19 best full coverage foundations, tried & tested
Featured in this article
Full coverage foundations still deserve a front-row seat in our makeup bags, and I will die on that hill. They’re not just for full-glam moments either, they’re for weddings, birthdays, big meetings, basically days you need your makeup to last longer than your phone battery. The difference is that today’s formulas don’t feel anything like the thick, cakey versions we all swore off years ago. Dream Matte Mousse, I’m looking at you.
Nowadays, full coverage comes in every finish going, radiant, dewy, satin, fully matte, so you can pick what you actually like rather than what you think you “should” wear. And it’s not just about coverage anymore. Loads of formulas are packed with skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which is especially welcome if you’ve got dry skin and you still want your foundation to sit nicely. The aim is a base that wears well, layers easily with your best concealer, and blends into your bronzer without everything going a bit chaotic.
Aesthetician and makeup artist Erica Marie Gatt agrees it’s all about choosing the right formula for your skin type. “For dry or mature skin, I love a luminous finish with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. This provides a dewy look that’s still full coverage and helps prevent the foundation from settling into fine lines and wrinkles,” she says. “If you have oily skin, use a matte foundation, which controls excess sebum while giving you a healthy glow without looking shiny.” With that in mind, I’ve rounded up the best full coverage foundations that actually do what they promise.
How I test full coverage foundations:
Myself and a few other Glamour team members have been testing full coverage foundations for years, working out which ones actually deliver and which don’t. When a new formula lands on the Glamour beauty desk, we don’t just try it once and call it a day. We wear it properly, on busy office days, sweaty tube commutes, and unpredictable UK weather, to see how it holds up in real life. We look at shade range, finish, how it blends, whether it clings to dry patches, how it layers with concealer and bronzer, and most importantly, how it looks after a full day, not just on first application.
Personally, I don’t reach for full coverage every single morning, but when my skin needs a bit more help, it’s my safety net. My go-to foundations are Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation and Estée Lauder Double Wear because they give me the coverage I want while still letting my skin look like skin. If you’re trying to find one that works for your skin type and not against it, this guide should make choosing a lot easier.
Why you can trust me:
It’s been in my job description to test beauty products for over five years now, which means I’ve tried more foundations than I can count, from viral launches to old faithfuls. I’ve been to press days, picked up tips from makeup artists and dermatologists, and worn these formulas in proper day-to-day life, to the office, to my best friends’ weddings, and on nights out when I need everything to stay put.
Full coverage can be a bit of a minefield, so I’ve done the legwork to separate the genuinely great formulas from the ones that look promising but don’t hold up. Everything in this edit has been worn, compared and properly put through its paces, so you can shop knowing these are the foundations we’d actually recommend to our friends.
Meet the experts
- Terry Barber, director of makeup artistry at MAC Cosmetics.
- Leandra Kis, makeup artist at London's immersive makeup experience, Beam.
- Erica Marie Gatt, aesthetician, makeup artist and founder of EM SKIN.
Reviewed, the best full coverage foundations…
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
- Best for: Hydrating and minimising the look of fine lines.
- Skin type suitable for: Dry.
- Finish: Matte.
- Shades: 44.
- Size: 30ml.
- Tester: Neamh Randall, GLAMOUR's Commerce Photo Editor.
Why we love it: “When it comes to creating a flawless, poreless makeup look, there aren't many beauty brands that do it better than Charlotte Tilbury. Available in a wide range of shades, this full coverage foundation is a favourite among beauty editors for a reason. It's formulated with a hydrating blend of skincare-like ingredients that help it stay radiant all throughout the day and night, particularly on dry skin.”
Pros & ConsPros- Wide shade range (44 shades)
- Hydrating formula
- Lasts all day
Cons- Matte finish can cling to very dry patches if skin isn’t prepped well
- Full coverage means it can feel a little heavy for everyday wear
Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation
- Best for: Smoothing and hydrating.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Matte.
- Shades: 50.
- Size: 30ml.
- Tester: Shaunelle Harrydass-Clark, Glamour's Intern.
Why we love it: “After testing, I found that this was surprisingly long-lasting, hydrating and felt super lightweight throughout the day. For everyday wear, one pump gave me more than enough coverage that carried me through a full day, without sliding off or separating. Plus, the online quiz paired me with the most perfect shade match.”
Pros & ConsPros- Long-lasting
- Hydrating
Cons- Might be a too matte for dry skin
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
- Best for: Being water, sweat, heat and humidity-resistant.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Matte.
- Shades: 49.
- Size: 30ml.
- Tester: Shani Cohen, Glamour's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: “I usually lean towards lighter skin tints over full-coverage foundations, but when it’s that time of the month and my skin’s feeling a bit meh (thanks, hormones), this is the one I reach for. I love that it doesn’t budge once it’s on - it’s water, heat, sweat and humidity-resistant, which is a lifesaver if, like me, you’re on the tube every day. The built-in SPF10 is a nice bonus too.
Yes, the formula feels thick at first, but with a bit of blending it melts in and gives that flawless, long-lasting finish it’s known for. My only gripe is the packaging. Without a pump, it’s tricky to control and pouring straight from the bottle can get messy - more than once my hand has ended up with better coverage than my face.” - Shani Cohen, Glamour's Beauty Commerce Writer.
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Pros & ConsPros- Huge shade range (49 options)
- Sweat and humidity-resistant
- Contains SPF10
Cons- Can feel a little heavy if you prefer a natural skin finish
- No pump included, which makes dispensing messier
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
- Best for: Smoothing, diffusing, reducing shine.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Soft matte.
- Shades: 50.
- Size: 32ml.
Why we love it: If you’re the sort of person who flits between wanting light, medium and full coverage depending on your mood, Rhianna’s debut foundation will be right up your street. The formula comes in 50 shades which were carefully curated with the help of women with hard-to-match skin tones who previously found it hard to find their perfect match. Buildable without being cakey or flaky, RiRi really created something special here. Plus, the staying power is fantastic too.
Pros & ConsPros- Impressive shade range (50 options)
- Stays put all day while keeping shine at bay
Cons- Formula sets quite quickly, so you need to blend fast
- Matte finish can cling to dry patches if you don’t prep skin properly
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
- Best For: Radiant, long-lasting coverage.
- Skin type: Suitable for all.
- Finish: Natural, radiant.
- Shades: 33.
- Size: 30ml.
Why we love it: NARS Natural Radiant Longwear is one of those foundations that just gets the balance right. The coverage sits between medium and full, so it evens out skin tone and blurs imperfections but still feels breathable. The finish is fresh and radiant - skin still looks like skin, only smoother and glowier. And with up to 16 hours of wear, it doesn’t have that dreaded longwear trade-off where everything goes cakey or patchy by the afternoon.
The formula has skincare benefits built in too, with raspberry, apple and watermelon extracts that keep your complexion looking plump and healthy. It’s transfer-resistant, sweat-resistant and the colour doesn’t shift, so what you put on in the morning will still look good by the time you take it off at night. The 33 shades are also well thought out, with undertones properly considered - which makes finding a match a whole lot easier.
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Pros & ConsPros- Longwear formula (16 hours)
- Medium-to-full coverage without the heavy feel
- Packed with skin-loving fruit extracts
Cons- Radiant finish may look shiny on very oily skin
- Shade range (33) is good, but not as impressive as some newer launches
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
- Best for: Blurring, lessening the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Skin type suitable for: Mature.
- Finish: Soft-matte.
- Shades: 40.
- Size: 30ml.
Why we love it: Yep, we couldn't not include the award-winning Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in this edit. A flawless-looking complexion in a (chic) bottle, this silky formula works to blur the look of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture and imperfections. Melting into your skin upon application, it uses Armani's Micro-fil technology to help increase your natural radiance, while providing all-day hydration.
Pros & ConsPros- Lightweight, silky texture that melts into skin
- Blurs fine lines and uneven texture without settling
- Buildable coverage with a natural, dewy finish
Cons- Expensive
- Coverage is more medium, so won’t suit full-coverage fans
- May fade faster on very oily skin without setting powder
KVD Beauty Good Apple Full-Coverage Serum Foundation
- Best for: Being transfer-proof and minimising imperfections.
- Skin type suitable for: combination skin.
- Finish: Natural.
- Shades: 40.
- Size: 30ml.
Why we love it: “I am so obsessed with this KVD foundation launch – so much so that, even as a lightweight foundation stan, I've been using it everyday since it landed on the GLAMOUR beauty desk. It serves exactly what is promised: full coverage with a natural finish and a lightweight serum foundation feel. I use one pump across my entire face and it covers my dark circles and acne scars with no problem. It's transfer-proof, which I really rate, and the fact that it's infused with apple extract means it's good-for-skin as well as being good for your makeup.” – Sophie Cockett, Glamour's Senior European Commerce Editor.
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Pros & ConsPros- Transfer-proof
- Visibly blurs pores
- Serum-light feel
Cons- Pump can sometimes dispense more product than you need
- Natural finish may be a bit shiny on very oily skin
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Foundation
- Best for: Blurring, lessening the look of blemishes and uneven texture.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Semi-matte.
- Shades: 30.
- Size: 30ml.
Why we love it: Created with the brand's professional makeup artists, this vegan full coverage formula is powered by the brand's Micro-Skin System Technology, designed to move with your skin for a virtually undetectable finish. Waterproof, sweat-proof and transfer-proof, this foundation prevents cracking and patchiness whilst delivering an even, skin-like base. Plus, the packaging is 100% recyclable.
Pros & ConsPros- Semi-matte finish looks natural on camera and in real life
- Long-wearing, waterproof, sweat-proof and transfer-proof
- Packaging is fully recyclable
Cons- Coverage leans full, so not ideal if you prefer a sheer base
- Shade range is smaller than some competitors (30 shades)
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Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation
- Best for: Blurring, smoothing and even-ing skin tone.
- Skin type suitable for: Oily or blemish-prone.
- Finish: Semi-matte.
- Shades: 25.
- Size: 35ml.
Why we love it: Blurring the look of imperfections for up to 12 hours with Precision Blur Technology, this velvet-matte foundation stars a blend of hyaluronic acid and soothing phytoglycogen for a hydrated, smooth and supple complexion. It also features bixa orellana, a plant that's rich in antioxidants and vitamin E to protect skin from free radicals and reduce excess sebum and shine. Minimising the look of redness, discolouration and hyperpigmentation, its non-slip formula means it won't fade or settle into any expression lines.
Pros & ConsPros- Smooth, blurred finish
- Lightweight semi-matte feel
Cons- Sets quickly
- Not for glow lovers
- Not the biggest shade range
VIEVE Skin Nova Complexion Balm
- Best for: Hydrating and luminosity.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Natural and radiant.
- Shades: 20.
- Size: 30ml.
Why we love it: Inspired by the brand’s best selling Skin Nova (a seriously glow-giving primer), this everyday foundation brings medium-to-buildable coverage in a stretch formula, meaning that it works to quickly adapt to your skin tone. With hydrating hyaluronic acid, plumping polyglutamic acid and brightening niacinamide, you can guarantee your friends will be asking how your skin looks so good.
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Pros & ConsPros- Skincare-first formula that actually feels nourishing on skin
- Flexible coverage that works well for day and night
Cons- Dewy texture means it won’t stay matte for long
- Coverage sits in the middle ground
- Shade range could be wider
Kosas SPF 25 Revealer Skin Improving Foundation
- Best for: Brightening, plumping, nourishing.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Natural, second-skin finish.
- Shades: 36.
- Size: 30ml.
Why we love it: Positively packed with skincare ingredients, this formula stars effortlessly buildable coverage that looks natural, without creasing or caking. Not budging for up to 8 hours, your skin will look bright and glowing, thanks to the potent blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, squalane, vitamin B5, arnica and caffeine. We mean, wow. It’s also formulated with SPF 25 and artemisia flower extract to shield the skin from the sun’s rays, plus blue light and pollution — and it’s hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and clinically tested.
Pros & ConsPros- Doubles as makeup and skincare
- Natural, second-skin finish
- Built-in SPF 25 and protection against blue light and pollution
Cons- Skincare-rich formulas can sometimes pill if layered with too many other products
- Coverage may be too natural for anyone who loves a full-glam base
Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation
- Best for: Soothing and smoothing.
- Skin type suitable for: best foundation for combination skin.
- Finish: Natural.
- Shades: 48.
- Size: 28ml.
Why we love it: Starring a botanical blend of soothing and nourishing white water lily, lotus and gardenia, this kind-to-skin foundation is brilliant for keeping your skin happy and comfortable for all day wear. With an innovative serum-like texture, it gracefully glides across the skin, smoothing and blurring uneven texture, enlarged pores and imperfections in its wake. A little goes a long way too, thanks to the mess-free, doe-foot applicator - and apparently 1 dot is all you need to cover your entire face.
Pros & ConsPros- Serum-like texture feels light and comfortable on skin
- Packed with calming botanicals to help soothe as you wear it
- Doe-foot applicator makes application easy
Cons- Sheerer coverage may not suit those who want a full-glam look
- Radiant, natural finish may look shiny on oilier skin types
Laura Mercier Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation
- Best for: Hydrating and brightening.
- Skin type suitable for: Dry and dull.
- Finish: Luminous.
- Shades: 33.
- Size: 30ml.
Why we love it: Delivering buildable medium-to-full coverage, this glowy weightless foundation provides up to 15 hours of hydration, making it ideal for parched skin. It also features vitamin C to help brighten and increase your complexion's clarity over time, and silver ear mushroom extract, which works to keep your skin smooth and supple while softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles. And if that wasn't enough? Light-reflecting powders create a soft-focus effect to diffuse the appearance of imperfections, while Super Clear Crystal Pearl reflects the light for an immediate luminous effect.
Pros & ConsPros- Hydrating formula keeps skin comfortable for up to 15 hours
- Infused with vitamin C to help brighten over time
- Luminous finish gives an instant fresh, glowy look
Cons- Radiant finish can exaggerate shine on oily or combination skin
- Medium-to-full coverage may feel heavy for minimal makeup fans
Sculpted by Aimee Satin Silk Longwear Foundation
- Best for: A lit-from-within glow.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Satin.
- Shades: 30.
- Size: 30ml.
Why we love it: If you’re looking for a full-coverage foundation that sits somewhere in-between matte and dewy, we recommend this gorgeous formulation by Irish beauty brand Sculpted by Aimee. Silky smooth and lightweight, the formula is really easy to build to your desired level of coverage, and skin-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin E ensure you’re left with a natural-looking glow that lasts all day.
Pros & ConsPros- Buildable formula
- Infused with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin E
Cons- Full-coverage feel may not appeal to sheer-skin fans
- Can look shiny on oilier skin types without setting powder
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Liquid Foundation
- Best for: Long-lasting, budge-proof wear.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Matte.
- Shades: 39.
- Size: 35ml.
Why we love it: Huda Kattan knows a thing or two about full coverage foundation, and her #FauxFilter offering provides 24-hour waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof, humidity-proof coverage that promises to go the distance. It’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, so there’s no need to worry about it clogging pores. If you're heading to warmer climes or just need that reassurance that your makeup will *not* budge, turn to this.
Pros & ConsPros- Waterproof, sweat-proof and humidity-proof
- Full coverage that smooths out imperfections with ease
- Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
Cons- Ultra-matte finish can feel drying on already dry skin
- Heavier texture compared to lighter, skin-tint style bases
MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
- Best for: Hydrating, conditioning, regulating oil production.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Soft-matte.
- Shades: 67.
- Size: 30ml.
Why we love it: Sure, this may be an oldie but it’s definitely a goodie – a true icon of the beauty world, Mac’s Studio Fix is an exceptionally hard working long-wear formula that comes complete with oil-control technology and a buildable medium-to-full coverage. With a seriously impressive shade range, it’s the original all-inclusive, colour-true formula that we urge everybody to try.
Pros & ConsPros- A tried-and-true formula that’s been loved for decades
- Massive 67-shade line-up
- Oil-control tech keeps shine at bay without completely mattifying skin
Cons- Classic glass bottle doesn’t come with a pump
- Can feel a bit heavy on the skin if you're not used to full-coverage
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
- Best for: On-the-go coverage.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Finish: Soft-matte.
- Shades: 32.
- Size: 7.2g.
Why we love it: Combining the power of a concealer and liquid foundation, this bestseller foundation stick provides a long-lasting, full coverage finish that blurs everything from dark circles to blemishes and pigmentation. Delivering high coverage that lasts for up to 12 hours, it's a favourite among makeup artists and editors alike, particularly due to how convenient it is to carry with you everywhere you go.
Pros & ConsPros- Blurs everything from dark circles to blemishes and pigmentation
- Lasts for up to 12 hours
- Doubles as both a concealer and foundation for quick touch-ups
Cons- Expensive
- Soft-matte finish can cling to dry patches if skin isn’t prepped
- Smaller size means it runs out faster than liquid foundations
Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20
- Best for: SPF protection
- Skin type suitable for: Combination and oily
- Finish: Satin matte
- Shades: 38
- Size: 30ml
- Tester: Shani Cohen, Glamour’s Beauty Commerce Writer
Why we love it: “I’ll be honest, the word ‘serum’ in a full coverage foundation made me sceptical at first, but this one really surprised me. It’s waterproof and promises 24-hour wear, and on my combination skin it stays put without sliding off by 12pm. The coverage is buildable, and I love that I can keep it natural for work, and go full glam for the evenings, and it still manages to look like skin rather than cakey.
What I like most is that it feels like it’s doing something while you wear it. There’s vitamin C to help brighten, salicylic acid to keep pores and blemishes in check, and hyaluronic acid so it doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight or flat. The satin-matte finish is that sweet spot, not shiny but not chalky either, and the SPF20 is a nice extra layer of protection on top of my usual sunscreen.”
Pros & ConsPros- Inclusive shade range
- Contains SPF
- Hyaluronic acid for hydration
Cons- Bulky packaging
L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24hr Freshwear Liquid Foundation
- Best for: Long-lasting, everyday full coverage
- Skin type suitable for: All
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 27
- Size: 30ml
Why we love it: A high-street classic that genuinely performs like something twice the price, this foundation delivers full, flawless coverage while still looking like real skin. The formula is built with oxygen technology so it feels light and comfortable rather than heavy, and it blends seamlessly for an even, streak-free finish. Oh, and it even contains SPF25 and vitamin C.
Waterproof and transfer-resistant, it promises up to 32 hours of wear, making it a great choice for long days, big events or unpredictable weather. The natural finish means you get the coverage you want without that flat, cakey look, and the wide shade range makes finding a match much easier. If you want a reliable, budget-friendly base that lasts, this one is hard to beat.
Pros & ConsPros- Affordable
- Contains SPF25 and vitamin C
- Glowy, natural-skin finish
Cons- Shade range could be bigger
How to choose the right full coverage foundation
First, it’s about making sure you're investing in the right shade – because there's nothing worse than buying a product that ends up being slightly off. But believe it or not, that elusive perfect match does exist for everybody, it’s just a case of finding it – and while we’re used to colour-matching along the jaw line, Terry Barber, director of makeup artistry at MAC Cosmetics, believes there’s actually a more effective way to do it.
“If your skin is uneven, I would recommend colour matching somewhere in the middle of the face. I know that we’re supposed to match it to the jaw line, but I actually prefer to do it on the cheek bone, in between the two tones of the face,” he says. “That way, you can check how it's reacting to the darker area and how it’s reacting to the lighter area – because what you don’t want to happen is to have a perfect match in the centre, and then it be ashy or a different colour around the edges of the face.”
How do you get flawless full coverage foundation?
“I would use a hydrating serum or moisturiser to prep the skin first, alongside a primer,” says makeup artist Leandra Kis. “I would then use a foundation brush (my favourite is the Spectrum Collections KJH Number 8 Brush) to ensure maximum coverage from the foundation.”
Leandra reveals that her next step would be to gently dab a damp beauty blender over the face to blend the product into the skin more thoroughly and to remove any excess product. “I would focus on the areas where you really need coverage; usually the centre of the face around the nose and cheeks is where we have more redness. Remember, a little product goes a long way, so try not to use more than one pump to avoid looking too cakey.”
What makes a foundation full coverage?
A foundation is considered full coverage when it can cover most imperfections in one layer, think redness, dark spots and blemishes, with minimal skin showing through. It usually has a higher pigment level than light or medium bases, and you can often build it up without it looking streaky or patchy.
Are full coverage foundations bad for your skin?
Not necessarily, and definitely not by default. Full coverage foundations used to have a reputation for being heavy and pore-clogging, but formulas have come a long way. Many now include skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and glycerin, and plenty are non-comedogenic, meaning they’re designed not to block pores.
The real key is how you use them. Removing your makeup properly, cleansing well and choosing a formula that suits your skin type makes all the difference. If you’re oily, look for oil-free or matte options; if you’re dry, go for something hydrating and luminous.
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