Want an IRL Filter? These Are the Best Blurring Foundations

What Is a Blurring Foundation?

Have you ever put on a full-coverage foundation and felt something just looked a little…off? Sometimes you don’t need a full coverage foundation if you’re just looking for something that will enhance your skin’s look, not cover it up fully. 

According to makeup artist Gabriella Elio, “A blurring foundation usually gives a soft-focus effect and is not as hydrating as a dewy foundation.” It’s also known for a formula that reflects light, which means it works with your skin’s natural tone and texture to illuminate it, not completely mask it. 

Typically with blurring foundations, you can build up the coverage for a customized look, or add a little more, say, when you’ll be in camera like for a wedding. In this way, blurring foundations are super versatile. 

Best Blurring Foundations for Every Skin Type

1. Best Blurring Foundation for Oily Skin: 

ONE/SIZE Turn Up the Base Blurring Foundation

If you have oily skin, look for makeup that has ingredients that can help improve the appearance of skin over time. We’re in 2025; this is more possible than ever! We love that this ONE/SIZE foundation is formulated with white rose stem cells that actually helps to soak up excess oil over time as you wear it. Get you a foundation that blurs and bolsters!

2. Best Blurring Powder Foundation:

SWEED Miracle Powder

Courtesy of SWEED BEAUTY

This silky, ultra-fine powder foundation delivers an instant soft-focus filter effect—think smooth, even, “did-you-just-edit-that?” skin in seconds. Unlike other powders that can cling to dry patches or look cakey, this formula stays breathable and comfortable, making it a rare powder that truly works for every skin type (yes, even dry skin). It blurs pores, evens tone, and sets makeup without flattening your complexion, so you get that polished-but-natural finish all day long.

3. Best Blurring Foundation for Larger Pores:

BENEFIT The POREfessional Foundation

Courtesy of BENEFIT COSMETICS

If pores are the bane of your existence (*raises hand*), look for something non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), and something that pats into pores for a more even texture, like this foundation from BENEFIT. It’s also packed with niacinamide, which means it helps hydrate the skin while smoothing over the look of pores.

4. Best Blurring Stick Foundation:

FENTY BEAUTY Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick

Courtesy of FENTY BEAUTY

This creamy foundation stick instantly blurs and is perfect for touch-ups and on-the-go application. Plus it’s made with murumuru butter to help pack in extra hydration and really boost that “second skin” effect.

5. Best Breathable Blurring Foundation:

LANCÔME ​​Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

Courtesy of LANCÔME

Elio calls this blurring foundation a “classic,” and says that its soft, velvet finish is perfect for a natural-looking blur-effect. It’s infused with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid and boasts 24-hour wear. 

6. Best Blurring Skin Tint:

ICONIC LONDON Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint

This tint is lightweight and ultra-hydrating, making it the perfect blur foundation that’s also clean beauty certified. It has 12-hour staying power that makes it the perfect barely-there look for the office.

7. Best 3-in-1 Blurring Foundation:

LYS BEAUTY Triple Fix Skin Tint Blurring Foundation

This foundation stick is a serum, primer, and foundation in one, and a great product for anyone without much foundation experience in the past. Ingredients like green tea extract helps soothe inflamed skin, while watermelon seed extract hydrates, and rosehip oil brightens.

8. Best Blurring Foundation Splurge:

CHANEL Ultra Le Teint Velvet

Courtesy of CHANEL

Elio says this blurring foundation is another classic option, but the formula is a bit lighter than the LANCÔME formula, if that’s your preference. This is a great option for both normal and combination skin types, and helps smooth pores in the process.

MUA-Approved Tips for Applying Blurring Foundations

Now that you’ve found your perfect foundation, Elio shares even more tips on how to apply foundation like a pro MUA. 

• Finger application: This is a great method for applying foundation if you want less coverage. It’s also great to see how the foundation is sitting on your skin each step of the way, and if you want to continue building coverage

• Brush application: For more coverage, use a foundation brush. Pump some foundation into the palm of your hand, and mix it around in the brush. This will help disperse product to most of the surface area of the brush, so you can apply more to your face quickly. Just be careful when you’re going around the creases of your mouth or nose; too much product in those areas can lead to a cakey look. 

• Remove dead skin cells first: For a more perfect and even foundation application, make sure to add exfoliating into your skincare routine. Use a gentle, chemical cleanser, like the GROWN ALCHEMIST Polishing Facial Exfoliator.

• Use a hydrating serum: After exfoliating, moisturize your skin so it’s ready for product and won’t look dry when adding makeup. We love FIRST AID BEAUTY Hydrating Serum to put on skin just before SPF.  

• Use a hydrating primer: We don’t always use primer on the days we’re just going to wear a little skin tint or a tinted moisturizer, but hydrating primers can help foundation grip to your skin for hours. We’re fans of the WHATS UP BEAUTY Mini Posytivity Lightweight Hydrating Face Primer to keep makeup in place.

Now What?

Blurring foundations are a perfect option for anyone who wants a more natural, slightly airbrushed look. These foundations are designed to enhance your current skin, and usually contain light-reflecting pigments that help you look more radiant, whether in direct sunlight (don’t forget an SPF!), or under fluorescent office lights. Since they have buildable coverage, you can customize your look for different occasions, all in one product. For all of the best blurring foundations on the market, head to the IPSY Shop for more product details, reviews, and more.