Table of Contents
YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS
Natural-looking no-makeup makeup looks are the in-thing these days, but sometimes, one just needs beauty products that can cover all bases, from uneven tones to acne marks to dark circles and more. BB creams and tinted moisturizers are amazing in their own right, but they don’t have the same coverage and power as that of a full-coverage foundation.
Full-coverage foundations used to be thick and heavy. But over the years, they’ve come a long way and have improved so much that you’ll be surprised at what they can do now. Many makeup brands now offer full-coverage foundations that have thinner consistencies and lightweight formulas, allowing its users to have a flawless appearance without the face feeling cakey, heavy, and dry.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the best full-coverage foundations for you. From Becca to Fenty and all the way to Maybelline, we’ve got a wide array of products that can truly cover it all up. Check them out!
IN A HURRY? THIS IS THE BEST FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION:
BECCA COSMETICS ULTIMATE COVERAGE 24 HOUR FOUNDATION
If you’re searching high and low for the best full-cover finish foundation out there, look no further for the Becca Cosmetics Ultimate Coverage Foundation is here. With raving reviews, this foundie can do it all and more.
Designed for maximum coverage, this foundie contains 21% pigment in its formula, truly covering up any and all aspects of your skin that needs to be covered. It’s lightweight and breathable, boasting a formula that incorporates water to prevent it from caking or settling into fine lines. With its extensive shade range, this longwear foundation might just be everything that you need in a bottle.
AT A GLANCE: OUR TOP PICKS FOR THE BEST FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS
THE BEST OVERALL
Becca Cosmetics Foundation
Lightweight, full-coverage, and long-wearing. What more can you ask for in a foundation? Becca Cosmetics’ Ultimate 24 Hour is one that you…
BEST SATIN FINISH
Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Want to look fresh and flawless all day long? Then the Double Wear foundie from Estee Lauder might be the one you’re looking for. There’s…
BEST FOR OILY SKIN
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Foundation
Rihanna’s beauty brand Fenty Beauty keeps releasing makeup products that are an absolute hit with the crowd, and their…
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT
Bobbi Brown Weightless Foundation SPF 15
The worst thing to feel when you have your foundation is for it to be sticky, tight, and cakey. With the Skin Long-Wear Weightless…
BEST FOR ALL SKIN TYPES
Giorgio Armani Foundation
Here’s a foundation that’s a favourite of Hollywood makeup artists and celebrities. The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation…
BEST WITH SPF
Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF15
The Clinique Even Better line is aimed at those who want an even, blemish-free skin tone without harming their skin. The breathable…
BEST STICK FOUNDATION
Make Up For Ever Stick Foundation
A foundation stick may be unconventional, but it’s a handy multi-tasker that easily gets the job done. One such product is the…
BEST CREAM
Kevyn Aucoin Foundation Balm
While this product presents itself as a balm, this foundation has a dreamy, creamy formula that applies silky and dries with a…
BEST DRUGSTORE
L’oreal Infallible Foundation
Drugstore finds are those bang-for-the-buck products that you can easily get your hands on and don’t put a huge dent in your pocket…
HOW DO I KNOW MY RIGHT FOUNDATION SHADE RANGE?
Finding the perfect match of foundation shade for your skin might be daunting, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you out. The first thing you need to find out is your undertone. In general, most people fall into three undertones: cool, warm, and neutral.
You can check your undertone with the wrist test. Take a look at your wrists and check your veins. If your veins are purple or blue in color, then you fall under cool. If they are green or olive, you belong to the warm category. If you’re unable to determine which color is dominant, you are neutral.
Next thing that you need to know is if the foundation oxidizes or not. Some formulas tend to oxidize or darken within hours or minutes after application. It’s important to research the foundie you want to buy as if the product is prone to oxidizing, you should get a shade that’s lighter than your tone.
If you’re testing out foundation in-store, swatch the product against your jawline instead of your wrist. Your jawline is the closest shade to your face and your neck. The foundation shade you’re picking should be able blend seamlessly with both your face and neck.
TOP 11 FULL-COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS
LET’S GO OVER EACH FULL-COVERAGE FOUNDATION
BEST OVERALL: BECCA COSMETICS ULTIMATE COVERAGE 24 HOUR FOUNDATION
Lightweight, full-coverage, and long-wearing. What more can you ask for in a foundation? Becca Cosmetics’ Ultimate 24 Hour is one that you need if you’re looking for the best of the best. This foundation can cover up and camouflage acne, redness, hyperpigmentation, and discolouration. Even with its full finish, your skin won’t feel tight and trapped at all. Becca has ensured that their foundation is absolutely lightweight and breathable.
Worried about the humid temperature or sweat melting your makeup away? — our initial thoughts exactly! But fret not, for this foundation is also water-resistant. If you’re cheek to cheek with someone at a party, your foundation stays on as this one is also transfer-proof. Becca has formulated this with treated pigments that apply seamlessly onto skin.
The brand has also infused it with water to create a flexible finish to prevent it from setting into pores, lines, or any dry areas. Becca Cosmetics’ Ultimate Coverage 24 Hour Foundation is available in 42 shades with an equal balance of undertones. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
PROS AND CONS OF THE BECCA COSMETICS ULTIMATE COVERAGE 24 HOUR
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Weightless and breathable ✔️Long-wearing ✔️ Covers up any imperfection | ✖️ Can be pricey |
BEST SATIN FINISH: ESTÉE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR FOUNDATION
Want to look fresh and flawless all day long? Then the Double Wear foundie from Estee Lauder might be the one you’re looking for.
There’s a reason why this product is the UK’s best selling foundation. Estee Lauder has formulated their foundation to have a buildable consistency that won’t make you feel cakey or dry.
It has a medium to full coverage that’s lightweight and comfortable. The brand has dubbed it as a Stay in Place makeup and true to its title, the Double Wear foundie stays put from morning till night. This foundation has a classic satin finish and won’t dry too matte or too dewy — just right. It has an incredibly varied shade range of over 60 options, unifying uneven tones and covering up any imperfections. No matter your shade of complexion, you’ll surely be able to find the perfect one for you.
PROS AND CONS OF THE ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Buildable coverage ✔️ Satin-like finish ✔️ Widest shade range | ✖️ Pricey ✖️ Screw cap bottle |
BEST FOR OILY SKIN: FENTY BEAUTY PRO FILT’R SOFT MATTE LONGWEAR
Rihanna’s beauty brand Fenty Beauty keeps releasing makeup products that are an absolute hit with the crowd, and their foundation is no exception.
The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation can give you instantly smooth skin with its buildable medium to full coverage. Perfect for those who have oily skin, this foundie dries with a soft matte finish, diffusing the appearance of pores and shine.
Fenty claims that their foundation has an oil-free formula with a climate-adaptive technology, making it resistant to sweat and humidity. It’s so lightweight that Fenty claims their foundation is undetectable on skin. The brand has an incredibly inclusive shade range with over 50 choices. The reason for this is that Rihanna wanted to cater shades for every person who has a difficult time matching their skin tones in other product lines.
PROS AND CONS OF THE FENTY BEAUTY PRO FILT’R SOFT MATTE
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Comes in 50 shades ✔️ Matte finish ✔️ For oily types | ✖️ Pricey ✖️ Not for dry skin |
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: BOBBI BROWN SKIN LONG-WEAR WEIGHTLESS FOUNDATION SPF 15
The worst thing to feel when you have your foundation is for it to be sticky, tight, and cakey. With the Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation, you won’t have to feel any of that.
This matte foundation has a light as air formula that’s designed to look as good as it feels on your skin. It incorporates skin-true pigments that are suspended in an emollient gel base, allowing it to float on skin and reflect light. This foundie can conceal redness, discoloration, and pores with its buildable coverage.
Dryness won’t be an issue either with this foundation. It’s infused with humectants and marine sugarcane algae extract to moisturize the skin. It can even minimize pores and strengthen the skin barrier. It also has naturally-derived mineral powders to help keep excess oil and shine at bay. Best of all, this foundation has SPF 15, is sweat resistant, non-acnegenic, has a 16-hour wear time, and comes in 30 shades.
PROS AND CONS OF THE SKIN LONG-WEAR WEIGHTLESS FOUNDATION
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Has SPF 15 ✔️ Buildable base ✔️ Transfer-proof | ✖️ Can be pricey ✖️ Dries fast |
BEST WATERPROOF: URBAN DECAY STAY NAKED WEIGHTLESS LIQUID FOUNDATION
If you’ve ever wanted to have full-coverage but still make your skin look as if you didn’t put foundation on it, this one is your best bet.
The Urban Decay Stay Naked foundie has a vegan formula that gives you a second-skin feel. It’s lightweight, high-coverage, and dries matte on the face but not flat. You’d be surprised at how it makes you look like you’re having a makeup-free, best skin day.
Apart from its second-skin finish, it shares a couple of similarities with its sibling, the Urban Decay All-Nighter foundation. The Stay Naked foundie is waterproof; you can sweat or swim with this foundation on and you’re guaranteed it won’t budge. It also has an incredible staying power of 24 hours. It comes in 50 shades, with nine shade intensities for any and all skin tones.
PROS AND CONS OF THE STAY NAKED WEIGHTLESS LIQUID FOUNDATION
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Waterproof ✔️ Long-wearing ✔️ Weightless formula | ✖️ Pricey ✖️ May highlight dry spots |
BEST FOR ALL SKIN TYPES: GIORGIO ARMANI LUMINOUS SILK FLAWLESS FLUID FOUNDATION
Here’s a foundation that’s a favourite of Hollywood makeup artists and celebrities. The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is one that has a silky, lightweight texture with a satin glow finish. If you want to strut your stuff out there and look flaw-free while doing so, this oil-free foundie is a must have in your beauty stash.
This foundie’s formula incorporates an exclusive micro-fil&trade technology, which is a patented process that lets pigments lay flat on the skin’s surface to give you a seamless application. With this one, you won’t experience any blotches or uneven patches on your face. Makeup artists and celebrities alike can attest to that.
It also has hydrating properties and has benefits such as brightening, improving skin texture, and blurring imperfections. With a wide shade range of 40 options, our thoughts are that almost every skin tone and type will surely find their best match.
PROS AND CONS OF THE GIORGIO ARMANI LUMINOUS SILK FOUNDATION
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Available in 40 shades ✔️ Does not look cakey ✔️ Lightweight feel | ✖️ Expensive ✖️ Not for oily types |
BEST WITH SPF: CLINIQUE EVEN BETTER MAKEUP SPF15
The Clinique Even Better line is aimed at those who want an even, blemish-free skin tone without harming their skin. The breathable yet blemish-correcting formula eliminates the need to pack on layers and layers of foundation that could eventually clog one’s pores. Instead, the Clinique Even Better foundation focuses on evenly brightening up the skin while protecting it from future sun damage.
The SPF15/PA+++ serves as an additional layer of protection against the sun’s UV rays for when you’re out and about. The foundation’s undetectable finish works just as well — and even better than — most full-coverage formulas, but without the impending breakouts.
Good for all skin types, the Clinique Even Better Foundation works for oily skin as well as dry, sensitive, or combination complexions. It’s also great for daily wear seeing as it’s so gentle on the skin.
PROS AND CONS OF CLINIQUE EVEN BETTER SPF15
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Lightweight, breathable formula that also corrects blemishes ✔️ Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin ✔️ Contains SPF15/PA+++ for enhanced UV protection | ✖️ Expensive |
BEST STICK FOUNDATION: MAKE UP FOR EVER ULTRA HD STICK FOUNDATION
A foundation stick may be unconventional, but it’s a handy multi-tasker that easily gets the job done. One such product is the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD stick foundation, a compact-sized thing that’s as incredible as its liquid counterpart.
It has a creamy texture that’s highly blendable, allowing it to have a buildable coverage that glides on smoothly, almost like second-skin. This foundie has a satin-like natural finish and incorporates a weightless formula, making it comfortable for long-wear.
If you don’t feel like using it as a heavy-duty foundation, you can also utilize it as a concealer to camouflage acne scars, redness, blemishes, and even dark circles. Its small size allows it to fit any makeup kit or bag, making it great for any touch-ups. Available in 21 shades, this makeup base best suits normal to dry skin types.
PROS AND CONS OF THE MUFE ULTRA HD STICK FOUNDATION
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Compact for touch-ups ✔️ Multi-use ✔️ Blendable | ✖️ Can be pricey |
BEST CREAM: KEVYN AUCOIN FOUNDATION BALM
While this product presents itself as a balm, this foundation has a dreamy, creamy formula that applies silky and dries with a matte finish. If you think that cream pot foundations are drying on the face, think again. This foundie sets itself apart from others by incorporating hydrating ingredients. It has hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and avocado oil to support and protect the skin from external damage.
The Foundation Balm ensures that you’ll have youthful, supple-looking skin once applied. Another great thing about this is that it comes with its own specially-designed brush to make blending and application effortless and hassle-free.
Best of all, a little goes a very long way. This pot can last you for a long while and if you don’t feel like using it on your face, the brand also suggests that you can use it on your arms and legs.
PROS AND CONS OF THE KEVYN AUCOIN FOUNDATION BALM
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Cream formula ✔️ Has hydrating properties ✔️ Comes with its own brush | ✖️ Pricey ✖️ Limited shade range |
BEST DRUGSTORE: L’OREAL INFALLIBLE 24 HOUR FRESH WEAR
Drugstore finds are those bang-for-the-buck products that you can easily get your hands on and don’t put a huge dent in your pocket. Beauty brand L’oréal Paris absolutely delivers in the drugstore foundation section with their Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear foundie.
Providing a medium-to-full buildable coverage finish, this foundie goes on smooth and blends in evenly for that fresh look. True to its name, it has an impressive all-day staying power thanks to its ability to resist sweat, water, face oil, and transfer. It has an ultra-thin liquid consistency that allows it to stay breathable on the skin. Moreover, this foundie is non-comedogenic and formulated with SPF. Suitable for all skin types, it comes in 30 shades fit for almost every skin tone.
PROS AND CONS OF THE L’OREAL PARIS INFALLIBLE 24 HOUR FRESH WEAR
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Affordable ✔️ Easy to acquire ✔️ Has a long staying power | ✖️ Has a heavy fragrance |
BEST BUDGET: MAYBELLINE SUPERSTAY 24H FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION
If you’re under a budget but would still like a foundation that covers all aspects, fret not for we’ve got the ideal product for you in this list. Enter the Maybelline SuperStay 24H foundie, the best under PHP 500 full-coverage finish foundation you’ll ever find. This baby was even awarded as Allure Magazine’s Best of Beauty Award at one point. It’s that good.
This foundie contains saturated color pigments that provide an ultra-transforming effect when applied. It’s lightweight yet has a high-impact and glides easily; you can apply it on your face using your fingers, brush, or a sponge. It’s buildable but it lets your skin breathe as it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic. Best of all, it has a 24-hour staying power, making it an absolutely affordable base for any makeup look.
PROS AND CONS OF THE MAYBELLINE SUPERSTAY 24H FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Highly Affordable ✔️ Easy to apply ✔️ Long-wearing | ✖️ May get cakey ✖️ Can be drying |
BEST FULL-COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS COMPARISON
Final Note
How’s that for an ultimate guide to the best full-coverage foundations out there? We hope that we were able to help you out in deciding which one is your perfect match. Go and get that ideal full-coverage foundation and slay the day away with your makeup!
Ira Arellano graduated with a degree in Multimedia Arts from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. When she’s not busy writing, Ira uses her remaining free time fawning over groups with too many members, reading three books simultaneously, crying over animated shows and fictional people, and being salty over her lack of gacha luck.