Need to cover blemishes and flaws on your face but fear heavy and cakey foundations? These full-coverage foundations give the appearance of flawless skin, while allowing it to breathe.
Like most full-cover foundations, the Clé De Peau Beauté Radiant Cream Foundation might come off thicker than most lightweight foundations. Despite its thicker consistency, it spreads really well and has a radiant finish. I find that it’s best to use a BeautyBlender or the Cle de Peau Beaute Foundation Brush – Pinceau for a flawless finish.
I’ve heard rave reviews about this foundation, with many loving the lightweight full-coverage formula and the adorable doe foot applicator. The shade range leaves something to be desired, though the foundation is supposed to adapt slightly to your skin tone when it dries down, even if it isn’t a perfect match at first. It’s great for problematic skin as it’s fragrance-free and won’t clog your pores or feel too heavy, and isn’t as pricey as many other full-coverage foundations. I do recommend setting this one with a powder as the finish isn’t matte and your skin might get shiny throughout the day if it’s is on the oilier side.
An oldie but a goodie, this foundation has long been considered a “holy grail” pick by many beauty gurus as far as matte and full coverage foundations for oily skin go. I do wish there was a more extensive shade range available, and that the bottles came with pumps to make application much easier and more hygienic, but there are several options out there if you really want to fit a pump on your foundation bottle. I remember trying it out as a teenager and decided to re-purchase it recently. It holds up well in Singapore weather, and while the coverage starts off closer to a medium, it’s definitely buildable.
A foundation so pigmented that it can conceal tattoos should put your mind at ease with regards to how high its coverage is. Like the rest of Kat Von D’s line, the foundation is high-pigment, long-wearing, and waterproof. There’s a pretty decent shade range with options for various undertones, and the product itself comes in a gorgeous bottle complete with a pump applicator. It applies best with a primer underneath – if you’ve got dry skin, the brand’s Featherweight Primer will make it glide on like butter. You can even sheer out the foundation by mixing it with the primer for a more natural finish if you’re just running errands!
Laura Mercier’s brand ethos has always been about the flawless face and the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation stays true to it. Chock-full of pigments and 12-hour long wearing comfort, this foundation hides flaws while allowing your natural skin to peek through.
I love Tarte for its use of more natural ingredients, and find that the formulas are a lot kinder to my skin. I’d seen this foundation used in a lot of full-coverage acne foundation routines on Youtube, which had me beyond impressed and determined to pick it up for myself. It takes a little more effort to blend due to the thicker consistency, but it works great when applied with a damp makeup sponge. It still feels pretty lightweight on the skin, and I love how sturdy the packaging is – I can take it with me on holiday or throw it in my handbag without worry.
From the brand that brought us one of our favourite lightweight foundations comes another gem for those who needs higher coverage. The Yves St Laurent Beaute Le Teint Touche Eclat has a more fluid consistency than most high-coverage foundations, spreading easily and hiding flaws. There is also a specially designed brush to complement the foundation (sold separately at $99) that features a Y-shaped well to distribute the foundation (apparently, two drops is all you need) for a seamless finish.
Text: Alyssa Dhaliwal / Her World Plus Additional reporting: Arissa Ha