The 12 Best Full-Coverage Foundations for a Flawless Base

It can be intimidating to experiment with a full face of makeup, especially when it comes to foundation. There’s a fine line between looking airbrushed and looking cakey when trying full-coverage foundation, but it's no surprise that this age-old makeup product is the secret behind some of Hollywood’s most flawless faces. 

This type of foundation aims to minimize pores and blemishes as well as correct tone for a more even base. In today's era of skin-first makeup and dewy, natural finishes, it’s not incredibly common for makeup artists to employ the use of full coverage products, but that’s not to say this practice is extinct. And for makeup-users, sometimes you feel more comfortable in something that disguises elements of your skin that perhaps make you a bit self-conscious.

There’s a myriad of foundations (and tons of shades available for each) to discover in the full-coverage space, so we took to the PEOPLE Tested lab to decide which products deserve the space on your beauty counter. After testing 31 foundations, we decided that these 12 were worthy of being shared with you as our PEOPLE-approved picks.

Read on to find the next full coverage foundation that will have your skin looking smoother than ever.

Best Overall

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  5/5

• Wear

  3.5/5

• Finish

  3/5

• Transfer Resistance

  4.5/5

Pros

• Longwearing

• Easily blendable

• Skincare component

Cons

• Slightly drying

Labeled as one of the most seamless foundations of the bunch by our testers, the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation wowed with its little-goes-a-long-way formula and impressive staying power. This liquid foundation was made to be a hybrid between skincare and makeup to craft a complexion that looks as healthy as it feels. 

Formulated with ingredient complexes that aim to hydrate the skin and refine wrinkles, this foundation felt nourishing when applied on the tester’s skin and was able to cover almost all of their imperfections with just two pumps. They appreciated the way this foundation felt locked in on their skin without creating dryness, as there was no color transfer when blotted and the formula stayed put while being blended with a sponge. 

While this product is supposed to help moisturization, our tester did feel like the results were slightly drying. However, this didn’t become a deterrent in the end, as they shared that they “would sacrifice additional moisture for staying power and transfer resistance.” Our tester also noted that this would be a great formula for those with naturally oily skin — ensuring a matte finish, strong staying power and smoothed texture for any skin type. 

Size: 30 ml | Shades: 44 | Finish: Matte | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination

Best Drugstore

NYX Total Control Pro Drop Foundation

Amazon

The NYX Total Control Pro Drop Foundation is the perfect lightweight, buildable option for someone who wants to achieve a full-glam look without spending too much money.

It only took our testers four pumps of the dropper to get enough foundation to cover their skin in a texture-smoothing, tone-evening sheen. The lightweight formula “had a shine to it, but didn’t look oily — it looked healthy,” said our tester after blending the foundation, which blurred effortlessly without creasing or pilling up. 

Thanks to its wide variety of shade options, our tester was able to find a hue that perfectly matched their skin tone from the neck-up. While they did experience transfer when they blotted their skin with an oil blotting sheet, they still felt that the look was beautiful — remaining free of creases and smudges, even after repeatedly touching the face. For a drugstore price, this foundation has some serious power.

Size: 0.43 ounces | Shades: 29 | Skin Type: All

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best Splurge

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation

Bluemercury

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Finish

  5/5

• Transfer Resistance

  4/5

Pros

• Ultra lightweight

• Glowy finish

• Tone-evening

Cons

• Small shade range

Glamor is the name of Chantecaille’s game, and their Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation is no exception. This stunning foundation glides seamlessly onto the skin thanks to its hydrating, water-based formula and provides a healthy glow that the wearer can boast all day long thanks to the staying power our tester made note of.

The lightweight product had just enough pigmentation to cover our tester’s redness but was never cakey on the skin or settled into wrinkles, a quality that they especially appreciated. They went so far as to call the semi-matte finish “impeccable,” later stating that they had “never felt a foundation this light that actually provided coverage” without feeling like they were wearing a full face of products. 

Our only wish is that there were more shades to choose from, as this delectable formula should be felt by everyone.

Size: 0.42 ounces | Shades: 8 | Finish: Semi-matte | Skin type: All

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best Stick

Nudestix Nudies Tinted Blur Stick

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  5/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Finish

  5/5

• Transfer Resistance

  3/5

Pros

• Buildable coverage

• Blurring

• Evens discoloration

Not all foundations are made the same, and this definitely rings true for the Nudestix Tinted Blur Foundation. Pivoting from liquid products, this stick foundation allows you to work up to the level of coverage that you want thanks to its buildable and easy-to-blend formula. 

Our tester especially liked that it was able to easily cover their discoloration with just a few taps of their fingers or brush, two methods that worked to effortlessly blend the foundation onto their skin. Since the product is a stick, its formula is naturally denser than liquid versions, meaning it was able to minimize pores and blur the skin easier than liquid foundations can.

Our tester did feel as if the formula was on the slightly drying side over time (as most full-coverage products are), so they suggested the use of a great moisturizer before applying the foundation for the best results. This foundation should be on everyone’s radar thanks to its versatility, from the light coverage-lover to the full-coverage fan. 

Size: 0.42 ounces | Shades: 11 | Finish: Semi-matte | Skin Type: All

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best SPF

Kosas Revealer Foundation SPF 25

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  5/5

• Wear

  4.7/5

• Finish

  5/5

• Transfer Resistance

  4.3/5

Pros

• UV protection

• Natural finish

• A little goes a long way

Cons

• Slightly pricey

We all know the importance of wearing our sunscreen, but did you ever think to incorporate it into your makeup routine? Kosas’s Revealer Skin Improving SPF 25 Foundation consists of, you guessed it, SPF 25 to protect your skin against harmful UV rays throughout the day, while still leaving you with flawless texture and a healthy glow. 

Our tester was blown away by the beautiful results this foundation gave them, needing only two pumps of the formula for an even-toned result that seamlessly blended over their entire face and easily covered mild redness and small blemishes. “My face was glowing, even-toned — dare we say, stunning? The coveted ‘no make-up makeup’ look unlocked,” they praised.

Though the price point is quite high compared to some other foundations, we do think this foundation is well worth the investment thanks to its skincare benefits and glow-y results. “I usually opt for tinted moisturizers and concealer, but this foundation has me changing my mind,” our tester raved. For the skincare-conscious, this foundation will be a no-brainer.

Size: 1 ounce | Shades: 23 | Finish: Natural | Skin Type: All

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best Powder

Estée Lauder Double Wear Powder Foundation

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  4.7/5

• Wear

  4.2/5

• Finish

  3.5/5

• Transfer Resistance

  5/5

You’ve seen liquid and stick foundations, but let us introduce you to the best powder for full coverage: the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation. This pressed powder has more than 30 shades in order to match as many skin tones as possible and feels lightweight on the skin thanks to its finely-pressed formula. 

After some testing, our volunteers found favor with this comfortable foundation that blended easily onto their skin and felt light enough to wear during the summer for breathability and shine control. They also loved the fact that this product could double as a setting powder for a tinted moisturizer or similar cream products.

Though this foundation has decent pigmentation, it was not potent enough to disguise our tester’s natural pigmentation. However, this would work wonders for someone who wants a more natural look or uses this powder as a setting agent for their base layer of liquid foundation or concealer. 

Size: 0.42 ounces | Shades: 31 | Finish: Matte | Skin Type: Oily, combination, balanced

Best for Oily Skin

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  4/5

• Feel

  5/5

• Wear

  4.6/5

• Finish

  5/5

• Transfer Resistance

  4.9/5

Pros

• Huge shade range

• Easily blendable, weightless

• Sweat- and shine-reducing

There’s a difference between a radiant, glowing finish and oily skin, though it is, admittedly, a tough line to toe. The Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation is the secret ingredient to oil-controlled skin with its climate-adaptive formula that resists the buildup of sweat, shine, and oil on the skin when exposed to heat or after long hours of wear.  

Our testers immediately noticed how lightweight and easy to blend this formula was, even stating that it “doesn’t even feel like there’s makeup on,” making this an easy product to reach for everyday. There was very little transfer onto the blotting sheet as well, which means that this product’s staying power is no joke.

Though this product will last you all day, you may prefer its use for more natural makeup days, as its pigmentation is not as full coverage as it claims. Our tester with hyperpigmentation felt as if they would need several more layers of the product to get a true full-coverage effect, but that this was a beautiful product for those looking for medium/buildable coverage (or anyone who doesn’t have dark circles or spots). Long, sweaty days in the summer are no foe to the Fenty Pro Filt’r.

Size: 1.08 ounces | Shades: 56 | Finish: Matte | Skin Type: Oily, combination, balanced

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  People / Tamara Staples

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Best Buildable Coverage

ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation

Nordstrom

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  4/5

• Wear

  4/5

• Finish

  5/5

• Transfer Resistance

  4/5

Pros

• Radiant, skin-like finish

• Very blendable and customizable coverage

• Non-oxidizing

One of the biggest deterrents for people when it comes to full coverage foundations is the fear of looking cake-y or the skin drying out, which is why a buildable product is one of the better options for customizable coverage. The Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation hits the mark with its medium coverage formula made with niacinamide to not only provide a finish that feels as healthy as it looks, but can be easily layered for more coverage, if necessary.

Even after applying a few layers of the product, our tester was impressed by the weightlessness of this product and its ability to cover up redness and pores while still producing a dewy, natural finish. They felt that they would still need to use a powder to set the foundation in their naturally oily areas, like the T-zone, but that the glow-y foundation was easily blendable, highly breathable, and produced a “texture that felt like silk.”

Like most of the products in this test, this foundation transferred slightly onto the blotting sheet used, but only left product-produced oil on the sheet and kept the foundation mostly intact on their skin. Because this formula doesn’t oxidize either, it’s perfect for all-day wear — meaning you can wear a little during the day for a natural look and boost the coverage for a night out without the fear of yellowing or cakiness. 

Size: 1 ounce | Shades: 30 | Finish: Natural | Skin Type: Oily, combination, balanced

Best Weightless

Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  4.6/5

• Wear

  4.5/5

• Finish

  4.8/5

• Transfer Resistance

  4.3/5

Cons

• Slight creasing

If you’re looking for a skin-perfecting foundation that feels like you’re wearing no makeup at all, then look no further than the Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Foundation. Luxe in design and formula, this pore-erasing, incredibly lightweight and “truly sublime” foundation (according to our tester) was one of the most natural-looking yet tone-correcting products tested during these trials.

Only one layer was needed to get the desired level of coverage that our tester was going for, but the formula was buildable enough to easily blend another layer on top for an even more “perfect” look. Our tester attributed this lightness to its water-based formula, which made the product feel like a tinted serum instead of a thick foundation, making it “ideal for everyday wear or days that you want a second skin.”

After wearing the foundation for a good amount of time, our tester noticed a bit of creasing at their smile lines, but this was to be expected as the foundation hadn’t been set with powder — a staple in most beauty routines. Our tester still loved how this product both looked and felt on their face, stating that their “skin looks truly glorious” and was truly worth the investment (its price tag is not cheap). Ms. McGrath wasn’t kidding when she called her product "sublime".

Size: 1.18 ounces | Shades: 36 | Finish: Natural | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily

Best Natural Finish

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  4/5

• Wear

  5/5

• Finish

  4/5

• Transfer Resistance

  4/5

Natural makeup-wearers will love the little amount of product that is required to achieve a flawless look with the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation, as only the smallest drops of this product were necessary to comfortably cover our tester’s skin. They were happy with how nicely the product held its own on their skin, staying away from creasing and cakiness. 

They also loved how natural their skin looked after application, noticing how beautifully the foundation was able to blend out to a skin-like result while still offering coverage. A very small amount of product was transferred during the blotting test.

Our testers definitely voted to recommend this product to family and friends due to its ease of application and gorgeous results, though they do want you to be aware that the end finish is quite matte, meaning you won’t get too much of a natural sheen glowing through the product in the end. However, this look may be perfect for some readers and your new favorite foundation could be just a click away.

Size: 1 ounce | Shades: 49 | Finish: Matte | Skin Type: Oily, combination, balanced

Best No Transfer

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  4/5

• Wear

  3/5

• Finish

  3.8/5

• Transfer Resistance

  5/5

Pros

• Super lightweight

• Tone-correcting

• Hydrating

Introducing the Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup, a mousse-style foundation that offers a buildable, natural-looking finish. A little goes a long way with this product, as our testers noticed that a single, small pump of the mousse was able to blend into the entirety of their face. It was as lightweight on the skin as it felt in the can, which was a nice break from liquid and stick foundations.

While this mousse was initially effective in the no-transfer department, our tester noticed that the mousse began to feel oily on their skin after about 20 minutes. There are also only six shades available, which is notably limited for a complexion product.

Size: 1.76 ounces | Shades: 6 | Finish: Natural | Skin Type: Balanced

People / Jessica Juliao

Best for Dry Skin

KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm

Sephora

Our Ratings

• Coverage

  5/5

• Wear

  4/5

• Finish

  4/5

• Transfer Resistance

  5/5

Cons

• Plastic packaging

It can be daunting to think of applying full coverage foundation to dry skin, but the moisturizing KVD Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm is here to make skin-perfecting products available to everyone, even those with dry skin. Its formula is made with apple extract and sodium hyaluronate to nourish the skin while evening the tone, taking care of our tester’s hyperpigmentation and leaving their skin reading more moisturized than it did before. 

This product takes us back to our first days spent experimenting with makeup, when most of us applied products by “finger painting,” a practice you can revisit with this foundation. Our tester marveled at how easy it was to blend this formula out with their fingers, which felt like a great product to throw in travel bags for light touch ups on-the-go.

Though its hydrating properties and easy-to-use formula were unbeatable in our tester’s eyes, they did wish the compact was a little more inventive to look prettier when displayed in their makeup collection, but its beautiful results outweighed the plastic packaging woes. Everyone with dry skin and special events coming up can rejoice, because this moisturizing full-coverage foundation is here to save the day.

Size: 0.35 ounces | Shades: 40 | Finish: Matte | Skin Type: Dry, combination, balanced

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  People / Jessica Juliao

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  People / Jessica Juliao

Things to Consider Before Buying Full Coverage Foundation

Shade Range

One very important aspect to keep in mind as you look for the right full-coverage foundation is the shade range that the brand offers for that particular product. Some brands, like Fenty, offer 56 shades of the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation, while others, like Elizabeth Arden’s Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup, is only available in six shades. Your needs when it comes to shade preference will differ based on your undertones, but you should choose a brand that caters to you — not the other way around.

Finish

For Alex Babsky, celebrity makeup artist to stars like Florence Pugh and Naomi Campbell, full coverage is perfect for disguising breakouts and bumps. “I’d only really choose to use a full-coverage foundation if I’m trying to disguise the appearance of texture on the skin, in which case I’d look for a more matte foundation, which gives a more ‘flat,’ uniform finish, making texture less visible," he explains.

But if matte isn't your thing and you're looking for a finish that's a bit more luminous, there are several other versions from radiant to satin finishes. For example, the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation will undoubtedly give you a no-shine, matte finish thanks to its finely-pressed powder formula, but the Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation is made to look and feel lighter on the skin and let your natural glow shine through with its radiant finish, courtesy of its niacinamide-infused formula. Your desired finish is up to you, and there are several options out there to help you achieve your desired base. 

Skin Type

One of the most crucial factors to consider when it comes to foundation (especially when it’s full-coverage) is the type of skin you have. Those with dry skin will want to look for a foundation that has moisturizing components rather than shine-reducing properties, which usually do a little more leg-work to restrict oil production in the skin, thus leading to dry patches and the dreaded cake-y look. On the other hand, however, people with naturally oily skin will want to opt for a shine-reducing or sweat-resistant formula, like that of the Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation, which is made to keep your makeup from turning into a greasy finish.

PEOPLE / Jessica Juliao

How We Tested

Our testers came into the lab with fresh faces, but still cleaned their skin with a makeup wipe to remove any buildup of oil or sebum that may have been produced on the commute. Each volunteer then tested their moisture levels with a moisture reader, recording their hydration levels before and after foundation application. They then applied moisturizer, waited until it was absorbed, and applied the foundation of their choosing with either a makeup sponge, brush, or their fingers. After the first layer, they examined their skin for coverage, evenness, and feel. They then reapplied layers until their desired coverage was met and analyzed the final results after ten to fifteen minutes of drying time. Once the makeup was fully dried, they rated its performance on the categories of coverage, texture, wear, finish, and transfer resistance, rating each on a scale of one to five (with five being the best). Each tester evaluated their moisture levels one last time to see if the product had in fact increased or decreased their hydration levels and took this into consideration as well, based on the product and what it promised.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can you apply full-coverage foundation without looking cakey?

  Babsky offers his tips for ensuring perfectly blended makeup when using a thicker product: "If I have to apply a full-coverage foundation, I spend a lot of time preparing the skin, cleansing and moisturizing to give a supple, fresh complexion into which I can really blend out a fuller coverage seamlessly — skin that’s too dry will end up looking cake-y with a full coverage over it," he explains. "I also like to apply the foundation with my fingers so that I can really fuse it firmly with the skin and ensure it’s not just sitting on top of it."

• What’s the difference between regular foundation and full-coverage foundation?

  Most foundations aim to even your skin tone and make your skin look like skin but better, and full-coverage foundations pack a little more of a punch. These formulas tend to be a bit thicker or at least more pigmented than your run-of-the-mill foundation, correcting dark spots, hyperpigmentation, blemishes and more with a small amount of the product. This potent type of product is meant to be used lightly, or you can use a medium-coverage foundation and layer it to build up the level of coverage.

• When should you wear full-coverage foundation?

  While there are no rules as to when and where you can wear certain types of makeup, you may feel more drawn to one product over another depending on the occasion. For many people, a simple tinted moisturizer or medium-coverage foundation will be perfect for their day-to-day, as this feels more casual and (usually) feels lightweight on their skin. But if you’re getting ready for an event where there may be pictures taken, you may want to opt for a matte-finish, full-coverage foundation if you have blemishes and discoloration you're looking to hide.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Alyssa Brascia is a commerce writer for PEOPLE, specializing in beauty, fashion, home, and lifestyle products. For this piece, she compared coverage, texture, wear, and finish of 31 full-coverage foundations and took into account our testers' notes on the products in order to choose the best 12. She also tapped celebrity makeup artist Alex Babsky for her take on what to look for in a good full-coverage foundation.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

Want more product recommendations? Check out all of our PEOPLE Tested content.

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