The 9 Best Full-Coverage Foundations of 2024, Tested by Byrdie

But unlike sheer options, which are typically more forgiving if the color, finish, or texture isn’t a spot-on match, finding your perfect full-coverage foundation can be more challenging. Put simply, these formulas show up more on the skin meaning it’s extra important to ensure you find one that suits your complexion and skin type best. So, we put dozens of full-coverage foundations to the test in our lab in NYC . We evaluated them based on coverage, texture, wear, finish, and transfer resistance —and ahead, we're sharing which ones outperformed their competition.

"Full coverage foundation offers a heavier finish and is often used to conceal blemishes or discoloration in the skin," says Misha Shahzada , celebrity makeup artist. "Some people just like the way a heavier foundation looks regardless of their skin underneath."

There’s no denying that skin tints and sheer foundations have captured the hearts of makeup lovers over the last few years. But while such complexion formulas dominate the trends, let’s not forget how valuable a solid full-coverage foundation can be. Whether you have acne, redness, or hyperpigmentation that you like to conceal, or a full-glam look is more aligned with your aesthetic, a foundation that offers more coverage can be more favorable.

Best Overall

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora

$49

View On Nordstrom

$49

View On Bloomingdales

$49

What We Like

• Great blendability

• Comfortable, balanced feel on skin

• Strong transfer resistance

What We Don't Like

• Can emphasize dry patches slightly 

This is, without a doubt, one of the most popular full-coverage foundations on the market, and for good reason. Despite having a pretty thick texture which often makes for a cakey finish, it blends out beautifully on the face and can create a natural-looking base—if used properly. It can cling to dry patches, which is pretty common with full-coverage foundations—but if you properly exfoliate and moisturize before using it, you’ll be able to yield a smooth, full-coverage result that appears skin-like and most importantly, lasts. 

In addition to revering its long-wearing ability, we appreciated that it passed the transfer test with perfect scores—this is especially important if you have oily skin and struggle with your foundation migrating or breaking apart. It also comes in a pretty extensive shade range that's well dispersed across the skin tones, which is especially important for foundations that offer lots of coverage and won't be forgiving if your shade doesn't match your skin color.

Who It's For

If you’re looking for a matte, full-coverage foundation that will last all day and night without creasing or fading, we can’t recommend this one enough. Though we think it's ideal for those with oily or balanced skin, it's also a good choice for those with dry or combination skin, so long as you properly exfoliate and moisturize prior to application. Essentially, it's for people who want coverage, longevity, and perhaps a little slice of luxury—we can't ignore how gorgeous the bottle is.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 40 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Byrdie / Joy Kim

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Best Luxe

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation

Bluemercury

View On Dermstore

$139

View On Walmart

$115

View On Nordstrom

$139

What We Like

• Lightweight texture

• Buildable coverage 

• Natural, glowing finish

• Comfortable feel on skin

What We Don't Like

• Transfers just slightly

• Shade range needs work

It’s not often that cushion foundations provide significant coverage, but this one can be layered and built up to go from fairly light coverage to offering enough coverage to completely even out your complexion. Aside from experiencing a bit of transfer, our experience with this foundation was overwhelmingly positive. We loved the natural, glowy finish, how easily it blended into the skin, and how weightless and comfortable it felt when applied. It completely covered redness while maintaining a skin-like appearance and didn’t settle into pores or fine lines.

One thing we're not impressed by is the shade range—it's very limited. While the colors are fairly flexible because it doesn't offer full-on coverage right off the bat, we would still like to see the brand expand the range significantly.

Who It's For

If you’re sensitive to the feeling of makeup sitting on your skin but you still want to wear a product that you can build up for total coverage, this is a fantastic option for you. It's great for people who crave versatility out of their makeup—it can be used on days when you don't want or need complete coverage, but it can also be layered up to offer you the covering capabilities when you want it.

Finish: Natural | Number of shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Best Drugstore

Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1

Ulta

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$11

View On Ulta

$12

View On Target

$11

What We Like

• Buildable coverage

• Mousse-like consistency 

• Easy to blend

• Extensive shade range

• Oil-free

What We Don't Like

• Can look heavy on dry patches

• Gets a bit greasy on oily skin throughout the day 

With a unique mousse-like consistency and incredible buildability, this budget-friendly foundation quickly became a favorite during testing. With one pump, we were able to blend out the formula seamlessly with a brush and a sponge to yield medium coverage that nicely canceled out redness in the skin. A second layer allowed us to achieve completely full coverage that totally blurred the appearance of dark spots and blemishes. We love that it sets down to a natural matte finish that doesn’t look dry or radiant—it’s truly somewhere in the middle. The mousse-y texture is easy to blend, though it is slightly thick and can look heavy if you have obvious dry patches on your skin. To avoid this, we recommend gently exfoliating and moisturizing prior to application. It’s also worth noting that it can start to look a bit greasy on oily skin throughout the day, so we recommend setting it in place with powder if you tend to get oily in your T-zone. 

All-in-all, we were extremely impressed by this foundation. It provides excellent coverage, has a beautiful, natural-looking finish, and comes in 45 shades that range from fair to dark in a variety of undertones.  

Byrdie / Joy Kim

Who It’s For

This foundation is a great choice for anyone who wants a full-coverage formula at an affordable price tag. Although it can get a bit greasy throughout the day, it’s oil-free, making it a great option for those with oily or acne-prone skin types who want to avoid pore-clogging oils. We think all skin types can wear this pick so long as you prep and set it accordingly.

Finish: Natural matte | Number of shades: 45 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Milani's Conceal and Perfect Foundation Is Great for All-Day Glam

Best Long-Wearing

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation

Sephora

View On Amazon

$57

View On Sephora

$57

View On Ulta

$57

What We Like

• Budge-proof once applied

• Sets down quickly 

• Looks pretty natural on the skin 

• Lightweight

What We Don't Like

• Transfers just slightly 

Another incredibly popular full-coverage foundation, this one stands out for its long-wearing capabilities. Once applied to the skin, it’s not going anywhere. So, it’s no surprise that it performed beautifully in our transfer test and resisted creasing and fading as we wore it.

As for coverage and finish, the coverage is full and can be built up or sheered out depending on your preferences, and the finish is matte but not flat. Though it can cover pretty much anything, it manages to maintain a true skin-like appearance. We also love that it layers nicely with the makeup you apply on top of it. And if you've tried this foundation in the past and found it to be a bit heavy, we recommend giving it another go—it was recently reformulated and now offers the same coverage and longevity with a much more lightweight and breathable texture.

Who It's For

If you’re in need of a foundation to last you through a long day or a special event, we think you’ll really enjoy this one. Though it has a matte finish and is great for oily and balanced skin, it also works beautifully on dry skin. Plus, it's sweat-proof and water-proof, so if you live in a hot or humid climate, it has your name written all over it.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 50 | Cruelty-Free: No

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

These Are the 9 Best Foundations With SPF—And We've Tried So Many

Best Shade Range

Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora

$69

View On Ulta

$69

View On Nordstrom

$69

What We Like

• Lightweight texture

• Easy to blend

• Smooth, skin-like finish

What We Don't Like

• Creases a bit 

Pat McGrath Labs nailed the shade selection of this foundation. In addition to creating shades that vary in depth, there's also a vast range of undertones to cater to a large spectrum of skin tones. Even better? The formula looks stunning on the skin and performs beautifully. While it’s not marketed as a full-coverage foundation, it’s extremely buildable and can be layered on to create a pretty full-coverage look. After applying just one coat, it worked beautifully to even out the complexion while maintaining a natural appearance that didn’t lean overly matte or dewy. 

While we did notice a bit of creasing in the smile lines, it wasn’t significant and could likely be avoided by setting the area with powder. Considering the inclusive shade range, airbrushed finish on the skin, and long-wearing nature of this formula, we highly recommend checking it out. 

Who It's For

If you struggle to find foundations that match your skin tone, give this pick with a great range a try. It's also an excellent choice for people who can't stand the feeling of heavy makeup on their skin. Though many full-coverage options can feel a bit heavy on the skin, this one is an exception—it feels weightless without sacrificing coverage.

Finish: Natural | Number of shades: 36 | Cruelty-Free: No

• Byrdie / Joy Kim

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Best Lightweight

Estée Lauder Double Wear Powder Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora

$49

View On Ulta

$52

View On Dermstore

$49

What We Like

• Feels lightweight on the skin

• Can be layered up for additional coverage

• Creates a natural matte finish

What We Don't Like

• Transfers quite a bit

• Could provide more coverage

One layer of this full-coverage powder foundation will provide light coverage, while additional layers will build up the pigmentation to offer much more covering ability. We loved the buildability and how well it evened out the complexion, but we would have liked to see just a bit more coverage on top of the discoloration. If you want to opt for powder foundation but need additional coverage, you can always conceal blemishes first and then apply the powder.

In terms of the finish on the skin, it looks completely matte without appearing dry or cakey. It layered nicely on top of moisturizer and didn’t crease or fade as we wore it. Keep in mind that it did rub off quite a bit onto the blotting paper during the transfer test, so we recommend setting it in place with a setting spray.

Who It's For

Powder foundations are excellent for people with oily skin or those who dislike the feeling of liquid products on their face—and if you’re looking for a powder formula with great coverage, this one is Byrdie-approved. It's also ideal for anyone who wants additional coverage on top of their liquid foundation.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 31 | Cruelty-Free: No

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Best for Oily Skin

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora

$18

View On Ulta

$40

View On Walmart

$40

What We Like

• Feels lightweight on the skin 

• Blends into the skin effortlessly 

• Stays in place once applied

What We Don't Like

• Could have more coverage 

We’d be surprised if you're not already familiar with this iconic foundation from Fenty Beauty. Aside from helping to set the industry standard for shade range inclusivity, this one also has a loyal fan base who praise it for its formula. We can see why it’s so well-loved, thanks to how blendable it is, how comfortable it is on the skin, and how it's almost completely transfer-proof (it's a great example of a transfer-resistant foundation). It didn’t crease or fade and we loved how skin-like it looked.

If we could change one thing about it, it would be the level of coverage. Despite being marketed as a full-coverage foundation, one tester struggled to get it to fully cover her melasma. The good news is it builds well and can be layered with concealer, so this isn’t a dealbreaker for us. 

Who It's For

This is a great option for a wide range of foundation-wearers. It comes in a very extensive shade range, feels comfortable on the skin, builds up nicely, and offers a matte finish. It's suitable for everyday wear and for achieving a more perfect look, making it a versatile option to have in your makeup stash.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 59 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• BYRDIE / BIANCA LAMBERT

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

It's Official: These Are the Best Drugstore Foundations for Oily Skin

Best for Dry Skin

KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm

Sephora

View On Sephora

$43

View On Ulta

$41

View On Target

$43

What We Like

• A little bit goes a long way

• Can be applied mess-free with fingertips

• Excellent coverage

What We Don't Like

• Some people might find the texture to be a bit heavy on the skin 

After going viral on TikTok a while back, we were curious to see if this foundation balm lives up to the hype—and it does. It provides complete coverage in just one layer, a little bit of product goes a very long way, and it can be applied using your fingertips, a brush, or a sponge, without the mess that liquid and powder formulas can create. Despite having a matte finish, we found that our skin looked and felt more hydrated after applying it, and we appreciated that it set in place and didn’t crease as we wore it. 

While we didn't dislike texture, some online reviewers claim that it feels a bit thick and heavy on the skin. If you’re sensitive to that, we recommend applying it in light layers using a damp sponge. 

Who It's For

Liquid and powder foundations can be messy—raise your hand if you've ever been victimized by a major spill in your makeup bag. We have! This option is great for those who crave mess-free products because the balm can't spill and it can be applied using whatever your desired application method is. It's also a good choice for anyone seeking a formula that provides ultra-full coverage that doesn't crease or fade.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 40 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

The Best Cream Foundations That Blend Seamlessly Into Skin

Best with SPF

Kosas Revealer Foundation SPF 25

Sephora

View On Sephora

$42

View On Nordstrom

$42

View On Kosas.com

What We Like

• Gorgeous, natural finish on the skin

• Easy to blend

• Doesn’t settle into lines or pores

What We Don't Like

• Transfers a bit

Finding a great full-coverage foundation that includes SPF can be tricky, but this one is fantastic. It’s formulated with zinc oxide as well as niacinamide and squalane for hydration benefits. The texture is lightweight, creamy, and easy to blend, and the finish on the skin is absolutely stunning. It’s the perfect midpoint between matte and dewy, and it creates a gorgeous veil of coverage on the face. During testing, we were impressed by how well it covered minor redness and discoloration, though we noticed that we would need additional concealer to fully cover under-eye circles. We also appreciated that it didn't settle into fine lines or emphasize texture. Though it did transfer a bit, we think this would be mitigated by lightly setting it with powder.

Who It's For

If you're someone who likes a no-fuss beauty routine with products that help you combine steps, this is the full-coverage option for you. It's great for a wide range of skin tones and skin types, and it's formulated with niacinamide and SPF so you can get skin benefits in addition to the coverage you crave.

Finish: Natural | Number of shades: 36 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

We Found 10 Rosacea-Friendly Foundations That Correct Color and Aren't Irritating

To determine the top contenders for the category, we scoured the web for the highest-rated full-coverage foundations, which we then ran by professional makeup artists, as well as our team of testers. We ended up narrowing down that over-saturated market to 32 finalists for the best full-coverage foundations. To further narrow down the selection, we tested each foundation over 16 hours to determine how well it stays put, the level of coverage it offers, and more. In doing so, we came up with the 11 best full-coverage foundations, with the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation coming out on top.

Whether you have an upcoming photo shoot months in the making, are looking forward to a special date, or simply prefer a more opaque makeup finish, a full-coverage foundation can help you achieve your beauty goals. Of course, not all full coverage foundations are created the same, and many can lead to more caking than coverage. With that in mind, we took it upon ourselves to suss out the best full coverage foundations.

“I was happy with the texture and feel of the product,” our tester says. “It set nicely and quickly on the skin, there wasn't any smudging, and it didn't crease or become cakey. I would wear this foundation often.”

If you have a big event coming up, going on vacation, or simply want to look and feel your best from dawn til dusk, stocking your makeup bag with Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation is a must. Sold in a whopping 50 shades, the lightweight liquid foundation is designed to stay put for up to 24 hours, all while feeling airy and comfortable on the skin.

If you’re willing to rely on multiple layers, Sisley Paris Phyto-Teint Ultra Éclat Oil-Free Foundation is a great option. It applies smoothly, dries down quickly, and feels amazing on the skin, our tester says. While it’s not a true full coverage foundation (as it applies more sheerly) with multiple layers, you can tailor the coverage without worrying about it becoming too heavy on the skin. “It held well and did not smudge, crease or cake up,” our reviewer explains, noting that it blends seamlessly. “It’s a great, light, comfortable product to wear every day,” she concludes.

Since it’s more buildable than immediately opaque, our tester says that this matte powder could also work well as a finishing powder of sorts. “It sets in quickly and doesn’t feel heavy,” she says. Since it’s a powder, though, she points out that transfer is rather unavoidable.

Powder foundations are a bit trickier from a coverage stance, as they’re not always as easy to build as their cream and liquid counterparts. Still, our tester enjoyed the coverage this powder foundation provided, even if it didn’t completely cover her complexion discoloration. “It looked natural and I was able to control the coverage based on my application,” she says.

As much as she adored the radiant finish, she admits that her more prominent beauty marks required a bit more coverage. “Mild redness and blemishes were covered but for things like scars and a blue veins, I would want to follow up with a concealer,” she shares.

“With two pumps, I was able to cover about 85 percent of my face,” our tester shares. “I had to go in with a little more (less than a pump) to fully cover my entire face using a damp Beauty Blender. After that, woo! Watch out! My face was glowing, even-toned — dare I say, stunning?”

KOSAS Revealer Skin Improving SPF 25 Foundation is another full coverage foundation that makes skincare benefits a top priority. In addition to being infused with SPF 25 sun protection, the foundation is formulated with niacinamide, caffeine, squalane, arnica, and pro vitamin B5 to brighten, smooth, and soothe skin for a natural-looking finish.

“It covered my redness,” one tester shares, admitting that it took a few layers but that she was impressed nonetheless. “Alone it gives a soft blurred finish to the skin, perfect for those days you want to look natural or want to do a lot of contouring and layers.”

With 30 shades to choose from and a formula that feels more like skincare than full coverage makeup, it’s no wonder Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation is adored by over 102,000 Sephora shoppers. What sets this foundation apart is just how nourishing the ingredients list is: Infused with smoothing niacinamide, soothing allantoin, and calming and hydrating aloe, this is one of the (if not the) gentlest full coverage foundations on the market.

Two things to keep in mind: 1) A little goes a very long way, so start with less and build up if you see fit (though, we found that one layer is more than enough). 2) The shades aren’t entirely accurate in the compact. Instead, the brand suggests relying on the model photos associated with each shade as opposed to the compact imagery itself.

Our tester isn’t the only superfan of the full coverage foundation, though. Thousands of Ulta shoppers are, as well. And it makes sense: The product is infused with antioxidant-rich apple extract and plumping and hydrating sodium hyaluronate, both of which help to nourish skin for a bouncy, healthy-looking visage. “My skin actually was more hydrated after I put it on which is nice because I have been looking for a foundation that I can use in the wintertime,” our tester shares.

It’s rare that a full coverage foundation can be applied flawlessly with fingers and brushes alike, but KVD Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm is the exception. “I absolutely love this foundation,” our tester reveals. “I only used my fingers to apply it, and I used very little, but it provided full coverage in one go. I appreciate how it did a great job of hiding my sun blemishes and hyperpigmentation while feeling light on my face — never cakey, chalky, or dense.”

Let us begin by saying that Nudestix Tinted Blur Foundation Stick is not a full coverage foundation. That said, due to the way it applies, it has successfully wiggled its way into the category. The reason? The hydrating vitamin E and green tea-infused formula expertly blurs skin for a silky, airbrushed finish and can be layered on to create a true full coverage result. “It looks natural and works well to cover discoloration,” says one tester. “It feels light and looks beautiful on the skin. It’s a great product to use for a light to medium coverage, but it is creamy and buildable.” Her tip for achieving your ideal coverage? Start with a hydratingg primer for the foundation to perform well.

Another highlight? She says that the foundation creates a radiant, natural glow that masks redness entirely. “It looked like my skin,” she explains, again swooning over how it never looked caked on the way some full coverage foundations do. Our one strife is the shade range — with only seven colors available, there are a lot of people who won’t be able to enjoy this foundation.

Once applied, our reviewer was surprised to see just how well the product stayed put. “The staying power is amazing,” she says. “It didn’t settle into my wrinkles, and there was no pilling or smudging — it provided a smooth, impeccable finish. I have never felt a foundation this light that actually provided coverage without feeling like I’m wearing makeup.”

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation might offer full coverage, but according to our tester, it applies like a weightless skincare product. “It’s very refreshing,” she exclaims. “It's a water-based formula that glides right on.”

Our tester’s one complaint is that, unfortunately, this full coverage foundation isn’t transfer-resistant. While she found that it didn’t settle into pores, fine lines, or wrinkles, when tended to with blotting paper, it transferred substantially. “It was all over the table and my phone,” she shares. “It still looked great on my face, though. It just transfers a lot.”

Compared to the other contenders, NYX Total Control Pro Drop Foundation is not only a superb pick from a budget stance, but a value one, too, given it’s the largest bottle of liquid full coverage foundation on this list. While you might think that a drugstore foundation wouldn’t perform as well as a luxe formula, our tester assures us that it’s a standout. “The texture feels very smooth, and it has a shine to it but doesn't look oily — it looks healthy,” she shares. Part of what makes it look so fabulous is the fact that it’s sold in so many colors, so it’s easy to find the perfect shade match, too.

Her one complaint about the cult-favorite foundation is that, due to the airy, water-based formula, it does melt into lines a bit throughout wear. “I'm noticing slight creasing around my mouth in my smile lines, but nothing drastic,” she admits. “I think powder (a staple in my makeup routine) would have set this and prevented that from happening. Other than that, the foundation stayed put and doesn't feel like it's going anywhere.”

The reason it applies so beautifully (and comfortably) is because its water-based, which prompts it to sink into skin to quench any dehydration. “It feels like I'm wearing a tinted serum — After re-reading my moisture levels, my skin was almost just as moisturized after using the foundation as using just moisturizer,” our tester adds.

Many consider Pat McGrath to be the queen of luxurious makeup — just look at Taylor Swift’s “Bejeweled” music video , where she’s literally cast as Queen Pat. On the subject of full coverage foundations, Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation is among the most highly-rated formulas at Sephora, with over 114,000 likes. What makes the foundation so likable, according to our tester, is that it’s incredibly comfortable while offering just enough coverage. "One layer is enough to make my skin more even and airbrushed, and it left a gorgeous, skin-like (but still better than my natural skin) finish,” she shares.

“With two pumps, it covered almost all imperfections and looked very even,” says one of our testers. “The texture was smooth, it went on easily, and it did not move around or bunch during the application. Even after 15 minutes, there were no signs of wear; it looked smooth, with no creasing into lines.” While this foundation is advertised as a matte formula, our tester says that it could more accurately be described as semi-matte. While the application and coverage certainly stand out, it’s the staying power of this foundation that made our testers devoted fans. “The foundation didn’t move after application, nor did it transfer onto the blotting paper,” one marvels. “If I had to improve anything, I would make it a tiny bit more moisturizing. However, given the great transfer resistance of the product, I would sacrifice additional moisture for staying power.”

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation is beloved by over 253,000 Sephora shoppers — and it’s clear to see why! For starters, it’s sold in an impressive 44 shades (in warm, cool, and neutral undertones). What’s more, the formula features special AirCool technology, which makes it feel fresh and airy on the skin, despite being a full coverage formula. In that way, it stays incredibly comfortable throughout the day. Comfort and colors aside, it’s also designed to blur fine lines and wrinkles.

Our Testing Process

In order to uncover the best full coverage foundations we first had to determine which products were even worth testing. We spent a week researching best-selling, highly-rated formulas to select our initial pool of 32 full-coverage foundations. From there, we spent 16 hours putting each and every product on the list to the test. To do so, we had each of our testers wear the full coverage foundations for a full 16-hour day, at the end of which they evaluated each formula by its performance in five key categories: Coverage, texture, wear, finish, and transfer resistance. Once all the data was collected, we were able to whittle down the 32 contenders to the 11 best full-coverage foundations.

What to Keep in Mind

Shades

The more shades a full coverage foundation is sold in, the more likely you are to find a perfectly-suited match for your complexion. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation is sold in a whopping 50 shades (the greatest selection of hues on our list). Remember, when it comes to full face makeup, you want to shop with your undertones in mind. Thankfully, wide ranges of full coverage foundations makes it easy to find warm, cool, and neutral formulas across the spectrum.

Formula Finish

Despite the common assumption, not all full coverage foundations are matte. As such, you’ll want to keep your complexion and end look goals in mind when selecting a full coverage foundation. If you have oily skin, a matte formula (like Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation) may be best. If you have combination or dry skin, a natural or radiant finish may better suit your complexion. We like KVD Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm.

Wear

Just because a foundation is full coverage doesn’t mean that it will automatically last all night long. With that in mind, when shopping for a full coverage foundation, think about where you’re planning to wear it. If your goal is to apply it in the morning before work and not take it off until after dinner, a longwear formula of 12 to 24 hours is ideal. If you’re only hoping to rock a flawless face beat for a special night out, shorter wear times are acceptable.

Your Questions, Answered

What is full coverage foundation?

As the name implies, full coverage foundation is designed to fully mask whatever is beneath it. “It's typically opaque, meaning that when applied to the face, you will see the finish of the foundation without any sheerness or translucency that may allow your natural skin to peek through,” says makeup artist Hannah Metz, who is the founder of Hannah Elisabeth Beauty, the country’s fastest growing on-site hair & make-up artistry brand. “Full coverage foundation is usually made to be long-lasting, with a more matte to satin finish.” That said, it’s also available in natural finishes that give it a radiant, born-with-it appeal while still adequately covering skin texture and tones beneath. “Full coverage foundation is best used for those with normal to oily skin types, or those who wish to cover imperfections such as blemishes and dark spots,” Metz adds.

How do you apply full coverage foundation?

Like most foundations, full coverage foundation is best applied with a foundation brush or sponge. “I like to apply foundation with a large, round fluffy brush, buffing the foundation onto the skin,” says celebrity makeup artist Adam Burrell. “I love that this gives the smoothest, most natural looking finish, enabling you to work in layers.”

When applying full coverage foundation, Metz suggests starting in the center of the face and pressing and buffing the formula outwards. “It’s typically best applied with a dense, flat brush, such as the Morphe M6 Flat Buffer Brush,” she admits. “You can also apply full coverage foundation with a wet beauty sponge, such as the beautyblender, slightly dampened (with either regular water or setting spray).”

Once applied, MAC Senior National Artist, Fatima Thomas, says that the trick to maintaining optimal coverage is to finish with powder to provide that “picture perfect, flawless finish.”

Can you layer foundation to get full coverage?

Whether you use a full-coverage foundation or one with less coverage, Metz and Burrell agree that working in layers is best. “I always start with a thin layer of product all over, then build up in areas that need more coverage,” Burrell says. “Layering is a great technique when applying foundation as you can customize the coverage depending on the area, as opposed to creating a mask of product over the whole face.” This is also a good method if you're also applying a color corrector for dark circles. When applying your full coverage foundation and building it up as needed, Burrell says to not neglect your neck and chest in the process. And whatever you do, don’t forget to blend. 

If you don’t own a full coverage foundation and aren’t planning to purchase one after all, Metz says that it’s possible to build coverage with light-to-medium-coverage foundations, as well. “One of my favorite techniques as a professional makeup artist is using a lighter- to medium-coverage foundation with a beautiful radiance and glow, but applying one to two well-blended layers to get a full coverage appearance,” she says. “This is a great technique for those with dry or more mature skin, where using a full coverage matte foundation may not be ideal, but where a full coverage finished look is still desired.”

Why Shop With Us

Rebecca Norris has covered beauty for over eight years. For this story, she spoke with a group of testers, as well as makeup artists Hannah Metz, Adam Burrell, and Fatima Thomas) to determine what makes a high-quality, performance-driven formula. With testing insights and expert input in mind, she presents the best full coverage foundations.

What Is InStyle Picks?

Did you notice the InStyle Picks seal of approval at the top of this story? That means our team of testers has reviewed every product on this list using a unique methodology to ensure it's really worth your time, money, and attention. We may get samples for free to try but we never promise positive (or any!) coverage in exchange. Put simply: InStyle picks are products we love, and we've put them to the test to be sure you will too.

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