9 of the best lightweight foundations for a skin-like finish

 Best lightweight foundations

by Clare Bradley |
Published on

There are so many types of foundation, and as a busy mum, we know you probably don’t have the time nor the energy to try all of themto find the perfect one for you. What might be best for you is a lightweight foundation so that you’re “covered” for any situation.

Choosing a good lightweight foundation is going to give you a perfect no-makeup look, with flawless skin without being too heavy. With a lightweight foundation, you have the best of two worlds: good coverage that will hide imperfections, and a natural and fresh finish that suits your day whether you are going to work, nursery, doing the grocery shopping, or spending the day at home with your baby.

 You can always build up with a lightweight foundation,adding more to your skin if you need more coverage for night-time makeup. Another big advantage of a lightweight foundation is that you can apply on the go and with your fingers, but still get good results that will give the impression you spent hours getting ready.

We’ve chosen some of the best lightweight foundations available to buy today, whatever your budget:

This oil free, uber-illuminating foundation gives a light coverage (but also buildable for medium coverage too) and leaves skin not only looking healthy, but with SPF25, it will shield from damaging UV rays during trips to the park. It’s not just your little one who needs protecting from the sun, remember!

Air-light, with a very natural, glowy finish (never sparkly or shimmery), Light Wonder is a savior for knackered skin. It illuminates, smooths and hydrates, while diminishing the appearance of pores and wrinkles, without a full on finish. Win!

If you’re looking for a lightweight foundation at a purse friendly price, then Bourjois Happy Light is a great option. The velvety formula contains translucent pigments, which means your skin will look bright without any unnecessary masking – great for sleep-deprived mums whose skin is lacking its usual luminous loveliness.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup
Price: $60.75
Alternative retailers
Walmart$58.98View offer

For a texture as light and delicate as water, Aqua Vitalumiere is perfect. If you are an occasional or virgin foundation wearer (who knew those sleepless nights would affect your skin this much?), this soft and ultra-fine liquid smooths on to re-energise and refresh skin in the subtlest of ways.

For busy mums looking for an age-defying foundation with skin benefits, Light Expert the perfect lightweight base. With added age-defying antioxidants and hyaluronic acid filling spheres (they cleverly plump up dehydrated skin), this giant brush-on foundation pen can be applied on the run (or even with one hand whilst juggling your baby).

A compact, cream texture foundation can work wonders on thirsty, lustre-lacking skin. With vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5, No7 Stay Perfect Compact Foundation will take care of your skin and well as cover it throughout the day.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
Price: $49.00
Alternative retailers
Bloomingdale's$39.95View offer
Saks Fifth Avenue$39.95View offer
Nordstrom$39.95View offer
Walmart$40.24View offer

If an uneven skin tone is your main concern, but you hate disguising it with heavy foundation, this fragrance-free, non-clogging formula will do the trick, without irritating your skin or blocking pores. The sheer (but buildable) coverage will ensure your skin is super-soft and radiant, and the added antioxidants will protect and improve skin tone too. A great buy if you’re a normal to dry skin type.

BareMinerals Original SPF15 Foundation
Price: $39.00
Alternative retailers
Walmart$9.66View offer
Nordstrom$33.15View offer
Target$39.00View offer
JCPenney$39.00View offer

Looking for the lightest of light foundations? Say hello to BareMinerals – your new best friend. You will barely notice this powder formula on your skin and avoid tell-tale foundation tide lines too. Swirl a brush into the powder and apply sparingly for daytime, or layer up for more coverage at night, for flawless, silky skin. If you usually wear powder, but feel it’s not giving the coverage you need these days, switch to this to get your skin back in shape.

For those months when the cost of nappies is just too much, make GOSH’s Natural Touch Foundation your go-to budget-buy. Deliciously creamy, it effortlessly smooths on and sinks in, for an ultra-natural look. The velvety texture will leave your skin so soft, applying makeup will feel much more like a pamper than a burden.

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Read more: The best BB creams

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Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.