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Foundation Makeup: Ratings of Sources

Total of 18 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Beautypedia.com
As of Aug. 2011
Makeup
by Paula Begoun
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn her online database of beauty reviews, Paula Begoun reviews nearly every foundation covered in other sources. She relies on the Food and Drug Administration, scientific journals and various studies to rate products for effectiveness and overall safety. Begoun evaluates the ingredients in foundations as well as color range, texture and finish. The high volume of reviews here makes this an overwhelming place to start, but it is a great resource for evaluating formulas that are top-rated at other sites.
2. Choice magazine
Sept. 2009
Mineral Make-up Not So Natural
by Editors of Choice magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEditors of Choice magazine, along with 29 volunteers, test and rate 14 mineral foundations for coverage, ease of application and appearance. Editors explain that most mineral foundations are not as natural as they claim to be and many of them contain a large quantity of synthetic and potentially irritating ingredients. The two top-performing formulas contain ingredients similar to liquid formulas.
3. Good Housekeeping
Not Dated
Long-Wearing Foundations
by Editors of Good Housekeeping magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentGood Housekeeping tests several foundations against claims of staying power. Each formula is tested to determine if color holds true for at least nine hours. Volunteers also test each formula for two full work days and rate them for ability to even skin tone, overall comfort level, blending ability, ease of removal and overall satisfaction. In all, seven foundations make the list, but some get better overall ratings than others. It isn't clear how many formulas were tested and which ones didn't make the cut. It also should be noted that some foundations say they work for longer, but none of them is tested for more than nine hours.
4. Allure
Oct. 2010
Best of Beauty: Base
by Editors of Allure magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEvery year, Allure editors test hundreds of beauty products for their annual beauty awards. One hundred and ninety products make the list for 2010, 10 of which are foundations. Winners from Giorgio Armani, L'Oreal, MAC and others are chosen for light coverage, medium coverage and natural ingredients. A brief description of each is given, but nonwinning products and testing criteria aren't mentioned.
5. Real Simple
Not Dated
The Best Foundation
by Bora Chang
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentReal Simple magazine lists seven top-performing foundations, each of which is reviewed by a group of testers. Top-performing products for normal, dry, oily, sensitive and mature skin are covered, with a brief description of each. Nonwinning products and testing criteria are not listed.
6. Shape magazine
Not dated
Shape of Beauty Awards 2010: Makeup & Nails
by Editors of Shape magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentShape magazine editors, along with more than 3,000 readers and beauty experts, test beauty products for their annual beauty awards. Two foundations make the list. Revlon PhotoReady Makeup is chosen its light reflecting pigments that create an "optical illusion". Lancome Oscillation PowerFoundation is chosen for its vibrating applicator that helps the makeup blend better.
7. InStyle
May 2011
Best Beauty Buys 2011: Face
by Editors of InStyle magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTop beauty professionals weigh in with their favorite beauty products, choosing 150 classic and new products for InStyle's annual beauty awards. Four foundations make the list, including Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation and Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation. All of the foundations listed are multi-year winners. Judging criteria aren't clear, however.
8. TruthInAging.com
As of Aug. 2011
Face Makeup
by Editors of TruthinAging.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe editors at TruthinAging.com routinely test beauty products with natural claims and recommend them or reject them. Although TruthinAging.com's editors, in general, prefer completely natural products, they do concur that some nonnatural products are better than others. The ingredients of all of the products they review are analyzed for safety, and this is weighed heavily in their reviews. Several foundations, including a few mainstream products, are recommended.
9. Self Magazine
May 2011
Healthy Beauty Awards 2011: Makeup
by Editors of Self magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMore than 2,200 women tested 1,187 beauty products for Self magazine's annual beauty awards. Winning products are chosen in hair, face, makeup, body and sun categories. Five foundations make the list, but nonwinning products aren't mentioned.
10. About.com
Not Dated
Best Foundation -- My Top 13 Picks for Every Skin Type
by Julyne Derrick
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentJulyne Derrick, beauty guide for About.com, uses several sources (including beauty magazines, blogs and beauty review websites) to compile her list of top foundations. Although the title implies that there are 13 picks, a total of 16 products make the list. Derrick says she has used a few of the products, but it appears as if most of them were not tested. Foundations listed here are not rated or compared to one another. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
11. MakeupAlley.com
As of Aug. 2011
Foundations
by Contributors to MakeupAlley.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHundreds of foundations are reviewed by MakeupAlley.com members. Some of the products listed here are reviewed nearly 3,000 times, with high overall ratings. The high volume makes it a bit tedious to search through, but reviews can be sorted in several ways, making it easy to search for products with high ratings and numerous reviews. Products from MAC, Revlon, Estee Lauder and Laura Mercier are reviewed most often.
12. TotalBeauty.com
As of Aug. 2011
Foundation
by Contributors to TotalBeauty.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTotalBeauty.com members rate and review more than 800 foundations. Although they aren't reviewed as often as those at MakeupAlley.com, several top-rated foundations are reviewed upwards of 100 times. Among those with several reviews, products from MAC, Estee Lauder, Revlon and Bare Escentuals rate the highest. Editors also weigh in on a few of the products.
13. AllWomenStalk.com
Not Dated
7 Best Foundation – Take Your Pick!
by Olga Kaushan
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentSeveral women weigh in with their favorite foundations for this blog post at AllWomenStalk.com, a beauty blog. Each product is given a brief description, but none of them is compared to other foundations and reviews are not critical. Most of the foundations listed here are best for oily skin types.
14. Amazon.com
As of Aug. 2011
Foundation Makeup
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumers rate and review thousands of foundations listed for sale at Amazon.com. Although most receive only one or two reviews, a few are reviewed more than 50 times. Bare Escentuals Original SPF 15 Foundation, Cover Girl Natureluxe Silk Foundation, Cover Girl Simply Ageless Foundation, Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 Matte Foundation and Philosophy Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas Powder SPF 15 are reviewed most often and receive high overall ratings.
15. Drugstore.com
As of Aug. 2011
Foundations
by Contributors to Drugstore.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHundreds of foundations are listed for sale at Drugstore.com, but most are reviewed only a handful of times. Max Factor products are reviewed most often (Drugstore.com is the only place they are available for sale in the United States), earning high overall ratings. Other well-reviewed formulas include Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer and Almay Smart Shade Makeup.
16. Women's Health magazine
Not Dated
Makeup Tips: Pick the Best Foundation
by Alexis Farah
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWomen's Health magazine offers suggestions for choosing the right foundation for your skin type as well as tips for applying it correctly. A few products are recommended, but no details are given as to what makes them a good choice. Products do not appear to have been tested for this article, and they aren't rated or compared.
17. Glamour magazine
Not Dated
Perfect Makeup: 8 Super-Easy Steps for Looking Flawless – Fast!
by Amber Kallor
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentGlamour magazine turns to makeup artist Ana Marie Rizzieri for suggestions on how to apply makeup for a flawless look. Rizzieri offers makeup application tips as well as a suggested order of application. For foundation, she suggests using a foundation stick because it is fast and easy. Several product recommendations are given, but products are not reviewed or rated.
18. CosmeticsCop.com
Not Dated
Which Foundation Type is Best for You
by Paula Begoun
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPaula Begoun, the self-proclaimed "Cosmetics Cop", discusses in great detail the various types of foundations available and which skin types they are best for. She also takes into consideration various preferences, such as texture and overall appearance. The pros and cons of each type of formula are discussed. Product recommendations for each category are given, but they echo the recommendations given at Beautypedia.com, our top resource, where more specific product detail is given.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
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