We Review Lancôme's Must-Have Foundations

We all want skin that looks good naked. While following dermatologist-recommended tips and advice, and strictly abiding by a tailor-made skin care routine can certainly get you there, nobody is exempt from the occasional blemish and skin imperfection. When it happens (if at all), we look to reinforcements that can help camouflage problem areas in a pinch—be it pimples, dark circles, dark spots, or uneven tone. Enter: Foundation. Any beauty junkie knows to keep foundation on hand for days when skin needs a helping hand to achieve a flawless look—and there’s no shortage of formulas (and textures!) to choose from. Whether you’re a fan of foundation in liquid, powder, or cream form, Lancome offers a must-have formula that’ll help you achieve perfect-looking skin. Below, we share our Lancome foundation reviews, the best Lancome foundations for your skin type, how to use them, and more!

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation Review

New to the cushion compact trend? Allow us to provide the formal introduction. Cushion compacts are a beautiful fusion of BB & CC cream stored in a snap-lock compact instead of a traditional tube or glass container. So not only do they provide great coverage and a dewy finish, they also are perfect for use on-the-go thanks to their small size and portability…with virtually no mess or spillage. It’s easy to see why beauty aficionados have gone crazy for cushion compacts, with brands introducing iterations of it beyond just foundation (blush, bronzer, primer, and more!), including Lancome. But today we’re interested in Lancome’s Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation. The oil-free, longwearing formula is three years of research in the making, and the result is nothing short of fabulous. The ultra-innovative cushion foundation boasts buildable coverage, refreshing hydration, SPF 50, and a natural skin finish. The customized puff applicator included with the product feels soft on the skin, glides easily, and blends well without streaking. Unlike some cushion compacts that are difficult to dispense, Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation features a touch-activated filter that dispenses the perfect amount of liquid with every application. Best of all, the texture feels super comfortable and lightweight on the skin! The only trouble you’ll have is picking which of the 18 gorgeous shades to try first!

Good for: All skin types

To use: Take the included velvet sponge applicator and lightly tap the middle of the cushion to release the liquid foundation. Lancome recommends using this custom applicator to achieve a high coverage result, but you can also swap in your favorite foundation brush or beauty blending sponge. Next, gently pat the puff onto the skin in tapping motions, beginning at the center of the face and continuing to other areas of skin. Continue to tap and repeat as much as desired until sufficient coverage is achieved. When finished, be sure to close the inner lid tightly to preserve freshness. For a longer wear, pair Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation with your favorite primer.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation, $47

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick Review

Love a good multi-use product? Then you’ll fall head over heels for Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick. The oil-free, highly pigmented long-wear makeup stick is super versatile and can be used as a foundation, for midday touch-ups, as a spot concealer, and to contour! The result is buildable coverage with a natural-looking matte finish. The formula—made with porous polymers that absorb excess oils and ambora extract—feels uber-lightweight and blends easily for a second-skin result. Best of all, Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick is transfer- and smudge-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about coverage fading early in the day or worse, getting onto your clothes. What’s more, it offers broad-spectrum SPF 21 sunscreen and 20 shades, so you’re bound to find the perfect match. Carry it with you on the go; it’s incredibly portable. 

Good for: All skin types

To use: Prep your skin with your favorite primer. Apply Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick with a brush, beauty blending sponge, or your fingers. When using a brush, lightly feather the product, starting at the center of the face and blending outward. When using fingers, blend with a cross-hatch pattern. If using as a concealer, apply in a stippling motion on problem areas to conceal them. To contour, pick a shade 2-3 shades darker than your base complexion, apply and blend to sculpt your cheekbones and facial features.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick, $42

Lancome Nude Miracle Weightless Foundation Review

One of the benefits of wearing foundation is concealing problem areas and giving skin an even appearance. Thus, most people don’t want it to look obvious that they’re wearing anything at all. That’s what makes Lancome’s Nude Miracle Weightless Foundation so special. The ultra-lightweight, liquid-to-powder formula features special raw materials to absorb oil and reduce the need for frequent touch-ups. Plus, groundbreaking soft-focus technology helps to blur imperfections and blend seamlessly for a barely-there, no-makeup look. Your skin will feel so comfortable and smooth, you might even forget you’re wearing it! 

Good for: All skin types, especially oily

To use: Using the unique dropper, place a few drops of formula on the back of your hand. Apply with your fingers in a cross-hatch pattern, or use a foundation brush to blend.

Lancome Nude Miracle Weightless Foundation, $42

Lancome Renergie Lift Makeup Foundation Review

Wish your foundation could help make your skin appear younger-looking, as well? Consider your wish granted, thanks to Renergie Lift Makeup Foundation. The age-defying foundation features Lancome’s Micro-Lift technology, where an extra-fine dispersion of waxes forms a shaping network on the surface of the skin. Flexible micro-bubbles act like nanoscopic pockets of air that can help skin breathe and prevent makeup from settling into lines and ridges. But that’s not all. Formulated with energizing botanicals—a blend of caffeine, ivy, and corn extract—and SPF 20 help protect skin from environmental assailants known to cause premature aging, and micro-pearls and vitamin E nano-capsules catch the light to create an optical radiance effect. The result? Skin that looks smoother, awakened, and infinitely luminous.

Good for: Normal to dry skin types

To use: Apply with fingers, brush or sponge over serum and daily moisturizer. Follow up with concealer (if needed) and powder to set it in place.

Lancome Renergie Lift Makeup Foundation, $47

Lancome Absolue Makeup Cream Foundation Review

Who said dry, dehydrated skin and foundation can’t play nice? This uber-hydrating formula—with wild yam and sea algae—intensely moisturizes and replenishes skin to help restore a plumper, more youthful-looking appearance. The decadent texture glides on like butter and leaves skin with a silky-soft, luminous finish—with significant coverage. Another reason why we love Absolue Makeup Cream Foundation? It boasts SPF 20 sunscreen to protect skin from harmful UV rays. There are eight shades in the range, which is a bit smaller than Lancome’s other offerings, but there’s still plenty to work with.

Good for: Dry to very dry skin types

To use: Apply with fingers, brush or sponge over serum and daily moisturizer. Follow up with concealer (if needed) and powder to set it in place.

Lancome Absolue Makeup Cream Foundation, $68