Without a Doubt, These Are the Best Full-Coverage Foundations

Growing up with acne taught me a lot of things—namely, that double cleansing is essential, the difference between a whitehead and a blackhead, and also, how to apply foundation so that my skin looked loads clearer and calmer than it actually was. The secret was, of course, down to a combination of clever concealing and finding the best full-coverage foundations. I mean the ones that actually do last all day, that provide coverage without feeling heavy or looking cakey, and that have skin-kind formulas which don't contribute to further skin problems.

These days, my skin is clear enough that I can mostly get away with wearing a skin tint or BB cream. But if I do need something more heavy-duty to mask an unexpected breakout or to conceal the scarring and lingering hyper-pigmentation that I have on my cheeks, then I turn back to my trusty full-coverage foundation favourites.

Full-coverage foundations haven't always been pleasant to wear, but these days, makeup trends are all about radiant, glowy, natural-looking skin, and newer foundation formulas reflect that. However, it's safe to say that the best full-coverage foundations nowadays will not only conceal breakouts, tone down redness, reduce shine and last all day, but also feel comfortable to wear and leave skin with a natural finish.

Of course, there are still a lot of foundations out there to sift through in your hunt for the best, and it also helps to know how to apply them. I've rounded up the best full-coverage foundations below, along with some helpful application tips from makeup artist Lucy Hart. Whether you're looking for a luxury foundation or an affordable foundation, a matte finish or a glowing foundation formula, there's a full-coverage foundation for you below.

Best Full-Coverage Foundations, Tried & Tested

• Best Overall: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation (£40)
• Best for Dry Skin: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation (£52)
• Best Affordable Foundation: E.l.f. Hydrating Camo CC Cream (£16)
• Best For Uneven Skin: Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation (£42)
• Best Natural-Looking Full Coverage Foundation: Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Natural Finish Foundation (£42)

1. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation

2. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation

Chanel's foundations are amongst some of our favourites, but this one is particularly brilliant for dry skin, which also makes it a great foundation for mature skin. This glow-boosting formula contains humectants that help to draw moisture into the skin and is forgiving on dry patches. "I have extremely dry skin, so a lot of foundations end up flaking off very soon after applying," says Who What Wear UK editorial assistant, Brittany Davy. "I love Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation because of how lightweight and hydrating it is. Usually I’d have to do a million steps of skin prep to make a foundation work for me, but with this I simply need my usual moisturiser and SPF underneath, and the foundation leaves my skin looking fresh and glowy for the entire day."

3. Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury foundations are some of the best around, and Charlotte's Beautiful Skin Foundation is possibly one of the best if you're after a full coverage foundation that still looks natural," says Who What Wear beauty contributor, Jazzria Harris. "If, like me, you’re a fan of a natural-looking base that gives a your-skin-but-better finish, I’d highly recommend getting your hands on this foundation. It conceals, blurs and evens with ease without looking too heavy or mask-like on the skin," she says.

4 Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation

"I'm not usually a full-coverage foundation person, but I was more than pleasantly surprised by Haus Lab's foundation," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden. "One pump is more than enough to cover your skin, bestowing a healthy-looking glow and full-coverage finish that never looks cakey, even on my oily skin. I often reach for this when I want a blurring foundation, as it glides over uneven skin texture, leaving my skin looking smooth and mattified but with a healthy radiance. It contains arnica, which makes a noticeable difference in redness in the skin, and I find that it doesn't aggravate my acne-prone skin—no risk of clogged pores here," she says.

5. Makeup By Mario Surrealskin Natural Finish Foundation

"I've always been a bit nervous about full-coverage liquid foundations, as they can often feel to heavy or slick on my oily-to-combination skin. However, the Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Natural Finish Foundation changed all that," says Eleanor. "This lightweight fluid feels like you're not wearing anything at all on your skin, yet it packs a punch at covering redness, breakouts and blurring uneven skin texture—even with just one pump," she says. "It glides onto the skin, leaving it with a radiant glow that still look natural, but leaves me safe in the knowledge that it can cover just about anything without me needing to pack it on. That being said, it's definitely layerable if you want more coverage. It's one of my favourite foundation launches this year," she says.

6. Ilia Skin Rewind Complexion Stick

"This foundation stick is one of my favourite foundations of all time, as it offers impressive coverage yet feels very weightless on the skin. And because of its radiant matte finish, I reach for this a lot in the summer months when I tend to get more oily around my T-zone," says Eleanor. "I love that you can build this up without it going cakey. In fact, I've been using it to spot-conceal blemishes and acne scarring because the coverage is great, and it has a soft-focus finish on pores. Plus, it's a great product to throw in your bag for easy top-ups throughout the day—no risk of foundation explosions here! Thank you, Ilia," she says.

7. Laura Mercier Real Flawless Foundation

"If you spend any time online or on social media, especially in the beauty sphere, I can guarantee you’ll have heard of Laura Mercier’s Real Flawless Foundation," says Jazzria. "The blurring formula went TikTok-viral, famed for its ability to leave skin with a filter-like finish in real life. In action, it does just that, blending and concealing seamlessly for a seriously seamless look. My only word of warning: build up light layers rather than going in heavy on the first swipe to keep things looking natural.

8. Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet Foundation

"There are days that I go sans-foundation, but when I want something a little more, I always reach for the Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet," says Who What Wear UK junior branded content editor, Humaa Hussain. "It’s lightweight but gives me the seamless finish I am always after. I’ve always preferred a light-to-sheer coverage foundation, so I would use Chanel’s Vitalumiere Aqua when I was younger, but as my skin started to get more oily, I needed something with a more matte finish—so I switched to the Ultra Le Teint Velvet, which gives the same skin-like finish of the Vitalumiere but without the oiliness."

9. E.l.f. Hydrating Camo CC Cream

"Honestly, whenever I’ve had this foundation on during a work call, someone’s ended up complimenting my skin," says Eleanor. "The fact that it happens more with this £16 base than with the pricier formulas in my collection just proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great foundation. The CC cream texture blends seamlessly into my skin, offering medium-to-full, buildable coverage and leaving behind the most gorgeous glow. For £16, it’s hard to fault, especially if you’re after a reliable, hardworking foundation that doesn’t make your bank account cry," she says.

10. MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation

11. L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24h Fresh Wear Foundation

How to Apply Full-Coverage Foundation

According to Hart, skin prep is essential to get a full-coverage foundation looking the best it can, so take the time to focus on your skincare before you even pick up your makeup bag. "Hydration is key, so always start with a rich moisturiser," she advises. "Ideally, one that has properties that give skin a glow." If you're not overly concerned about oil control, she recommends skipping primer and just sticking with moisturiser.

To apply your foundation, Hart says one of the most foolproof techniques is to use both a brush and a sponge. "You can use a traditional, flat-bristled foundation brush to distribute the product, and then use a damp makeup sponge to press it into the skin," she explains. "However, my favourite way to apply a full-coverage foundation is with a duo-fibre brush. It’s a little bit denser but still quite fluffy. I use this in a tapping motion, almost as you would a sponge."

"Using fingers is a messy technique, but it is one of the best ways to apply foundation," she adds. "However, with full-coverage formulas especially, I would always finish off by bouncing over with a sponge just to even out the coverage and make sure the product is pressed into skin."

When it comes to choosing a formula, Hart advises looking for foundations with creamy textures. "With cream foundations, you can build up the layers of coverage, and they also layer beautifully with other cream makeup products," she explains. "Creams give you a bit of flexibility and freedom in being able to manipulate your makeup. And if you want a matte finish, you can set them with a translucent powder."

"I prefer foundations that are full coverage to feel quite breathable and not clogging or cakey," says Hart. "Remember that thicker isn't always better. Lighter-feeling foundations can have the same pigment and coverage, and you'll still get that doll-like skin really efficiently, easily and quickly."

How We Tested

Our editors have tested thousands of foundations throughout our careers, including the best full coverage foundations. We rated them on their coverage, the finish and their lasting power on the skin, as well as evaluating each shade range. We also tested across different skin tones and skin types to help you find the best formulation for your skin's needs. We've been wearing each foundation for months (or even years!) so if a foundation has made this list, you know it's worthy of a spot in your own makeup bag.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.