These Are The Best Vegan Foundations Of 2021

If you're a self-professed beauty junkie, we hear you: Nothing gets us more excited than a Sephora holiday sale, a new Fenty Beauty release (Rihanna does no wrong in our eyes), or a fresh YouTube upload from Manny Mua or NikkieTutorials. We keep a constant rotation of fluffy-as-can-be mascaras, have an entire lipstick wardrobe for every occasion from work days to weddings, and shimmery highlight palettes that go from slightly-dewy to a megawatt shine akin to Times Square. As you can probably expect, foundations are no exception, and we're just as obsessed with them: Sheer and light for brunch, full coverage for a night out, and even products with tons of skincare benefits like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. But finding an amazing vegan foundation is a bit trickier.

Whether you want to add more plant-based products to your makeup arsenal or are going full clean beauty and replacing your entire kit, we've found showstopping vegan foundations that are exceptionally smooth, natural, and downright-flawless. Using absolutely no honey, beeswax, insect-derived carmine for color, gelatin from cows, or even snail slime (you'd be surprised!), these foundations manage to sweep on like butter without the use of any animal products. You can feel good about making a more sustainable choice that doesn't harm animals in the process, while also being gentler on your skin. Even if you've never thought about going for a plant-derived foundation, you might never go back. Ahead, find all our favorite vegan foundations for every skin concern under the sun.

One of the most popular foundation-centric questions of all is, will it last? We've all been there: After a perfect foundation application at home, we go out on the town and find our look has gone from fabulous to frazzled. Trying to touch up as much as possible in the bathroom, we can't help but wonder if there really is a foundation that stays put no matter the circumstance (or amount of margaritas). Luckily, we've found two foundations that are 100% vegan, and will stay put all day and night.

No amount of partying can compete with Smashbox's Studio Skin 24 Hour Hydra Foundation ($38), recommended by Ipsy for its powder-perfect matte finish and dose of moisture. While the medium-to-full formula is meant to keep oil at bay, hydrating hyaluronic acid makes sure your skin never looks dried out. As per Ipsy, the brand tailor-makes its products to stay put during grueling photoshoots and harsh lights, so you know for certain it will never slip off — even when breaking a sweat. Apart from being vegan, it is free of parabens, phthalates, oil, and fragrance as well, and has polymers that make it super smooth.

Conversely, try Catrice Cosmetics' HD Liquid Coverage Foundation ($11), a less pricey alternative that lasts 24 hours, and gives skin an airbrushed, poreless effect. According to Stylecraze, this full coverage product is all about giving you a bang for your buck, working as a primer and foundation all-in-one.

If you deal with oily skin on a regular basis, looking for the perfect foundation might just be about making sure your pesky T-zone area doesn't get greasy. Even though some friends with dry skin might envy your highlighter-esque, always dewy appearance, you may prefer to keep your complexion as matte as can be. Not to fret: There are vegan foundations that can do that and more.

This list could not be complete without some products from cool girl brand Milk Makeup, which keeps things 100% vegan, clean, and cruelty-free. If you struggle with oily skin, go for their Blur Liquid Matte Foundation ($40) with a full coverage formula that goes on lightweight with moisturizing (but not greasy!) vitamin E. Byrdie named this the best vegan matte foundation on the market, citing its water-based consistency, oil and silicone-free approach, and its blurring microspheres that smooth out blemishes and discoloration. Even more, bilberry extract serves as an antioxidant, injecting your skin with natural goodness.

We love Fenty Beauty by Rihanna's Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation ($36) for more reasons than one, but can we just say: A 50+ shade list. If that wasn't heaven enough, it goes on matte and positively poreless, lasts for hours on end, and uses pineapple and papaya extract to soothe and brighten skin. As per Heat World, this is an unbeatable vegan foundation option. It even adapts to the weather so it never dries you out or moisturizes too much. Genius!

Now, if your skin tends to get dry, flaky, and downright parched, you might be looking for a vegan foundation that packs a punch when it comes to moisture. Like a tall, refreshing glass of lemonade, we've found the best vegan foundations that will take your skin from thirsty to hydrated.

A brand you might not have heard of yet, Ere Perez's All Natural Oat Milk Foundation ($37) is a one-stop-shop for dewiness. If you love creamy oat milk in your macchiatos, you'll love how the ingredient gives this foundation skin-calming and hydrating benefits. As per Vegan Liftz, this foundation also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, plus epidermis-saving peach extract. As beauty expert Alicia Yoon told Huda Beauty, peaches give skin a dose of vitamins A, C, B and K, brings "anti-aging advantages," and even "increase[s] brightening and decrease[s] hyperpigmentation." In short, this foundation is an all around workhorse.

Or, try Inika Organic's Certified Organic Liquid Foundation ($65), a super luxe product that Totally Vegan Buzz says is half foundation, half super rich moisturizer. If you struggle with dry patches, especially after applying makeup, you'll love this 100% natural and vegan formula. It contains hyaluronic acid, a hydrating skin-booster, and superhero ingredients like aloe vera, shea and cocoa butter, green tea, and avocado. Chock-full of vitamin E, this also blends rosehip oil for speeding up skin healing and gives you a lit-from-within glow.

If you're on the all-natural camp when it comes to beauty, you probably prefer a speck of rosy lip balm, a tinge of blush, and if you're going for foundation — it better be as sheer as can be. Sound familiar? We've found the best lightweight vegan foundations that will make you forget about your tinted moisturizer for good.

Glossier is synonymous with a kind of au naturel, French girl beauty that we can't get enough of, and their Perfecting Skin Tint ($26) has become a cult classic. As per the brand, this foundation is formulated to toe the line between skin and makeup: A "no makeup makeup" look if you will. In 12 shades that are sheer enough to adapt to a wide-range of tones, this foundation contains luxe diamond powder for a glowy blur effect. Glycerin and castor seed oil make sure it never dries out your complexion, and a dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free approach means less chance of irritating your skin (via Byrdie).

Another fantastic option is EX1 Cosmetics Invisiwear Liquid Full Coverage Foundation ($20), recommended by Heat World as a light, effective base for any makeup look. Although it goes on sheer, it easily works for nighttime glam, with one reviewer explaining, "The coverage can be buildable if you prefer." Oil and fragrance-free with no parabens, the special pigments make the 16 shades work well with lots of tones and add a special radiance as well.

You might want your vegan foundation to cover every nook and cranny, blurring out acne, fine lines, and discoloration. If you prefer full coverage, look no further. We've found options that make skin look absolutely perfect while never looking cakey.

Vegan, full coverage, and with some SPF to boot? You're not dreaming: Tarte's Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15 ($39) is a total powerhouse, deemed by Byrdie as the best vegan full coverage option money can buy. This mousse formula goes on impossibly smooth with antioxidant vitamin E right in the mix. It's also waterproof, oil-free, and lasts a whopping 12 hours. Amazonian clay and mineral pigments give skin noticeable luminosity while providing powerful coverage, and even work to control oil production. As per Ipsy, it is also free of parabens, gluten, and phthalates, and is cruelty-free, too.

Urban Decay's All Nighter Liquid Foundation ($40) is another must-try, with a pigment-rich formula that goes on full from first swipe. Tailor-made for combination or oily skin, this matte foundation works overtime absorbing oil as the day goes on (yes, this is love at first sight). This waterproof option is perfect for humid climates, with Vegan Liftz explaining that it still manages to look dewy and natural on the skin. According to Stylecraze, this foundation is perfect for covering pimples, sun spots, or scars, and won't leave any traces behind.

When you think of foundation, you might just think about liquid or cream formulas, but there's so much more out there. Akin to Aladdin showing Princess Jasmine a whole new world, stick formulas are surprisingly easy to use and provide seamless coverage every time. Intrigued? Here are our vegan-friendly favorites.

With an innovative scientific formulation that surprised the entire beauty world, bareMineral's Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick SPF 25 ($33) is the first to create a water-based formula in stick form. This means you get all the ease of application of a buildable stick, with lightweight, natural coverage. As recommended by Independent, this option is foolproof and über blendable with ingredients like olive-based squalane oil and moisturizing algae. Apply this on your skin right from the stick, blending out with a brush, sponge, or fingers, and keep it in your purse for quick touch-ups. Mineral pigments make it radiant for all skin types, and SPF 25 makes it great for day-to-day.

We also adore True + Luscious' Camera Stick Foundation ($32), a powerful stick that is an easy on-the-go concealer and foundation you'll reach for daily. According to Stylecraze, this is an outstanding option if you want a medium-to-full coverage stick foundation that's moisturizing, too. It contains pure, "photo filter" pigments to go on matte with a slight glow, lasts up to 18 hours, and stays supple so it never digs into fine lines.

Another prerequisite you might have when shopping for the best vegan foundation is budget-friendly. Sure, $20 foundations are incredible and effective, but so are formulas that cost just around the same as a gas station pitstop snack. Proving you don't have to go the expensive route to find a vegan foundation that provides smooth coverage, here are our absolute favorites.

E.l.f. Cosmetics is synonymous with drugstore products that go the extra mile, encompassing a makeup lineup that's every bit as functional as it is easy on the wallet. The brand's Flawless Finish Foundation ($6) is a budget-happy option that is free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. Heat World recommends it as the best vegan foundation for oily skin, applauding its buildable light coverage and SPF 15 component. This option is super smooth, slightly matte, and deeply moisturizing with glycerin. Easily applied with a sponge or brush, this foundation will set even longer with a primer underneath.

Another drugstore vegan foundation we love is Covergirl's Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation ($7.25) with a silky formula that feels weightless with nourishing coconut milk and aloe vera. Grab this foundation if you like keeping things natural and glowy. Stylecraze describes it as a thin, slightly watery consistency that deeply hydrates your skin from within. It is free of parabens, mineral oil, and phthalates, and is unbeatable for everyday use. One reviewer puts it simply by writing, "You need this in your life."

Conversely, you might feel like splurging on a decadent foundation that blends deeply-effective ingredients and makes any beauty routine a lush ritual. Everybody loves a budget-friendly cheapie, but if you want to spend the big bucks, we've found two vegan foundations that are top-notch.

ILIA's True Skin Serum Foundation ($54) is seriously pricey, but as per the clean beauty brand's devotees, it's worth every penny. As the name suggests, this foundation works just like a serum, delivering medium coverage as it imbues skin with soothing aloe leaf, mattifying mastic, moisturizing olive-based squalane oil, plus hydrating rosehip, marula, and jojoba oils. Stylecraze says this is one of the best light-to-medium coverage vegan foundations out there, describing its ability to balance your complexion over time. This will give you that "lit from within" look, with Byrdie saying it just looks like your skin but better.

Another slightly expensive but wonderful option is Westman Atelier's Vital Skin Foundation Stick ($68), which flaunts the most gorgeous packaging we've ever seen. In 21 inclusive shades, this stick offers dewy coverage and is full of optimal skincare ingredients. Phytosphingosine is a superhero anti-aging active that also reduces inflammation, while camellia seed oil and olive-based squalane both guard the skin from pollutants and keep it hydrated. As beauty expert Jo Levy told Byrdie, "This delivers natural, adjustable coverage" and is great "for those with normal to dry skin."

While several vegan foundations have low elements of SPF, those are best left for nighttime glam. As per Hopkins Medicine, you should use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day, even when staying indoors. Not to fret: We've found 100% vegan daily foundations with higher SPF contents so you don't have to!

Milk Makeup's Sunshine Skin Tint ($42) is injected with SPF 30, and is all about fresh, natural coverage. It's packed with super-hydrating ingredients like olive-based squalane and grapeseed, avocado, olive, jojoba, and mandarin oils for all the glowiness. You'll barely remember you're wearing makeup at all when you have this on and it seamlessly blurs out blemishes while still letting your skin shine through. Plus, its SPF content includes non-nano zinc, which does not penetrate the skin (via Sdara Skincare). As per Totally Vegan Buzz, this is the best vegan foundation to take with you on vacation, so excuse us while we go plan our next trip.

When in doubt, go for the foundation with a 2,500 person wait list — aka Tower 28's SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation ($30) (via Allure). Containing a high SPF content through non-nano mineral zinc, this foundation contains white sage to fight free radicals, aloe vera for soothing benefits, and prickly pear for tons of dewiness. As per InStyle, this foundation can reduce redness (even on pimples!) and is perfect for sensitive complexions.

If you have mature skin, you might want a foundation that delivers anti-aging benefits apart from proper coverage. While you likely have a good roundup of nighttime moisturizers with retinol or vitamin C, applying an age-fighting foundation on a daily basis makes sure you're being proactive around the clock. If it's vegan, too? Even better.

Your chosen vegan anti-aging foundation should be packed with skincare benefits that target wrinkles. That's where Wander Beauty's Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation ($40) comes in. As recommended by Ipsy, this product is moderate-to-full coverage, and delivers a dose of moisturizing hyaluronic acid to give your skin a dewy appearance. Niacinamide works overtime to fill up fine lines and wrinkles, while innovative lotus extract wards off blemishes and makes skin more bouncy with prolonged use. This foundation's black currant component imbues skin with vitamin C and antioxidants to create collagen, its centella asiatica extract may help heal acne scars, and passiflora incarnata is full of linoleic acid for soothing benefits. A concealer-like applicator makes this a breeze to use on the go as well.

We also love BaeBlu's Organic LUX Liquid Foundation ($29.95), which Stylecraze explains contains shea butter, aloe vera, thyme extract, lavender, and olive leaf to bring unbeatable hydration and nourishment to mature skin. This buildable formula goes on slightly sheer, but easily covers blemishes and masks fine lines. According to VegByte, the vitamin E in the formula is a powerhouse for anti-aging, too.

If you are more concerned with injecting skin with healthy goodness around the clock than simply covering up imperfections, these vegan options are just the thing for you.

You need to try Flower Beauty's Get Real Serum Foundation ($15), suggested by Byrdie as the best wallet-friendly vegan foundation you can buy right now. While the brand isn't a drugstore classic, its prices and formulas are fantastic. It blends lavender and olive oil to bring major moisture to even the driest skin. It also contains a built-in antioxidant serum for anti-aging benefits, hydrating your complexion, and blurring out fine lines. This will make your skin glow and reduce signs of redness, so you'll love your complexion even after taking it off at night. 18 inclusive shades round this foundation out, all providing gentle luminosity as well.

Another skin-happy option is PÜR 4-in-1 Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation & Concealer ($36). It's a pricier alternative recommended by countless outlets. As per Independent, it comes in a super impressive 100-shade range, and blends vitamin B, energizing ginseng, and calming green tea for soothing and protecting skin from environmental pollution. This formula, rich in antioxidants, also injects your complexion with a mix of retinol, lactic acid, shea butter, and ceramide for anti-aging hydration (via Stylecraze). Meanwhile, lingonberry extract guards skin from harmful blue light.

If you're all about a radiant, J.Lo-esque glow, we've scoured through tons of vegan foundations to find the best formulas for luminescence. These two are so good, you might just want to nix your go-to highlighter next time.

All about skincare before makeup, The Ordinary is a brand that believes in industry transparency and good-for-you ingredients. Their Serum Foundation ($6.70) is a godsend, rounding out at an unbelievable price point with a formula that will light up your face no matter how many hours of sleep you got last night. In 21 shades, the real kicker comes with the formula's pigment suspension system, offering a natural, glow-boosting aura. These pigments won't dig into wrinkles, and are mixed with gold and silver highlights for an almost shimmery, gorgeous look. Independent calls the effect "satiny," citing the product's effective medium coverage that still allows skin to show through. This foundation also works for all skin types.

Charlotte Tilbury's Light Wonder Foundation ($44) is a great (albeit more expensive) alternative, keeping skin positively radiant with gleaming "magical pigments" that give you a noticeable glow. Mica, emollient esters, and silicones offer a velvety effect, with Chloe Hamard commending the formula for its SPF 15 and blurring powers. If moisture is your game, the brand's "magic matrix" means your complexion will feel hydrated for 24 hours, and may make pores smaller and wrinkles less noticeable over time.

Much different than wanting radiance and luminosity from your foundation, you might just really want to get rid of pesky pimples while you go about your day. Whether you deal with once-in-a-while blemishes or constant acne, you'll surely appreciate a vegan foundation that zaps spots with sebum-fighting ingredients.

While it can be difficult to find a vegan, natural formula that works well on fighting acne, EVXO Organic Liquid Mineral Foundation ($28.45) does so seamlessly. This gluten and cruelty-free foundation combines straight-from-the-earth ingredients like aloe vera, rice powder, squalane, shea butter, vitamin E, olive, lavender, and rosemary, working overtime to reveal a gorgeous complexion while you sit back and relax. As per Happy Happy Vegan, this soothing formula moisturizes skin while calming it with components like chamomile. It imbues your complexion with antioxidants, too (via Stylecraze). Even better, thyme extract treats pimples on the spot, getting rid of breakouts stat.

Another option from E.l.f. Cosmetics is their Acne Fighting Foundation ($6). It's a drugstore go-to that is vegan and supremely effective at fighting acne. While going on matte and full coverage, it delivers salicylic acid straight to pimples — aka a skin exfoliant that cleans clogged pores (via Healthline). Meanwhile, anti-inflammatory witch hazel, antibacterial tea tree oil, soothing aloe vera, and redness-fighting camphor all work to dry out pesky zits and calm your complexion. As per Totally Vegan Buzz, this is a foundation everyone should have on their makeup counter on difficult skin days.

You might be left wanting more when it comes to liquid foundations, especially if you have oily skin or feel like they're just never breathable enough. While liquid formulations can be great, we've found vegan powder foundations that are just as effective and bring a certain je ne sais quoi of their own.

True + Luscious Velvet Matte Oil-Control Face Powder Compact ($32) is an amazing foundation to try if you want something for touch-ups when out on the town. This is cruelty and paraben-free with pure, natural pigments and plant-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin. Those with oily skin will rejoice at the kaolin clay and silica in the formula, which absorb any and all shine, while vitamin E is antioxidant-rich and deeply moisturizing. This is a buildable powder that goes from sheer and light to full coverage, with VegByte recommending it to anyone who wants to keep oil at bay. It also does not contain fragrance, which is always a plus.

Similarly, Cover FX's Pressed Mineral Foundation ($38) is a vegan makeup workhorse, which Totally Vegan Buzz recommends for its 40-plus shade range, buildable coverage, and 100% natural ingredient list. This matte formula also contains a good dose of oil-absorbing kaolin clay and silica. Plus, it makes spots, scars, and unevenness disappear with just a quick swipe, using phytosphingosine to reduce inflammation and redness.

Far different from concerns with acne, aging, or even oil control, you may just be scared to switch up your routine due to super sensitive skin. If your complexion tends to flare up at any false move and you deal with constant redness or flakiness, we've found soothing vegan foundations that will keep dreaded inflammation at bay.

First up, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics' Liquid Mineral Foundation ($54) is a calming moisturizer in foundation form, and we're not mad about it. According to Stylecraze, this product is made for sensitive complexions that tend to dry out, imbuing skin with nourishing moisture through ingredients like calming chamomile, calendula flower, and cooling cucumber. Squalane oil is another hydrating powerhouse, while magnolia bark reduces inflammation and prevents premature aging. Grapefruit helps even out skin tone, willow bark keeps your complexion shine-free, and seawater and cactus flower are all about intense, natural hydration. While this foundation delivers gorgeous medium coverage and a multitude of skincare benefits through its "Deep-Sea Hydrating Complex," its gentle formula is tailor-made for delicate skin types.

Another fantastic alternative is Ecco Bella Plant-Based Vegan Foundation ($26.95) which also works as a makeup-skincare hybrid. As per Vegan Liftz, this formula works to soothe skin and reduce varying issues like acne through nourishing aloe vera and oil-absorbing kaolin clay. This foundation is also water-based and contains saccharide isomerate to make it long-wearin, and flower cutins to protect the epidermis from the outside world.