11 Best Full-Coverage Foundations for a Flawless Complexion, According to Testing

Get a natural, buildable finish with CoverGirl's full-coverage long-wearing foundation. With added SPF, get both sun protection and full coverage all day long. The "formula feels very hydrating to skin," says GH Manager of Data & Product Operations Nikolas Greenwald. Testers warn that this formula can be streaky when applied in a hurry, so be sure to take care when blending.

For a smoother-looking complexion, reach for this blurring foundation from Youngblood. Designed to work for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin, it’s infused with hyaluronic acid and biopeptides. “At first, I was afraid because this foundation seemed thinner than most, but I like the way this looks and feels on my skin,” a tester said. “I wouldn’t say it lasted all day, but it held up on a night out. The shade match was nice as well, and it was easy to blend.” Despite its blurring formula, another tester said, “I find that this foundation leaves my skin looking textured when viewed up close.”

Don’t let the thin serum texture fool you—this foundation still delivers full coverage with impressive staying power. Meant to help minimize the appearance of pores, it also helps skin look brighter and more even, courtesy of vitamin C. There’s also ferulic acid to reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles, plus bakuchiol to boost elasticity. “I liked that the foundation had a good amount of coverage but still looked like skin,” a tester said. “Loved how it looked.” But, another tester didn’t find it comfortable to wear, sharing, “I was aware of it on my face and wanted to take it off.”

Claiming to be sweatproof, waterproof, and transferproof, the brand says this serum foundation lasts up to 24 hours, and testers agreed it sticks around. In our testing, it earned the top score for absorbing quickly and concealing sun spots and blemishes. The formula features 2.5% niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and antioxidants to hydrate and brighten. It helps smooth the appearance of texture, discoloration, and fine lines.

“This is such a lovely foundation,” says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. “It applies smoothly and offers good coverage (medium) with a natural finish. I noticed some pore blurring, which I appreciated. The lightweight, serum-like texture blended so nicely into my skin, melting in immediately. It wore pretty well throughout the day!” One tester wished its coverage were more buildable, though.

It earned a perfect score in testing for easy, even spreading, and non-irritating, it also excels at evening skin tone and concealing sun spots and blemishes. The balm texture sinks into skin for buildable, medium coverage with a natural finish. “It glides and blends seamlessly with no residue,” says GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. “I had the best experience blending it in with a dense soft brush. It is creamy but lightweight and provides good coverage.” However, one tester said it was a little too thick, and she could feel it on her face all day.

The cult-favorite Tarte Face Tape Concealer inspired this foundation that includes snow mushroom to up hydration and reduce inflammation, apple fruit extract, which claims to protect against free radicals, and hyaluronic acid to increase skin's moisture. One Lab tester found it mattifies with smooth, even coverage and provides "extremely full coverage that's great for TV or photos." The formula is "smooth and buildable for my combination skin." Note that it does contain fragrance.

This GH Seal-holding and former GH Beauty Award-winning foundation does triple duty as a 3-in-1 primer, foundation, and concealer for the perfect trifecta of coverage, blendability, and lasting power. Our Lab results showed that this blendable formula didn't look heavy or cakey and felt light on skin all day long. Keep in mind that some reviewers found the consistency too watery.

Just because you want full coverage doesn't mean you can't get a glowy complexion, too. Anastasia Beverly Hills' radiant foundation offers a natural finish with medium to full coverage that blends easily and dispenses easily. An editor and tester favorite, it "blends very easily for a high coverage formula," says one tester. Note that some reviewers with dry skin found it wasn't hydrating enough.

Though this Armani Beauty foundation is matte and long-wear, it doesn't dry out skin. We love that it includes broad-spectrum SPF, and one beauty editor says it creates a seamless, flawless complexion. "This foundation stays in place all day long, even in hot and humid weather," she says. "I didn't even have to touch it up throughout the day." Reviewers have said it can cling to dry patches, so be sure to moisturize first.