Understanding Foundation Coverage: Sheer, Medium and Full

Have you found yourself dawdling across the foundation aisle at a beauty shop, mindlessly trying to decode the section? As the world of beauty has grown, so have the options, leaving us confused. There are different foundation options like powder, stick, liquid and cream, and each of them give a different finish and coverage. Choosing the right foundation coverage depends on your personal preferences, skin type and the desired finish. In this article, we will talk about how to choose foundation for sheer, medium or full coverage.  

Understanding Foundation Coverage: Sheer, Medium and Full: The Basics 

Foundations typically offer sheer, medium or full coverage. Sheer coverage provides a more natural and lighter look, evening out the skin tone without hiding all imperfections. Medium coverage helps conceal blemishes and provides a more polished appearance. And full coverage is ideal for those who want a flawless base and cover all the significant imperfections like acne marks and hyperpigmentation. For everyday look, a light coverage might be suitable. For special occasions like weddings and red-carpet events, where photography is involved, medium to full coverage foundation is ideal. Let’s discuss further on how to choose foundation shade and type correctly and how to achieve the desired coverage.   

1. Sheer Coverage Foundations 

Sheer coverage foundations have a lightweight formula that feel comfortable on the skin. It is designed to even out the skin tone, enhance natural radiance and create a fresh, dewy, natural-looking finish. They are usually water-based or have a thin consistency, allowing for easy blending and a breathable texture. To achieve the trending, celebrity-like ‘no-makeup, makeup look’, makeup artists use sheer and light foundations for the natural skin to peek through with a subtle hint of coverage. 

Sheer coverage foundations are suitable for dry skin type, as they have hydrating properties. They are also a great option for mature skin as they can help even out the skin tone without settling into fine lines or wrinkles. They are ideal for hot and humid weather as heavy or full coverage foundations can feel uncomfortable and may not withstand the heat. It is best to use your fingertips or a stippling brush to apply sheer foundation.  

If you’re looking for every day, office wear foundation, we recommend using Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Foundation. It not only blends effortlessly, but also gives a matte finish that lasts through the day. You can also use Lakme Absolute Mattreal Skin Natural Mousse for a feather-light finish. The SPF 8 formula protects the skin from sun damage, leaving it naturally flawless for up to 16 hours. 

2. Medium Coverage Foundations 

A medium coverage foundation evens out skin tone, conceal minor imperfections, and create a more polished look. They also have a buildable formula, meaning you can layer the product to achieve slightly more coverage in specific areas without it looking too heavy or cakey. Medium coverage foundations can effectively conceal light acne scars and hyperpigmentation.  

Choose Lakme Perfecting Liquid Foundation as it spreads evenly to cover spots, blemishes, dark circles and patchy skin tone. It is formulated to be water-resistant, smudge-free and long-lasting. The vitamin E and silicones enrich the skin by rejuvenating, replenishing and nourishing it on application. 

3. Full Coverage Foundations 

For a full glam, airbrushed look, full coverage foundations are used. They have a highly pigmented formula that offers high opacity and have matte or satin finish. The matte appearance minimises the appearance of pores, providing a smooth and flawless surface, especially for oily skin type. They help to control shine and provide a long-lasting, matte look throughout the day. Since they have thick texture, they also require more blending to avoid cakey appearance.  

We recommend using Lakme 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Perfect Cover Foundation. This foundation with built-in primer gives full coverage and is buildable - available in 16 shades that suit Indian skin tones. With SPF 20 and long wear formula, this foundation will keep your skin looking natural and flawless through the day.  

4. Bonus Tips for Flawless Foundation Application 

• Prep The Skin: For a smooth and flawless foundation application, it is important to cleanse and moisturise the face properly. Follow it up with a primer suitable for you skin type. Prepping the skin helps create an ideal base for foundation. 

• Tools & Techniques: You can apply the foundation with your fingertips, a damp sponge or a dense foundation brush. You can use your fingertips to achieve sheer or natural finish. A damp sponge helps to create a smooth finish, blending the foundation seamlessly and absorbing any excess product. A synthetic foundation brush is used for heavy or full coverage foundation and for precise application. Always use patting or bouncing motion to apply foundation. 

• Set The Foundation: Use a translucent setting powder for setting the foundation. Using a powder brush or a powder buff, gently press the powder onto your skin. Focus on the areas that tend to get oily like the T-zone. Finish your makeup routine by applying a setting spray. Setting sprays help to lock in your foundation and extend the wearability of your makeup.

FAQs about Understanding Foundation Coverage: Sheer, Medium and Full 

Q1. Can you use different coverage foundations for different areas of the face? 

A. Yes. For example, you can use a sheer coverage foundation all over and then apply a full coverage concealer on specific blemishes or areas that require more coverage.  

Q2. How to choose foundation shade online? 

A. It is slightly tricky to choose foundation shade online. Understanding your undertone can guide you to buy foundation shade online. When in doubt, consider selecting two shades – one that seems like the closest match and another slightly lighter or darker. 

Q3. What type of foundations to use for sheer coverage? 

A. For sheer coverage, choose a foundation specifically formulated to provide a light and transparent finish. You can opt for tinted moisturisers, BB and CC creams and skin tints. 

The coverage of a foundation varies on the formula, texture, and application method. When selecting a foundation, consider your desired level of coverage based on your skin concerns, personal preference and the occasion or setting where you will be wearing it. 

But unlike sheer options, which are typically more forgiving if the color, finish, or texture isn’t a spot-on match, finding your perfect full-coverage foundation can be more challenging. Put simply, these formulas show up more on the skin meaning it’s extra important to ensure you find one that suits your complexion and skin type best. So, we put dozens of full-coverage foundations to the test in our lab in NYC . We evaluated them based on coverage, texture, wear, finish, and transfer resistance —and ahead, we're sharing which ones outperformed their competition.

"Full coverage foundation offers a heavier finish and is often used to conceal blemishes or discoloration in the skin," says Misha Shahzada , celebrity makeup artist. "Some people just like the way a heavier foundation looks regardless of their skin underneath."

There’s no denying that skin tints and sheer foundations have captured the hearts of makeup lovers over the last few years. But while such complexion formulas dominate the trends, let’s not forget how valuable a solid full-coverage foundation can be. Whether you have acne, redness, or hyperpigmentation that you like to conceal, or a full-glam look is more aligned with your aesthetic, a foundation that offers more coverage can be more favorable.

Best Overall

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora

$49

View On Nordstrom

$49

View On Bloomingdales

$49

What We Like

• Great blendability

• Comfortable, balanced feel on skin

• Strong transfer resistance

What We Don't Like

• Can emphasize dry patches slightly 

This is, without a doubt, one of the most popular full-coverage foundations on the market, and for good reason. Despite having a pretty thick texture which often makes for a cakey finish, it blends out beautifully on the face and can create a natural-looking base—if used properly. It can cling to dry patches, which is pretty common with full-coverage foundations—but if you properly exfoliate and moisturize before using it, you’ll be able to yield a smooth, full-coverage result that appears skin-like and most importantly, lasts. 

In addition to revering its long-wearing ability, we appreciated that it passed the transfer test with perfect scores—this is especially important if you have oily skin and struggle with your foundation migrating or breaking apart. It also comes in a pretty extensive shade range that's well dispersed across the skin tones, which is especially important for foundations that offer lots of coverage and won't be forgiving if your shade doesn't match your skin color.

Who It's For

If you’re looking for a matte, full-coverage foundation that will last all day and night without creasing or fading, we can’t recommend this one enough. Though we think it's ideal for those with oily or balanced skin, it's also a good choice for those with dry or combination skin, so long as you properly exfoliate and moisturize prior to application. Essentially, it's for people who want coverage, longevity, and perhaps a little slice of luxury—we can't ignore how gorgeous the bottle is.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 40 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Byrdie / Joy Kim

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Best Luxe

Chantecaille Future Skin Cushion Skincare Foundation

Bluemercury

View On Dermstore

$139

View On Walmart

$115

View On Nordstrom

$139

What We Like

• Lightweight texture

• Buildable coverage 

• Natural, glowing finish

• Comfortable feel on skin

What We Don't Like

• Transfers just slightly

• Shade range needs work

It’s not often that cushion foundations provide significant coverage, but this one can be layered and built up to go from fairly light coverage to offering enough coverage to completely even out your complexion. Aside from experiencing a bit of transfer, our experience with this foundation was overwhelmingly positive. We loved the natural, glowy finish, how easily it blended into the skin, and how weightless and comfortable it felt when applied. It completely covered redness while maintaining a skin-like appearance and didn’t settle into pores or fine lines.

One thing we're not impressed by is the shade range—it's very limited. While the colors are fairly flexible because it doesn't offer full-on coverage right off the bat, we would still like to see the brand expand the range significantly.

Who It's For

If you’re sensitive to the feeling of makeup sitting on your skin but you still want to wear a product that you can build up for total coverage, this is a fantastic option for you. It's great for people who crave versatility out of their makeup—it can be used on days when you don't want or need complete coverage, but it can also be layered up to offer you the covering capabilities when you want it.

Finish: Natural | Number of shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Best Drugstore

Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1

Ulta

View On Amazon

$11

View On Ulta

$12

View On Target

$11

What We Like

• Buildable coverage

• Mousse-like consistency 

• Easy to blend

• Extensive shade range

• Oil-free

What We Don't Like

• Can look heavy on dry patches

• Gets a bit greasy on oily skin throughout the day 

With a unique mousse-like consistency and incredible buildability, this budget-friendly foundation quickly became a favorite during testing. With one pump, we were able to blend out the formula seamlessly with a brush and a sponge to yield medium coverage that nicely canceled out redness in the skin. A second layer allowed us to achieve completely full coverage that totally blurred the appearance of dark spots and blemishes. We love that it sets down to a natural matte finish that doesn’t look dry or radiant—it’s truly somewhere in the middle. The mousse-y texture is easy to blend, though it is slightly thick and can look heavy if you have obvious dry patches on your skin. To avoid this, we recommend gently exfoliating and moisturizing prior to application. It’s also worth noting that it can start to look a bit greasy on oily skin throughout the day, so we recommend setting it in place with powder if you tend to get oily in your T-zone. 

All-in-all, we were extremely impressed by this foundation. It provides excellent coverage, has a beautiful, natural-looking finish, and comes in 45 shades that range from fair to dark in a variety of undertones.  

Byrdie / Joy Kim

Who It’s For

This foundation is a great choice for anyone who wants a full-coverage formula at an affordable price tag. Although it can get a bit greasy throughout the day, it’s oil-free, making it a great option for those with oily or acne-prone skin types who want to avoid pore-clogging oils. We think all skin types can wear this pick so long as you prep and set it accordingly.

Finish: Natural matte | Number of shades: 45 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Milani's Conceal and Perfect Foundation Is Great for All-Day Glam

Best Long-Wearing

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation

Sephora

View On Amazon

$57

View On Sephora

$57

View On Ulta

$57

What We Like

• Budge-proof once applied

• Sets down quickly 

• Looks pretty natural on the skin 

• Lightweight

What We Don't Like

• Transfers just slightly 

Another incredibly popular full-coverage foundation, this one stands out for its long-wearing capabilities. Once applied to the skin, it’s not going anywhere. So, it’s no surprise that it performed beautifully in our transfer test and resisted creasing and fading as we wore it.

As for coverage and finish, the coverage is full and can be built up or sheered out depending on your preferences, and the finish is matte but not flat. Though it can cover pretty much anything, it manages to maintain a true skin-like appearance. We also love that it layers nicely with the makeup you apply on top of it. And if you've tried this foundation in the past and found it to be a bit heavy, we recommend giving it another go—it was recently reformulated and now offers the same coverage and longevity with a much more lightweight and breathable texture.

Who It's For

If you’re in need of a foundation to last you through a long day or a special event, we think you’ll really enjoy this one. Though it has a matte finish and is great for oily and balanced skin, it also works beautifully on dry skin. Plus, it's sweat-proof and water-proof, so if you live in a hot or humid climate, it has your name written all over it.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 50 | Cruelty-Free: No

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

These Are the 9 Best Foundations With SPF—And We've Tried So Many

Best Shade Range

Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora

$69

View On Ulta

$69

View On Nordstrom

$69

What We Like

• Lightweight texture

• Easy to blend

• Smooth, skin-like finish

What We Don't Like

• Creases a bit 

Pat McGrath Labs nailed the shade selection of this foundation. In addition to creating shades that vary in depth, there's also a vast range of undertones to cater to a large spectrum of skin tones. Even better? The formula looks stunning on the skin and performs beautifully. While it’s not marketed as a full-coverage foundation, it’s extremely buildable and can be layered on to create a pretty full-coverage look. After applying just one coat, it worked beautifully to even out the complexion while maintaining a natural appearance that didn’t lean overly matte or dewy. 

While we did notice a bit of creasing in the smile lines, it wasn’t significant and could likely be avoided by setting the area with powder. Considering the inclusive shade range, airbrushed finish on the skin, and long-wearing nature of this formula, we highly recommend checking it out. 

Who It's For

If you struggle to find foundations that match your skin tone, give this pick with a great range a try. It's also an excellent choice for people who can't stand the feeling of heavy makeup on their skin. Though many full-coverage options can feel a bit heavy on the skin, this one is an exception—it feels weightless without sacrificing coverage.

Finish: Natural | Number of shades: 36 | Cruelty-Free: No

• Byrdie / Joy Kim

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Best Lightweight

Estée Lauder Double Wear Powder Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora

$49

View On Ulta

$52

View On Dermstore

$49

What We Like

• Feels lightweight on the skin

• Can be layered up for additional coverage

• Creates a natural matte finish

What We Don't Like

• Transfers quite a bit

• Could provide more coverage

One layer of this full-coverage powder foundation will provide light coverage, while additional layers will build up the pigmentation to offer much more covering ability. We loved the buildability and how well it evened out the complexion, but we would have liked to see just a bit more coverage on top of the discoloration. If you want to opt for powder foundation but need additional coverage, you can always conceal blemishes first and then apply the powder.

In terms of the finish on the skin, it looks completely matte without appearing dry or cakey. It layered nicely on top of moisturizer and didn’t crease or fade as we wore it. Keep in mind that it did rub off quite a bit onto the blotting paper during the transfer test, so we recommend setting it in place with a setting spray.

Who It's For

Powder foundations are excellent for people with oily skin or those who dislike the feeling of liquid products on their face—and if you’re looking for a powder formula with great coverage, this one is Byrdie-approved. It's also ideal for anyone who wants additional coverage on top of their liquid foundation.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 31 | Cruelty-Free: No

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Best for Oily Skin

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation

Sephora

View On Sephora

$18

View On Ulta

$40

View On Walmart

$40

What We Like

• Feels lightweight on the skin 

• Blends into the skin effortlessly 

• Stays in place once applied

What We Don't Like

• Could have more coverage 

We’d be surprised if you're not already familiar with this iconic foundation from Fenty Beauty. Aside from helping to set the industry standard for shade range inclusivity, this one also has a loyal fan base who praise it for its formula. We can see why it’s so well-loved, thanks to how blendable it is, how comfortable it is on the skin, and how it's almost completely transfer-proof (it's a great example of a transfer-resistant foundation). It didn’t crease or fade and we loved how skin-like it looked.

If we could change one thing about it, it would be the level of coverage. Despite being marketed as a full-coverage foundation, one tester struggled to get it to fully cover her melasma. The good news is it builds well and can be layered with concealer, so this isn’t a dealbreaker for us. 

Who It's For

This is a great option for a wide range of foundation-wearers. It comes in a very extensive shade range, feels comfortable on the skin, builds up nicely, and offers a matte finish. It's suitable for everyday wear and for achieving a more perfect look, making it a versatile option to have in your makeup stash.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 59 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• BYRDIE / BIANCA LAMBERT

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

It's Official: These Are the Best Drugstore Foundations for Oily Skin

Best for Dry Skin

KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm

Sephora

View On Sephora

$43

View On Ulta

$41

View On Target

$43

What We Like

• A little bit goes a long way

• Can be applied mess-free with fingertips

• Excellent coverage

What We Don't Like

• Some people might find the texture to be a bit heavy on the skin 

After going viral on TikTok a while back, we were curious to see if this foundation balm lives up to the hype—and it does. It provides complete coverage in just one layer, a little bit of product goes a very long way, and it can be applied using your fingertips, a brush, or a sponge, without the mess that liquid and powder formulas can create. Despite having a matte finish, we found that our skin looked and felt more hydrated after applying it, and we appreciated that it set in place and didn’t crease as we wore it. 

While we didn't dislike texture, some online reviewers claim that it feels a bit thick and heavy on the skin. If you’re sensitive to that, we recommend applying it in light layers using a damp sponge. 

Who It's For

Liquid and powder foundations can be messy—raise your hand if you've ever been victimized by a major spill in your makeup bag. We have! This option is great for those who crave mess-free products because the balm can't spill and it can be applied using whatever your desired application method is. It's also a good choice for anyone seeking a formula that provides ultra-full coverage that doesn't crease or fade.

Finish: Matte | Number of shades: 40 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

The Best Cream Foundations That Blend Seamlessly Into Skin

Best with SPF

Kosas Revealer Foundation SPF 25

Sephora

View On Sephora

$42

View On Nordstrom

$42

View On Kosas.com

What We Like

• Gorgeous, natural finish on the skin

• Easy to blend

• Doesn’t settle into lines or pores

What We Don't Like

• Transfers a bit

Finding a great full-coverage foundation that includes SPF can be tricky, but this one is fantastic. It’s formulated with zinc oxide as well as niacinamide and squalane for hydration benefits. The texture is lightweight, creamy, and easy to blend, and the finish on the skin is absolutely stunning. It’s the perfect midpoint between matte and dewy, and it creates a gorgeous veil of coverage on the face. During testing, we were impressed by how well it covered minor redness and discoloration, though we noticed that we would need additional concealer to fully cover under-eye circles. We also appreciated that it didn't settle into fine lines or emphasize texture. Though it did transfer a bit, we think this would be mitigated by lightly setting it with powder.

Who It's For

If you're someone who likes a no-fuss beauty routine with products that help you combine steps, this is the full-coverage option for you. It's great for a wide range of skin tones and skin types, and it's formulated with niacinamide and SPF so you can get skin benefits in addition to the coverage you crave.

Finish: Natural | Number of shades: 36 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

• Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

We Found 10 Rosacea-Friendly Foundations That Correct Color and Aren't Irritating