PUBLISHED
September 03, 2024
Experimenting with a full face of makeup can feel daunting, especially when it comes to foundation. There’s a fine line between achieving an airbrushed look and ending up with a cakey mess. But let’s be real, full-coverage foundations are the secret behind some of Hollywood’s most flawless complexions.
These foundations aim to minimize pores, blur imperfections, and even out your skin tone for a seamless base. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to find the right one. Here’s a curated list of the best full-coverage foundations that will take your glam game to the next level—whether you’re a makeup novice or a seasoned pro.
1. Best Overall
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Star Qualities:
- Long-lasting and transfer-resistant
- Easy to blend
- Contains anti-aging skincare ingredients
Red Flags:
Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Foundation is a standout, impressing with its minimal amount needed for full coverage and impressive staying power. This liquid foundation is a blend of makeup and skincare, designed to create a healthy-looking complexion that feels as good as it looks. Formulated with hydrating ingredients that target wrinkles, this foundation nourishes the skin while covering imperfections with just a couple of pumps. While it claims to be hydrating, it can lean slightly on the drying side. However, this doesn’t overshadow its benefits, especially for those with oily skin seeking a matte, long-wearing finish.
2. Best Investment
Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation
Coverage: 5/5
Wear: 5/5
Finish: 5/5
Transfer Resistance: 4/5
Star Qualities:
- Ultra-lightweight feel
- Glowy finish
- Redness-canceling
Chantecaille’s Future Skin Cushion Foundation offers a luxurious experience with its water-based, hydrating formula that glides effortlessly onto the skin. It provides a radiant glow that lasts all day. This lightweight foundation has just the right amount of pigmentation to cover redness without looking heavy or settling into fine lines. Its semi-matte finish gives a natural look, even as it covers blemishes and hyperpigmentation. The only downside? We wish it came in more shades because everyone deserves to experience this fabulous formula.
3. Best Stick
Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick
Coverage: 5/5
Wear: 5/5
Finish: 5/5
Transfer Resistance: 3/5
Star Qualities:
- Buildable coverage
- Blurring formula
- Evens out discoloration
Red Flags:
- Needs a well-moisturized base for best results
Not all foundations are created equal, and the Nudestix Tinted Blur Stick is a testament to that. As a stick foundation, it allows you to build up coverage to your desired level, thanks to its blendable and easy-to-work-with formula. Whether you have discoloration or blemishes, this stick effortlessly covers them with just a few taps of your fingers or a brush. Given its dense nature, it smooths over pores and blurs the skin more effectively than many liquid foundations. However, like most full-coverage products, it can be slightly drying, so we recommend applying a hydrating moisturizer beforehand.
4. Best SPF
Kosas Revealer Foundation SPF 25
Coverage: 5/5
Wear: 4.7/5
Finish: 5/5
Transfer Resistance: 4.3/5
Star Qualities:
- UV protection included
- Natural finish
- A little goes a long way
Red Flags:
Sunscreen is essential, and Kosas’s Revealer Foundation SPF 25 makes it easy to incorporate into your makeup routine. This foundation not only offers sun protection but also delivers a flawless texture and a healthy glow. You’ll need no more than two generous pumps for a seamless finish that covers redness and blemishes with ease. While the price is on the higher side, the skincare benefits and beautiful results make it a worthwhile investment, especially for those who prioritize skin health.
5. Best Powder
Estée Lauder Double Wear Powder Foundation
Coverage: 4.7/5
Wear: 4.2/5
Finish: 3.5/5
Transfer Resistance: 5/5
Star Qualities:
- Sweat- and water-resistant
- Extensive shade range
- Doubles as a setting powder
Red Flags:
- Doesn’t completely conceal discoloration
If you prefer powder foundations, the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation is the top choice for full coverage. Available in over 30 shades, this finely-pressed powder feels lightweight on the skin, making it perfect for warmer weather. It’s also versatile enough to double as a setting powder for your tinted moisturizer or cream foundation. While it offers decent pigmentation, it’s not potent enough to fully cover hyperpigmentation. However, it’s ideal for those seeking a natural look or using it as a finishing touch over a liquid base.
6. Best for Oily Skin
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation
Coverage: 4/5
Feel: 5/5
Wear: 4.6/5
Finish: 5/5
Transfer Resistance: 4.9/5
Star Qualities:
- Extensive shade range
- Easily blendable
- Reduces sweat and shine
- Weightless feel
Red Flags:
- Needs multiple layers for full coverage
Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is a game-changer for oily skin. Its climate-adaptive formula combats sweat, shine, and oil buildup, making it perfect for long wear and hot weather. The lightweight texture and easy blendability make it a go-to for everyday use. While it may require a few layers to achieve full coverage, it excels in providing a natural, matte finish that lasts all day with minimal transfer.
7. Best Weightless
Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation
Coverage: 4.6/5
Wear: 4.5/5
Finish: 4.8/5
Transfer Resistance: 4.3/5
Star Qualities:
- Airbrushed finish
- Hydrating and comfortable feel
- Super lightweight
Red Flags:
If you want a foundation that feels like you’re wearing nothing at all, the Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation is your match. Luxe in both design and formula, this foundation offers an airbrushed, natural look with a lightweight feel. One layer provides ample coverage, but it’s buildable for those who prefer a more perfected finish. Its water-based formula ensures it wears more like a tinted serum, ideal for those who want a flawless base without the heaviness of traditional foundations.
8. Best Natural Finish
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation
Coverage: 4/5
Wear: 5/5
Finish: 4/5
Transfer Resistance: 4/5
Star Qualities:
- Extensive shade range
- A little goes a long way
- Doesn’t cake or crease
Red Flags:
- The finish is on the matte side
For those who prefer a natural look, Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation is a winner. You only need a small amount of product to achieve a flawless, natural-looking finish that holds up all day without creasing or caking. It’s perfect for oily skin types and offers enough coverage to even out skin tone without drying out your complexion.
9. Best for Dry Skin
KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm
Coverage: 5/5
Wear: 4/5
Finish: 4/5
Transfer Resistance: 5/5
Star Qualities:
- Hydrating formula
- Evens texture and hyperpigmentation
- Easy to apply
Red Flags:
- Plastic packaging isn’t the most attractive
Applying full-coverage foundation to dry skin can be intimidating, but the KVD Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm is here to save the day. Infused with apple extract and sodium hyaluronate, this formula nourishes the skin while evening out tone and texture. It’s easy to apply with your fingers, making it a great on-the-go option. While the plastic packaging isn’t the most luxurious, the results are well worth it—leaving your skin looking moisturized and flawless.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you apply full-coverage foundation without looking cakey?
To avoid a cakey look, start by prepping your skin well with cleansing and moisturizing. This creates a supple base that allows the foundation to blend seamlessly. Apply the foundation with your fingers to ensure it fuses with the skin rather than sitting on top of it.
What’s the difference between regular foundation and full-coverage foundation?
Regular foundations aim to even out your skin tone while still looking natural, whereas full-coverage foundations are more pigmented and designed to cover dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and blemishes with a small amount of product. Full-coverage foundations are typically thicker and should be applied lightly.
When should you wear full-coverage foundation?
There are no strict rules, but full-coverage foundations are often preferred for events where photos will be taken or when you need extra coverage. For daily wear, a tinted moisturizer or medium-coverage foundation might feel more comfortable, but for special occasions, full-coverage foundations offer the flawless finish you might want.
