11 best full coverage foundations that won't look cakey
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I'm of the opinion that full coverage foundations are evergreen and will never go out of style. Sure, with the rise of the “clean girl” aesthetic, we've all had the chance to appreciate a good slicked back bun and a skin-like lightweight coverage, but does that also mean that our “full beat” days are over? I hardly think so.
You can count on full coverage foundations not only when you're in the mood for a full glam moment, but also whenever you have anything major in your social calendar. We're talking weddings, hen-dos, birthdays or whenever you decide to update your LinkedIn pic with the ultimate corporate girl headshot.
Forget about the drying, creasing and pore-clogging formulas of the past, because we can assure you that today's best full coverage foundations are anything but cake-y. There's a common misconception that such formulas aren't breathable and don't offer a “natural finish” either, however, there's a handful of weightless foundations that will make you forget that you're wearing a full face of makeup in the first place (Estée Lauder, we're looking at you).
The best full coverage foundations at a glance:
- Best overall: Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation
- Best with a satin finish: Satin Silk Longwear Foundation
- Best with a matte finish: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
- Best for oily skin: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
Our edit below proves that some products can conceal blemishes, pigmentation and dark circles with ease– all the while ensuring that your skin looks like… well, skin. Some formulations even include skin-loving ingredients such as vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin nice and hydrated throughout the day, while others are water-based and oil-free (hello, Il Makiage foundation), which works great for acne-prone and oily skin types.
Of course, as with most beauty shopping feats – especially where makeup is concerned – it’s not easy to sift through every product out there and figure out what’s best for your own individual skin type and concern. Enter, stage right, our guide to the best full coverage foundations, from Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless to the iconic Estee Lauder Double Wear.
How we tested best full coverage foundations:
Throughout the years, the GLAMOUR beauty team has tested hundreds of full coverage foundation formulas, from budget options to premium buys. We've made sure to test said formulas on a variety of skin types and skin tones, all the while accessing the shade range, the finish and the feel on the skin. Find out more about how we test here.
Reviewed, the best full coverage foundations…
Best full coverage foundation overall
- Number of shades: 50.
- Finish: blurring.
Why we love it: “You don’t need me to tell you just how popular the Il Makiage foundation is. Since the brand launched in the UK in 2020, there has been a perennial buzz around Woke Up Like This, with the remote shade-matching technology continuing to impress. Even a few years on, the beauty community remains in awe of how a simple online quiz can not only provide you with a perfect shade match, but also take into account your skin type as well as your preferred finish.”
Review: “After testing, I found that it 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.”
Best matte full coverage foundation
- Number of shades: 44.
- Finish: skin-like.
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 trending 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.
Best full coverage foundation for oily skin
- Number of shades: 49.
- Finish: skin-like.
Why we love it: “I've been reaching for the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation for a really long time, mostly when I'm going out at night, having my photo taken or after reassurance that my makeup will not budge. The cult-favourite Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup by Estée Lauder didn't disappoint in my mind: water, sweat, heat and humidity-resistant with a buildable coverage and SPF10. While I still wear a face sunscreen underneath, it's nice to have some added protection.”
1/9Best satin full coverage foundation
Satin Silk Longwear Foundation
- Number of shades: 30.
- Finish: satin.
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 and vitamin E ensure you’re left with a natural-looking glow that lasts all day.
2/9Best waterproof full coverage foundation
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Liquid Foundation
- Number of shades: 39.
- Finish: matte.
Why we love it: Huda’s first foray into matte foundations was in the form of #FauxFilter, which offers 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, plus it comes in 39 shades and offers a dewy, natural-looking matte finish.
3/9Best lightweight full coverage foundation
KVD Beauty Good Apple Full-Coverage Serum Foundation
- Number of shades: 40.
- Finish: natural.
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 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, Senior Commerce Editor, Europe.
4/9Best long-lasting full coverage foundation
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
- Number of shades: 50.
- Finish: matte.
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.
5/9Best cult-favourite full coverage foundation
MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
- Number of shades: 67.
- Finish: skin-like.
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.
6/9Best affordable full coverage foundation
L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32hr Freshwear Liquid Foundation
- Number of shades: 19.
- Finish: matte.
Why we love it: One of the best drugstore full coverage foundations that provides everything you need to achieve a natural matte look. Not only is it lightweight on the skin, but it's also waterproof, transfer-resistant and suitable for all undertones and skin types, including sensitive skin, acne-prone skin and oily skin types. At this price, there aren't many better.
7/9Best medium-to-full coverage foundation
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
- Number of shades: 40.
- Finish: dewy.
Why we love it: This silky fluid foundation uses Armani's patented technology to help sculpt and brighten the complexion while blurring out fine lines and hyperpigmentation. It has an oil-free, hydrating glycerin-infused formula that's suitable for all skin types, but especially great for anyone with mature skin.
- 8/9
Best stick full coverage foundation
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick
- Number of shades: 32.
- Finish: skin-like.
Why we love it: Combining the power of a concealer and liquid foundation, this bestseller foundation stick from Hourglass provides a long-lasting, full coverage finish that blurs any unwanted blemishes and pigmentation. It's a favourite among makeup artists and editors alike, particularly due to how convenient it is to carry with you everywhere you go.
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.”
It's then a case of figuring out what you want from your full coverage foundation. Do you want something that you can layer up or use instead of concealer in the areas where it’s needed most, do you want something that’s long-lasting, do you want a luminous finish or would you prefer matte? The options are truly endless – so to help you narrow down your search, keep scrolling to discover the best full coverage foundations for 2024 from brands such as Estee Lauder, MAC, NARS and Charlotte Tilbury.
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