7 Best Light Coverage Foundations in 2023

When you don’t want a full face of makeup but need a little more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, foundations with light coverage are the answer.  These are not meant for covering up blemishes or concealing every fine line but will give your face some color and that ideal every day natural makeup look.  The following are our choices for the best light coverage foundations available today!

1. Bella Terra Mineral Powder Foundation – $34.99

Our #1 Choice!

We can’t rave enough about this foundation!  SPF 15, flawless finish, long-lasting, raving reviews, gentle for sensitive skin, and a jar generally lasts 6 months.  While you can build it up to full coverage, for sheer coverage, we recommend these powder puffs, which are reusable!  Or if you prefer brushes, Bella Terra’s foundation brush pairs perfectly with this foundation.

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2. Milani Screen Queen Liquid Foundation Makeup – $13.99

Our Choice For:  Drugstore Brand & Shade Range

We love the Milani brand and their commitment to diversity by developing a shade for every skin tone, giving us 44 shades to choose from!  This foundation gives a natural look and definitely will not appear cakey.  It works for all skin types, but we especially like it for combination skin types.  This liquid foundation will feel light on your skin, and if you need medium coverage on some days, just add a second layer!

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Ulta Amazon

3. Glo Skin Beauty Luminous Liquid Foundation – $60.00

Our Choice For:  Dewy Finish

This foundation is simply gorgeous! We love the dewy and radiant finish.  Although the price is a little daunting, a bottle should last you around 5 months (we have found a little goes a long way unless you want to build more coverage).  This product contains SPF 18 and is great for all skin types except those on the very oily side.  For applying this foundation, Glo Skin Beauty recommends using your fingers or a flat-top kabuki brush.

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4. Make Up For Ever Water Blend Face & Body Foundation – $43.00

This light coverage foundation deserves a lot more hype!  Wow, we were blown away by the unique and light formula.  The key to achieving the smooth, flawless look with this foundation is applying it correctly.  We followed Make Up For Ever’s instructions and couldn’t be happier with the results.

First, dampen a round sponge but instead of using water, use two sprays of a primer.  Apply two pumps of the foundation to the back of your hand. Use your moistened sponge to pick up the product from your hand and use “press and roll” motions starting in the center of your face, working outward.  This foundation appeared to have mixed reviews regarding skin types, but we found that it works perfectly for dry skin in the summertime and oily skin during the winter months.

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5. Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Fluid Powder Foundation – $40.00

Our Choice For:  Oily Skin Types

This liquid-to-powder foundation was released at the beginning of 2020, and we predict it is here to stay for years to come.  For a light coverage foundation, we were impressed with how well it evens out skin tones and reduces redness.  It looks very natural and has a soft matte, velvety, powder finish.  The best part about this foundation is how it SELF SETS — seriously, even with the oiliest of skin types, setting powder is optional!

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Bobbi Brown Sephora

6. No.7 Match Made Foundation Drops – $14.99

If you cannot find a light coverage foundation you like, create your own!  Available in 24 different shades, these “foundation drops” can be added to any moisturizer or primer to create the perfect foundation for you.  One drop provides light coverage, two for medium, and three gives full coverage.  Shake the bottle well before use, drop the product into your hand, and then blend in the palm of your hand with moisturizer or primer.  We loved how well it blended together and onto the skin.  You can also use these drops to color correct your other liquid foundations that do not quite match your skin tone.

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7. Kosas Tinted Face Oil Foundation – $42.00

This tinted oil foundation is perfect! Super lightweight, provides the right amount of coverage, and won’t cause breakouts due to its clean ingredients, making this foundation ideal for sensitive skin types.  It covers blemishes without covering up your natural beauty.  You don’t feel like you are wearing makeup!  And on days you want more coverage, it is easily buildable.

Pro Tip – Wait for your moisturizer to fully dry and absorb into your skin before applying this foundation.  This will prevent a cakey look.

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Kosas Sephora