What Does Full Coverage Makeup Mean

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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong

Don't get us incorrect, we love a naturally glowy no-makeup makeup look as much as the side by side person, simply some situations call for products with a bit more than concealing power. Maybe we didn't become enough sleep the nighttime before, or we just noticed a few new zits cropping upwardly—and in these cases, a tinted moisturizer just isn't gonna cut it. That's where our hero full-coverage makeup products come into play.

Full-coverage makeup has come a long way over the years. Today, many foundations and concealers offer the aforementioned skincare benefits and buzzy ingredients as our favorite creams and serums, and there are plenty of products specially formulated for each pare type, pare business concern, and desired stop, and in a range of price points to boot. Even so, with and so many products out there (and then many reviews to sift through) it's non easy to know which ones are the real deal and which ones will leave the states a dry, cakey mess. Fear not—nosotros did all the homework for y'all.

The ultimate guide to the very best full-coverage makeup awaits, below.

What Nosotros Like

Long-wearing
Smooth, matte finish
Layers well over and underneath other products

What We Don't Like

Tin can experience heavy

Becca'due south Ultimate Coverage 24 60 minutes Foundation has great reviews across the board, and for proficient reason—it actually does it all. Formulated to work for all skin types, this long-lasting liquid foundation perfects blemishes, redness, hyperpigmentation, and uneven texture without clogging your pores.

Though it offers total coverage for a full 24 hours, its natural stop is breathable and flexible, so it won't settle into pores and lines or clump around dry patches by the afternoon. Plus, it's available in an impressive 42 shades, meaning that everybody gets to savor this flawless goodness.

Byrdie / Khera Alexander

What Our Testers Say

"After wearing it for several hours, the 24 Hr Foundation stayed put without any discoloration, accentuating textured areas of my peel, or looking dry considering of its ability to keep my skin matte." — Khera Alexander, Product Tester

What We Similar

pH balanced
Won't cake or settle into fine lines
Buildable

What We Don't Like

Texture is a trivial runny

Dear skin-care brand The Ordinary is best known for its wallet-friendly even so high-quality assortment of serums, oils, and peels, but we're quite fond of its two foundations, the Serum Foundation and Coverage Foundation, besides. When information technology comes to full-coverage makeup, the Coverage Foundation is a solid choice for a lightweight, heavily-pigmented formula that blends in seamlessly to the skin.

Available in 21 unlike shades, it effectively conceals dark circles, spots, and blemishes and reduces the appearance of pores. And much like its serum-inspired sis, it still manages to utilise delightfully flossy and leaves behind a soft, semi-matte finish with just the correct amount of glow. And, seriously, the price only cannot be beaten.

What We Like

Buildable
Long-wearing
Ideal for oily, acne-prone skin

What We Don't Like

Heavily fragranced

This drugstore foundation from L'Oréal is a godsend for your skin and your wallet. Its medium-to-full buildable coverage seamlessly blends in to muffle whatever imperfections, leaving you with a refreshed, natural finish that lasts for the entire day. Despite its coverage power, it's wonderfully breathable and lightweight, and its non-comedogenic oil-absorbing formula makes it suitable for all skin types. And for the price? It's a no-brainer.

Though we're wearing this i year-round, nosotros consider it the ultimate summertime foundation. The formula's three different oil absorbers not only keep you looking fresh and shine-free, merely they resist sweat, h2o, and transfer. And the bonus SPF 25 makes it the perfect pick for a solar day spent poolside or at the beach.

What Nosotros Like

Buildable
Blends into skin seamlessly
Blurs pores and fine lines

What Nosotros Don't Like

Can be a fiddling drying

This luxurious foundation from legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath may be on the pricier side, only we hope, it'southward worth every single penny. A favorite of Byrdie senior editor Hallie Gould, this long-clothing formula provides the most stunning, radiant finish. The formula uses unique polymers that provide lasting lightweight wear with a smoothen-to-the-touch feel, and even though it's coverage is considered sheer to medium, its amino acrid-treated pure pigments let this creamy magic to build to your want, while the formula's Diamond Core Powder Technology smoothes and blurs the appearance of fine lines, pores, and imperfections.

We love some bonus skincare, as well, and this foundation's Vita-Serum Complex moisturizes and helps fight the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Available in 30 shades, this product is definitely a worthy investment. You'll be savoring this one to the very concluding drop.

What We Similar

Good color payoff
Coverage lasts all day
Easy to blend

What Nosotros Don't Like

Tin feel heavy

Key Ingredients

Shea butter is a establish lipid that comes from African shea tree nuts and is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. It'south used to aid moisturize, nourish, and soothe the skin.

Y'all can't Google the word "concealer" without being bombarded by rave reviews of Tarte'south Shape Tape Concealer. This cult-favorite full-coverage concealer comes in 35 dissimilar shades that cover, polish, and blur dark circles, fine lines, and other imperfections. The vegan formula is also infused with "tape technology" that instantly brightens, lifts, and firms the skin. It's substantially an eye elevator in a tube—how could nosotros resist?

While it may audio heavy-duty, information technology provides a silky-smoothen end thanks to shea butter and mango seed butter, which moisturize, condition, and protect the skin against free radical impairment. Plus, the addition of licorice root extract helps to colour right and burnish nighttime spots, making sunspots a thing of the by.

Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

What Our Testers Say

"The biggest takeaway from wearing shape tape is how my skin looked lifted immediately afterwards applying, and the fact I was able to employ it to highlight my features also, was a big win in my opinion." — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester

What Nosotros Like

Has skincare benefits
SPF fifty
Blurs pores and fine lines

What We Don't Like

Few shades available

Fundamental Ingredients

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the human body. It acts as a cushioning and lubrication amanuensis for our joints, nerves, hair, skin, and eyes. When used in skincare, it acts as a moisture binder, which means that it volition adhere itself to the water in the cells (while besides attracting and holding h2o from the air) making them plump.

This best-selling color-correcting cream from IT Cosmetics truly does it all, and has Gould's approval to back information technology up. This total-coverage formulation creates a natural, semi-dewy cease that colour corrects, conceals dark spots, and blurs the advent of pores for all skin types. It's also infused with pare-care greats such as collagen, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to provide smoother, firmer, and more than hydrated pare. Plus, it provides powerful SPF l protection against UVA and UVB rays.

The merely caveat? This production could definitely do good from a shade range expansion. It's currently merely offered in 12 different shades, and when so many other brands are at present offering xxx+, nosotros hope to encounter Information technology Cosmetics do the same.

Byrdie / Tembe Denton-Hurst

What Nosotros Like

Keeps skin matte all day
Helps care for acne breakouts
SPF xv
Wide shade range

What Nosotros Don't Like

Contains parabens

Oily- and combo-skinned folks, rejoice. This oil-free long-habiliment foundation from Revlon is made just for you, specifically designed to keep oil and shine at bay. With lightweight medium-to-full buildable coverage, it provides a smooth, natural matte finish. What makes this a existent winner, though, is the addition of salicylic acid, which helps control oil production and reduces the appearance of pores.

Said to be "life-proof," it boasts a total 24 hours of habiliment that lasts through anything. Plus, it'due south formulated in 43 different shades and offers SPF fifteen protection confronting UVA and UVB rays.

What We Like

l shades
Hydrating formula
Waterproof

What We Don't Like

Few deep shades

The globe collectively cried tears of joy when Tarte launched a foundation version of its beloved Shape Tape Concealer, the Face Tape Foundation, back in 2019. Some other favorite from Gould, this long-wear, full-coverage liquid foundation is an accented must for dry skin, packed with nourishing and hydrating ingredients such every bit hyaluronic acid, snowfall mushroom extract, and antioxidant-rich apple fruit excerpt. It provides a natural matte finish that never leaves the skin looking dry and effectively covers and blurs the appearance of redness, night spots, pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.

It certainly doesn't hurt that this formula is also waterproof, sweatproof, transfer-proof, and vegan. Non to mention, the shade range is unbeatable, available in a whopping 50 different shades with five undertones.

What We Like

Buildable
SPF 25
Calms redness
Covers everything

What We Don't Like

Few shades available

If you lot take sensitive pare, finding a foundation that won't cause a reaction or breakout can take a lot of trial and error. Even so, Dermablend's Smoothen Liquid Foundation with SPF 25 is a solid option if you're looking for buildable coverage with a matte finish.

A favorite of Byrdie Editorial Director Organized religion Xue, this liquid formula is not-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and sensitive skin-tested and approved. Thanks to the brand's Camo-Pigment Engineering, it provides 16 hours of fade- and transfer-proof wear while weightlessly masking redness, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, acne, acne scars, and fifty-fifty birthmarks. To peak it all off, information technology provides SPF 25 protection against UVA and UVB rays.

What Nosotros Like

Blurs pores and fine lines
Ideal for oily, acne-prone skin
Holds up in heat and humidity
Wide shade range

What We Don't Like

Can be a little drying

Years since its initial launch, Rihanna'south Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation continues to hold its status as a cult favorite, and rightfully so. One of Gould's picks, this total-coverage formula offers a matte finish that smoothes texture, diffuses pores, and fights polish like a pro, but even so feels lightweight and breathable. Because it's oil-free, those with acne-prone will benefit from its ability to cover blemishes without irritation, and its climate-adaptive engineering science makes it sweat- and humidity-proof, so information technology won't clog your pores no matter how gross information technology is outside.

Of course, we can't fail to mention that information technology's bachelor in a total of l shades—1 of the outset foundations to do and so—and so there'due south a shade for everyone.

What Nosotros Similar

Buildable
Peel looks glowy
Has skincare benefits

What We Don't Similar

Few shades available

Believe u.s.a. when we say Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Foundation is, truly, magic. Loved by Xue, this buildable coverage liquid foundation provides a gorgeous demi-matte finish and boasts plenty of skincare benefits. Formulated with buzzy ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, it creates a lit-from-inside effect and helps to reduce the look of discoloration, spots, and lines over time, while concentrated mushroom extract works to hydrate, better firmness, and tighten pores.

This formula is fit for all skin types, but its ability to effortlessly camouflage tougher-to-muffle peel concerns make it a solid choice for those dealing with acne-scarring—in fact, it promises to reduce the advent of acne in as little as nine weeks.

What Nosotros Like

Feels weightless
Blurs pores and fine lines
Soft-focus stop

What We Don't Like

Product is runny

If the matte-est of matte skin is what you're looking for, look no further than Milk Makeup'south Mistiness Liquid Matte Foundation. Gratuitous of oil and silicone, this water-based formula packs serious paint in just 1 swipe, yet still manages to capture a lightweight serum-similar experience. Bachelor in 24 different shades, it instantly blurs and covers pores and other imperfections, leaving backside an ultra-matte soft-focus finish—ideal if y'all're expecting to exist photographed. Simply keep in heed, this might not be suitable for drier skin types.

What We Similar

Dewy yet total coverage
Hydrates
Buildable

What We Don't Like

Contains parabens

Dewy foundations take a reputation for being lighter in coverage, only not this summit-rated favorite from Maybelline. The Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation provides exactly what the name implies: a dewy (yet non overly dewy) cease and smoothen skin. Fit for normal to dry pare types, the formula hydrates crude patches with vitamin E while evening out the skin tone and concealing spots and nighttime circles with long-lasting, buildable coverage.

What We Like

Has skincare benefits
A little goes a long style
Covers acne smoothly without flaking

What We Don't Like

Settles into fine lines

Key Ingredients

Aloe vera is a naturally derived ingredient known for its soothing and moisturizing backdrop. The aloe plant'south inner gel gum (the role that's used in skin intendance products) is made up of 99.v% water.

Now, it's not uncommon for a foundation to exist infused with pare-loving ingredients, but IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare is the ultimate fusion of makeup and skincare. A favorite of Byrdie associate editor Holly Rhue, this buildable coverage foundation volition even out skin tone and cover imperfections while its skin-loving ingredients get to piece of work. Hyaluronic acrid and aloe vera instantly hydrate and smooth out the skin, while hepes acid provides gentle exfoliation to brighten the complexion. Vitamins East and B5 farther moisturize and support the skin barrier while fighting gratuitous radicals.

So, not only does this foundation give you an instant radiant glow, but it works to boost the overall health of your skin over time, too. Nosotros also dearest that it comes in 40 shades, which is a much more inclusive range than the brand'due south beloved CC cream.

What Our Testers Say

"In three words, It Cosmetics Your Skin Just Improve Foundation is hydrating, buildable, and a staple production. I can see myself using this for everything from weddings and celebrations to a special treat to help myself feel my all-time at dwelling." — Rachel Charlene Lewis, Product Tester

What We Like

Applies smoothly
Mattifies
Makes skin look like skin

What We Don't Like

Not for acne-prone skin

These foundation sticks from Juvia's Identify don't mess effectually: They glide on flossy, leaving behind a weightless, peel-like texture, just are highly-pigmented to seamlessly embrace night spots, blemishes, and other imperfections. Because they're infused with shea butter, they're lusciously blendable and won't ever get out you dry out or cakey, just they're likewise formulated with oil-controlling ingredients to proceed you smooth-complimentary all twenty-four hour period long. And for the price? You tin certainly beget to snag a few of the 30 bachelor shades for highlighting and contouring purposes, too.

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: xxx | Terminate: Natural | Byrdie Make clean: Yeah | Cruelty-Gratis: Yes

What We Like

Covers everything
Brush included
Silky, weightless experience

What We Don't Like

Silicone-based formula

This foundation from Kevyn Aucoin may technically exist considered a balm, but don't exist fooled—it has some serious coverage ability. This dreamy formula applies as a silky balm, as its proper noun intends, but delivers a natural matte finish with buildable, full coverage. You tin can rely on it to neutralize redness and cover blemishes without fifty-fifty a hint of cakiness, and it boasts peel-protecting hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and avocado oil to keep pare hydrated and protected, rather than dry out you out like many of the full-coverage foundations out there.

Bonus? It comes with its own specially-designed brush—a pretty awesome one, at that—to ensure an effortless application. A trivial goes a long mode, besides, so you can justify the higher price point knowing this pot will last you for quite some fourth dimension.

What We Like

Convenient for travel
Long-wearing
Blurs pores

What Nosotros Don't Like

Non Byrdie Clean

Pressed pulverisation can be full-coverage, too, and this velvety smooth version from Make Upward For Always certainly does the trick. Suitable for all peel types and bachelor in thirty different shades, this sleek compact instantly blurs pores and smoothes imperfections while providing a natural matte finish that bends and breathes with your skin. And even though we dear the fact that it can easily be tossed in your bag to reapply whenever needed, information technology'south non necessary—this stuff keeps you fresh-faced for up to 12 hours.

What We Like

Has skincare benefits
Lightweight texture
Hydrates

What We Don't Like

Expensive per ounce

Information technology'due south not easy to find a serum-similar foundation that offers acceptable coverage, but this formula from Ilia does just that. While it's considered medium coverage, it can hands be built up to fuller coverage to blur away imperfections and minimize the expect of pores. It certainly doesn't injure that its clean conception is packed with plenty of hydrating ingredients like aloe, squalane, rosehip, jojoba, and marula oils that melt into the skin to soothe irritation and fifty-fifty out the complexion.

What We Like

Easily attainable at drugstores
Wears comfortably
Clean, nourishing formula

What We Don't Like

May settle into fine lines

Clean beauty doesn't necessarily accept to come up with a hefty price tag, and this foundation from drugstore favorite Pacifica proves it. This medium-to-full coverage formula volition get out you with a flawless cease, providing a natural, radiant glow and finer masking the appearance of pores. It's also packed with skilful for y'all ingredients like moisturizing hyaluronic acrid, balancing coconut water, and antioxidant-rich rose leaf extract—a major plus.

What this Byrdie-approved clean formula doesn't contain is a long listing of ingredients that aren't and then kind to your skin: silicone, parabens, phthalates, talc, BHA, BHT, petroleum, and drying alcohols, and information technology's vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free. Just what we dear virtually of all? The fact that we tin can attain healthy, beautiful pare and not break the bank.

What to Look For in Full-Coverage Makeup

Shade

Picking the right shade for your skin can come with trial and fault. To find the right shade, test shades in multiple spots on your face up, especially if you have an uneven skin tone. Y'all volition need to see how that shade reacts to darker and lighter areas of your face so you don't have a color that blends in with one part of your face up and not another. You should swatch shades on your jawline, cheek, forehead, and cervix to make certain the color is a good friction match for you.

Finish

Total-coverage makeup comes in different finishes and the 1 that works all-time for you will exist adamant by the type of look yous want to have. A matte stop will give your skin a more than polished, airbrushed look, while a foundation with a dewy finish volition give more a sun-kissed glow. You likewise opt for a more than natural end if yous are a fan of the no-makeup-makeup await.

FAQ

How long should you wear full-coverage makeup?

Yous can wear full coverage makeup all 24-hour interval, but make sure to remove it before going to bed. This will requite your skin a chance to breathe and rejuvenate during your slumber.
How practice you remove total-coverage makeup?

When removing full-coverage makeup, offset by tackling the eye makeup and lip colour. A makeup remover is a proficient first step to take off your foundation. Then follow up with a cleanser that'due south designed to remove makeup, like a cleansing oil or balm. After this, place a warm washcloth on your confront, wipe it make clean, and follow upwardly with a moisturizer to lock nutrients into your make clean peel.