If you’re in the market for a full-coverage foundation that will stick around all day long, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve collated an edit of the best foundations that get top marks for coverage, will even out skin tone and will not cling to dry patches. From drugstore to designer and powder to liquid, our edit has got you covered.
If you’ve got blemish-prone skin, try one of the full-coverage foundations that are completely oil-free. And if you suffer from dry skin, look out for added moisturising ingredients (we’ve highlighted bonus features in our round-up).
Whilst wearing foundation in the hot summer months might seem like a no-go, thanks to clever lightweight formulas and soft velvety finishes, you can rest assured that these tfull-coverage foundations will stay breathable and flawless, even when it's baking outside…
Shop the very best foundations designed to give full-coverage and suit every skin type below:
Best Foundations For Full Coverage
1 of 15Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £34
For full coverage without looking cake-y give this a whirl. Super creamy and lightweight it blends in seamlessly then dries down for a matte finish. Added peptides also firm and protect skin from daily pollution. A win-win!
2 of 15Mac Studio Fix Soft Matte Foundation Stick, £27
If Studio Fix was your go-to, you'll love this new stick version. So handy for touch-ups on the go, this foundation stick offers full coverage and can be built up for extra staying power. Or, even better, try layering over your liquid formula.
3 of 153ina The 24H Foundation, £24.95
This will not budge. Formulated with pigments resistant to sweat, water and humidity - 3ina's new foundation is you all-weather, all-purpose base that you can really rely on.
4 of 15Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Hydrating Longwear Foundation, £27
No longer do you have to choose between a base that is either long-wearing or hydrating. You can have it all with Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'r Hydrating foundation which harnesses hydrating grape seed oil to help keep skin nourished whilst offering great staying power. Available in 50 shades.
5 of 15Burberry Matte Glow Foundation, £35
Full-coverage without look too 'full' - Burberry's Matte Glow Foundation lasts all day long, tackles shine and blends in easily for an undetectable finish.
6 of 15Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick, £29.50
This brilliant foundation stick glides on and is so easy to blend for an all-over even finish in seconds. Add a couple of swipes to the middle of your face and blend out with your fingers, a sponge or brush for a full-coverage finish.
7 of 15Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup, £26
This gel-cream formula feels light on the skin but gives an all-over matte finish. It's a great choice for oily or combination skin - and is perfect for those sweaty summer months (i.e. now!)
8 of 15Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation Makeup SPF10
There's a reason why this lightweight full-coverage foundation is a cult classic. It stays put for up to 15 hours, no matter what the weather, so it's great if you're after long-wearing colour.
9 of 15La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation SPF15, £195
The ultimate luxury – this rich, creamy foundation feels light on the skin but gives a full, flawless coverage in seconds. It comes with a matching concealer and contains SPF15, as well as boasting anti-ageing skin properties.
10 of 15Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hour Foundation, £7.99
This lightweight, long-wearing foundation gives a full, even coverage but contains a serum to leave skin feeling hydrated and looking radiant.
11 of 15Tom Ford Traceless foundation stick, £64
A smooth stick foundation containing hydrating ingredients to nourish skin while providing full and even coverage. It's a great base for a makeup look you want to last all day without drying out skin, such as a wedding or festival.
12 of 15YSL Fusion Ink Foundation, £32.50
This foundation is designed to stay put for 24 hour coverage. It's infused with pure, milled pigments that melt into the skin, creating a super-breathable veil over the skin, meaning it'll never feel cakey or heavy.
13 of 15Lord and Berry On Stage Foundation, £25
On Stage is a silky touch foundation that can be easily blended for a comfortable, second-skin finish. Thanks to it antioxidant active ingredients, it also provides protection to the skin from everyday stressors.
14 of 15Estee Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup SPF 45, £36
For a slightly sheerer, more natural looking finish and radiant glow try this buildable, full-coverage foundation from Estee Lauder. You still get pack-a-punch pigments, but the formula looks and feels lighter on the skin.
15 of 15Ciate London Extraordinary Foundation, £22.40
This hypoallergenic foundation is formulated with Mimosa and Arctic Rose extracts that help lift and energise skin leaving it soft and radiant whilst providing good coverage.
Best foundation for blemish-prone skin
Finding the perfect foundation is crucial to nailing the rest of your look. Too oily and you’re at risk of breakout. Too thick, you might end up clogging your pores. But with a vast array of foundations on the beauty market from sticks to powders, you’re bound to balance your skin in no time. We recommend keeping it light with Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup Cream, £28.50, or Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation, £51.
Best foundation for oily skin
If your skin is on the shiny side, then opt for an oil-free foundation. There’s no need to sacrifice that lust worthy glow, though, as you can still achieve full-coverage and flawless skin without heavy layers. Opt for The Ordinary Coverage Foundation for Oily Skin, £5.70 or Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Foundation,£42, for a fresh and healthy glow minus the shine.
Best foundation for dry skin
Come the winter months many of us experience dry skin. But fear not - there are foundations aplenty out there specifically designed to give a lustrous glow for drier skin types. We recommend Maybelline Dream Radiant Liquid Foundation, £8.99, as it contains hyaluronic acid - perfect for that much needed moisture. Or why not opt for Estée Lauder's Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup SPF 45, £36. The creamy texture gives a radiant effect in the light whilst maintaining a lightweight finish.
Best foundation for all day coverage
Forever re-applying your make-up come lunchtime? Opt for a long-lasting foundation guaranteed to withstand rain, heat and anything else thrown it's way. We recommend L.'Oreal's Infallible 24 Hour Matte Cover, £9.99, or Ciaté London's Extraordinary Foundation, £28, for a radiant glow.
Top Tips:
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For ease of application and a fast full coverage, try one of the stick foundations recommended in our edit. Apply straight from the bullet and blend with fingertips or a sponge.
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To achieve a matte finish with a liquid full-coverage foundation, remove any shine with a blotting paper or finish with a light dusting of translucent powder.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Foundations On The High Street
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