Your guide to the best foundation finishes for every skin type

From matte to dewy, we break down the pros and cons of different foundation finishes and reveal the best formulas for achieving each look. Matte, satin, dewy or barely there? Your foundation's finish can make just as much difference as finding the right shade. Finish is another entirely. Because even once you've successfully navigated undertones and shade matching - there's a whole other vocabulary to decipher: matte, natural, satin, luminous, sheer, soft-focus - and that's before we even get onto... The finish you choose can completely change the way your make-up looks. The same complexion can appear fresh and glossy with a luminous formula, softly polished with or more velvety and perfected with something matte. And while personal preference plays a big part, your skin type can help point you in the right direction, too. Dry skin might feel more comfortable in a hydrating, radiant formula, while those prone to excess shine may prefer the staying power of a soft-matte finish. That said, there are no hard-and-fast rules. Modern foundation formulas have come a long way, and matte no longer necessarily equals dry, and dewy needn't mean shiny. Best for a natural-looking finish: satin foundation Sitting somewhere between matte and dewy, satin foundation is the Goldilocks of base products. It has a subtle luminosity that keeps skin looking like skin, but without the high-shine finish of something overtly glowy. It's also one of the easiest finishes to wear across different skin types, particularly if you have combination skin. An affordable option that looks much more expensive on the skin, E.l.f. 's Soft Glam Satin Foundation offers buildable medium coverage with a smooth, softly luminous finish. It evens out the complexion without completely masking your natural skin, making it a particularly good everyday option if you want your base to look polished but not obviously 'done'. Forget the flat, powdery foundations you might associate with the 2010s. The new generation of matte bases is much softer, designed to dial down excess shine while still allowing skin to retain some dimension. If your foundation tends to disappear from your T-zone by lunchtime, a soft-matte formula can also offer better longevity. With a medium-to-full but fully flexible coverage, this genius new formula creates a smooth, shine-controlled finish without looking flat. Plus, its extensive shade range makes finding a close match considerably easier. If your skin has a tendency to drink up foundation and leave it looking lacklustre a few hours later, look towards formulas labelled radiant, luminous or glow-enhancing. These tend to contain more hydrating ingredients and light-reflecting pigments, creating the appearance of fresher, juicier skin. Part skincare, part make-up, this cult foundation offers medium, buildable coverage with the kind of lit-from-within finish that looks luminous rather than sparkly. It's particularly good if you want to even out your complexion while retaining the texture and dimension of real skin. Sometimes, you don't want your foundation to look like a foundation at all. Skin tints and sheer bases offer just enough pigment to subtly even things out while allowing freckles and natural skin to remain visible underneath. New from Trinny London, Fearless Skin Tint Drops combine weightless, buildable medium coverage with a softly luminous finish. The fluid formula is designed to smooth and even out the complexion while still allowing skin to look like skin, and comes in an impressive 30 shades. It's a particularly good middle ground if a sheer skin tint doesn't give you enough coverage, but traditional foundation can feel like too much. There's luminous, and then there's dewy. If you like your skin to look glossy, hydrated and almost post-facial, this is the finish to choose. Dewy formulas tend to work particularly well on normal-to-dry skin, although anyone can wear them - if you're prone to shine, simply use a little translucent powder through the T-zone while leaving the high points of your face glossy. For the ultimate glow, this foundation stick delivers - and then some. Swipe it straight onto the skin and blend for sheer, glossy coverage that makes the complexion look immediately fresher. Sign up to our Stylist Daily newsletter: the latest news and must-read features so you don't miss out on the conversation. By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don't worry, we'll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist's..