There's little worse than leaving the house thinking your makeup looks great, only to see photos later that look anything but. The truth is, how someone looks IRL can appear quite different than what a camera captures. So, if your objective is a killer photo, it's important to pick the best, picture-perfect foundation. We asked several top makeup artists to share their thoughts on the most photogenic foundations that look as amazing in person as they do in photos.

Keep scrolling for the photo-friendliest foundations, according to makeup artists.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

This cult favorite from Giorgio Armani was by far the number one foundation picked by all of the makeup artists we polled. Kathy Jeung, Rita Ora’s go-to makeup guru, told us she loves it because “it can be sheered down easily and sets up without powder to give a luminous, dewy finish.” She applies it to clients’ faces with broad strokes using the Tom Ford Foundation Brush, then blends it into their skin with a dampened Beautyblender. Makeup artist Denika Bedrossian (she calls Jenna Dewan and Halsey clients) agrees, saying, “I love this hydrating and lightweight texture—it's buildable and wears like second skin.”

Makeup artist Carola Gonzalez, who works with Kerry Washington and Michael B. Jordan, says she’s been using Luminous Silk for 10 years—and still reaches for it every time. “It brings life to your face, transforms it, and makes the skin glow in the most natural, flawless way,” she tells us. “For me, skin is what defines age, and radiant skin will always make one look youthful—and this is exactly what this foundation does.” She uses a wet beauty sponge for sheerer coverage, and a round brush, like the Hourglass Foundation/Blush Brush, for a smoother, full-coverage application.

Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation

This medium-coverage, serum-like foundation from Lady Gaga's clean, vegan, cruelty-free makeup line Haus Labs is a favorite of Katie Mellinger, makeup artist to the stars. With 51 shades, this formula is said to even skin tone and reduce redness and irritation. "This is one of the first foundations I’ve been excited about in a minute," says Mellinger. "It’s as if they took the word 'snatched' and bottled it. The wear on it is incredible — if you need a foundation to last all night, this is the one."

In terms of application, Mellinger has a few tried-and-true tips. "I never apply foundation directly from the bottle to the skin," she says. "I always start with it on a palette or the back of my hand. I then use a brush (usually a dual fiber or some sort of kabuki brush depending on the coverage I want), dipping in just a little bit, then starting in the center of the face (as that area usually needs the most coverage), and I blend in small circles moving outwards. After blending as much as possible with a brush, I go back with a damp sponge and stipple blend all over the face to create even more of an airbrushed look. My goal is for the foundation to not look like foundation."

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer

This pot of creamy, silky goodness is a makeup artist favorite and frequently used on the sets of editorial shoots, as well as red carpet events. “I love the way it photographs,” makeup artist Carissa Ferreri tells us. “You can control the density of the texture from a complete coverage to a sheer formula by breaking it down with your favorite moisturizer.” She uses a damp beauty sponge to blend and massage the waterproof formula into the skin of clients like Millie Bobby Brown, swearing that it leaves no trace of it visible—just gorgeous, photographable skin.

Byrdie Tip

Add a touch of liquid luminizer to “sheer out” the formula. Not to mention it will give skin a refreshed glow.

Tom Ford Architecture Soft Matte Blurring Foundation

"I love the full, creamy coverage," says professional makeup artist Kelli Bartlett of Tom Ford's foundations, and this iteration is no exception. The formula provides the same emollient texture as its predecessors, melting into the skin for seamless layering, with some added benefits. Soft-focus microsphere powders masterfully diffuse light while antioxidants keep skin hydrated and luminous through even the longest photo shoots—sans shine.

As for how best to apply this foundation, Barlett has a tried-and-true technique. "For the most natural finish, use a damp Beautyblender to press into the skin, towards the center of the face. Use a large fluffy brush to help sheer it out and blur the product into the skin. I also find it helpful to begin with skin that is not 'over-prepped,' meaning, skip the serums, primers, etc."

Make Up For Ever HD Skin Foundation

The proof is in the name—created with HD cameras in mind, Make Up For Ever’s newest rendition of its much-loved HD foundation is even creamier and more moisturizing. “It’s smooth and covers skin well without being cakey,” makeup artist Tina Turnbow tells us (she works with Willa Fitz, Nina Garcia, and more). “I like to apply with my fingertips, so it blends into the skin well. Plus, the color range is excellent!”

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Stick Foundation

While Make Up For Ever's newest HD Skin foundation earned high marks on this list, sometimes an oldie is a goodie for a reason. The Ultra HD stick still offers all of the benefits of the original award-winning liquid product—a tried-and-true favorite of makeup artist Brielle Pollara. "One of my favorite foundations for photos is the Makeup Forever HD foundation. HD foundation is essential for photos because it diffuses the light and is undetectable in any lighting," she says. "The best foundation formulas for photos are cream foundations. They can last up to 24 hours and give you a flawless finish. Foundations that you want to avoid for photos are any that contain water. These will easily come off as the day goes on and can leave you looking oily in professional lighting."

Byrdie Tip

Pollara recommends lightly applying a setting powder to the entire face to keep foundation in place and give the skin an even look in your photos.

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation

Mellinger has been a fan of this Japanese makeup line for years, and in particular the Aqua Foundation. "This has a nice, natural matte finish," says Mellinger. "Some foundations read much too dewy, and if I am not going to be with my client when they are getting photographed, I prefer something with more of a natural matte finish where I can control the highlights. [The Aqua Foundation] blends well and has buildable coverage."

To make sure you nail all future photo sessions, Mellinger has a few suggestions. "Make sure you’re not using any skin care or skin prep products that may interfere with the makeup by pilling or moving underneath it," she says. "Also, when you are being photographed, avoid using sunscreen high in SPF with titanium dioxide or zinc. These types of sunscreens will create a white cast and can also create an intense bounce when they're photographed with a flash. Make sure to use a sunscreen that is chemical based for these situations instead of mineral based."

RCMA The VK 18-Part HD Foundation Palette

"Another favorite of mine is the RCMA HD foundation palette and includes 18 different shades," says Pollara. "This foundation is perfect for photoshoots and red carpets and even your wedding day where you will be heavily photographed! It feels light weight and blends into the skin, they are also sweat proof and waterproof." While this particular palette may offer more shades than you're used to, it does provide the perfect palette for custom blending foundation shades if your skin tone tends to shift throughout the seasons. How do you apply your custom-blended mix? "The best way to apply HD foundation is to gently push it into the skin with a dense foundation brush," continues Pollara. "This will give you the most natural finish."

NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation

"I love this foundation's second-skin-like finish," says Bartlett. "A little goes a long way, so never use more than a half pump for your face. I recommend plotting out the foundation by dotting small amounts where the most coverage is needed, then buffing the dots together with a large fluffy brush. When choosing a shade, focus on the area of your face that needs the most coverage (cheeks or forehead or chin). I find this formula works best on super hydrated skin, so start first with something like Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, Alastin Ultra-Light moisturizer, or Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Power serum."

FAQ

• What kind of foundation is best for photos?

  HD foundation is best for photos as it will be undetectable on the skin and diffuse the light to flatter your features. Look for long-lasting, cream formulas and opt for sweat or waterproof products if weather conditions call for rain or humidity.

• How do you make foundation look good in pictures?

  Choose formulas with buildable coverage that blend easily into the skin. Push the foundation into the skin using a dense brush or makeup sponge, concentrating more on the center of the face. Lightly dust with setting powder to lock the foundation in place.

• Is matte or dewy foundation better for pictures?

  According to Pollara, matte foundation is better for photos because it will last longer and keep you from looking shiny.