I have fair skin and I’ve found the best foundation for pale skin for 2025

Earlier this year, I attended a Charlotte Tilbury beauty event and was advised on what foundation to try from a professional make-up artist, shade-matched as a 1 Neutral. This has to be one of my favourite foundations so far.

The texture, finish and level of breathability are just right for me. It doesn't feel too heavy on my face, and it gives a natural yet radiant glow. I've tried other foundations that were far too matte, chalky and pale against my skin while showing up every pore and line, but this one feels just right. Almost a 'your skin, but better' look that you can build up for the desired effect.

Read my full Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation review here.

Having used the IL MAKIAGE's Power Match Quiz, I was given possibly the most accurate shade match I've ever had, shade 020. Upon trying this foundation for the first time, I was blown away by how seamlessly the colour blended into my neck, and that was all from doing a quiz online. Genius. This second-skin base managed to cover my imperfections with a buildable level of coverage, a finish I would describe as natural matte.

The Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation has racked up over a million (yes, a million!) reviews on the website which I find absolutely mind-blowing. It's reached viral status and is one that you will have seen everywhere on social media. This foundation is, indeed, very impressive. The only downside is that it may have a tendency to stick to drier areas and is a foundation you have to work quickly with while it's on. But all in all, I was blown away by it and can't wait to wear it more in the future.

I’ve tried an array of foundations over the years in the hunt for the perfect one, but always find myself returning to True Match. As a pale-skinned gal, I know how hard it can be to find a foundation that matches, but I find that the shade 0.5N is the perfect fit for my skin.

This foundation is super easy to blend and doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin, which is definitely a huge positive. I apply it with a beauty blender and find it blends out super easily, giving a good coverage that also looks natural and lasts well throughout the day. I love this foundation and haven’t found anything that compares – I couldn’t recommend it enough.

I was a little sceptical when told by the NARS counter at John Lewis that this foundation is best applied and blended with your fingers. Of course, I knew that foundation is typically heat-activated, but I was used to relying on brushes and sponges for the job. I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, it's very groovy.

After a glowing (pun intended) recommendation from my girlfriend, I gave the Natural Radiant Foundation a whirl. Not only is the foundation totally boujie, but it's a lightweight miracle and lasts an entire day. It blurs my imperfections and helps hide any colour correcting that I'm working on, too. A little pump or two goes a long way and I'm able to build up the coverage myself, which is a bonus. I have to use a little more in my T-zone (I have combination skin which is a NIGHTMARE) - but, not to worry, it's nothing some powder won't fix.

I had high hopes for the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation after hearing about it absolutely everywhere - including from Molly-Mae Hague. I took the Foundation Shade Finder quiz and was matched as the shade 040 Fair Neutral, however, due to low stock at the time, was given the opportunity to test 050 Fair Cool instead. I was really impressed by the super quick shade match service, and the shade still managed to match me perfectly. Tens across the board.

I mistakenly used a water-based primer to begin with and had some challenges with separation, however, having switched to using the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base, the foundation melted effortlessly into my skin. It was surprisingly silky and lightweight, with fantastic coverage that made my blemishes appear much less angry as you can clearly see from the picture. Its fermented arnica infusion supposedly calms redness, which all adds to its appeal from me. I was highly impressed, and it didn't disappoint.

When I first tested the Morphe Lightform Foundation, I was pleasantly surprised with the consistency. For some reason, I expected the foundation to be much thicker, but looking back, the clue is in the name here. 'Lightform' and 'hydration' really are the key, and the foundation is extremely lightweight and brimming with hydration. It was definitely on the thinner side and had a liquidy consistency making it incredibly easy to apply, blend and build up to your desired coverage.

The first word to mind was how 'bright' my complexion looked. Seriously, this one is a strong contender and easily rivals my beloved Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation. I loved the amount of buildability here and the dewy, glowy finish that you can clearly see in the picture. I was pleasantly surprised with the level of coverage, too. Despite being on the thinner side, it's full of pigment - and the coverage was one of the best I'd tried. All in all, I absolutely LOVE this foundation, easily one of my top three favourites on the list.

The Too Faced Born This Way foundation was my go-to for such a long time, and for the life of me, I can't remember why I switched foundations. I tried it again recently and was brought back to getting shade matched at the counter as shade 'Swan', one of Too Faced's palest shades. I have to say, I really love this foundation, and it's super popular with thousands of glowing reviews.

It has a fairly liquid consistency but I find it dries down quite quickly, and has some fab coverage. It almost feels like you've applied powder already. Other reviewers have described this foundation as having an 'airbrush' quality and it quickly covers imperfections. I'd say the shade I was matched with is probably a touch too light for me by a margin, but, while it's on the more matte side for me, it's not so much so that it looks cakey or settles into finer lines.

Possibly the first 'proper' foundation I tried, I used to use MAC's Studio Fix Foundation for my night-out looks. I've recently taken the step away from matte foundations into more dewier finishes, but if you love a matte look then this is a great choice.

I was shade-matched in-store as an NC10 shade, a tone from MAC's 'extra light' range (what a shocker). When wearing this foundation in the past, I remember being complimented on my 'flawless skin'. It has brilliant coverage, but I do find it feels fairly heavy and can separate at times - there have also been times when it has irritated my sensitive skin. However, it has fantastic coverage and is a great option for those glam night-time looks, with an extensive range of shades available.

This balmy, luminous foundation has quickly become a daytime favourite for me. If I need some light coverage with a glowy finish, I reach for the Unreal Skin Foundation Stick from Charlotte Tilbury immediately. If dewy skin is your thing, you won't be able to resist this one. Sometimes I'll even blend a bit of this over another foundation to add a touch of glow.

In its stick format, it's effortless to apply and melts into your skin, offering a dreamy luminescent finish. However, a good primer and setting spray is key here. One thing I've noticed is that being light coverage, I do need to go in heavy with the concealer. If you're expecting to wear this for a long time, you'll definitely need a top-up here and there. Having said that though, it feels natural and lightweight against the skin, not too heavy and looks positively ethereal, a breath of fresh air. Finish with a powder and you're good to go.

At first glance, I thought the Sculpted By Aimee HydraTint Moisturising Tinted Serum would be ever so slightly too warm for me. I do think that shade 1.0 may have been more my shade, but nonetheless I loved the natural look of this skin tint and it's become a new go-to for me when I need to run errands and need a bit of light coverage.

It blends in so naturally, the kind of vibe that you can wear on those low-maintenance and light-coverage days. It has a gorgeous glowy finish that isn't too overpowering, and it feels lightweight to wear. The consistency is nice and tacky (which I love) without much transfer, meaning that powder has absolutely no trouble sticking to it. I wore it all day and didn't notice any budge, so I imagine this one will be an absolute lifesaver in the summer. It looks fabulous when I wear it with my concealer. A definite thumbs up from me.

For those looking for the perfect foundation for pale skin with olive undertones, Alima's Pure Satin Matte Foundation might just be the ideal fit, according to Reddit. The loose mineral powder foundation comes with a weightless, buildable coverage and satin matte finish. The brand aims to use simple, natural ingredients in order to prevent breakouts or skin reactions. Bonus points from us.

One reviewer commented that the shades are great, including its olive range - which the customer notes is a rarity for a lot of brands. Additionally, Redditors who recommended the product said that it's the closest match that they've ever found for their pale, olive skin, and it doesn’t break them out at all. They continue that the coverage never really looks cakey, just 'so natural and beautiful'.