Sephora's new Best Skin Ever Foundation is only $25 — but is it worth it? I put it to the test

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Until you come across your perfect match, the hunt for many beauty buys can be a challenge. That's why we're always game to try the latest and greatest skincare and makeup products, including one of the most exciting new launches from Sephora.

Sephora Collection's new Best Skin Ever Foundation was just released, and is already gaining a favorable rep as beauty editors and makeup enthusiasts have gotten their hands on the brand's newest product.

The long-wearing foundation is available in 50 diverse shades, ranging from fair shades in pink undertones to deep skin with neutral tones. Plus, it retails for just $25, making it a budget-friendly option compared to many high-end foundations while still delivering top performance.

Sephora Best Skin Ever Foundation

SHOP IT: Sephora, $25

What’s particularly noteworthy about this product is that it’s packed with skincare-level benefits. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and red algae extract to provide intense hydration, and brown algae extract that works as an anti-pollution protective shield. Two additional ingredients, glycerin and squalene, are often infused in moisturizers to hydrate the skin, and are the reason this foundation feels so smooth and gel-like once applied.

ALSO SEE: Sephora's limited-edition zodiac lipsticks have arrived, and they're only $10

It’s billed as a formula that is “clinically shown to reduce signs of stress and fatigue, and usage over time is proven to make skin smoother, more even, and more radiant.” With claims like that, I knew I had to get my hands on a bottle to see how it really performs.

First impressions

This foundation is super lightweight and applies easily via sponge or brush, with a texture that truly feels like a serum. It goes on very lightly, offering a sheer, light coverage, though you can build it up for a more medium coverage.

Unlike a few other brands, this product forgoes shade labels such as “almond,” “cappucino,” and “mocha” — thankfully, we are not subjected to any caffeinated drinks with Sephora Collection’s stellar shade range. The shades are numbered along with the type of undertone — P for pink undertones, Y for yellow undertones and N for neutral undertones. This makes it easier to select your shade based on skin shade and undertone, and I didn’t have any problem finding a shade to match my medium skin.

The verdict

After wearing the foundation for a full eight-hour day, I can say that Sephora Collection’s Best Skin Ever foundation certainly lives up to the hype. I almost forgot I was wearing any foundation, since it feels very light, and doesn’t become cakey after a couple of hours as some others tend to do.

I found the formula is not too dewy and not too matte - it's well-balanced and offers just enough coverage for a no-makeup look. It lightly covers scars, dark spots and blemishes for a natural finish, so if you have very visible scars or blemishes that you're looking to conceal, you might prefer a higher coverage formula instead.

Also, if you have extremely dry skin, I'd recommend applying a hydrating serum, primer or moisturizer beforehand. I first (accidentally) went straight for the foundation bottle out of sheer excitement, and found that it wasn’t quite strong enough to cover up dryer areas on my face. Overall though, this foundation wins in every department and is a sure-fire purchase that won't break the bank.

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