When it comes to makeup, the coverage is valued more than the texture or finish. For this reason, people are constantly looking for the best full coverage foundation that conceals everything so that you won't end up feeling dried out or cakey.
Some common brands have managed to strike an excellent balance between a full coverage foundation and a natural-looking formula. These foundations will cover up your acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and blemishes without leaving a dry and cakey mess.
To help you find the best full coverage foundation for you, we have compiled a review of the five best full coverage foundations, their pros, and cons, as well as an ultimate guide to the factors you need to consider before buying the best full coverage foundation
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Best Full-Coverage Foundations
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Best Full-Coverage Foundations
- Reviews
The Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation gives 24 hours long wear with a flawless finish and a concentrated coverage that won't shift or fade all day long. It is lightweight yet has great coverage that coverage to correct the visible flaws.
An outstanding advantage of this full coverage foundation is the pump dispenser which helps to save time and also avoid product wasting like in other products. The pump also helps to dispense the right amount of product you need. The pump dispenser is attached to the simple glass bottle.
It has a thick liquid formula that applies smoothly on the skin and later dries out as matte. It blends like magic and will stay intact for a long period. It is a great choice for normal to oily skin types, although people with combination skin types can also benefit from this holy grail product.
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The L'oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Full coverage foundation is a lightweight and creamy foundation that applies smoothly, giving a demi-matte finish that can last up to 24 hours. It helps hide imperfections to achieve smooth and clean skin.
This foundation is also a great choice for people with acne-prone skin. This is because its creamy formula will efficiently absorb the oil, keeping the shine at bay. It comes in 22 shades with a shade for every skin tone to help you find the perfect shade that matches your skin. It is the best full coverage foundation with a creamy formula and one you can easily get at the drugstore.
It comes with compact tube packaging that you can easily carry in your makeup bag. The tube features a twist-open or close cap that is made of plastic. The foundation has a medium to full buildable coverage that can cover up your acne and scars.
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For people with a combination and oily skin, this oil-free and long-wear foundation might be the perfect one for you. It has been specifically designed to keep the shine and oil at bay. It has a lightweight formula with medium to full coverage to provide your face with a natural and smooth matte finish.
Moreover, it has salicylic acid that helps reduce the appearance of pores and control oil production. It boasts full coverage with up to 24 hours of wear and can last through anything. It comes formulated in 43 different shades, which means you can easily find your shade match.
This full-coverage foundation also offers SPF 15, which helps protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays. Revlon boasts high pigmented, bold, and high-quality makeup products to enhance your beauty. However, for some, it might require building up to achieve full-coverage wear.
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At a very affordable price, the Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer performs well as some foundations that are even three times the price. It features a full-coverage formula, with a matte finish and without caking, just on the first swipe.
It also features a built-in concealer feature that can streamline the daytime routine without compromising flawless skin. This full-coverage foundation will help you eliminate the under-eye circles, combat redness, and other skin imperfections, giving you a soft and fresh face.
Although it has a lightweight feel, the Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer has a rich and creamy formula that will only require you to use one layer to achieve full coverage. It comes with 29 shades, which makes shade matching easier. It also blends seamlessly to achieve a nice complexion and get a super smooth base.
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The Dermablend Cover Creme Full Coverage Cream Foundation with SPF 30 is another great option that will fully conceal all the marks on your face, including scars, birthmarks, or tattoos. In a single layer, this powerful foundation gets the job done.
It gives a natural-looking and smooth finish that looks great, especially in natural lighting. This full-coverage foundation can comfortably last up to 16 hours. It is one of the best full coverage foundations that boasts a super high coverage covering all skin conditions.
It comes in 27 shades to match every skin tone. Since it is allergy tested and fragrance-free, it is safe for use with sensitive skin. Moreover, it is non-comedogenic and free of paraben, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, and phthalates. It offers all the hydration required with high power pigments that won't cake
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Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Full Coverage Foundation
1. Shade Range
To find the right shade, you can compare it with the color of your jawline to see if the match. However, it doesn't have to be an exact match, and it can also be slightly lighter. This is because the color will oxidize while drying down.
You can also test the shades on the face. To do this, find the right spot around the center of the face and blend it towards the hairline. See how the full coverage foundation will seamlessly blend into the skin. Check the shade in both natural and artificial lighting. However, if you're purchasing it online, you could try using the manufacturer's shade list or an online foundation matching system.
2. Skin Undertones
Unless you're hoping to color correct, you shouldn't fight against your natural undertones. If your skin is on the cooler side, the pink undertones might work best for you, but yellow undertones might work best if you have a warm skin tone.
People with green veins are usually warm-toned most of the time, while those with purple and blue veins have cooler tones. If your veins have a combination of blue and green, you probably have a neutral undertone.
3. Skin type
While most individuals are looking for their correct foundation, they tend to overlook the importance of the skin type. The type of formula or foundation you choose is highly dependent on the skin type you have. The most common types of skin types include;
- Dry Skin- For dry skin, you might want to consider a cream or hydrating liquid foundation.
- Normal skin- Dewy foundations tend to work best for normal to dry skin types.
- Oily skin- Consider an oil-free foundation with a mineral powder or a silicone base. Matte foundations are considered to be best for oily skin.
- Combination- The best bet would be to go for an oil-free foundation because the formula absorbs oil on the T-Zone and moisturizes the dry areas.
- Mature-While people with mature skin can get away with using a matte foundation, using a satin finish instead is recommended.
- Acne-Prone- You need to find a full coverage foundation that is oil-free and non-irritating. Some of them have medicated ingredients that help treat the existing breakouts while preventing new ones.
4. Formula
The formula you choose will depend on the skin, lifestyle, and preference. Stick foundations are considered easy to apply, while those who have some time to do their face or those with drier complexions can go for the liquid or cream formulas. Powders are recommended for those with a combination-to-oily skin.
5. Finish
Besides being flawless, what do you want to achieve once you've applied the best full coverage foundation? There are different types of finishes that full coverage foundations give, including;
- Matte- This is a shine-free, evenly smooth, and pore-less finish. It is recommended for combination/oily skin types where it can make a face look flawless with a poreless finish.
- Satin- This is a perfect balance between matte and dewy, where it gives a natural and smooth sheen without the absence of the glow and shimmer. However, it is not as poreless and drying as matte.
- Dewy/ Radiant- This gives a high shine, radiant sheer, or a natural sheen finish. It is used mostly by people with normal to dry skin to hydrate the skin.
6. Ingredients
Always check the ingredients because a foundation is much more than the covering up of marks on your face. Options with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid are great for dry skin, while those that have salicylic acid are great for people with acne. Some also have SPF that also provides sun protection.
7. Seasons
You won't be able to stick to one foundation all year long because of the changes in weather patterns. For example, in spring-summer, the skin will warm up when you're active outdoors in strong sunlight such that the tone will still warm up even if you wear sunblock. So, it's recommended to find different shades of a full-coverage foundation to cater to different seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Full-Coverage Foundations
1. What is the best full coverage foundation?
The best full coverage foundation is the Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation. It boasts 24-hour long wear with a flawless finish and a concentrated coverage that won't shift or fade all day long.
2. What are the top 5 foundation brands?
The top five foundation brands include Maybelline, Revlon, Fenty Beauty, NARS Cosmetics, and Estee Lauder. However, there other great foundation brands that also have top-notch products, including Milani, L'Oreal, Bareminerals, Huda Beauty, and many more amazing brands.
3. How can I make my foundation flawless?
To make your foundation flawless, here are a few tips you should consider;
- Use the right foundation, and you can customize several to get the right shade
- Always prepare your skin before application
- Use a primer
- Avoid applying too much foundation
- Use the right tools for application
- Set your foundation using a powder
- Apply the concealer after the foundation
