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The 17 Best Full-Coverage Foundations for Every Skin Type and Finish

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A great foundation is one of the most important and customizable products in every makeup routine. The right formula will all depend on your unique skin type, skin tone, what type of finish you're looking for, and most importantly, how much coverage you want.

For some, a sheer BB cream or tinted moisturizer might offer just the right amount of tone-evening while others might prefer something with buildable or full coverage. It all depends on your unique skin goals. If you are on the hunt for a foundation that can quickly provide full, even coverage, you've come to the right place. Below, we've highlighted 17 of the best full coverage foundations for every skin situation. The below pigmented formulas will smooth, conceal, and help to create a complexion that perfectly suits you.

YENSA BEAUTY Skin on Skin BC Foundation in Light Neutral
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YENSA BEAUTY Skin on Skin BC Foundation

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Best Full Coverage Foundation for Skincare Lovers

In addition to providing full coverage, brightening skin, and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, this foundation also comes with some quality skincare benefits thanks to YENSA's proprietary 8 SuperBlacks Essence. The superfood-focused magic ingredient features black sesame oil, black seaweed, black tea, shiitake mushroom, black rice, Korean black raspberry, nettle, and chia seeds. Together this combo moisturizes, reduces redness, fights free radicals, and improves skin's texture. 

"This stuff is amazing," writes Ipster shortaddy27. "My skin looks hydrated. It covered blemishes and redness from rosacea so well without bothering my skin condition."

WANDER BEAUTY Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation in Rich Deep
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WANDER BEAUTY Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation

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Best Full Coverage Foundation with a Dewy Finish

This liquid foundation with buildable coverage effortlessly smoothes skin while also giving a perfectly dewy glow. In this formula, high coverage pigments work in tandem with the buzzy skincare ingredient niacinamide help to correct any discoloration, shrink pores, and smooth fine lines. A dose of hyaluronic acid and plant extracts also help to keep your skin feeling healthy, hydrated, and glowy.

"This foundation is magical," writes one Ipster. "It goes on so well and blends like a miracle."

SMASHBOX COSMETICS Studio Skin 24 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation in 0.3 Neutral
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SMASHBOX COSMETICS Studio Skin 24 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation

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Best Longwear Full Coverage Foundation

If you need a foundation that will provide hydrating coverage for hours on end, this 24-hour foundation is a top-notch choice. It's made using flexible, breathable polymers, which create a strong bond without any dryness or discomfort. Wear it all day without worrying about whether or not the product is creasing or settling into fine lines.

"This is the best foundation that I have ever used, "writes Ipster lusineaghababyan0. "It's not heavy and it doesn't irritate your skin. It gives full coverage and at the same time does not cake the face at all."

MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Liquid Foundation
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MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Liquid Foundation

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Best Buildable Full Coverage Foundation

For a natural, dewy glow, apply a dime-sized amount of this foundation to your skin, and blend with a damp beauty blender or a foundation brush. A little goes a long way here, so you can easily decide whether you want to create full coverage or something a little bit lighter. One layer will provide medium coverage, or add a bit more to quickly transition it into a full coverage foundation. 

Ipster nerds8500 writes, "It requires so little product to cover my entire face and it matches my skin tone perfectly. I can hardly even tell when I'm wearing it, my skin just looks like better skin."

HOURGLASS COSMETICS Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in Golden Tan
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HOURGLASS COSMETICS Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

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Best Full Coverage Stick Foundation

Foundations don’t get more travel-friendly than this–but don’t worry, you won’t be sacrificing quality for convenience. This stick foundation quickly adjusts to your body temperature to seamlessly and effortlessly blend into the skin. It's also highly pigmented, containing twice as much pigment as traditional liquid formulas. A little goes a long way here, just a few dots around the face is enough to blend out for full, flawless coverage.

ILLAMASQUA Skin Base Foundation in 4.5
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ILLAMASQUA Skin Base Foundation in 4.5

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Best Full Coverage Foundation with a Flawless Finish

Mostly matte with a super subtle sheen, this full-coverage formula perfectly emulates the look of real skin–a big reason why it's so popular among makeup artists. Use it to create a flawless base that looks smooth and polished but never overdone. And with 26 shades to choose from, you can be sure to find an exact fit for your skin tone (and undertone). The award-winning formula even comes packed with hydrating vitamin E and brightening vitamin C.

"I finally had a chance to wear this and I love it. Actually, other people love it; I got a ton of compliments on how great my skin looked," writes Ipster jpinkshoez.

TARTE Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15 in Medium Sand
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TARTE™ Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15

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Best Full Coverage Foundation for Oily Skin

It's no secret that this TARTE foundation is one of the best matte foundations out there for oily skin. The oil-free formula uses Amazonian clay to balance your complexion and absorb excess oil. Expect the formula's famous matte finish to last up to 12 hours—no blotting papers required. And since it's so smooth and blendable, there's also no need to worry about it looking cakey later in the day.

"This stuff is seriously the bomb," one Ipster says. "I wore it every day until it was gone." Another writes, "It's so smooth and creamy and I LOVE the clay texture!"

M·A·C Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC50
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M·A·C COSMETICS Studio Fix Powder Foundation

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Best Full Coverage Powder Foundation

Sometimes you just can't beat a classic. Powder foundations like this best-selling formula from M·A·C can be a great go-to for anyone with a regular to oily skin type. (Those with dry or mature skin may want to opt for liquid or cream-based formulas to avoid highlighting flakiness, wrinkles, and fine lines).

This iconic matte foundation provides an impressive 12 hours of buildable medium-to-full coverage that won't fade, streak, crease, or look cakey over time. If you're looking for full coverage that won't melt off on hot summer days, this formula is your gal.

"It’s nice as a powder on the go–everything you need is right in the little package," one Ipster says.

HONEY JARRET Clean Cover Cushion Foundation in Golden Honey
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HONEY JARRET Clean Cover Cushion Foundation

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Best Full Coverage Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin

If you like your beauty products to be equal parts makeup and skincare, you'll love this cushion foundation. In addition to featuring a unique superfood complex that promotes healthy, glowing, youthful-looking skin, this formula also has antibacterial benefits that actively fight breakouts and blemishes. It's a great choice for sensitive skin types or anyone whose oily skin tends to suffer from breakouts.

"Color was perfect," writes Ipster tksmith0309. "Light yet provides great coverage and works beautifully with concealer without settling into fine wrinkles."

BEAUTYBLENDER Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation in 3.70 (Tan/Olive)
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BEAUTYBLENDER® Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation

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Best Full Coverage Foundation with a Weightless Feel

This foundation uses an exclusive "HyperWhip" process that gives the formula an ultra-light, whipped texture that blends in seamlessly into the skin. The airy formula provides a matte finish that keeps oily skin shine-free without it leaving it looking flat or dry. Hydrating and plumping hyaluronic acid also helps the skin stay moisturized for a subtle, natural glow.

"This is my favorite foundation," writes Ipster m4floorszari. "It doesn’t leave your skin feeling cakey or oily. It feels like you're not even wearing foundation. High recommend this product!"

TOO FACED COSMETICS Born This Way Foundation in Vanilla
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TOO FACED Born This Way Foundation

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Best Full Coverage Foundation with a Natural Finish

If you're looking for full coverage but still want your skin to look like skin, this natural finish formula is your best bet. It's oil-free and non-comedogenic (two major bonuses for anyone with an oily skin type), plus it's buildable. Apply a quick coat to blur pores and provide light coverage, or layer up for natural-looking full coverage. 

"It feels so lightweight, but the coverage is excellent," writes Ipster LottaCurls. "It gives a radiant glow without looking greasy. Makes my skin look amazing!"

PÜR Love Your Selfie™ Foundation in LG6 Light Nude
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PÜR Love Your Selfie™ Foundation

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Best Multitasking Full Coverage Foundation

Love a five-minute makeup routine? This multitasking four-in-one formula uses high coverage pigments to swiftly conceal, correct imperfections, and infuse skin with vitamins and minerals all in one fell swoop. It even acts as a morning pick-me-up for your skin thanks to an energizing combination of ginseng, green tea, and vitamin B. Together, they help to fight off puffiness, signs of aging, and can even boost cell metabolism.

"I love the way this foundation looks so natural, yet somehow makes me look glowy," one Ipster writes. "I also love the longwear capability (when set with setting spray and setting powder applied with a damp sponge)."

JOSIE MARAN Vibrancy Argan Oil Foundation Fluid
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JOSIE MARAN Vibrancy Argan Oil Foundation Fluid

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Best Full Coverage Foundation for Mature Skin

For anyone with mature skin, a hydrating liquid foundation will likely be the best go-to for your skin type. This nourishing formula features non-comedogenic argan oil as its hero ingredient; the antioxidant-rich oil is a beauty industry favorite thanks to its moisturizing and elasticity-boosting benefits–two big pluses for anyone dealing with fine lines and wrinkles. This clean formula is also buildable, so it can be a great go-to for days when you want just a touch of pigment or days when you're looking for full coverage.

"My favorite foundation I have ever experienced," says Ipster emily9392. "I have bought it again and again! Great coverage and dewiness."

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Luminous Foundation in 120W
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ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Luminous Foundation

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Best Illuminating Full Coverage Foundation

This luminous formula delivers buildable coverage that lasts all day while feeling weightless on the skin. The water-resistant, illuminating finish delivers a second-skin-like result: radiant and fresh, without looking glittery or flat. It also features an extensive shade range–with 50 different shades to choose from, you can be sure to find the perfect fit for both your skin tone and undertone. You might even want to pick up a formula a few shades darker to use as your contouring shade.

"Love this," says Ipster ixtasis. "This has become my go-to foundation! It glides on, looks natural, and stays on all day."

IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer™ with SPF 50+ in Fair
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IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer™ with SPF 50+

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Best Full Coverage Foundation for Dry Skin

"Full coverage tinted moisturizer" isn't a phrase we utter very often, but this innovative formula is breaking all the rules. This first-of-its-kind beauty product delivers significantly more coverage than most tinted moisturizers (which tend to be quite sheer), easily evening out the skin tone and concealing redness, dark spots, and breakouts. It also delivers an intense dose of daily hydration while seven key fermented ingredients help to boost the efficacy of any skincare products layered underneath. Did we mention it also has SPF 50+ to keep your skin shielded from harmful UV rays? Is there anything this product can't do?

"I’m amazed at how good this is," says Ipster BeautyIsVariable. "I was expecting minimal coverage but have been blown away by how well this covers."

MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation in Y315
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MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation

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Best Full Coverage Foundation for Large Pores

Whether you have large pores or oil-prone skin (or both!), this velvety powder formula might be just the thing you're looking for. This foundation uses blurring technology and a smooth matte finish to instantly disguise the look of redness and large pores while also keeping oiliness under control. With 12 hours of water-resistant wear, this is a full coverage foundation that stays looking great all day long without turning cakey or flakey.

"LOVE this powder! It has GREAT coverage but is very lightweight," says Ipster cstroud26.

HONEST BEAUTY Everything Cream Foundation in Sand
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HONEST BEAUTY Everything Cream Foundation

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Best Full Coverage Cream Foundation

Looking for super customizable coverage? This medium-to-full coverage foundation has a rich, creamy texture that blends out beautifully all over the face for a smooth demi-matte finish. The unique texture also means it can be easily built up in any areas where you may be looking for extra coverage. As with all of HONEST BEAUTY's products, this foundation is also good for your skin. It comes enriched with jojoba oil to hydrate and protect the skin moisture barrier.

Want to discover all your new beauty staples? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.

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About the author
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Cortney Clift
Cortney is a New York-based freelance writer who has written about beauty and wellness for more than six years. She was previously the senior writer and special projects editor at Brit + Co where she covered a wide range of news and lifestyle topics.
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Article Last Updated April 28, 2021 12:00 AM