Coverage refers to how much it will conceal when used on the skin. It is really the percentage of pigment ratio to filler ratio in a product.
(Fillers in Cosmetics are not all bad things, Fillers can be moisturizers, vitamins etc, we’re not talking hotdogs here!)

A Foundation or Makeup Base is a skin colored cosmetic formulation made to be applied to the face or body to create a more even, uniformed look to the complexion. It’s intended to be used to cover flaws or imperfections, enhance your skin’s look and skin tone. Plus they can actually help protect the skin by sealing out natural pollutants that we encounter on a daily basis.

There are many types of Foundation Coverage products on the market; here we will explore the main stream ones.

SHEER to LIGHT Weight coverage: an example of a sheer coverage would be a tinted moisturizer, sheer has the least amount of pigment as a rule, allowing an almost natural look. Most are almost translucent in look and feel very light on the skin. Now a LIGHT Foundation picks up where the real sheer leaves off, it has more pigment and is considered a real foundation, mostly used with natural good skin, that has even coloration and doesn’t conceal much, just evens’ out the skin tone and creates a healthier, natural look. The pigment ratio to filler runs about 10 to 20 %.

MEDIUM Coverage is can have about a 20 to 30 % coverage on a scale of 1 to 100 %. It can usually diffuse minor skin discolorations like very light freckles, minimizing a reddish look on the skin or evening out slight imperfections It’s pigment ration usually runs from about, 20 to 30 % coverage.

FULL Coverage is the heaviest percentage of pigment ratio to filler. It runs any where from about 35 to 50 % pigment ratio. This is what I call the big guns. it usually can cover most skin imperfections, depending on the brand. It can create a entirely different skin color or tone, cover freckles and birthmarks, etc. FULL Coverage is what is used for Stage, and can be considered, a total corrective makeup or Foundation. You could achieve 100% coverage/concealment factor with the professional FULL Coverage foundation products on the market today.

The formulation refers to the consistency and ingredients that create a specific type of makeup Foundation or Base.

Mineral makeup: Comes in many forms, the most noted is a powder base, sold in a shaker, or as a pressed powder, and they even come in a liquid form. Minerals seem to be good for all skin types; they are the least irritating, especially in the powder or pressed powder formulations. Being a great product for all skin types, they are highly recommended by dermatologist because of their non-irritating qualities. Plus, they do not cause or create acne flare-ups or conditions.

Powder-based: These are usually a category of wet/Dry non-mineral based Foundations, like Pan Cake. They can have a full range of coverage. Most are wet applied with a sponge or Foundation Brush.

Water-based foundations are usually completely oil free formulations; they are almost always recommended for normal to oily skin types, and skin that is prone to acne. They can come in assorted formulations like a Water-based cream or called Water-based oil-free liquid foundation.

Oil based foundation as well can come in assorted viscosity, like a lightweight low or high pigment liquid to a thickness like grease paint. Normal to dry skin types often use them. Depending on the look and feel of the product. These Foundations are highly suggested for very dry-to-dry skin types, they often leave a dewy natural smooth finish. Which gives the skin a more youthful appearance.

Oil-based shakers: these are very select product that you can actually see the oil laying on the bottom of the bottle. You have to shake to blend then, they were created for dry and mature skin types.