The 15 best full-coverage foundations we recommend in 2022

Selecting the perfect foundation can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack. How on earth do I find the shade that’ll match best? Should I opt for liquid or powder? What about SPF?

All of these questions are valid — believe me. As someone who loves trying new makeup brands (and someone who’s a sucker for pretty packaging), I’ve been wanting to dig into the makeup minefield of liquids to powders and drugstore to high-end for quite some time.

Naturally, I tested 50 foundations for months to put together a comprehensive list of the best ones worth your money. No more sifting through shades or spending big bucks only to discover your new foundation only lasts for two hours and becomes cakey.

As one of our most comprehensive product reviews yet, we’re here to make the makeup hunting process simpler. Here’s an overview of our testing method and what we looked for:

• Price: Regardless of budget, there’s no sense in splurging for a high-end foundation if it won’t last for hours. Nevertheless, drugstore or Sephora-sold, we didn’t discriminate — I tested numerous budget-friendly ones, among luxury finds.
• Hourly check-ins: Every hour on the hour, I looked in the mirror and checked for lasting power and cakey spots on the face to make sure I had the most accurate analysis of each product.
• Ease of application: If the makeup brand has a matching foundation brush, I tested it out with the product, too. Within each product review below, I took note of how easy it was to apply and blend.
• Shade selection: Though I have fair skin, it’s important to detail if each brand has a realistic, extensive selection for darker shades and peachy and olive undertones. This information is rated for each product below.
• Consistency: I tested each foundation with the same concealer, translucent loose powder, bronzer and blush each day — all of which I’ve been using for years. This ensures there wasn’t an outside variable impacting how each foundation looked.
• Noteworthy features: From iconic packaging to its creaminess and smooth feel, I jotted down anything that stood out to me.

For a closer look, I have a normal skin type with some dry spots around my nose, on my chin and above my eyebrows. But, even if you have oily skin or mature skin, our roundup of the best foundations can still be helpful.

That said, we have you covered — literally. If you’re looking for lighter coverage, check out our roundup of the best tinted moisturizers, along with the best makeup primers and best setting sprays we reviewed to prep and finish off your look.

Here are our top 15 favorite foundations:

The best foundation overall

• Shade tested: Light (6) — Light with pink undertones
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: Incredible for evening glam looks, great for sensitive, acne-prone and mature skin, gives a natural luminescence
• Cons: The most expensive we tested

Wow, this foundation certainly worth the coin. I’ve never applied a more luscious, creamy and flawless foundation — making it our top choice.

The best everyday foundation

• Shade tested: 140N — Fair skin with a neutral peach undertone
• How long it lasts: 10 hours
• Pros: Quality packaging with pump applicator, great on sensitive skin, excellent when paired with the matching brush ($24)
• Cons: None to speak of

Anastasia’s Luminous Foundation was a runner-up to our best foundation overall, namely because it’s one of the most reached-for. Not only does it blend with beautiful creaminess, but it’s one of the best of the brand we reviewed. Plus, more shade options are available at Sephora.

The best waterproof foundation

• Shade tested: Shade 185 — For light to medium skin with neutral undertones
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: Impressively natural looking yet buildable, covers imperfections beautifully, doesn’t look drying
• Cons: None to speak of

Just launched, Make Up For Ever’s HD Skin Foundation is one to add to your bag ASAP. Not only is it waterproof (doesn’t budge at all) but it also left my skin with a gorgeous finish that’s truly like no other. From going to the office to dinner dates with friends, it’s my new favorite.

The best budget foundation

• Shade tested: Ivory (120)
• How long it lasts: Nine hours
• Pros: Looks more “natural” over time, affordable, creamy, doesn’t leave skin cakey
• Cons: No pump applicator

As someone who skewed away from drugstore, Almay’s foundation impressed me. It didn’t break me out, was super easy to apply and, if blindfolded at Sephora, would bet my last dollar it was from there.

The best foundation with SPF

• Shade tested: 100 Ivoire N
• How long it lasts: Eight hours
• Pros: Natural-looking, doesn’t leave skin cakey, offers sun protection, quick to blend
• Cons: Isn’t as full coverage as others tested, though buildable

I just felt natural while using Lancôme’s foundation. The brand has been of my go-tos for a years, and its Teinte Idole 24-Hour Ultra-Wear Foundation serves as the near-flawless makeup look you’ve been wanting to replicate. It wasn’t streaky, either.

The best buildable foundation

• Shade tested: L30 — Light with neutral undertone
• How long it lasts: 10 hours!
• Pros: Natural-looking, doesn’t leave skin cakey, hydrating, doesn’t make your skin feel heavy
• Cons: None to speak of

Not much to my surprise, Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Liquid Foundation left my skin feeling exactly how I wanted it to — balanced, hydrated (thanks to hyaluronic acid) and with no signs of cakiness.

While I tested dozens of full-coverage foundations here, I reach for this one time and again to give me just the right amount of coverage that lasts for a long time.

The best foundation for mature skin

• Shade tested: Shade 4 — Neutral
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: Pleasant smell, wonderful to blend with the matching brush
• Cons: May seem plastic-y for some

Charlotte does it again with its Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation. It’s definitely one of the thickest of the bunch, though I love reaching for it when I want coverage that won’t budge (aka, why it’s phenomenal for mature skin). It’s nearly miraculous, too, with the brand’s foundation brush.

The best foundation with a natural glow

• Shade tested: Shade 4 — Neutral
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: Great to blend with the matching brush, pleasant smell, gives a glowy and dewy coverage
• Cons: Not great for people with fine lines or chronic acne (some imperfections on the skin were present throughout the day)

If you’re on the hunt for a product in between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation, Charlotte Tilbury’s Light Wonder Foundation is your winner. Completely buildable and offering a healthy glow, it’s one of the best ones — and one of the most long-lasting.

The foundation with the widest shade range

• Shade tested: Shade 185 — For light to medium skin with neutral undertones
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: One of the easiest foundations to apply, incredible shade range for super fair and super dark complexions, reliable for everyday wear
• Cons: None to speak of

There are no complaints to be said about FENTY Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation. The shade range is unbeatable (seriously, we’re still wondering how they did it). And, it’s incredible to apply with the brand’s full-bodied foundation brush.

The best foundation that’s easy to apply

• Shade tested: Light (03) — Light skin tones with peachy undertones
• How long it lasts: Seven hours
• Pros: Pump applicator in travel-ready tube (best of both worlds!), fresh subtle scent, buildable coverage
• Cons: Not the best for those with fine lines and wrinkles

As one of the most buildable foundations we tested, HUDA Beauty’s GloWish tube is one to snag at Sephora. With versatile packaging and a generous shade range, it’s a great option to try and will buff and blend almost instantaneously.

The best hydrating foundation for dry skin

• Shade tested: Light (004) — For fair skin with warm undertones
• How long it lasts: Eight hours
• Pros: Ultra creamy and smooth, don’t have to reapply, doesn’t leave skin cakey
• Cons: Not the best for oily skin

Hello, creamy. The KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm is one to put on your radar. It’s a heavenly fix for your dry skin that doesn’t leave the skin cakey or force you to reapply.

The best foundation stick

• Shade tested: Ivoire Neutral (140) — Fair-light skin with neutral undertone
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: Extremely blendable, super creamy and dewy, great for traveling, great control with applying
• Cons: None to speak of

Another creamy option is Lancôme’s foundation stick — a travel-friendly, long-lasting and luxe option for foundation hunters everywhere.

The best matte foundation

• Shade tested: Neutral Buff (MN3) — Light medium skin with neutral undertones
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: Gives your skin an enhanced look, doesn’t look cakey
• Cons: May be too thick for some, but not the thickest we’ve tested

As the first product I tried from LYS Beauty, I must say I’m impressed. It’s the up-and-coming brand that’s less than $25 and is comparable to many others that are worth more bills in your wallet. Not to mention, it’s wonderful for everyday coverage.

The best powder foundation

• Shade tested: Cream Puff — very fair with rosy undertones
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: Beautifully evens out skin tone, doesn’t leave skin cakey
• Cons: None to speak of

Too Faced did it again with its near-flawless-looking pressed powder. It stood on my face all day and provides a finish that beautifully evens out your skin tone.

The best foundation for concealing blemishes

• Shade tested: Light Honey (25H) — Light skin with peach undertones
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: Gives a subtle luminessence to brighten skin, don’t have to reapply powder or blush, great to blend with two of the brand’s brushes
• Cons: May be too thick for some

At first, I thought the cult-favorite Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation was too thick, but the distinct luminescence makes it great for anyone looking for a full-coverage foundation to really cover up. Plus, it’s even better with the brand’s foundation brush.

The best foundation for photoshoots

• Shade tested: Pearl — Fair with neutral to rosy undertones
• How long it lasts: 12+ hours!
• Pros: Full-coverage that’ll cover up fine lines, acne and more
• Cons: May be too thick for everyday wear

I’ve been using this foundation for years and it’s a tried-and-true favorite. Great for covering up any fine lines and blemishes, it’s ideal for a flawless and thorough finish. I use it all the time for weekend parties, too.

Not to mention, more shades are available at Sephora.

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