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In high school, I always feared hugging a friend or love interest would result in streaking their clothes or skin with foundation. Then, of course, the world would end, because it was high school. While I've become slightly less dramatic with age, I still don't want to go around getting my foundation on unsuspecting people (or clothing I'm trying on or my sunglasses or my phone).
Enter these transfer-resistant foundations. They provide long-lasting coverage that looks fresh all day and won't rub off all over the items your face comes into contact with.
Keep scrolling for the best transfer-proof foundations that will stay put all day long.
Best Overall
KVD Beauty Lock-It Tattoo Foundation
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Long-lasting
Wide shade range
Little goes a long way
Not ideal for dry skin
Who else recommends it? Reader's Digest also picked KVD Foundation.
What do buyers say? 2,800+ Ulta reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Only the teeniest drop of this foundation is needed for medium-to-full coverage. Once applied, you can trust that it'll stay put until it's time to wash your face at the end of the day. With a matte finish and serious staying power, this formula is not for the faint-of-heart.
Price at time of publish: $41
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 44 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Budget
Maybelline New York SuperStay Full Coverage Foundation
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Oil-free
Lightweight
Long-lasting
Takes a while to blend
This one's an oil-free foundation that delivers natural-looking coverage. The formula is on the thicker side, so it takes a bit of blending, but it feels light as air once applied. The transfer-free formula promises up to 30 hours of wear, so you can trust it'll take you from morning to night and won't smudge onto your clothes during any outfit changes.
Price at time of publish: $13
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 24 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Natural Finish
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation
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Make Up For Ever
Lightweight
Wide shade range
Easy to blend
Not for those who prefer full coverage
A ride-or-die foundation for the ages. This classic liquid foundation glides onto your face like a second skin, gently blurring away imperfections like a Snapchat filter IRL. The result: a natural finish that won't transfer to your shirt collar. It certainly doesn't hurt that it's available in 50 shades.
Price at time of publish: $43
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 50 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1.01 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Matte Finish
Too Faced Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation
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Long-lasting
Controls oil
Lightweight
Reviewers note it can look cakey
Over 1500 five-star reviews on Sephora don't lie. This medium-coverage matte foundation is one of the best long-lasting, transfer-resistant formulas out there. Reviewers say that it helps control oil without feeling heavy and that it stays on all day.
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 10 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1.6 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Long-Lasting
Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation
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Ulta
Waterproof
Little goes a long way
Controls oil
Reviewers note it can oxidize
This foundation does not come to play. It's full-coverage, waterproof, and super pigmented (read: you only need a tiny bit for an airbrushed look that lasts all day—or night). 24 shades take undertones into account, so you should be able to find your perfect match.
Price at time of publish: $40
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 24 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1.0 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Full-Coverage
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
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Wide shade range
Dries quickly
Long-lasting
Not ideal for dry skin
There is literally nothing Rihanna can't do. This matte foundation comes in a whopping 50 shades, and once it dries down, you better believe that it's not going anywhere. We highly recommend you use either a brush or a makeup sponge to apply it since using your fingers doesn't quite yield the same natural-looking results.
Price at time of publish: $39
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 50 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1.08 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Shade Range
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Liquid Foundation
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Nordstrom
Lightweight
Sweat-, heat-, and humidity-resistant
Wide shade range
Reviewers note it can look cakey
This is a lightweight foundation that lives up to its name, promising a full 24 hours of wear sans caking, creasing, or settling into fine lines. Once applied, the sweat-, heat-, and humidity-resistant formula dries down to a matte (read: not chalky) finish. Plus, it comes in over 55 shades.
Price at time of publish: $43
Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 56 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Stick
BLK/OPL True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15
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Walmart
Affordable
Lightweight
Provides antioxidant protection
Reviewers note it doesn't help with shine
You don't have to spend the equivalent of six pumpkin spice lattes to get a long-lasting foundation. The proof: this $11 find from Blk/Opl. The stick formula dries down to a velvety finish that doesn't feel heavy and won't end up all over your phone screen. Blk/Opl's Shade ID technology ensures you'll find the perfect shade for your skin tone, plus it contains vitamin C and vitamin E to help nourish the skin and provide antioxidant protection.
Price at time of publish: $12
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 24 | Finish: Velvet | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Oily Skin
Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation
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Controls excess oil
Oil-free
Long-lasting
Reviewers note it can look cakey
Key Ingredients
Kaolin clay (aka China clay) is a naturally occurring clay mineral. It is gentler than other clay varieties, and when applied to the skin, is known to reduce oiliness, inflammation, and redness.
This foundation is infused with kaolin clay and helps soak up excess oil and keeps skin looking fresh all day. It also has over 1800 five-star reviews on Sephora to back up its long-wear claims. The oil-free formula makes this a nice pick for oily, acne-prone skin types.
Price at time of publish: $60
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 22 | Finish: Velvet matte | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best with SPF
Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation 24H Longwear SPF 30
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Yves Saint Laurent
Lightweight
Contains SPF
Easy to blend
Reviewers note it can look cakey
Key Ingredients
Black tea is a type of tea that is more oxidized than other teas, thereby contributing to its darker color and stronger flavor. Black tea's high concentration of antioxidants and caffeine is believed to protect skin from environmental damage, and also provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
Can a foundation be sultry? Yes, if it's from YSL. The creamy, light formula is a dream to apply, and it also contains black tea and SPF 20 for skin protection.
Price at time of publish: $56
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 53 | Finish: Soft matte | Size: 0.84 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
What to Look For in a Transfer-Resistant Foundation
All-Day Wear
If you’re looking for a foundation that will stay put (and won’t smear all over your turtleneck), celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney says to look for formulas that promise all-day wear. If it has the ability to last you from morning to night, then there’s a good chance it will set quickly and stick to your skin rather than your clothes.
Matte and Oil-Free Formulas
According to Henney, foundations with matte finishes and oil-free formulas tend to be more transfer- and smudge-resistant than their dewier, oil-infused counterparts. Plus, they’re better at keeping shine and greasiness at bay throughout the day, which is a major plus.
Skincare Benefits
While this may not necessarily affect a foundation's lasting power, Henney is a fan of formulas that pack in the skincare benefits. Added ingredients that provide lightweight hydration or antioxidant protection (think hyaluronic acid and vitamin E) are two things she recommends looking out for in a foundation.
Meet the Expert
Tobi Henney is a makeup artist based in New York City. Her client roster includes the likes of Ashley Graham, Barbara Palvin, Charlotte Lawrence, and more. She previously served as L'Oréal Paris Makeup Director for Australia.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
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