Hands Down, These Are the Best Full-Coverage Foundations to Conceal, Smooth, and Blur Skin
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No-makeup makeup may be a thing right now, but let's be real for a sec: Sometimes, I just want a full-coverage foundation. Like when I've got a major acne flare-up, when I haven't had enough sleep, when I'm seeing Harry Styles from the 300-level of Madison Square Garden and need to prepare in case he decides to pick someone from the crowd for a mid-concert wedding (too niche?).
In the past, full coverage meant a heavy, suffocating mask. But makeup 's gotten a lot better since the early aughts (and let's be real, 2016). There are foundations out there (ahem, like the six below) that cover up everything you want without sacrificing a comfortable feel.
I (alongside our other beauty editors) test virtually every foundation launch ahead of our annual Cosmo Beauty Awards . We buff, blend, and smooth nearly a hundred formulas on our faces each year, ranging from options for dry and oily skin, acne-friendly foundations , drugstore offerings, and of course, something for every skin tone. And this year, we really found the best full-coverage foundation picks. Keep reading for our full reviews.
Hung Vanngo Beauty Red Carpet Skin Luminous Longwear Serum Foundation
Why we love it:This full-coverage foundation seriously impressed two of our editors, both of whom have very different skin types and goals. The thin liquid consistency is a bit deceiving, because once you apply, you can easily get this to full coverage without much effort. But it does mean the formula feels good on skin. Plus, as intended by creator and makeup artist Hung Vanngo (you've likely seen his work on Selena Gomez), it looks flawless in photos.
- Extremely lightweight formula doesn't feel heavy on skin at all, yet provides incredible coverage with even just one layer
- Wears for more than eight hours, even through sweating
- I wish it had a pump applicator
One Cosmo editor says:"This is easily the most lightweight formula I've used in a long time. Yet it provides a shocking amount of coverage. It's medium upon first application, but one more thin layer will bring it up to full coverage. The liquid applies seamlessly with a brush, but I've sheered out the coverage with a damp sponge too.
Although the product is called a "luminous foundation," I'd definitely call the finish natural. There's a slight radiance (it's definitely not matte), but it's not overly glowy either. As an oily skin person, I love this. It looks like a perfected version of my skin—not too heavy, but not so light that it's just a glorified skin tint."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Why we love it:Although powder foundations aren't the trendy pick these days, they're quietly coming back, offering amazing coverage and a velvety finish. MAC's got a revamp last year and quickly moved up in our ranks for how well it smooths skin, covers acne, and blends easily.
- Blurs pores for a seamless finish
- Huge shade range, so you're bound to find one for you
- Might be too drying all over your face if you have very-dry skin
One Cosmo editor says:"Matte skin that isn't cakey, dry, or flat? Yup. It's all because of this cult-fave powder foundation that helps even out my skin tone and smooth uneven texture. I keep this in my bag at all times to touch up and add coverage, but it also looks stunning all over my face with a moisturizer underneath. It blurs out my pores and even covers up acne, hence why it won a Cosmo Acne Award ."—BG
Dior Forever Skin Glow
Why we love it: Cosmo HQ has tested every Dior foundation , but this one ranked high with our entire team. It's not often a full-coverage foundation can give your skin a glowy look, but this one does it beautifully. It quickly conceals acne and hyperpigmentation without settling into fine lines or clinging to dry patches. And the creamy formula leaves behind a dewy, fresh-faced finish.
- Makes skin look hydrated and glowy (but not greasy)
- I wish it lasted longer on my oily skin (but our dry-skin staff had great longevity)
One Cosmo editor says:"Immediately upon blending out the Forever Skin Glow Foundation, I knew it wasn't going to be thick and a chore to wear like others. It spreads out beautifully whether I use a sponge or a brush, and I only need two pumps to cover my entire face, including any hyperpigmentation or redness. It creates such a nice glowy finish, and as someone who's pimple-prone, I deeply appreciate that it doesn't clog pores. It's a nice canvas for the rare occasion when I go full glam, but I love it as a glowy base with a blush and some concealer. I've officially added it to the list of the very few foundations I actually enjoy putting on my face all day."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Matte Foundation
Why we love it:It's no surprise the queen of full glam, Charlotte Tilbury, would make one of the best full-coverage foundations. The Airbrush Flawless Matte Foundation does everything in its name: It gives skin a blurred look that creates a virtually flawless canvas in just one layer.
- Has the most coverage of any foundation I've tested—one swipe is enough to conceal acne, hyperpigmentation, and more
- Mattifies and reduces shine for nearly eight hours without blotting
- Formula is a bit thick, so it's not for those who prefer a lightweight, skin tint-esque foundation
One Cosmo editor says:"I purchased the original version of this foundation at the height of the glowy-skin craze, and ya know what, I still loved it. But this re-release is so much better. Here's the thing: It doesn't shy away from the "matte" thing at all. In fact, it completely embraces it. The full-coverage, creamy foundation completely erases all of my hyperpigmentation and acne and leaves my face looking actually flawless. Like, there isn't a pore or bump on my face when I'm wearing this. Is it the most practical to wear, idk, every day? Not for me. But for special occasions, it genuinely makes my skin look perfect."—BG
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Foundation
Why we love it:Benefit's POREfessional Primer is one of the best-selling makeup products ever, so it just makes sense that it would have its own matching foundation. Of course, the foundation is just as good at smoothing out uneven skin texture to give your skin a clear, cloud-like effect.
- Cosmo Acne Award winner
- Helps smooth out skin to reduce the look of pores
- Pump can get a little bit messy
One Cosmo editor says:"One pump covered my entire face; redness was banished, most of my discolouration was gone, and only my dark circles slightly peeked through, which I counteracted with concealer and powder. It can also stretch either side of the spectrum—use more with a dense brush for a fuller base, or transparent it out with moisturizer for a natural finish. The foundation dried down matte, blurred and smoothed textured skin, and minimized pores without disguising my most prominent blemishes (no foundation can—it's makeup, not a Photoshop fairy). With my naturally oily skin, I expected shine, and while my T-Zone did make an appearance, it looked dewy rather than greasy and never separated into a cakey mess. The coverage held up well all day without caking or settling into pores, and the non-comedogenic formula did not break me out."—LIA MAPPOURA, COSMOPOLITAN UK BEAUTY WRITER
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
Why we love it:Although a splurge, a buildable foundation like Luminous Silk will be a workhorse in your makeup bag. Some days, you can sheer out the coverage and enjoy the satin, skin-like finish as it evens out skin tone. But when you want a full glam look, just apply this in thin layers for more coverage. It'll still look like skin, just perfected.
- Can be worn as a medium or full coverage foundation, depending on how you apply
- A constant in celebrity makeup artists' kits for how versatile the formula is
- Not as "luminous" as others I've tried, so if you were hoping for something super glowy, this has a natural, satin finish
One Cosmo editor says:"I've been testing this new foundation launch for the past month, and let's just say it didn't take long to earn its spot in my rotation. It's feather-light, melts right into skin, and gives that soft, luminous finish that looks effortless but super intentional.
I usually start with a damp sponge for transparent coverage, then build where I need it — around the nose, chin, or wherever life has been life-ing. Note: I've been using the shades 8.6 and 9 on my complexion. It's buildable without ever feeling heavy, insanely versatile for day or night, and manages to blur while still looking like real skin. No cakiness or drama, just smooth glowy skin every single time."—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
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Beth Gilletteis the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair, makeup, nail, and fragrance stories.
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