Decoding foundations can be a task that daunts many, including some of the biggest beauty aficionados. Thinking about coverage, shade, finish, brand, and price point are all things that need to be considered – and lets be honest, it can feel so overwhelming that you just resort back to the same one you’ve been buying for months on end. But if you feel like it’s time to switch it up, we’re here to help you out with our foolproof guide to foundation coverage. Check out below to see whether sheer, light, medium, or full coverage is your thing.
SHEER
Sheer is the lightest of the options when it comes to foundation coverage and is perfect for those seeking a more natural finish. Sheer foundations give the perfect balance of done-yet-undone, creating the fresh, dewy, no makeup-makeup look that we’re all striving to achieve from time to time. Granted, sheer foundations tend to cover less imperfections than other heavier foundations, but that can easily be solved with targeted concealer application for those areas you feel less confident about showing. Got oily skin? Set your oilier areas with a lightweight powder to make sheer foundations work for you too. We love the RMS ‘Un’ Cover Up Foundations – this little pot of wonder can be applied to the skin for a natural, dewy, and glowing base that’s virtually undetectable.
LIGHT
If you’re after a natural finish but with some coverage, then a lightweight foundation is the one for you. Perfect for everyday wear, light foundations give you coverage without the weighty feeling, leaving your skin feeling fresh right until the very end of the day. Light foundations have slightly more coverage than sheer formulas, making them ideal if you’re looking to hide slight imperfections and redness, but don’t want to commit to a full coverage foundation. If your day tends to involve the office aircon, changing temperatures and pollution, invest in a lightweight foundation to make your skin feel more comfortable and less smothered. Our fave light foundation is the Kevyn Aucoin Foundation Balm. The balm-like consistency gives the skin an airbrushed effect and can be layered depending on your preferred level of coverage – think of it as great skin in a jar.
MEDIUM
If you’re looking for a foundation that covers all bases, then a medium coverage formula is what your makeup bag needs. Appropriate for most occasions, a medium coverage foundation can be worn for day-to-day, or layered for a fuller coverage, night out vibe. The buildable finish of medium coverage foundations make them great for covering imperfections, redness and blemishes, so if you’re skin isn’t feeling it’s best, at least you’ll still be looking your best. Dose of Colors recently launched their Meet Your Hue foundation range and it’s one of the best medium coverage formulas we’ve found. The lightweight formula buffs and blends into skin for a flawless finish that lasts from morning to night.
FULL
Head this way for a flawless base. Full coverage foundations cover imperfections, pigmentation, redness, dark circles, and uneven skin tone (phew!) like no other. Ideal for full-frontal makeup looks and bases that last all day, full coverage foundations do exactly what they say on the bottle. Gone are the days of cakey finishes and jawline tide marks, full coverage formulas have come a long way and seamlessly blend into the skin for a seamless finish, no matter what your skin type. Top tip – if some days you’re looking for a little less coverage, mix your foundation with your fave moisturiser for a more hydrating, lighter finish. Perhaps one of the most coveted available in the beauty world is the Milani Conceal and Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation and Concealer. This does it all product literally covers and conceals everything.
