Full coverage foundations really can be little life saviours. There's no doubt that a lightweight tinted moisturiser or BB cream has an important role in your makeup bag, but sometimes, a classic full-coverage foundation is needed – whether that's for a night out or you woke up to a family of spots on your chin. Or maybe you've got a wedding coming up where you want your skin to look hella good. We got you...
A preview of the best full-coverage foundations
Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation
Read review
Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation
Read review
Here's the thing: in the past, full-coverage foundations have received bad press for feeling thick, cakey and uncomfortable to wear. Well, forget about those formulas of old – we're far better than that.
Full-coverage foundations are superior now, offering a range of finishes (yep, they aren't all matte) that look entirely natural while feeling weightless on the skin. The Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation offers a velvety result that covers every blemish or blotch, while the ABH Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Foundation offers that envious filter-like finish while keeping your skin looking like, well, skin.
If you have oily skin, opt for an oil-free formula that offers a matte finish – this will help to reduce the appearance of excess sebum that develops throughout the day. While those with dry skin can use a full-coverage formula that still offers a radiant glow, like the Armani Luminous Silk. If you have dry skin, it's also a wise idea to find a foundation with hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, to prevent the formula from sitting in feathery dehydration lines.
We tested the ten best full coverage foundations to show you the ones that are worth buying. But if you prefer to take the lighter approach, you can also check out our edit of the best tinted moisturisers that dial down the coverage but amp up the glow.
What are the best full coverage foundations?
1. e.l.f. Camo Hydrating CC Cream, £15
Pros
- It's an affordable option
- The coverage is full but gives a glowy result
Cons
- Some may not like the thickness of the formula
Key Specifications
| Finish: | Dewy |
|---|---|
| Shades: | 30 |
I'll be honest, when I first tried this CC Cream I wasn't expecting much. But it has grown to be one of my fave formulas in my stash. Firstly, it's £15 and secondly it's the perfect day-to-day option as it still gives a full-coverage finish, while feeling completely weightless on.I've got to shout out the INCI list as it contains hyaluronic acid, peptides and niacinamide so it will be comforting and hydrating for as long as you wear it. But don't mistake that for its complexion-smoothing prowess. It does a stellar job at unifying a blotchy complexion, fading pimples and bringing a radiant, semi-matte finish to the skin.
2. Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation, £39
Pros
- It comes in 50 shades
- It offers a full-coverage, satin finish while still feeling weightless
- The shade finder *actually* works
Cons
- It's a little spenny
Key Specifications:
| Finish: | Soft-matte |
|---|---|
| Shades: | 50 |
450,000 people can’t be wrong, right? That’s how many have given Il Makiage's streak-free foundation a five-star review. It’s gone viral on social media, so to say there was hype around this would be an understatement.
Although you can read here for a full run-down on this epic base, I’ll give you the cliff notes version. It comes in 50 shades and is the velvety-est full coverage foundation I’ve come across. It did take me a few layers to get to completely masking all my imperfections, but that’s what I love about this – it’s so versatile. It makes my skin feel super soft and delivers on its natural matte claims. It was seamless to blend and never looked cakey, no matter how many layers I painted on. Plus, the shade-matching tool on the website really is spot on.
3. NARS Light Reflecting Foundation, £41
Pros
- Lasts all day
- Gives flawless coverage but feels weightless on skin
- Lends a glowy, natural-skin finish
- Contains skincare ingredients
Cons
- It’s a little spenny
Features at a Glance
| Finish | Natural, radiant |
|---|---|
| Shades | 46 |
If you’re a big fan of the iconic Sheer Glow formula but you want something with a little more coverage, say no more. While the Light Reflecting Foundation is billed as a medium coverage gal, you can build it up to give full coverage, and I personally think it deserves a spot on this list. As someone with acne, it takes a lot for me to fall in love with a formula — it must cover all signs of redness, preferably without added concealer, and it simply cannot look cakey.
This foundation ticks all the boxes, and boasts a lightweight, runny texture that feels super comfortable. Plus, the shade range is *chef’s kiss* for girlies of colour, thanks to the range of undertones available.
4. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, £47
Pros
- It's buildable and offers weightless coverage
- It has a stunning, satin finish
Cons
- It's pricey
Key Specifications:
| Finish: | Luminous |
|---|---|
| Shades: | 40 |
I know, this is a spenny player, but anyone who has tried the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation will agree that it's worth every penny. Seeing as Sabrina Carpenter and Sydney Sweeney swear by it, you instantly know this stuff is going to be pretty darn great – and that, my friend, it is.
Living up to its luminous claims, the satin foundation leaves a gorgeous radiance to the skin that doesn't feel overtly dewy or oily, but very natural and lit-from-within. The soft-focus effect is just *chefs kiss* too, so it blurs redness or areas of discolouration without turning cakey. So yes, it is a bit pricy, but if you're looking to invest in a luxury formula, this is the one. Read our full Cosmo review here.
5. Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin, £39
Pros
- It packs on coverage without feeling heavy to wear
Cons
- Those with dry skin may find the formula too thick
Key Specifications:
| Finish: | Velvet-matte |
|---|---|
| Shades: | 25 |
Introducing my latest obsession. Impeccable by name, impeccable by nature, this ABH full-coverage foundation gives me genuinely beautiful skin. It has hefty coverage but has a very silky and radiant finish – even though it's billed as matte it still brings life to my complexion – so it still feels hydrating and comfortable to wear, thanks to hyaluronic acid.
The formula is quite thick, but blending it in with a damp beauty sponge effortlessly melts it into my skin and when it says “blur” this stuff blurrrs. My pores practically look non-existent and it gives that airbrushed, flawless result if that's what you crave. I'd like to say I save this one for evenings out (especially cause it lives up to its 12-hour wear promise) but it's just too pretty not to show off every day.
6. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £39
Pros
- Very full coverage but doesn’t feel heavy
- Biomimetic technology gives a second-skin feel
- Waterproof 24-hour wear
Cons
- May need powder touch-ups if you have oily skin
- It doesn’t look cakey, but you can tell you have foundation on
Features at a Glance
| Finish | Soft matte |
|---|---|
| Shades | 44 |
If I could pick one foundation for the rest of my life, this would be it. I always get compliments when I wear it (“Your skin looks great! Have you been on holiday?”), and the formula is waterproof, making it ideal for going “out out”. In fact, it’s so full coverage that I don’t even need to *think* about adding concealer afterwards. It blurs and disguises every possible imperfection without looking too heavy, because it forms a flexible film mesh that moves with your skin. I’d say this formula gives skin a healthy glow even though it’s technically a matte foundation, but I think that’s what makes it look so good.
7. Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation, £34
Pros
- Easy to blend
- Sweat- and transfer-resistant
- Non-comedogenic and vegan
Cons
- It’s a little spenny
- It’s a little hard to find the right shade online
Features at a Glance
| Finish | Natural |
|---|---|
| Shades | 32 |
Glossier is known for their sheer and lightweight formulas but, if the reviews (and my own experiences!) are anything to go by, this foundation gives medium-to-full coverage, and you can build it up to your desired finish. The texture is thick and creamy, described online as a “gel-cream” with an 89% skincare-based formula to hydrate your skin. I like how easy this is to blend, and I was impressed with how well it covered my acne — though I found it really tough to find the right shade.
8. Fenty Beauty PRO FILT’R Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, £35
Pros
- It reduces shine but gives natural luminosity
- It lasts the day with little touch-ups needed
Cons
- It may cling to dry patches so prep, prep, prep, with a hydrating primer
Key Specifications:
| Finish: | Semi-matte |
|---|---|
| Shades: | 50 |
Ah, my beloved Fenty. I cannot rave about this stuff enough (in fact, you can read my full spiel about it here), this broke the mould with its 50 Shades of Grey Fenty range and is my favourite foundation of all time. Why? Because it perfectly combines the staying power of a matte foundation, without leaving my skin looking flat or drying out my breakouts when they rear their ugly heads.
I’ve got combination skin and find this perfectly mixes with my natural oils to create a flawless but enduring base, but if you have oilier skin than me, you might need to tap on some powder by the end of the day. It’s the definition of customisable and can be built up or sheered out, depending on your needs. It doesn’t transfer or settle into fine lines or pores (I mean, what pores? This makes them *almost* undetectable), which is why I always reach for it for occasions when I need to depend upon my foundation to stay put.
9. Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation, £39
Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation
Pros
- It reduces shine while keeping a healthy finish
- It feels hydrating and is easy to wear
Cons
- The packaging is bulky
Key Specifications:
| Finish: | Soft-matte |
|---|---|
| Shades: | 42 |
I’m telling you now, don’t sleep on Clinique foundations. The Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation has quickly become one of my favourites, ever! It’s full-coverage but as it’s a serum foundation, it still feels beautifully weightless on the skin.
It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C – and once you try it, you’ll understand why these ingredients make such a difference. It seamlessly blends into the skin (I tend to use a damp beauty sponge) and my skin feels plump and moisturised for as long as I wear it. I’m not usually a matte girlie, but here I’ll make an exception as it has a satin edge. So it doesn’t flatten my complexion, not does it make it super dewy, but leaves a radiant, natural finish.
10. L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32hr Freshwear Liquid Foundation, £14
Pros
- Gives flawless, full coverage while still feeling weightless to wear
- It lends a glowy, natural-skin finish
- It's affordable
Cons
- It could have a bigger shade range
Key Specifications:
| Finish: | Luminous |
|---|---|
| Shades: | 26 |
I feel like L’Oréal’s foundations are like the equivalent of putting on a pair of Adidas trainers; reliable, comfy to wear and will always gain you compliments. I’ve never come across a L’Oréal foundation I don’t like, and the Infallible 32hr Freshwear is zero exception.
It takes one layer to give full-coverage, masking all my acne scarring and redness in one go – and no matter how many layers you decide to apply, it never cakes. The liquid is very breathable and comfortable to wear, so it’s a great summer choice when you want full glam without feeling like you’re sweating in makeup. The finish is absolutely *chef’s kiss* too: it’s fresh and healthy, giving you the appearance that you have naturally unreal skin.
11. Clarins Skin Illusion Full Coverage, £39
Pros
- Blurs like an IRL filter
- Works with all skin types
- Skincare-infused formula
Cons
- It’s a little spenny
Features at a Glance
| Finish | Luminous matte |
|---|---|
| Shades | 36 |
I’m not exaggerating when I say that I audibly gasped when I first applied this. The formula blurs like nothing else I’ve ever tried — and it’s my job to try everything. This foundation looks like an IRL filter for your skin, working to even tone without drying it out. In fact, this formula works a treat on dry skin, as well as combination, normal and oily types.
Plus, it’s jam-packed with skincare ingredients to help tackle blemishes as well as cover them, all with 24-hour hydration claims. I’ve officially added this to my daily rotation.
12. Makeup by Mario Surrealskin Foundation, £46
Pros
- Good for mature skin
- Offers 12-hour hydration
- Plays well with other powder and cream formulas
Cons
- Very expensive
Features at a Glance
| Finish | Luminous |
|---|---|
| Shades | 39 |
This is another foundation that looks like a filter for skin. If you like to play with your makeup, this formula is a great option because it plays really well with other formulas. Here, I paired it with a cream blush and it gave me incredibly blurred, poreless-looking cheeks without oxidising.
However, as someone with oily skin, I wouldn’t reach for this often. Instead, the serum-like texture works best on people with dry, normal and mature skin types — then the breathable, luminous finish works a treat, with 12-hour hydration to boot.
How to apply full-coverage foundation
Less is more when it comes to applying full-coverage foundation. You're already dealing with a formula that has a lot of pigment, so you don't want to layer it on too thick as this may encourage a cakey appearance. We're after that second-skin vibe, people.
So to master that flawless yet natural result, ensure you've properly prepped your skin with an assortment of hydrating skincare – including a serum, moisturiser and primer – as this will help the foundation appear silky and seamless. Then use a buffing foundation brush to lightly tap in the product using a stippling motion, working up layer by layer.
Once you have the initial base, you can then apply more product to specific areas that require a little more help. If you want to create an even more natural result, try tapping the foundation in with a damp beauty sponge as this will provide a thin layer of coverage while ensuring a glowy finish – just be sure to squeeze out all of the water to keep the pigment in the foundation.
How we test full coverage foundations
Between the Cosmo beauty team, our little black book of experts, and our freelance contributors, we’ve tried and tested hundreds of foundations over the years. Seldom does a new foundation drop without passing by our desks first. With this in mind, we’ve tested and assessed a range of full-coverage foundations according to finish, wear, shades and skincare ingredients. Our testers have varying skin types — from dry to oily — with different skin conditions like acne and hyperpigmentation. They also have different skin tones, and like to apply their foundations in different ways. In short, we’ve got you covered (literally), no matter what your foundation preference is.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
