hard to determine what works best for your skin type or what’s even worth the hype or cost.
Our list below will hopefully help you get a better understand of what works best for your skin type and what kind of liquid foundation you might need.
Our Top Picks
What to look for in liquid foundations
When you’re looking to get a new liquid foundation, it’s important to keep these factors in mind:
Size vs cost – Not all liquid foundations are equal and any trip down the makeup aisle can be daunting with the sizes and the cost differences. Some may seem tiny but cost an arm and a leg, while some are huge tubes that are reasonable. Higher end brands sometimes have smaller quantities because it takes much less to get higher coverage – or you may need more of one brand to get full-coverage.
Just be sure to check what you need and how much.
Brand – Some name brands are overly expensive without delivering the quality. The makeup industry as a whole is marked up, with huge name brands being the worst offenders. Some are absolutely worth the cost, while some have much cheaper dupes available. Be sure to check what works best for you.
Skin type compatibility – Oily, combination, dry skin – we all know the problems with trying to find compatible makeup. You might think that liquid foundations would be hydrating for dry skin or make oily skin even worse, but that just isn’t the case! There are different types of liquids for all different skin types – just be sure to check which is for you.
Shade ranges – Brands have gotten a lot better at including an array of different skin tones and shades for foundations and concealers. Some are more spread out than others and if you’re looking for a specific shade, you might be out of luck with certain brands.
Coverage – Not all foundations are full coverage and not everyone wants them to be. Some are incredibly sheer and add just a hint of coverage and colour. Don’t forget to check what kind of foundation you want and what is offered. Do you want a sheer foundation that you can build up with or a heavy full-coverage foundation that completely covers every pore?
Best Cheap/Drugstore Foundation
NYX Born to Glow
NYX is well known for their cheap/affordable makeup and good quality products. Their Born to Glow radiant liquid foundation is no exception. It blends easily and offers lightweight to medium coverage that can easily be built up.
37 shades are available to choose from and while in high-demand, they can usually be found fairly easily online or in-stores, generally at Shoppers Drug Mart. It’s a dewy type of foundation that isn’t heavy or weighs you down.
Pros
- Affordable.
- 37 shades to choose from.
- Easy to blend.
Cons
- May end up cakey if you use too much or have dry skin.
Covergirl TruBlend Liquid
Covergirl’s TruBlend liquid foundation is the go-to foundation for many makeup artists or anyone looking for an affordable and easy to find foundation that feels decently lightweight and blends well without taking much time.
Covergirl touts that this foundation blends flawlessly with your skin tone and feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. Blurs and blends without streaks and stays put underneath other makeup. The formula is oil-free, which makes it great for combination skin.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Blends well.
Cons
- Only 21 shades currently.
The Ordinary Serum Foundation
The Ordinary is known for their skincare and being affordable for Canadians. They’ve since started delving into makeup and their foundation is no different in regards to quality that everyone has grown to know and love.
It’s under $10 for a 30ml bottle of foundation that comes in a pump bottle. Oil-free, alcohol-free, cruelty-free and free from nuts. Vegan. All good things. It’s a cream-like consistency that is designed to spread and blend flawlessly and work with most primers and other makeup on top without smudging or getting taken off.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Great array of skin tones and shades.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Glass bottle can get messy.
Best Luxury Foundation
Chanel Ultrawear All-Day Foundation
Chanel isn’t new to foundations or makeup, and their Ultrawear All-Day foundation is a great choice if you need something with a medium coverage that can be built up and lasts nearly all day, as the name suggests. If you like to put your makeup on, set it, and not have to do much touch-up as the hours go on – this might be the best choice for you.
It does have a natural light finish without being too heavy. There are 35 shades in the range that should be able to match most skin tones, though there could always been more added in the future.
Pros
- Long wear.
- Natural finish.
- Decent shades available.
- Medium coverage.
Cons
- May be too high coverage for some.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna has made a lot of lists for their formula being easy to use and worth the cost for what you get. The Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear foundation is no exception. If you’re looking for a matte finish that isn’t dewy or oily looking, this is for you.
It can crease or crack on dry skin, especially if you accidentally use too much. It can be built up, but a little goes a very long way.
Pros
- Good range of shades.
- Long lasting.
- Wonderful matte formula.
Cons
- Pricier.
- May crease or crack on dry skin.
Best Lightweight Foundation
DIOR Forever Skin Glow
DIOR’s Forever Skin Glow is a great choice for anyone that would like a radiant foundation that can be built up and also protects your skin with added SPF. It’s designed to hold up against humidity and heat, so if you live in a warm climate or are going on vacation somewhere humid – be sure to give this foundation a go.
There are more than 40 shades in their entire line, with something sure to work with almost all skin tones and shades without needing to blend together several different ones.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Has SPF included.
Cons
- Pricier.
Pat McGrath Sublime
Pat McGrath is well known for their makeup and the care that goes into their products. The Skin Fetish: Sublime comes in 36 shades and tones, which make it easy for everyone to match their perfect foundation. It wears comfortable for 12 hours and the serum itself is silky smooth to the touch.
It’s a self-setting formula that makes it easy to wear and the finish is a satin light-as-air texture that makes it seem like you’re not wearing anything. It smooths pores and makes your skin look flawless. It can be built up, though a little goes a long way and it lasts for ages. Worth the cost.
Pros
- Great shade range.
- Wonderful coverage.
- Lasts all day.
Cons
- Expensive.
Best foundation with SPF
Bareminerals complexion rescue SPF 30
The bare minerals complexion rescue is perfect for anyone that needs a foundation that is just a smooth, lightweight tint with added SPF while going out. When you don’t want a full face of coverage but still want to cover up a bit or add some colour during the winter months while protecting your skin from the UV rays.
It’s $45 for a tube, which isn’t too bad considering that you’re getting foundation and SPF in one. It is a tinted moisturizer though, so keep in mind that you aren’t getting a heavy full face style of foundation with this product.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Easy to blend.
Cons
- Bit pricier for the size.
Best rated foundation
NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
NARS has been a highly rated makeup brand for years and it isn’t hard to see why. The Light Reflecting liquid foundation has been top of the charts for awhile and with good reason. It lends to a smooth and natural finish, and comes in 36 shades.
The best part about this foundation in particular is how light and airy it is, and can be built up. It’s a very lightweight foundation, so if you don’t like the feeling of having much makeup on or just want a dewy, easy liquid foundation coverage – this is well worth the try.
Pros
- Smooth and natural finish.
- Isn’t heavy feeling on the skin.
Cons
- The glass bottle can get dirty, fast.
HOURGLASS seamless foundation stick
Not exactly a liquid foundation, the Hourglass Vanish foundation stick is a great choice for any makeup kit and it’s easy to carry with you or travel with. The foundation can be warmed up by running it on the back of your hand before applying it directly to your face.
It works amazingly well against water and lasts all day. It is easy to accidentally use too much so keep in mind that a little goes a very long way with this one in particular. It’s cruelty-free and vegan as well, and lasts.
Pros
- Wonderful coverage.
Cons
- Not exactly a liquid.
- May not work as well on dry skin
Our Methodology
For this article, we used the top-rated liquid foundations across multiple sites, and also our own personal use. We included reviews from users that have different skin types and took into account shade ranges, cost, and availability within Canada.
Questions about liquid foundations
What is the best way to apply liquid foundation?
The best way to apply liquid foundation is to first apply a pump or two to the back of your hand first so that it can warm up. Then take a clean finger, such as your ring finger, and dot it onto your face starting with your T-zone area. Blend out with a beauty blender, sponge, or your fingers. It’s also best to add more and start with less, as too much foundation can become easily cakey or be too much and crack.
Which foundation is best liquid or stick?
Liquid or stick foundation work just as well, it all depends on your skin type and how you go about using them. Be sure to warm up either one before using them.
What brush is best for liquid foundation?
Dense brushes or sponges such as beauty blenders work the best for liquid foundation. You can also just as easily blend in foundation with your fingers!
Which real techniques brush is best for liquid foundation?
The Expert Face makeup brush is the best Real Techniques brush to use with liquid foundation, as it lets you blend out your makeup into a flawless finish much easier. It isn’t too dense or too sparse.
Which foundation is best for oily skin, powder or liquid?
Liquid foundation can work well with oily skin if the formula is made for it, otherwise powder can be really helpful when trying to dull down an oily shine. The most important part is the steps before you put foundation on, such as exfoliating and making sure that you have the proper moisture.
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Updated date
March 27th, 2023
About the author
Nikki Lyka
Nikki Lyka is a reviewer and writer at Rank-It.ca that’s written about a variety of subjects from the best fantasy novels to travel guides and blogs. When she isn’t researching and typing up a storm, she’s generally found winding down with tea, video games, practicing aerial hoop, photography, and reading good horror novels.
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