Get a flawless base with these budget-friendly options
Jun 12, 2018 - The tint stick nourishes dry skin with a combination of avocado, mandarin, and olive oils. Use the formula to build for full coverage and to create. Jul 13, 2017 - Finding full-coverage foundation that doesn't cake and crack on your face feels like a fool's errand—the two consistently seem to go hand in.
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While we all might wish we could have clear, beautiful skin one hundred percent of the time, it’s unfortunately unlikely. We all get pimples, dark spots, redness, and just plain uneven skin tone. And while it’s important to feel comfortable and confident in the skin you’re in, a little makeup can help you get there. And it all starts with your canvas—your foundation. If you have a solid base to work on, everything else will look so much better. And a full coverage foundation is a great place to start.
Full coverage formulas need to not only cover the parts of your skin that you want to cover, but it’s important that they look natural, blend in seamlessly, and feel comfortable on your skin. Some cakey foundations can feel heavy and look like a mask when you wear them, so we did some digging to find the best of the best full coverage foundations available at Walmart.
Best Overall: L'Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Foundation
If you want to find a full coverage foundation that’s guaranteed to match your skin tone, this one will do the trick. This range from L'Oreal Paris comes in 45 shades, so you should not have a hard time finding a match. The best part: they come in a variety of undertones, so you can find one that works for your skin, no matter if you’re cool toned, warm toned, or neutral.
This classic formula blends in beautifully so it never looks unnatural. It has added SPF in it, so you’re getting some sun protection while you wear it. It applies perfectly with your favorite foundation brush or a damp beauty sponge. Reviewers say this foundation is true to color and doesn't oxidize when applied like some other foundations do.
Best Budget: Wet N Wild CoverAll Creme Foundation
While many high-end brands sell full coverage foundations that work beautifully, there’s no reason to shell out fifty dollars for them. This foundation was formulated to cover everything from dark spots to scars to under eye circles and it costs a fraction of the price of many others.
It goes on as a medium coverage foundation at first and builds up to full, so you can wear it however you want. And if you tend to get oily skin that might fade your foundation away, this has oil-absorbing powder in it to soak up those oils and leave a matte finish all day long.
Best for Oily Skin: Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation
If you get oily skin, those oils can tend to break down your foundation and make it look blotchy or uneven. But this oil-free mousse texture absorbs those oils and leaves behind a natural looking matte finish with no trace of shine. It’s lightweight, so it never feels heavy on your skin, and it helps minimize the look of your pores.
Reviewers say this Rimmel foundation hides any imperfections you may want to conceal and is built to last all day (and night!).
Best for Dry Skin: Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin
Foundation can sometimes cling onto and enhance any flakiness you might get if you have dry skin, but not this one. Revlon’s classic full coverage foundation with added hyaluronic acid delivers moisture to the skin while you wear it so it doesn’t make skin feel dry or look cakey. This formula really does last 24 hours like the label says. It’s long-wearing, oil-free, and has added SPF for that extra bit of sun protection throughout the day.
Reviewers say this budget product holds its ground, even against higher end counter parts. One reviewer even called it her holy grail foundation.
Best for Acne Prone Skin: Neutrogena Skinclearing Makeup
Applying makeup on top of acne-prone skin works for covering the blemishes up, but isn’t great if it clogs up your pores. That’s why picking a foundation with acne-clearing ingredients is a great option, so it works to get rid of acne and prevents it from coming back while you wear it.
This liquid formula has salicylic acid in it, which works to get into clogged pores and clear them out as well as exfoliate dead skin cells away, but it’s not too harsh for sensitive skin types. It’s non-comedogenic, so the makeup itself won’t get into your pores and clog them up either. If your skin tends to get oily, this helps control that shine too.
Best for Mature Skin: Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation
If you have wrinkles or fine lines, you’ve probably experienced trouble with finding a foundation that doesn’t settle into those lines and cake up, looking totally unnatural—especially a heavy coverage foundation. Olay and Covergirl teamed up to infuse anti-aging skincare technology into this foundation to not only give beautiful coverage, but reduce those lines over time while wearing it.
It delivers firming moisture to the skin as it’s worn in order to plump the skin. The coverage also hides any age spots as well as lines.
Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Flower E.E. Erase Everything Ultimate Foundation
If you have any uneven tone in your skin, a sweep of this foundation will smooth it all out. It’s formulated to create an even texture, reduce the look of fine lines, and create a natural looking matte finish with light-diffusing pigments that cover and blur any imperfections. Plus, it comes in an easy-to-use squeeze bottle with a brush applicator at the top so you can apply it directly to your face without carrying around an extra brush.
Best Long-Wear: Maybelline New York SuperStay Full Coverage Foundation
From the moment you apply it to the moment you take it off, this foundation isn’t going anywhere. It’s not only formulated to stay put for a full 24 hours, it’s full coverage and comfortable to wear. That means you won’t feel like you have a heavy, cakey layer of makeup on your skin all day long.
According to users, a little bit goes a long way, so you don’t need to build up on layers to cover your blemishes or make sure it lasts all night. One reviewer said just one pump of the product covered everything and it lasted in hot summer weather.
Best Liquid: Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer
If you want truly full coverage foundation that covers any blemish, dark spot, or little flaw your skin may have—this one is it. It’s not only a full coverage liquid foundation, it also has the properties of a concealer, so you don’t have to carry two products around with you.
Reviewers say this foundation has a pretty satin-meets-matte finish and minimizes the appearance of pores. It's perfect for special events, like a wedding or birthday party, when you want your skin to look flawless in photos.
Best Powder Foundation: NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation
While liquids, creams, and mousse textures tend to give the most coverage, powder foundations can be a great full coverage option as well. This NYX powder is lightweight and gives light coverage the builds up to full coverage. It gives your skin a flawless finish that stays matte and shine-free throughout the day. Just take a dry foundation brush or powder brush and swirl it in the pan to apply. The denser your brushes’ bristles, the fuller the coverage you’ll get.