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Aug 01, 2023

The best full coverage foundations for a flawless complexion

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We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Matte, not flat

Whether you're a make-up lover or a beauty novice, buying a new foundation can quickly turn into a pretty stressful situation. Gone are the days where you'd head down to Boots and pick up a new pot of Dream Matte Mousse along with your five best friends. Nowadays, shopping for foundation is like making it through to the final of The X Factor. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of formulas to choose from – each with a different coverage and finish on the skin. Do you like a glowy finish or maybe you've got oily skin and would prefer something matte? Do you want a lightweight, sheer foundation or are you looking for flawless coverage?

Well, if you're in the market for a new foundation, then you've come to the right place. Below, we round up 9 of the best full coverage foundations on the market to help you shop smart.

Full coverage foundations have come a long way since the aforementioned Dream Matte Mousse. While many love a full coverage finish – thanks to its ability to seamlessly blur imperfections, conceal redness and blemishes and leave the skin with a truly blank canvas – full coverage foundations can sometimes get a bit of a bad rap for leaving the skin looking heavy or cakey.

Thankfully, there's been an influx of next generation full coverage foundation formulas recently that not only pack a punch in flawless pigment but allow your skin to breathe and look genuinely like ‘your skin but better’. There's no cakey or flat finishes – only luminous, perfected skin.

Il Makiage's Woke Up Like This Foundation really is the future of foundation. Simply fill out a shade matching form online, pick the coverage and finish you want and voilà. Your perfect foundation match will arrive in the post. It's seriously impressive.

Proving that full coverage foundations can still feel lightweight and breathable on the skin, this mineral foundation instantly blurs the look of pores and imperfections leaving your complexion perfected and naturally luminous.

If you're on a budget, this is a great more affordable option. It packs a punch in coverage, expertly concealing redness and blemishes while still feeling lightweight on the skin. Plus, the formula is waterproof and ideal for those with oilier skin types.

Promising 16-hour wear, this long-lasting foundation mattifies your complexion without dulling your glow. Skin is left perfected and flawless with a luminous velvet glow.

This oil-free foundation is truly buildable meaning that you can tweak the coverage to suit you. Packed with skincare ingredients, it leaves your complexion feeling nourished and healthy while looking perfected and glowing.

This clever complexion saviour sits somewhere between a foundation and concealer. Apply with a fluffy brush to expertly blur imperfections and brighten areas of hyperpigmentation. For extra coverage, use your fingertips or a flat foundation brush to spot conceal. It's brilliant and one WH Beauty Editor Perdita Nouril can't do without.

If you really want that filter-like, flawless skin finish – this is the foundation for you. It blurs skin texture and sweeps over imperfections with a transfer-proof formula that lasts and lasts.

This genius compact allows you to tailor your base make-up to the finish you'd like. With a buildable, breathable cream and lightweight setting powder, it allows you to expertly perfect skin on-the-go.

Another great option for those with oilier skin types who want to nix shine without dulling glow, this long-lasting foundation is fab. It has an almost undetectable natural-looking coverage that leaves your skin looking fresh and flawless.

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