The 10 Best Full-coverage Foundations For A Flawless Complexion That's Still Breathable

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Neha Tandon; Nordstrom; Sephora/Business Insider

Foundation is the base of any full-coverage makeup routine, whether you're seeking an everyday airbrushed look for fun, your next vacation, or even planning your own wedding day makeup. "Full-coverage foundations are designed to completely cover imperfections, even out the skin tone, and mask any blemishes, redness, or discoloration," says clean beauty makeup artist Elena Sas. "They often include a higher pigment concentration for better concealment." With the masses of options out there, it can be difficult to find a full-coverage foundation that suits your skin type while also giving you the finish you desire. That's why we tested a variety of foundations and then consulted a range of makeup artists and dermatologists for their recommendations.

Our top pick, the Nars Soft Matte Matte Complete Foundation, has been a long-time favorite of mine as someone who always had trouble finding a shade match and satin-matte finish for my medium-dark skin tone and dry skin type. It has a blurring effect on my lines and pores, and dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes also recommends it for acne-prone skin. On top of that, it is infused with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, micro-algae extract, and an antioxidant complex.

Ahead, find the best full-coverage foundations—many of which we and our experts have tested firsthand.

Our top picks for the best full-coverage foundations

Best overall: Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation - See at Sephora

Best budget: Kiko Milano Full Coverage 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer - See at Ulta

Best luxury: La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20 - See at Nordstrom

Best natural finish: Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 - See at Sephora

Best foundation stick: Well People Supernatural Complexion Stick - See at Ulta

Best matte finish: Valentino Very Valentino 24-Hour Long-Wear Liquid Foundation - See at Nordstrom

Best satin finish: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation - See at Sephora

Best for dry skin: Inika Organic Classic Certified Organic Liquid Foundation - See at Amazon

Best for oily skin: Makeup For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation - See at Nordstrom

Best for acne-prone skin: Almay Clear Complexion Foundation - See at Amazon

Best overall

Hyaluronic acid and sea algae extract are two of the hidden gems in this mattifying formula. Those ingredients help to lightly hydrate skin while absorbing excess sebum, making this suitable for a variety of skin types. Available in 34 shades, it's transfer-proof and oxidation-resistant for up to 16 hours of wear. The finish is matte with just a pinch of glow for an overall finish that softens the complexion.

This has to have one of my favorite finishes of all time and the fact that it contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate my dry skin is just a happy bonus. I like traveling with it if I have a special occasion for which I want to wear a full-coverage foundation because of its conveniently small plastic bottle and the versatile soft matte finish that can help me achieve whatever look I'm going for. I can easily get a fully matte, highly contoured look out of this, or can use it as a soft base for more glowy, radiance-enhancing products. I love that the velvety, creamy formula feels relatively lightweight despite the high coverage this provides.

Best budget

Kiko Milano is probably one of the most hyped affordable makeup brands by makeup artists, and with good reason. Experts celebrate the brand for keeping high-quality and skincare-friendly ingredients at the forefront of all their product formulas. This multitasking staple features squalane along with glycerin and urea to help give skin a more smooth, plump appearance in the long term. A dual-sided tip features one rounded edge and one flat edge, so you can use this to cover your whole face or just dot it onto small spots you want to cover. The lightweight formula easily smooths onto areas with thinner skin, like the undereye area.

"You don't necessarily need to choose a thicker foundation to achieve a full-coverage finish," says makeup artist Maria I. Rincon Djuro. "The KIKO Milano Full Coverage 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer is amazing at hiding blemishes, under-eye circles, discoloration, and fine lines!"

Best luxury

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If there's one makeup product you should splurge on, it's foundation. Whether you have fine lines you want to soften, want more plump-looking skin, or are simply craving a more blurred — yet natural-looking — appearance to your skin, the La Mer foundation is here to provide medium-to-full coverage while helping to treat the skin. It contains a blend of oils, fruit extracts, SPF 20, and the brand's iconic Miracle Broth. The latter is La Mer's patented blend of giant sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals that have been fermented to help fortify the skin, making this a true treat for your skin.

This has a water-like consistency with medium, buildable coverage that's ideal for daily wear, especially given the natural finish. I love that I'm getting the benefits of La Mer's potent and beloved skincare and coverage. I'll just use a small half of a pump for daily wear, and then I use one to two pumps when I want a full-coverage look. I love how lightweight it feels and that it evens out my hyperpigmentation without feeling or looking like I have much on my face.

Best natural finish

No matter your skin type, a natural finish will always do. This versatile pick from Bobbi Brown has that, and it's also blended with SPF 15, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. The creamy formula feels just like a moisturizer, but its tint helps to blur the appearance of pores softly for a natural and slightly glowy finish. It even contains shea butter, which helps to keep this from settling into fine lines after hours of wear.

My mom has loved this foundation for years, and I finally tried it myself recently. While it's labeled as a light coverage tint, I feel this is much more of a medium-to-full coverage formula (as does my mother). It totally fills in the large pores I have on my cheeks and blurs the appearance of the hyperpigmentation I have on my jawline, giving me an overall softer look that doesn't actually look like I'm wearing makeup. Plus, the ultra-moisturizing formula gives my dry skin a slightly satiny appearance.

Best foundation stick

With a smooth texture and natural finish, this stick foundation from cruelty-free brand Well People contains ingredients that will manage oil production while helping to prevent acne and nourish the skin. A fitting choice for any skin type, the fragrance-free formula is also suitable for sensitive skin types. Black seed oil helps to soothe redness, acne, eczema, and other forms of inflammation, too.

I have dry skin along with hyperpigmentation that can be really hard to cover up. I love that this has a natural finish, so I can use it for targeted application on any acne scars, dark circles, or any other spots I have. The stick format makes precise application super easy, and I love that this has a creamy feel, too.

Best matte finish

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While matte foundations are notorious for settling into fine lines and drying out skin, Valentino's Very Valentino 24-Hour Long-Wear Liquid Foundation contains glycerin and bergamot fruit oil to hydrate skin while calming inflammation lightly. The lightweight liquid dries to a powder-like finish upon application, so be sure to blend it quickly. The lightweight and breathable formula gives skin a matte look, so you'll love using it as a base for a fully matte look or to put layers of highlighter or bronzer on top.

This is my go-to for the longest days I have. It's perfect for weddings when I'll be at a ceremony in the morning followed by a lunch, reception, and after party. I can always count on this to stay put without any primer, setting powder, or setting spray necessary. I worry about how matte foundations will amplify the dryness in my already-dry skin, but this just creates a soft, velvety-looking veil across my skin and creates a solid first layer for me to layer liquid and powder highlighters on top of.

Best satin finish

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Yes, the Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation costs $49 for a hand-sized tube, but it is worth it if you want to nail that classic candle-lit glow. It contains a variety of nourishing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, coconut extract, olive oil, rose water, and rose oil, and it gives skin a natural-looking radiance. A patented bix-active complex also reduces excess shine while blurring the look of pores.

This is my go-to for nights out because it makes my skin look so glowy and has a way of airbrushing right over the large pores I have on my cheeks. Usually, I end up needing a powder of some sort to make sure glowy foundations don't end up looking greasy on my skin, but I don't end up needing that at all with this. I can put this on and look like I have a full face of makeup on, no additional highlighter required.

Best for dry skin

Complete with a radiant finish helmed by a lightweight liquid formula, housed in sustainable aluminum packaging, this is jam-packed with nourishing, hydrating ingredients. In it, find argan oil, avocado oil, green tea extract, hyaluronic acid, and more. Made with an aloe vera leaf juice base, reviewers love how refreshingly light the formula feels despite how hydrating it feels. In fact, Sas even recommends it for mature skin because it won't settle into fine lines. Even Dr. Madfes recommends this formula to her clients with dry skin, saying that it's excellent for hydration.

Best for oily skin

It's rare to find a mattifying foundation that keeps oil at bay while still accentuating the natural contours of your face because a matte effect can sometimes also equate to a flattening effect. Infused with oil-absorbing powders, the formula leaves skin looking plump and blurred with some healthy dimensions. It contains softening glycerin to make sure this won't crease on your skin, either. Makeup artist Jill McKay says it's one of her favorite foundations for any skin type, but the oil-regulating ingredients make it best suited for anyone with oily or even acne-prone skin.

Best for acne-prone skin

Almay's Clear Complexion Foundation is another full-coverage foundation that puts skin health at the forefront. In addition to being infused with salicylic acid to help clear acne while covering it, it floods skin with antibacterial and calming ingredients, including aloe vera and prebiotics to ease redness while curbing inflammation. A little goes a long way, so you'll only need about half a pump to cover your whole face with this under-$20 option. Both McKay and Dr. Engelman recommend this formula for both oily and acne-prone skin types. "This will help regulate oil production without compromising the skin barrier," says Dr. Engelman. "The non-comedogenic formula keeps pores clear and prevents clogging."

What to look for

Ingredients:

The ingredients you should look for when searching for a full-coverage foundation will depend on your skin type. Dr. Madfes says that people with dry or mature skin should look for shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and argan oil, while those with oily or acne-prone skin should seek out clay-based ingredients, powders, and silica. She is also a huge proponent of foundations that are infused with sun protection.

Texture and finish:

Matte foundations give skin a velvety look made with ingredients that won't reflect light, while dewy foundations are made with light-reflecting particles for a radiant finish that will make your skin appear more plump and glowy. "Matte finishes suit oily skin, while satin and glowy finishes can look more natural on drier skin types," says Sas. Matte foundations tend to last a bit longer because they're made with oil-absorbing ingredients.

Shade range:

The beauty industry has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity, which is why many brands tend to have more lighter shades than dark ones, and the darker skin tone options tend to have less of a range and undertone options even when they are offered. Once you find the ideal shade, you'll want to find the best undertone to match your natural skin tone. Look at your veins in natural light. If they appear green, you likely have warm undertones. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. If they appear blue-green, chances are that you have a neutral undertone. If you have a darker skin tone like I do, chances are that you may have to mix a few shades to get your exact match.

FAQs

How do you apply full-coverage foundation?

Dr. Mades says that the best way to apply foundation is with freshly cleansed skin right on top of your SPF because that'll give you the smoothest finish. After that, the way you apply your makeup will depend upon the finish you desire. A wet sponge will give you the most skin-like finish, while fingers will give you a more natural, lightweight coverage thanks to the warmth in your fingers. Use a brush to get more precise control and fuller coverage.

Djuro says that people with mature skin who may want to veil the appearance of fine lines can add one extra step. "You can achieve a blurred look by using a silicone primer, waiting a minute, and then applying foundation for a blurred and glowing finish," she advises.

Can you layer foundation to get fuller coverage?

Not only can you layer foundation to get fuller coverage, but Sas says that you'll want to choose a buildable foundation that allows multiple layers. "This helps avoid a heavy, cakey look," she says. "While full-coverage foundations are intended to cover everything in one layer, choose one that's buildable for flexibility."