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Best Cream Foundations for a Dewy and Glowy Finish

  1. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Makeup SPF 15 Cream Foundation
  2. Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil-Free Photo Edition Foundation for Women Cream Foundation
  3. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Cream Foundation
  4. Olay CC Cream Total Effects Daily Moisturizer Cream Foundation
  5. Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Ultra Hydrating Cream Whipped Foundation
  6. Buyer's Guide

Foundation makes your complexion appear more even and uniform, creating a smooth base for blush, eyeshadow, and other makeup products. Cream foundations are typically thicker in consistency and often provide better coverage than liquid and powder foundations. However, cream foundations can appear uneven or cakey if improperly applied. The best cream foundation in 2022 listed below were chosen because they feature smooth application, even coverage, and high ratings from ordinary users. Some of these cream foundations also deliver extra hydration and anti-aging benefits.

Here are the best Cream Foundations of 2022

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Makeup SPF 15 Cream Foundation - Best Cream Foundation Overall

This luxurious cream foundation by Elizabeth Arden has anti-aging properties that smooth and relax surface lines. It is infused with Ceramide Triple Complex, which firms and lifts skin for a younger complexion. Available in 13 diverse shades, this moisturizing foundation offers long-wearing color that contains broad-spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen to protect your skin. Antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E are also included for extra moisture and protection. Users are amazed by this cream foundation and claim it "feels very natural, like you're not wearing makeup at all."

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil-Free Photo Edition Foundation for Women Cream Foundation - Runner Up

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation provides full coverage with a special combination of silk proteins, treated mica, and tea extracts. This rich, creamy foundation effortlessly glides onto skin to even out your complexion, brighten skin, and hydrate with antioxidants. The silk powders also soften skin, while advanced light-reflecting properties optically minimize fine lines and imperfections. This cream foundation is ideal for all skin types and doesn't contain oil or fragrance. Users claim a little goes a long way and the natural-looking coverage is flawless, even on dark spots.

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Cream Foundation - Honorable Mention

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation goes on like a dream and feels very soft and airy on your skin. It's available in 16 shades, ranging from Ivory Light to Cocoa Dark, and suits normal to oily skin. You should expect perfect coverage and a velvet-matte finish that stays put. Users claim this mousse foundation makes their skin feel soft and look fresh throughout the day. It also appears very natural, so people believe you have a naturally-beautiful complexion.

Olay CC Cream Total Effects Daily Moisturizer Cream Foundation - Consider

Fight seven signs of aging with this all-in-one CC cream and foundation by Olay. You can expect instant coverage for a flawless glow that looks healthy and radiant. Plus, experience anti-aging benefits that target pores, dryness, dullness, texture, tone, and elasticity. Users claim this produce really makes their skin look brighter, tighter, and younger. It's easy to apply and lasts a long time. However, one downfall of this products is that it's only suited for light to medium skin tones.

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Ultra Hydrating Cream Whipped Foundation - Best Cream Foundation

Hydrate your skin for 14 hours with this cream-whipped foundation. It works on all skin types and comes in six flattering shades that suit light to medium-dark skin. This whipped foundation also goes on very smoothly and keeps your skin soft and supple throughout the day. Users claim this mousse foundation covers skin beautifully and feels very light on skin. It delivers a smooth, matte finish that never feels greasy. This non-comedogenic formula is free of oil and fragrance.

Buyer's Guide

Regardless of whether you are going full glam or au naturale, a good makeup look is never complete without silky, blemish-free skin. Cream foundations can help smooth out any bumps and ridges while simultaneously providing coverage for any dark circles or pigmentation. If applied properly, you can achieve a flawless finish on your skin without it looking cakey or overdone.

Although cream foundations offer many benefits, it is also true that choosing the right one can be an intimidating task. With so many options available on the market, a first-time user may easily get confused. To help you out in your journey, we have prepared this comprehensive buying guide highlighting the key features of the best cream foundations in 2021.

What Is A Cream Foundation?

A cream foundation is a type of makeup base that has a thick, cream-like consistency, typically used for those who like high coverage and a matte finish on their skin. Users who find liquid foundations too runny and powder foundations too cakey prefer using cream foundations for their staying power and easy use. Typically packaged in the form of a stick or compact, a cream foundation is a great choice for all skin types.

What Are The Benefits of Cream Foundation?

High CoverageOne of the biggest advantages of using a cream foundation over others is the high amount of coverage it offers. If you are someone who has a lot of bumps and ridges on their skin as a result of acne scars or whiteheads, you may be well aware of the struggle between covering your blemishes and looking like your makeup is too cakey. In cases like these, cream foundation acts as a godsend, allowing you to easily smooth out your skin while still looking natural.

Natural Finish

Most cream foundations contain moisturizing agents like oil and hyaluronic acid, allowing it to go on very smoothly despite being viscous. By blending into the contours of the face, it provides a silky, matte texture that won’t create cracks or lines as the day goes by.

Long-Lasting

Due to its thick formula, a little goes a long way when applying cream foundation. If the proper amount is used, a single stick or tube of product can last you a long time.

What To Consider When Buying A Cream Foundation?

The number of makeup brands offering cream foundations is endless, with each one offering a different number of benefits. In this sea of never-ending choices, it can be difficult to decide what to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect cream foundation. To help you out on your journey, we have prepared a list of the key aspects that should be considered before buying a cream foundation.

Skin Type

Although cream foundations are usually known as working well for all skin types, their performance is particularly great for dry or mature skin. This is because of the high amount of moisture that cream foundations contain, keeping your skin looking dewy and hydrated. Aging skin with bumps or scarring can also benefit most from cream foundations as they are high coverage and easily blendable. If you are someone with oily skin, a cream foundation would still provide you with great benefits but may cause even more oil production and not stay on as long.

Undertones

Even if you’ve decided that a cream foundation works best on you, the greater struggle of selecting the perfect foundation shade is still yet to come. Basing your foundation shade on the undertones of your skin can be a foolproof way to achieve this. If you have a cool complexion, select a shade of foundation that has pink or red undertones. Similarly, a warm complexion is better suited to orange or yellow foundation shades.

Packaging

Cream foundations can come in a variety of packaging styles. Stick bottles are a great option for those who are always on the go. Circle tins are less portable but the product inside is much more accessible. You can decide which style to go for based on how you intend to apply your makeup in your daily life.

Ingredients

The ingredients in a cream foundation are what can make or break the product. Ceramides,

Hyaluronic Acid, glycerin, and antioxidants like Vitamin A and C are the top ingredients to look for when selecting a foundation for their hydrating and soothing properties. Likewise, fragrance and parabens should typically be avoided, as they can be too harsh on your skin.

How To Apply Cream Foundation?

You can apply your cream foundation using a wide-bristled brush or damp sponge for maximum blending. Always start with clean, moisturized skin, after which the cream foundation should be applied in evenly spaced dots all over the face. Since cream foundation dries quickly, be sure to blend quickly and in circular motions. You can finish up with a setting spray or layer of loose powder for a more refined, flawless finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we use cream foundation daily?

A thick layer of foundation can clog pores which may result in unwanted zits or acne on your face. If you plan on wearing your foundation daily, you can avoid any negative repercussions by making sure to use a good quality product applied in a thin layer. Being consistent in removing makeup at the end of the day is also necessary to maintain the quality of your skin.

Can I use my hands to blend cream foundation?

Though it is a common assumption that using your hands to use makeup is unhygienic and should hence be avoided, cream foundations are actually better suited for application with bare fingers. This is because the warmth of your skin can help the product blend better into your skin.

What should I apply before applying cream foundation?

For a smoother finished look, many makeup artists recommend applying a moisturizer or primer to prep the skin before adding a thicker product on top. If you have greater pigmentation under the eyes or around the mouth, you can also add concealer or color corrector in those areas for some added coverage before applying foundation on top.

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