Written by: Poppy Skinner Created: 23 June 2020

Finding your perfect foundation can be a daunting task. Do you want matt, dewy or luminous? Full coverage or light? We take the guesswork out of beauty buying for you right here.

Full Coverage

Full coverage foundations sound daunting but they don't need to be. With the beauty market moving at a mile a minute, cosmetic companies have understood our concerns and are putting out some pretty good full coverage foundations that don't feel, or look, like concrete. So when should you reach for a full coverage look? Best used if you have a long day ahead of you and need to look flawless all day, or when you have a bit of a breakout that you want to play hide and not seek with.

Kat Von D Lock It Foundation

The fullest of all full coverage foundations, Kat Von D's Lock It Foundation does exactly what it says on the tin. Full coverage, budge proof, sweat proof and transfer proof, this much-loved foundation isn't for beginners due to the fact the formula errs on the thick side and is extremely quick drying. Having said that, it's one of the best full coverage option and can be easily sheered out with moisturiser. We also love the fact that it's available in 44 shades and dries down to a nice, natural finish. 

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

When Rhianna debuted her beauty line last year people went literally crazy for the singing entrepreneurs line. Why? Well, not only does it come in a huge, massively inclusive shade range, but the products are really darn good, the hero of the line being the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation. Offering a full-coverage, matte finish, it goes on like a dream, blends perfectly and covers anything you want to hide without leaving the skin looking cakey or flakey.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation

The fact that this foundation had a waiting list of over 20,000 people before it launched is testament to the fact that this British beauty maven's products really do work. So what's so good about this full coverage foundation? Well, it's available in 44 shades with three undertones being cool, neutral and warm meaning you are guaranteed to find the perfect match. There's also the fact that thanks to a whole host of ingredients also used in her creams, it promises to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by up to 22% after eight weeks, with 95% of those who tested it claiming that their pores look reduced after eight weeks too. And last but certainly not least is the fact that this natural finis, flawless promising beauty is sweat proof, transfer resistant and heatproof. 

Make Up Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Over the years I have rifled through many a make-up artists kit and the one foundation that I have found time and time again is this one. Designed to give you full coverage cover that perfects the skin even under high definition lenses, this iconic foundation really does give you flawless and poreless skin. With a range that is constantly updated by the brand but now covers 50 shades, the formula includes Hyaluronic acid to hydrate and work on fine lines, 3D polymer gel to fuse to the skin and help with 24-hour wear and plant derived lysine powder to help with pigmentation and provide smooth application. 

Smashbox Studio Skin Full Coverage 24 Hour Foundation

Another one that is found in make-up artists kits across the globe, this full coverage foundation gives a natural matte finish. In the formula you can find Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E to keep the skin hydrated and work on those pesky fine lines, kaolin clay and bamboo powder to help control shine plus a whole host of antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental damage. Ideal for the often sweaty Singapore temperatures, this non-cakey formula is sweat-proof, humidity resistant and waterproof. 

Beautyblender Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation

Word on the beauty street is that Beautyblender were going to launch this before the now iconic beauty blender but then the cult classic sponge garnered so much attention that it got launched first. The result was that the brand spent a couple of years longer innovating this full coverage foundation to release something that we think is pretty darn good. With a full coverage, velvet finish, it's free of any parabens, phthalates etc and is fragrance free. It's got Hyaluronic Acid to keep the skin moisturised and White Birch Extract to smooth and brighten the skin. But what we love most about this product is the light texture that makes it superbly easy to blend and build up or down. 

Written by: Poppy Skinner

Poppy covers a wide range of topics at Billionaire, having spent the past 13 years at companies including Singapore Tatler, Her World Plus and Harpers Bazaar UK. She has a passion for fashion, jewellery and travel as well as an avaricious fascination with crime novels. Follow her at poppypskinner on Instagram.