What is full coverage foundation?

Full coverage foundation is formulated to hide any and all skin blemishes, breakouts, dark spots, and unevenness and create a blank canvas out of the face.

How do you shade match foundation?

Shade matching stems from understanding your skin color and undertones. Once you've found a range of colors that are close to your skin base, begin to choose shades within that range that also match your undertones. Don't be afraid to mix and match foundations, as there may be a combination of two shades that gets you to the perfect match.

How do I prep my skin for foundation?

"Skincare is so important when it comes to makeup, and it's always necessary to start with a good moisturizer," says Blunder. She recommends giving skin hydration before applying foundations and suggests applying a serum and moisturizer to add glow. Your skin will not only be healthier, but it will look better with foundation, too.

Are face primers necessary before foundation?

Necessary, no. Helpful, yes. To put it simply, primers create a smooth canvas for which your makeup to adhere, ultimately boosting the staying power as a result.

The 12 Best Full Coverage Foundations at Walmart of 2023

If you're looking for that perfect full-coverage face, look no further than Walmart. The retailer has a large selection of beauty products with price tags that won't make you sweat.

When seeking the new formula of your dreams, testing multiple affordable options often comes with less pressure than splurging at a higher-end store and hoping the formula works for you. With super affordable foundation options for all skin types, your new go-to product may be a scroll away.

We're sharing some of our favorite full coverage foundations you can find at Walmart, along with suggestions from makeup artist Monika Blunder. For the best full coverage foundations—from matte to dewy, power to liquid—look no further.

Ahead, you'll find the best full-coverage foundations that are available at Walmart.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

L'Oreal Paris Makeup Liquid Foundation at Walmart

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Best Budget:

e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Satin Foundation

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Best Stick:

BLK/OPL Stick Foundation at Walmart

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Best Powder:

Iman Cosmetics Luminous Powder Foundation at Walmart

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Best Liquid:

Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1

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Best Longwear:

L'Oreal Infallible Foundation at Amazon

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Best Matte:

Nyx Professional Makeup Full Coverage Foundation at Amazon

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Best Dewy:

Wet n Wild Dewy Foundation

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Best for Dry Skin:

Revlon ColorStay Makeup

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Best for Oily Skin:

Maybelline Foundation Stick For Normal to Oily Skin at Walmart

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
FAQ
How We Researched
Why Trust Byrdie?

4.7

L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Liquid Foundation

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Walmart

What We Like

Natural, skin-like finish
Wide shade range
SPF 17

What We Don't Like

May need to mix colors to get the right tone

Who else recommends it? Elite Daily and Today both picked the L'Oreal Paris Makeup Liquid Foundation.

What do buyers say? 88% of 17,800+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Because of its excellent coverage and wide range of shades, this foundation comes out on top time and time again. "I really love the True Match foundation by L'Oreal. It's very full coverage but still looks like skin," says Blunder. It has a natural finish and some SPF to protect the skin.

Price at time of publish: $9

e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation

Courtesy of Target

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Provides smooth, even coverage
Matte without looking too dry
Inexpensive

What We Don't Like

Can fade throughout the day

Most of our picks here are affordable, but for a truly budget option, go with e.l.f. The semi-matte foundation looks like healthy skin and only costs around $6. There's a wide range of shade options to choose from for the perfect match.

Price at time of publish: $6

Blk/Opl

View On Walmart

What We Like

SPF 15
Range includes deeper shades
Creamy, rich texture

What We Don't Like

Not recommended for oily skin

Stick foundations are easy to apply, and this one offers full, velvety coverage. The formula blurs pores and blends into the skin seamlessly, leaving a matte finish, while SPF 15 provides modest sun protection.

Price at time of publish: $11

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 22 | Finish: Matte | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

View On Walmart

What We Like

Can be used wet or dry
Buildable without caking
Lasts without primer

What We Don't Like

Color may not look as expected

This powder will just about erase dark spots and dark circles but won't leave skin looking flat. Use a wet sponge to apply it to its fullest coverage, and use a dry sponge wherever you want to sheer it out.

Price at time of publish: $16

4.2

Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer

Ulta Beauty

View on Ulta View On Milanicosmetics.com

What We Like

Holds up in heat and humidity
Lasts all day
Provides smooth, even coverage

What We Don't Like

A little thick

This Milani foundation doubles as a concealer, so you can pare down your routine. The long-wearing formula stays on through sweat and humid days and is oil-free. It even has a good range of shades with several undertones for a perfect match.

Price at time of publish: $12

Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 40 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation

Walmart

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walmart

What We Like

Doesn't transfer
Feels light on the skin
SPF 25

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for sensitive skin

Blunder recommends this liquid option, and it's perfect for times you need to look fresh all day. The formula is transfer-resistant and lasts through sweat and water, but despite its long wear, it remains breathable and light.

Price at time of publish: $16

NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop 24HR Full Coverage Matte Foundation

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walmart

What We Like

Wide shade range
A little goes a long way
Holds up in heat and humidity

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for dry skin

If you prefer a matte formula, this NYX foundation provides long-wearing full coverage and is completely waterproof. There are 45 shades to choose from, and it's suitable for almost all skin types (although very dry skin may need something more hydrating).

Price at time of publish: $15

Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Gives skin a soft, dewy finish
Feels light on the skin
Layers well with other products

What We Don't Like

Can settle into fine lines

For a dewy look, try this foundation for coverage and glow. The formula is lightweight and buildable from medium to full. It's super affordable too, at only around $5, and is vegan and cruelty-free.

Price at time of publish: $7

Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 14 | Finish: Dewy | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Makeup For Normal/Dry Skin

Courtesy of Ulta

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Long-wearing
Provides smooth, even coverage
Doesn't oxidize

What We Don't Like

Can accentuate pores

Dry skin can look flaky under some foundations, but a formula specifically designed for your skin type can downplay these issues. This one remains smooth and long-wearing on dry skin for up to 24 hours of healthy-looking skin.

Price at time of publish: $16

Maybelline Super Stay Foundation Stick For Normal to Oily Skin

View On Walmart

What We Like

Ideal for touch-ups on the go
Blends easily
Not drying

What We Don't Like

Not the best value

This foundation stick acts as a multitasker, so it can be used to conceal dark circles or carried around for touch-ups during the day. Try it in colors lighter and darker than your skin tone to highlight and contour. Either way, it stays on all day, even on oily skin.

Price at time of publish: $10

Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 16 | Finish: Matte | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Flawless Coverage Foundation Makeup

View On Walmart

What We Like

SPF 50
Covers blemishes well
Goes on smoothly

What We Don't Like

Can be a little drying

We know that even so-called full coverage doesn't always cover spots you want to hide. And while you may need to top up with concealer in hard-to-cover areas, this foundation is still a great option for those with acne. The reason? The skin-benefiting ingredients in this, like antioxidants, can help your skin thrive, and the included SPF 50 means you don't have to load up your skin with extra products (just make sure to apply enough for full protection!).

Price at time of publish: $13

View on Ulta View On Walmart

What We Like

Hydrating formula
Blurs pores and fine lines
Provides smooth, even coverage

What We Don't Like

Not for oily skin

Mature skin can be picky about the foundations it works well with, but this product not only looks good on mature skin, it actually has skin-benefiting ingredients in it, too. Vitamin C and hyaluronic complex hydrate and firm skin, while the formula blurs imperfections and creates a flawless base.

Price at time of publish: $18

Final Verdict

Our number one pick for a full coverage foundation at Walmart is L'Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Super-Blendable Liquid Foundation. It offers a wide range of shades in different undertones and still looks like skin despite the full coverage. If you're looking for a foundation that will stay fresh all day through sweat or humidity, try L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation. And for a truly budget option that doesn't feel like one, we recommend e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation.

What to Look for in a Full-Coverage Foundation

Finish

When purchasing any foundation from any store, you'll want to understand the finish. A radiant finish will leave your skin looking dewier and more hydrated, while a matte foundation creates a smooth, sheen-free base. A natural finish is usually somewhere in between the two.

Formula

Step two in finding the right foundation for yourself is choosing a formula that you enjoy and are comfortable with. For dryer skin, you'll likely want to avoid powder formulas and lean towards a hydrating liquid or stick foundation. For oily skin, a powder foundation or an oil-free foundation combined with setting powder might be the best choice.

SPF

You've read it a million times, but we'll remind you again: SPF is the most important step in any routine. And finding a foundation with SPF is a major bonus, like the L'Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Super-Blendable Liquid Foundation ($5). Even if your foundation offers additional SPF, it's crucial you guard yourself with an SPF 30 sunscreen underneath.

FAQ

What is full coverage foundation?

Full coverage foundation is formulated to hide any and all skin blemishes, breakouts, dark spots, and unevenness and create a blank canvas out of the face.
How do you shade match foundation?

Shade matching stems from understanding your skin color and undertones. Once you've found a range of colors that are close to your skin base, begin to choose shades within that range that also match your undertones. Don't be afraid to mix and match foundations, as there may be a combination of two shades that gets you to the perfect match.
How do I prep my skin for foundation?

"Skincare is so important when it comes to makeup, and it's always necessary to start with a good moisturizer," says Blunder. She recommends giving skin hydration before applying foundations and suggests applying a serum and moisturizer to add glow. Your skin will not only be healthier, but it will look better with foundation, too.
Are face primers necessary before foundation?

Necessary, no. Helpful, yes. To put it simply, primers create a smooth canvas for which your makeup to adhere, ultimately boosting the staying power as a result.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Joline Buscemi is a Byrdie contributor and beauty writer for numerous publications. She's tried more foundations than she can count, including many on this list.

13 Walmart Makeup Products That Are Affordable and Effective

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

9 best-selling foundations at walmart that are so unbelievably affordable. Elite Daily. https://www.elitedaily.com/p/9-best-selling-foundations-at-walmart-that-are-so-unbelievably-affordable-16978547
8 affordable foundations makeup experts love — starting at $4. Today. https://www.today.com/shop/best-drugstore-foundations-t188665