What is foundation makeup?

Foundation, or “base,” is a skin perfector applied to create the look of a healthy, more even skin tone. At Clinique, we put everything we know about skin into these formulas. In fact, our foundations were developed in a range of finishes, formulations, and shades that make finding your match easy.

Types of foundation makeup.

Liquid, cream, powder—there are different types of foundation. The form you choose depends on your personal preference. Clinique’s bestselling Even Better™ Makeup helps create a brighter skin tone. Our first clinical foundation, Even Better Clinical™ Serum Foundation , delivers beautifully even coverage with a satin-matte finish. For full yet lightweight coverage, try the concealer + foundation power of Beyond Perfecting™ . For combination oily skin types, try Superbalanced™ . Prefer a powder foundation? Superpowder Double Face Makeup is a fan favorite. Discover the ideal makeup for you with our Foundation Finder . It matches 99.5% of shades and addresses 100% of undertones, skin types, and concerns.

How to find your foundation shade.

Clinique’s Foundation Finder helps you find your perfect match, fast. It starts with your skin's undertone: is yours warm or cool? Warm undertones look more peach, yellow or golden, while cool undertones appear pink, red or blue. A Clinique Expert can help you with this. Next, you’ll select your ideal finish and form before the Foundation Finder reveals your top foundation matches. You can also try on Even Better™ Makeup shades—on your phone. Just go to the product page and select Find Your Shade (look for the camera icon).

How to choose the right foundation for your skin type.

Finding the best foundation for your skin type can make it easier for your skin to look flawless. Each skin type has specific needs. For example, oily skins are typically happiest with oil-free foundations, while dry skin types may look better with hydrating formulas. Next, decide on the finish. Matte makeups can help smooth the skin and provide excellent coverage, but can also settle into fine lines on drier skin types. Dewy foundations can help achieve a more youthful appearance, though they may not stand up to excess oil. Whether you’re Very Dry to Dry (Skin Type 1), Dry Combination (Skin Type 2), Combination Oily (Skin Type 3) or Oily (Skin Type 4), Clinique’s Foundation Finder tool helps you find your perfect match. You can also try on Even Better™ Makeup shades—on your phone. Just go to the product page and select Find Your Shade (look for the camera icon).

How to apply foundation for beginners.

Foundation for beginners doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s important to prep skin first with your daily skincare regimen: cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize. Wait a few minutes so your skincare can absorb into skin. Next, apply primer or daily sunblock. Now you're ready to look flawless. Dot foundation in the center face and blend outward. No need to cover all at once—you can build coverage as needed. For pesky imperfections, apply a Clinique concealer or powder to give skin additional coverage. A Clinique Makeup Brush can boost blending, helping you buff foundation seamlessly into skin. Brushes also give you more control for fuss-free application.

Foundation Makeup | Liquid & Powder Foundation

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22 Products

Bestseller
WN 01 Flax

CN 02 Breeze

WN 04 Bone

CN 08 Linen

CN 10 Alabaster

WN 12 Meringue

WN 16 Buff

CN 18 Cream Whip

CN 20 Fair

CN 28 Ivory

WN 30 Biscuit

WN 38 Stone

CN 40 Cream Chamois

WN 46 Golden Neutral

WN 48 Oat

CN 52 Neutral

WN 54 Honey Wheat

WN 56 Cashew

CN 58 Honey

CN 62 Porcelain Beige

WN 64 Butterscotch

CN 70 Vanilla

CN 74 Beige

WN 76 Toasted Wheat

CN 78 Nutty

WN 80 Tawnied Beige

CN 90 Sand

WN 94 Deep Neutral

WN 98 Cream Caramel

WN 100 Deep Honey

WN 104 Toffee

WN 112 Ginger

WN 114 Golden

WN 115.5 Mocha

CN 116 Spice

WN 118 Amber

WN 120 Pecan

WN 122 Clove

WN 124 Sienna

WN 125 Mahogany

CN 126 Espresso

CN 127 Truffle
Even Better Clinical™ Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25

24H full-coverage foundation instantly perfects with a matte finish, plus visibly improves skin with 3 serum technology.

$44.00 $44.00 $44.00

42 Shades
(3573)

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Bestseller
CN 0.5 Shell

CN 0.75 Custard

WN 01 Flax

CN 02 Breeze

WN 04 Bone

CN 08 Linen

CN 10 Alabaster

WN 12 Meringue

WN 16 Buff

CN 18 Cream Whip

CN 20 Fair

WN 22 Ecru

CN 28 Ivory

CN 29 Bisque

WN 30 Biscuit

WN 38 Stone

CN 40 Cream Chamois

WN 44 Tea

WN 48 Oat

WN 46 Golden Neutral

CN 52 Neutral

WN 54 Honey Wheat

WN 56 Cashew

CN 58 Honey

CN 62 Porcelain Beige

WN 64 Butterscotch

WN 69 Cardamom

CN 70 Vanilla

CN 74 Beige

WN 76 Toasted Wheat

CN 78 Nutty

WN 80 Tawnied Beige

WN 82 Latte

CN 90 Sand

WN 92 Toasted Almond

WN 94 Deep Neutral

WN 96 Chai

WN 98 Cream Caramel

WN 100 Deep Honey

WN 104 Toffee

WN 110 Chestnut

WN 112 Ginger

CN 113 Sepia

WN 114 Golden

WN 115.5 Mocha

CN 116 Spice

CN 117 Carob

WN 118 Amber

WN 120 Pecan

WN 121 Nutmeg

WN 122 Clove

WN 124 Sienna

WN 125 Mahogany

CN 126 Espresso

CN 127 Truffle
Even Better™ Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Dermatologist-developed foundation visibly reduces dark spots in 12 weeks.

$34.00 $34.00 $34.00

55 Shades
(2296)

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Free Superheroes Kit with eligible $50 purchase.*

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Bestseller
Invisible Blend

Invisible Blend

Transparency Neutral

Transparency 2

Transparency 3

Transparency 3

Transparency 4

Transparency 5

Transparency Bronze
Blended Face Powder

Loose, lightweight powder for every skin type. Sets makeup; makes pores seem to disappear.

$34.00 $34.00 $33.00 - $34.00

9 Shades
(901)

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Best Seller
01 Stay Buff

22 Stay Light Neutral

18 Stay Cream

02 Stay Neutral

24 Stay Tea

03 Stay Beige

17 Stay Golden

25 Stay Honey Wheat

04 Stay Honey

27 Stay Brulee

19 Stay Suede

28 Stay Walnut

05 Stay Spice

20 Stay Nutmeg

11 Stay Brandy

21 Stay Sienna

Invisible Matte
Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder

Sheer, oil-free pressed powder helps keep shine under control.

$37.00 $37.00 $15.50 - $37.00

17 Shades
(1089)

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Matte Neutral

Matte Ivory

Matte Cream

Matte Beige

Matte Medium

Matte Honey
Superpowder Double Face Makeup

Long-wearing 2-in-1 powder + foundation also works as over-foundation finisher.

$37.00 $37.00 $37.00

6 Shades
(638)

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Deep Comfort
for everybody. For eczema-prone
skin, too.

Deep Comfort™ Body Butter

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Top Rated
CN 02 Breeze

CN 0.5 Shell

CN 08 Linen

CN 0.75 Custard

WN 01 Flax

CN 10 Alabaster

CN 18 Cream Whip

WN 04 Bone

CN 20 Fair

WN 22 Ecru

WN 24 Cork

WN 12 Meringue

CN 28 Ivory

CN 32 Buttermilk

WN 38 Sesame

CN 40 Cream Chamois

WN 44 Tea

WN 30 Biscuit

WN 46 Golden Neutral

WN 48 Oat

CN 52 Neutral

WN 54 Honey Wheat

CN 58 Honey

CN 70 Vanilla

CN 74 Beige

WN 76 Toasted Wheat

CN 78 Nutty

CN 90 Sand

WN 56 Cashew

WN 98 Cream Caramel

WN 112 Ginger

WN 114 Golden

WN 118 Amber

WN 122 Clove

WN 82 Latte

WN 96 Chai

CN 117 Carob

WN 125 Mahogany

CN 127 Truffle
Beyond Perfecting™ Foundation + Concealer

A foundation-and-concealer in one for a natural look that lasts 24 hours.

$37.00 $37.00 $23.80 - $37.00

39 Shades
(1452)

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Bestseller
CN 02 Breeze

CN 10 Alabaster

CN 13.5 Petal

CN 20 Fair

WN 13 Cream

CN 40 Cream Chamois

CN 28 Ivory

CN 34 Light

CN 42 Neutral

CN 43 Nude Beige

CN 62 Porcelain Beige

CN 70 Vanilla

CN 72 Sunny

CN 73 Honeyed Beige

CN 60 Linen

WN 114 Golden

CN 90 Sand
Superbalanced™ Makeup

The smart makeup that adds moisture and subtracts oil where needed. Oil-free.

$34.00 $34.00 $34.00

17 Shades
(834)

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Smart Rewards members earn 15 points for each subscription order.

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Foundation

Even Better Clinical™ Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25

Even Better™ Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Blended Face Powder

Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder

Superpowder Double Face Makeup

Deep Comfortfor everybody. For eczema-proneskin, too.

Beyond Perfecting™ Foundation + Concealer

Superbalanced™ Makeup

Deep Comfort
for everybody. For eczema-prone
skin, too.