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Best Buildable Coverage Foundation

What's the Best Buildable Coverage Foundation that you've tried?

I’m normal-to-dry in skin type, light-medium/yellow complexion. SO many answers are possible here! For me, I will say Tarte Rainforest of the Sea, which is technically billed at a full coverage foundation, but I find it more buildable from medium to full (that would be its weakness, too, for those truly after full coverage!). Something more traditionally buildable would have me saying Guerlain Lingerie de Peau.

— Christine

16 Comments

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Eileen Avatar

Definitely Lingerie de Peau! For day, I usually wear it thinned out a bit so that it’s on the light side of medium. For evening, I wear it medium. On days when my rosacea is acting up, I need some more spot coverage and so I’ll go back over the redness with a bit of extra foundation tapped on with a Beauty Blender. From light-medium to full, the foundation builds beautifully without looking caked on or spotty.

Virginia Avatar

I wish that the original formula had my shade! Lingerie de Peau Fluide is thicker and more matte and doesn’t have the gorgeous finish of the original.

Anne Avatar

I’m dry and fair with slight pink undertones and I’ve had great luck with Dr Jart BB Beauty Balm, which is my go-to due to the SPF45. It has some coverage, but with a beauty blender, I can build it up as I like.

Jade Avatar

I use Kat Von D’s Lock it liquid and powder. To make the liquid with light coverage, I really saturate the beauty blender sponge. If I need more coverage I only wet it slightly, or not at all. To top it off, I’ll put on the powder foundation with a contour brush. For me, I love the formula for my slightly oily skin. And the pale shade matches my skin, and really covers redness.

On days I barely need coverage, I use Smashbox CC cream.

Shira Avatar

I am having the hardest time deciding on a new foundation. Right now my favorite is Dior airflash but now that I’m darker, I don’t really match any of the shades. So I’m deciding between rainforest of the sea or nars all day luminous- help! lol.

Rachel R. Avatar

Mineral: BareMinerals Original Foundation SPF 15. I can build it up to full coverage, or have it be barely there, and everything in between. Liquid: Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation for medium to very full coverage. Drug store: E.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation from medium to full. (My skin is oily; very fair with neutral undertones.)

Tracey E. Avatar

I like Lancome Teint Idole and am almost through my stock of Bobbi Brown’s discontinued Extra Repair Foundation (so creamy and full coverage). Am planning to purchase Dior Airflash or a Guerlain foundation when I get though what I have.

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