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.
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.
Best Overall
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
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Sephora
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveCharlotte 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.
“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.”
Shades: 44 | Finish: Matte | Size: 30 mL
Best Natural Finish
Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation
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Sephora
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveMany 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.
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.
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.”
Shades: 36 | Finish: Natural | Size: 35 mL
Best Budget
NYX Total Control Pro Drop Foundation
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Amazon
What We LoveIt’s very affordable, extremely lightweight, and doesn’t crease, smudge, or pill.
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.
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.”
Shades: 27 | Finish: Natural | Size: 58.56 mL
Best Splurge
Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation
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Bluemercury
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveChantecaille 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.”
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.”
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.
Shades: 7 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.42 oz.
Best Stick
Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick
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Sephora
Our Ratings
What We LoveIt applies so smoothly.
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.
Shades: 11 | Finish: Natural Matte | Size: 0.2 oz.
Best for Dry Skin
KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm
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Sephora
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveIt’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.”
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.
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.
Shades: 40 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.35 oz.
Best for Oily Skin
ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation
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Nordstrom
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveIt transfers slightly.
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.
“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.”
Shades: 30 | Finish: Natural | Size: 30 mL
Best With SPF
Kosas Revealer Foundation SPF 25
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Sephora
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveKOSAS 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.
“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?”
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.
Shades: 26 | Finish: Natural | Size: 30 mL
Best Matte Finish
Estée Lauder Double Wear Powder Foundation
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Sephora
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LovePowder 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.
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.
Shades: 31 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.42 oz.
Best Satin Finish
Sisley Paris Phyto-Teint Ultra Éclat Oil-Free Foundation
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Nordstrom
What We Love What We Don’t LoveIf 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.
Shades: 25 | Finish: Natural | Size: 30 mL
Best Long Wear
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation
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Sephora
What We Love What We Don’t LoveIf 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.
“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.”
Shades: 50 | Finish: Matte | Size: 30 mL
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.
Want more product recommendations? From best-in-class concealer to the black pants you need for work, check out all of our InStyle Picks content.
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