The Best Full-Coverage Foundations for Oily Skin

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updated Sep 08, 2017

As far as foundation goes, there are seemingly two main camps: those who want full, practically poreless coverage and those who prefer the sheerer side of things—allowing their natural skin to show through. Of course, when choosing the perfect base, it’s also important to take one’s skin type into account, and for those of us who are on the oilier side of things (or basically the entire human population during the warm summer months), a barely there formula doesn’t always do the trick. We long for even, buildable coverage that will help mattify our oily T-zones, transform any imperfections, and ultimately create that coveted airbrushed appearance—without suffocating our skin. Sound impossible? Not quite. With oily skin types in mind, we’ve rounded up an epic list of full-coverage foundations that guarantee only the most flawless of finishes—no hourly touch-ups required.

Smashbox Studio Skin Full Coverage Foundation $36

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It's a good sign when the packaging for a product has a tip that reads "a little goes a long way" on the inside. It means that they felt the need to warn someone who has already purchased the product—it's not advertising at that point, just advice. Then again, it should be no surprise Smashbox, who are known perhaps best for their primer, have made a long-wearing, full coverage foundation that won't budge.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation $39

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A favorite of people with oily skin, Tarte's Amazonian Clay foundation carries the promise of full coverage along with SPF and a vegan formula. It's made for people with combination or oily skin, and the clay formula absorbs without making skin cakey.

Armani Beauty Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation SPF 25 $64

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With the high-coverage sibling of the much-beloved Luminous Silk Foundation ($64,) Giorgio Armani use a patented technology called Micro-fil to force the foundation to lay flat on the face. Anyone who's used matte foundations knows that this tends to be a problem—skin stops looking like skin when it starts looking velvety. Let Armani solve that problem for you.

fenty beauty pro filt'r matte foundation

Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation $35

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The product that started the increased shade range revolution, Fenty's affordable foundation has been a hit since it came out. Although originally used by all skin types, people with oilier skin—and people who use primer—lean more towards this formula, while people with dry skin tend to like Fenty's Hydrating Foundation ($35).

Bite Beauty Changemaker Flexible Coverage Pressed Powder $36

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Pressed powders can be weird with coverage, so please understand that most won't cover in the same way a liquid or cream foundation will. However, this foundation is full-coverage for a powder, buildable, and great for layering on top of other foundations to make them full coverage. In fact, if you're looking for a setting powder with some tint to it in order to really cover your skin, look no further than this compact, which is made with maqui berry and volcanic materials and was designed to set Bite's complexion line.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation $43

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Lorac POREfection Foundation $36

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Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Perfectly Satin 24HR Makeup Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 15 $39

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Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil Free $56

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"Liquid powder" is a term that a lot of brands seem to use loosely at best, but Hourglass mean it. This foundation will mattify your face even if you're standing outside in the dead of summer. It doesn't break up easily, as kaolin clay absorbs the oil.