Any great makeup look starts with foundation. In order to make your skin appear flawless you will need a medium buildable foundation that you can layer to your personal taste. Whether you apply it with a sponge or brush, it is imperative that the foundation’s formula is compatible with your skin type and skin tone. Two of the top selling medium buildable foundations are, MAC Studio Fix Fluid and Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid, $27 (MAC counters, MAC stores, and maccosmetics.com)

MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid is one the most popular high-end foundations and has been for years. It’s available in 35 shades and is sold only throw MAC. The shade range is composed of warm and cool shades, 20 warm shades and 15 cool shades. This foundation has medium buildable coverage and a matte finish. SPF 15 provides some UVA/UVB protection, which most foundations don’t have.

Over the years, this foundation has become infamous for causing breakouts, but that depends on your skin type. Many makeup artists use this foundation because it can last for 8 to 10 hours and doesn’t distort your skin tone in flash photography. This is a thick foundation that feels heavy immediately after application, but that feeling doesn’t last. For best results, you should moisturize your skin 5 minutes before applying this foundation. Here are some of the pros and cons of MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid.

Pros

Available in 35 different shades

Cost less than $40

Last for 8 to 10 hours

Cons

May cause breakouts

Is not available in neutral shades

Does not have a pump

Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation, $42 (Sephora stores and Sephora.com)

Dubbed Kim Kardashian’s favorite foundation and a YouTube favorite, this is one of the most searched and reviewed foundations. It comes in 26 shades that accommodate pink, yellow, and olive undertones. This is an oil free foundation with medium buildable coverage and a satin finish.

The texture of the foundation is a creamy liquid that looks like a tinted luminizing lotion. The shades with pink undertones can make your skin look red in pictures. It feels very light on your skin and blends easily. One of the benefits of this foundation is that two pumps are enough to cover your face and neck. Let’s review some of the pros and cons of Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation.

Pros

Look better than most foundations in pictures

Is creamy and not drying

Can be purchased at Sephora

Cons

Only comes in 26 shades

Shades with pink undertones are too red

Cost $42

The winner: If you have very dry skin or very sensitive skin then you should try Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover foundation. MAC Studio Fix Fluid is a solid foundation that won’t break the bank. There are so many shades and it last a long time, two important factors when purchasing a foundation.