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The Best Full Coverage Foundation
YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE BEST FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION

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 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 their 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, if you’re a full coverage fan, we’ve got a wide array of products that can completely cover blemishes. Check them out!
WHAT ARE THE BEST FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATIONS?
Becca Cosmetics Ultimate Coverage 24-Hour FoundationBecca Cosmetics Ultimate Coverage foundation has a weightless formula that lasts for a long time. Look flawless for 24 hours as this long-wearing foundation can cover up any imperfection. | Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay FoundationIf you love satin finish, then Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay Foundation got you! This foundation has buildable coverage, covers imperfections, and comes in 60 different shades to choose from. | Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear FoundationGot oily skin? Then the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation from Fenty is the one for you. Available in 50 shades, this foundation has a matte finish and is resistant to sweat and humidity. |
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LET’S GO OVER EACH FULL-COVERAGE FOUNDATION
#1: BECCA COSMETICS ULTIMATE COVERAGE 24-HOUR FOUNDATION
Lightweight, full-coverage, and long-wearing. What more can you ask for in a full-coverage foundation? Becca Cosmetics’ Ultimate 24 Hour is one that you need if you’re looking for the best of the best.
This full-coverage foundation can cover up and camouflage acne, redness, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration. Even with its full finish, your skin won’t feel tight and trapped at all. Becca has ensured that their full coverage 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 full-coverage foundation is also water-resistant.
If you’re cheek to cheek with someone at a party, your full coverage foundation stays on as this one is also transfer-proof. Becca has formulated this with treated pigments that apply seamlessly onto the skin.
The brand has also infused it with water to create a flexible finish to prevent it from setting into fine lines, wrinkles, pores, or any dry areas.
Becca Cosmetics Ultimate Coverage 24-Hour Full Coverage 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 |
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✔️ Weightless and breathable ✔️Long-wearing ✔️ Covers up any imperfection | ✖️ Can be pricey |
#2: ESTÉE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR STAY FOUNDATION
Want to look fresh and flawless all day long? Then, the Double Wear foundation from Estee Lauder might be the one you’re looking for.
There’s a reason why this product is one of the UK’s best-selling full-coverage flawless foundations. Estee Lauder has formulated one of the best full-coverage foundations to have a buildable consistency that won’t make you feel cakey or dry.
It has 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 foundation stays put from morning till night.
This flawless foundation has a classic satin finish and won’t dry, be too matte, or be 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 |
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✔️ Weightless and breathable ✔️Long-wearing ✔️ Buildable coverage ✔️ Satin-like finish ✔️ Widest shade range | ✖️ Pricey ✖️ Screw cap bottle |
#3: FENTY BEAUTY PRO FILT’R SOFT MATTE LONGWEAR
Rihanna’s beauty brand keeps releasing makeup products that are an absolute hit with the crowd, and their foundation is no exception, as it’s one of the best full-coverage foundations here on this list.
This foundation can give you instantly smooth skin with its buildable medium to full coverage. Perfect for those who have oily skin, this foundation dries with a soft, natural-looking matte finish, diffusing the appearance of pores and shine.
Fenty claims that their Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear foundation has an oil-free formula with climate-adaptive technology, making it resistant to sweat and humidity. It’s so lightweight that Fenty claims their foundation is undetectable on the skin, with a true natural matte finish with excellent coverage.
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. Truly, this brand has one makeup collection that you can say really factors in inclusivity.
PROS AND CONS OF THE PRO FILT’R SOFT MATTE
Pros | Cons |
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✔️ Inclusive and extensive shade range ✔️ Matte finish ✔️ For oily types | ✖️ Pricey ✖️ Not for dry skin |
#4: 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 the skin and reflect light.
This foundation can conceal redness, discoloration, and pores with its coverage that’s buildable.
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 |
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✔️ Has SPF 15 ✔️ Buildable base ✔️ Transfer-proof | ✖️ Can be pricey ✖️ Dries fast |
#5: URBAN DECAY STAY NAKED WEIGHTLESS LIQUID FOUNDATION
If you’ve ever wanted to wear one of the best full-coverage foundations 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 foundation has a vegan formula that gives you a second-skin-like feel. It’s lightweight, has 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 finish, it shares a couple of similarities with its sibling, the Urban Decay All-Nighter foundation.
The Stay Naked foundation 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 |
#6: GIORGIO ARMANI LUMINOUS SILK FLAWLESS FLUID FOUNDATION
Here’s a foundation that’s a favorite of Hollywood makeup artists and celebrities. The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 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 foundation is a must-have in your beauty stash.
This foundation formula incorporates an exclusive micro-fil and 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. Celebrity makeup artists, professional makeup artists, and celebrities alike can attest to that.
It also has hydrating properties and 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 |
---|---|
✔️ Extensive shade range ✔️ Does not look cakey ✔️ Lightweight feel | ✖️ Expensive ✖️ Not for oily types |
#7: CHANTECAILLE FUTURE SKIN CUSHION SKINCARE FOUNDATION
The Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation is a versatile product that bridges the gap between makeup and skincare. With its lightweight, buildable formula, it provides a natural, skin-like finish while delivering impressive coverage.
Infused with SPF for sun protection, this foundation is ideal for creating a flawless base foundation that feels breathable and looks radiant. Its ability to offer a perfect glow with just a few layers makes it suitable for various skin types, including oily skin, dry skin, and mature skin.
Tested as one of the best full-coverage foundations, this product ensures long-lasting wear with excellent transfer resistance. It gives that look of a natural finish photo.
Whether you’re aiming for a matte look or a more dewy finish, it adapts to your needs. While it pairs beautifully with complementary products like Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation or Pat McGrath Labs, it shines on its own, delivering a polished look with minimal effort.
PROS AND CONS OF CHANTECAILLE FUTURE SKIN CUSHION SKINCARE FOUNDATION
Pros | Cons |
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✔️ Buildable coverage ✔️ Skin-like finish ✔️ Includes SPF for added sun protection and skincare benefits | ✖️ May require touch-ups for extremely oily skin in humid conditions |
#8: 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 Makeup 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 a second skin. This foundation 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. It also has the best shade range with over 21 shades available. This makeup base best suits normal to dry skin types.
PROS AND CONS OF THE MUFE ULTRA HD STICK FOUNDATION
Pros | Cons |
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✔️ Compact for touch-ups ✔️ Multi-use ✔️ Blendable ✔️ Diverse shade range | ✖️ Can be pricey |
#9: SMASHBOX ALWAYS ON SKIN BALANCING FOUNDATION
The Smashbox Always On Skin Foundation is a modern must-have for anyone seeking a flawless, natural finish with long-lasting wear.
This foundation stands out with its ability to adapt to different skin types, making it a reliable choice for oily skin and sensitive skin.
It provides medium to full coverage that feels weightless while creating a smooth, even complexion. Ideal for achieving a flawless base foundation, it delivers a soft, matty finish that enhances your glow without looking heavy.
Among the best full-coverage foundations tested, the Always On Foundation lives up to its name with a long-wearing formula that stays put throughout the day.
Whether you’re aiming for the airbrushed perfection of the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation or experimenting with various coverage finishes, this product delivers consistent results.
With just a few layers, you can achieve a radiant look that’s both natural and polished, making it a top contender for those in search of the right full-coverage foundation.
PROS AND CONS OF THE SMASHBOX ALWAYS ON SKIN BALANCING FOUNDATION
Pros | Cons |
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✔️ Cream formula ✔️ Has hydrating properties ✔️ Comes with its own brush | ✖️ Pricey ✖️ Limited shade range |
#10: MAC COSMETICS STUDIO FIX POWDER FOUNDATION
This one-step powder and foundation gives off a smooth finish to one’s skin. It has a medium-to-full coverage foundation that can last throughout the day while still allowing your skin to breathe. This is one natural matte foundation in the form of a powder.
Forget about skin concerns such as caking, streaking, and flaking. The MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Foundation makes use of a non-streaking, non-caking, and non-settling formula good for 12 hours. It’s one of the best foundations to use throughout the day because it’s also sweat and humidity-resistant.
If you have acne-prone skin or oily skin, then consider this your go-to foundation. Upon application, this powder foundation immediately reduces the appearance of pores, controls oil and shine for up to 8 hours, and does not cause acne.
In its testing process, it was discovered that this powder foundation is good for all skin types — acne-prone skin, combination skin, mature skin, but most especially oily skin.
We also love the diverse and inclusive shade range of the MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Foundation. It has 53 shades that can match very light skin, fair skin, to darker shades.
You’ll be sure that this powder foundation can give you flawless coverage throughout the day.
PROS AND CONS OF THE MAC COSMETICS STUDIO FIX POWDER FOUNDATION
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✔️ Affordable ✔️ Easy to acquire ✔️ Has a long staying power | ✖️ Has a heavy fragrance |
WHAT IS FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION?
Full coverage foundation aims to provide maximum pigment and conceal imperfections such as redness, blemishes, and discoloration. It offers a flawless base that evens out the tone of the skin, often lasting throughout the day with minimal touch-ups. Full coverage foundations come in various finishes—matte, natural, or dewy—to suit different skin types and preferences.
How to Choose a Full-Coverage Foundation
Finding the perfect full-coverage foundation is key to achieving a flawless base that complements your skin. Sometimes, adding a setting powder or pressed powder is essential to make your foundation blend seamlessly, mimicking your own skin while minimizing imperfections. Use a damp sponge to apply for a smooth, even finish, and select a coverage finish based on what you want to achieve—be it a soft matte longwear foundation or a glowing, natural finish.
If you aim for a flawless foundation that lasts all day, consider products like tinted serums for lightweight wear or foundations designed for transfer resistance and durability. They are ideal for reducing the appearance of smile lines and ensuring the skin looks radiant yet natural. Foundations with SPF protection can make all the difference by shielding your skin from harmful rays while offering full coverage.
HOW DO I KNOW MY RIGHT FOUNDATION SHADE RANGE?
Finding the perfect match of foundation shade for your entire face might be daunting, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you figure out your shade range. 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, 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.
The 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 foundation 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 to blend seamlessly with both your face and neck.
WHICH IS THE NO.1 FOUNDATION IN THE WORLD?
It’s difficult to declare any one foundation as the absolute “best” in the world. There are so many factors to consider, including skin type, coverage preference, finish, and budget.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What foundation looks best in photos?
When it comes to finding a foundation that looks best in photos, it’s all about striking the right balance between coverage, finish, and adaptability to your skin type. Foundations with buildable features, like stick or liquid formulas, perform well depending on your needs.
Products tested among the best full-coverage foundations, such as those designed to blur imperfections while offering a natural glow, are ideal. Look for formulas with SPF protection (SPF photo) to shield your skin from UV damage during outdoor shoots, but ensure the SPF doesn’t leave a white cast under flash photography.
If you’re tired of looking at your oily skin photo, opt for long-wearing, matte foundations like stick photo products that control shine while still providing a smooth finish. Hydrating formulas with luminous finishes work best for dry skin to prevent flakiness in photos (check out some dry skin photos to get an idea).
How do you get a flawless, full-coverage foundation for your skin tone?
To achieve a flawless, full-coverage foundation, match the shade to your neck in natural light, use a primer suited to your skin type, and apply the foundation with a damp sponge or brush in thin, buildable layers for an even, seamless finish.
Who should use a full coverage foundation?
Anyone seeking to conceal imperfections like blemishes, redness, or uneven skin tone should wear full-coverage foundation. It’s ideal for events, photography, or when higher coverage, depending on your needs, is desired. Full coverage foundations tested for long wear and a flawless finish work best for those who want a polished look.
CONCLUSION
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!

Editor’s Choice
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 foundation can do it all and more.
Designed for maximum coverage, this foundation contains 21% pigment in its formula, truly covering up any and all aspects of your skin that need to be covered.
It’s lightweight and breathable, boasting a formula that incorporates water to prevent it from caking. It also won’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
With its extensive shade range, this long-wear foundation might just be everything that you need in a bottle.

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.