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The last thing anyone wants to do is step out in the sweltering summer heat with a face full of makeup. Summer days usually call for a “no makeup” makeup look, but sometimes you just need a little extra coverage here and there. Celebrity makeup artists know this struggle all too well. So who better to ask than the makeup whisperers tasked with creating flawless looks for the likes of Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, the Kardashians and more? Here are 12 best full-coverage formulas celebrity makeup artists have in their kits.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation
nordstrom.com
$44.00
The Pro: Justin St. Clair
The Clients: VS Angels and Celine Dion
“This foundation is elastic, wrapping the skin for a flawless finish while providing excellent coverage all day and night.”
Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation
sephora.com
$43.00
The Pro: Keita Moore
The Clients: Nicki Minaj, Janet Mock, Issa Rae, Mariah Carey
“This foundation is so pigmented. I love that it keeps the skin texture and is very easy to set. The stick makes it easy for this creamy formula to glide on. To start, I apply the foundation in the T-zone area then buff what’s left outward using a dampened beauty blender or foundation brush.”
Lock-It Foundation
sephora.com
$36.00
The Pro: Adam Burrell
The Clients: Ava DuVernay, Jennifer Hudson, Little Mix
“Kat Von D’s Lock It Foundation is pure pigment in a bottle and available in 44 shades. Despite being the fullest coverage foundation I’ve ever used, it gives a natural finish. One pump of this goes a very long way and hides every imperfection. I love that I can sheer it out with moisturizer for a soft pretty look or go ham and go full glam.”
Backstage Face & Body Foundation
sephora.com
$40.00
The Pro: Allan Avendaño
The Clients: Constance Wu, Mindy Kaling, Hilary Duff
“Dior Backstage Foundation has been my go-to foundation. It can be used as a full coverage foundation but also has capabilities of giving you a sheer coverage look. The shade range is incomparable and the portability is perfect because of its plastic lightweight bottle. It’s a foundation made for makeup artists but so easy and foolproof for any level of makeup skill.”
Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20
nordstrom.com
$120.00
The Pro: Mary Phillips
The Clients: The KarJenners, Hailey Baldwin, Bella Hadid
“I love the The La Mer Soft Fluid Longwear Foundation for its full lasting coverage. I simply pump the foundation onto my hand and take the La Mer Powder brush to the product and lightly apply a layer to the skin. This can be medium/full coverage with one layer or full coverage with two. This foundation goes on smooth and covers imperfections while giving your skin a treatment. Plus, it’s weather resistant and will last all day.”
Vision Cream Cover
danessamyricksbeauty.com
$5.00
The Pro: Keita Moore
“My favorite thing about this foundation is that it’s an all-in-one concealer/foundation and one pump goes a long way. There are 29 shades that are spot on. I like to apply a small amount where most needed and then use my fingers to buff out everywhere else.”
The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20
neimanmarcus.com
$120.00
The Pro: Mary Phillips
The Clients: The KarJenners, Hailey Baldwin, Bella Hadid
“The La Mer Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation is great for a radiant glow with buildable coverage. For application, I use the La Mer Powder Brush and press it onto the cushion and buff it into the face for an airbrushed finish. For a more even skin tone, I add more product where coverage is needed. This formula contains Miracle Broth, leaving the skin with a hydrated natural glow. I recommend setting this with the La Mer Sheer Pressed Powder for a lasting look.”
Total Cover Cream Foundation SPF 30 – N 90 (0.35 oz.)
dermstore.com
$42.00
The Pro: Adam Burrell
“Cover FX Cream Foundation is one of my all-time favorite foundations. I apply it using a synthetic, fluffy foundation brush in circular motions, buffing and polishing it into the skin, which gives it the most beautiful, flawless finish but natural with a subtle glow. Being in a compact size makes it great for quick touch ups, too. It’s also great for dry skin.”
Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
sephora.com
$35.00
The Pro: Priscilla Ono
The Clients: Rihanna, Fenty Beauty
“Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is the one product I can’t live without! It has a buildable formula with medium-to-full coverage, so you can easily hide any imperfections. It’s also feels really lightweight and doesn’t cake, so skin still looks like skin. The formula is also sweat and humidity proof, which makes it a must-have for the hot summer months. Another huge plus is that it’s available in an amazing range of 50 shades. Using the right tools to apply your foundation is just as important as picking the right shade! I like to buff foundation into the skin using a full density foundation brush or damp sponge for a flawless, even application. This creates a beautiful, airbrushed appearance because it allows the product to blend seamlessly into the skin.”
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
ulta.com
$42.00
The Pro: Camara Aunique
The Clients: Angela Bassett, Tarana Burke, June Ambrose
“My favorite foundation is Estée Lauder Double wear foundation. It comes in a a wide range of colors for all skin types and applies like skin.”
TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation
ulta.com
$11.49
The Pro: Ash K. Holm
The Clients: Kris Jenner, Bebe Rexha, Shay Mitchell
“This foundation has been a staple for me because it gives your skin a filtered and flawless look. It’s transfer-proof, blurs the appearance of pores, and minimizes imperfections. It has a natural matte finish with instant coverage that lasts all day. I recommend prepping your skin with 1-2 pumps of a face oil then apply a lightweight moisturizer. This gives the skin a natural glow that will shine through the foundation. Using a damp Beauty Blender, stipple the foundation onto the skin for a seamless look with no streaks. To complete the look, I like to power group this foundation with the TruBlend Undercover concealer.”
Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15
ulta.com
$29.00
The Pro: Camara Aunique
“Clinique’s Even Better foundation has moderate but buildable coverage that allows you to control how much is applied. I sometimes use La Mer’s Foundation brush to apply the foundation because its super soft and controls the amount of foundations I use or a wet beauty blender for a lighter natural finish.”