What kind of coverage do you prefer in a foundation?
I like buildable, medium coverage; I want to feel like I can stretch it out or build it up but not that I have to use the smallest amount (nor that I have to use a lot to get higher coverage).
I like buildable, medium coverage; I want to feel like I can stretch it out or build it up but not that I have to use the smallest amount (nor that I have to use a lot to get higher coverage).
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
I have actually switched to Erborian Bare Skin Protector which basically just makes makeup application easier and makes my skin appear more even and I love it. So I think the answer is the lightest coverage possible.
I like sheer/natural to almost medium. The only thing I really “need” to cover is some broken capillaries on my cheeks (once Covid is over, I’ll probably go for another laser “zapping” – I didn’t wear foundation for about 2 years after the first one!). So if I can cover that, I don’t really need foundation anywhere else (I suppose that’s the “silver lining” of mask wearing). Shiseido used to make the perfect foundation for that purpose – “Sheer and Perfect” – but, of course, it has been long discontinued, like EVERYTHING I like best (MAC recently seems to have discontinued Full Fuchsia lipstick, which has been around for years; they discontinue it just after I “discover” it and how much I like it).
Why do MAC do this?!
Full Fuchsia is gorgeous. Now I have to see if it’s still available here, and check the one I have to see if it’s getting on in years. (I have noticed that some of my MAC lipsticks are getting old, so it might be time to see if any of them are on the “good bye list” at MAC.)
Medium , buildable, demi matte. I’m oily so I prefer matte but I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing a mask or like I’m wearing full coverage
I agree.
Medium build-able for the most part but for those days I want a lighter, or dewier complexion etc. I have alternative options. I have an assortment of all levels of coverage in my stash but find I almost never reach for the full coverage stuff anymore.
Yes, this. I like having options. Full coverage never looked right on me. I tried.
For the last few years, I have been taking care of my skin, and using copious amounts of sunscreen. Instead of needing full coverage, I only need light to medium coverage now.
Light coverage! Sometimes I feel like all companies claim their foundations are medium or full coverage. I feel like the weird one who doesn’t want a ton of coverage. I can’t make the higher coverage stuff look natural on my skin (unless I sheer it out with moisturizer or liquid illuminator which means it’s not a high coverage formula anymore!)
EXACTLY what you described above, Christine. Too heavy, and it looks like I’m wearing theatrical makeup. Too light, and every imperfection, including my uneven skintone, shows. So yes, medium, buildable is my perfect fit, too.
I prefer a medium-full coverage, but in a buildable formula. I feel that this gives me the most versatility from a foundation. I can sheer it out with a moisturizer to get a BB cream, use a thin layer for everyday medium coverage and build a second layer when I need extra coverage or a perfected look.
I prefer medium to full. I wish I did not have so much to cover but I feel that I do.
It always depends on how my skin is acting and what my plans are. I prefer more coverage on bad skin days or if I’m doing something like going to a fancy dinner. Light coverage for good skin days and when I’m more casual.
I prefer medium – full coverage that I can make thinner/lighter myself.
Its easier to make something to a lighter coverage, than making a full/medium coverage with a light coverage,
Thin, paint-like sheer-to-medium. Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish is about as close as I can find to what is my ideal. It’s just right for me.
Sheer to light in liquid, possibly a tad more in powder. KGD works and is very skin-like. I have liked a few BBs,CCs and got the Saie at the S sale. Big hate. Big no. Will be my first return since time immemorial. Oy. Way too thick and oil slick. What planes of your face? I already have to wear a mask. What do I need another one for?
I prefer medium, buildable coverage that I might even be able to sheer out for those really good skin days. I take very good care of my skin and I do want it to show through a bit.
Buildable, medium to full coverage. It depends what my skin is doing. I don’t want heavy, mask like full coverage.
I love a thin consistency
PMG
Armani maestro
Water weight
TF traceless
I bought the NARs glow booster I love it but not a foundation to me – I have to put something over it even a powder foundation
I want to try the new Fenty that’s my type of foundation
Generally I prefer light/sheer to medium coverage. I’m kind of ruddy so I like to have something that evens out my skin tone but I don’t worry if my freckles still show. For the day to day I’ve been using the new one from Fenty and so far I’m liking it. I do have a full coverage foundation from Tarte that I love because it’s the closest match to my skin tone but I don’t reach for it often as it feels like full coverage calls for more of a full face of color than what I normally do. When I do use it I might thin it some with a bit of facial oil.
I prefer a matte foundation on my face, as dewy or natural can end up me looking too greasy. I need medium coverage to even out my skin tones and last all day long.
Light-medium. I have some sun spots but they are light and I have dark shadows under my eyes but I feel no need to cover it all.
I love foundations that dry down like Chanel les beige and allow powder bronzer and cream highlight etc to be applied without a coating of powder.
Actually using concealer spot coverage works good as anything.
Light to medium and buildable, but there are days when I need a full coverage foundation. I also need matte formulations as anything that says dewy means I look like a melting heap of butter. I mostly use powder foundations.