I just tried every YSL foundation in my quest to find the best ever—here's my honest thoughts

Of the hundreds of formulas I've tried, these are three of the best out there

YSL foundations including All Hours, Nu and Touche Éclat Le Teint
(Image credit: Shannon Lawlor)
Marie Claire UK Verdict

As a beauty editor who doesn't consider herself a major foundation wearer (despite having tried hundreds of formulas), I feel pretty confident in saying there's a YSL foundation for everyone. Whether you like a full-coverage finish or something more lightweight, one of these formulas will suit you. They're pricey, but they're cult classics for a reason.

Before we get into this review of the entire YSL foundation offering, I'd like highlight that I'm not a big foundation wearer. You see, as a beauty editor of over eight years, I've tested a fair few foundations in my time. In fact, I test and trial different formulas day in, day out in a bid to find the very best foundations out there. And I think it's probably because of this that, when it comes to my day-to-day life, I like to leave my skin bare or instead opt for a tinted moisturiser.

Me telling you this doesn't mean I don't know my stuff, mind you. Instead, it's my way of demonstrating just how picky I am when it comes to foundation. For a foundation to become a mainstay in my make-up routine, it's got to be good. 

My criteria for finding the perfect foundation is simple—it should both look and feel skin-like, be quick and easy to put on (I'm truly rubbish at knowing how to apply foundation) and require zero touching up throughout the day. Is that really so much to ask?!

And while I'm no doubt fussy when it comes to my foundation choices, I also know that there are some brands I can rely on to deliver stellar formulas—not just for my tastes, but for everyone's. Because while I prefer my coverage to be light and natural-looking, I know that others prefer something heavier and matte. And this is why YSL really stands out to me as one of the best make-up brands for foundation.

The brand offers a concise edit of three formulas: Touche Éclat Le Teint, All Hours and Nu Bare Look Tint. Each formula promises a totally different finish. While All Hours is matte, long-lasting and full-coverage, Touche Éclat Le Teint is glowier and fresher, while Nu Bare Look Tint aims to deliver a skincare-infused veil of coverage.

As a beauty editor, I can tell you it's no secret that YSL's foundations are good. Some of the most successful make-up artists and editors I know consider a YSL formula to be their favourite. But as someone that very much stays in her foundation lane, I've never given them a truly critical review, and with my skin very much throwing its toys out of the pram with the change of seasons, I figured now's a good time to see if there's a formula in the line-up for me.

In a bid to find myself a new foundation for winter (and to see if YSL's foundations really live up to their hype), I tested all three formulas out for myself. I've taken coverage, finish, price, packaging and shade offering into account to create definitive reviews for each, so you know exactly what you're buying. Here's my verdicts...

YSL Touche Éclat Le Teint Foundation SPF22

Best for a natural-looking finish

Senior beauty editor Shannon Lawlor wearing YSL Touche Éclat Le Teint Foundation

(Image credit: Shannon Lawlor)

YSL Nu Bare Look Tint

Best for a barely-there finish

Senior beauty editor Shannon Lawlor wearing YSL Nu Bare Look Tint

(Image credit: Shannon Lawlor)

YSL All Hours Foundation

Best for a full-coverage finish

Senior beauty editor Shannon Lawlor wearing YSL All Hours Foundation

(Image credit: Shannon Lawlor)
Shannon Lawlor
Executive Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is the Executive Beauty Editor at Marie Claire. With nearly a decade of experience working for some of the beauty industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear, Glamour UK, Stylist and Refinery29, Shannon’s aim is to make the conversation around beauty as open, relatable and honest as possible. As a self-confessed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for hard-working perfumes, fool-proof make-up products and does-it-all skincare.