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- Makeup
Coverage you can apply anywhere.
By
and
Updated on September 25, 2024 05:26PM
Reviewed by
Rhea Souhleris Grous
Esthetician
In This Article
View All
In This Article
- Our Top Picks
- Reviews
- What to Look For
- How We Tested
- Why Trust Byrdie
Whether you’re looking to conceal a bug bite or bruise or simply want to make your skin glimmer and glow, body makeup has you covered (literally). “It’s the perfect way to cover up any type of imperfections,” says Nydia Figueroa, a celebrity makeup artist, who adds that it’s also a great choice for hiding tattoos. To apply body makeup, Figueroa suggests gradually building up coverage with layers, first stippling a small amount over the skin with a wedge sponge. If you need a little extra coverage, add another layer, this time tapping it in with a flat foundation or concealer brush, Figueroa says.
After consulting experts for their top picks, we spent hours testing body makeup. Our product testers had a range of skin tones, textures, and concerns, and evaluated each product on its level of coverage, shade-matching capabilities, finish, feel, water resistance, and transfer (if any) to find the following best in show.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best Lightweight:
Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation at Sephora$43
Best Portable:
Best for Dark Skin Tones:
Best Splurge:
What We Like
Excellent coverage
No transfer
Water resistant
Affordable
What to Consider
Sponge applicator might be hard to dispense
Shade Range: 7 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
This formula is ultra-pigmented, and and it covered everything thoroughly—including tattoos. We also loved that it was lightweight, leaving a matte finish that felt slightly detectable on the skin. When it came to blending, we found it easy enough, though we added that using a wet sponge helped to ease application. Overall, we're big fans, especially considering the product’s affordable price point.
Best Lightweight
Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation
What We Like
Amazing coverage
No transfer
Water resistant
Silky skin-feel
What to Consider
Doesn't cover dark hyperpigmentation completely
Shade Range: 40 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1.6 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
In particular, we loved this option's lightweight but amazing coverage, “with no creases or smudges.” We were also impressed with how well it stayed in place, with no transfer and superior water resistance. We love its indulgent feel that sinks into skin gorgeously.
Best Coverage
Estée Lauder Foundation For Face and Body SPF 15
What We Like
Excellent coverage
No transfer
Water-resistant
Long-wear formula
What to Consider
Limited shade range
Slight sticky skin-feel
Shade Range: 11 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.11 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
This product is pretty impressive when it comes to coverage that stays put (read: no transfer and very water resistant). Its thick consistency was easy to blend with a dense brush and felt cushiony on the skin. It would have scored higher, but we felt that the shades were limited, making it hard to find an exact match.
What We Like
Long lasting formula
Travel-friendly
Full coverage
What to Consider
Difficult to blend
Shade Range: 10 | Finish: Natural | Size: 0.42 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Another top pick from Dermablend, this foundation stick earned rave reviews for its long-wear formula that stays put. The formula is ultra-pigmented, making it an excellent choice for covering up tattoos. We love the creamy texture, and although some testers noted that blending was a little tricky, overall they felt that its lightweight feel made it worthwhile. This is an especially great option if you’re looking for something portable.
What We Like
Breathable coverage
Silky skin-feel
Makes skin glow
What to Consider
Slight transfer
Got greasy when exposed to water
Shade Range: 30 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re looking for a radiant glow without shimmer, this product glides on sheer to create a natural veil. It felt more like a tint than a more opaque body makeup product, so it probably works best for those who want lighter coverage. Those who are looking to cover tattoos, scars, or bruises would be better suited with a heavier, more pigmented pick.
What We Like
Excellent coverage
Soft finish
Water resistant
What to Consider
Some transfer
Shade Range: 14 | Finish: Natural | Size: Size 0.46 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This creme to powder product goes on silky-smooth, leaving you with a second-skin finish. Our testers raved about the buildable coverage, although they did say the red undertones made the product a bit more detectable than desired. We also wished the compact were larger and that it had a larger applicator or sponge for greater surface contact.
What We Like
Shimmer blurs imperfections
No transfer
Water resistant
What to Consider
Coverage could be better
Shade Range: 4 | Finish: High-shine | Size: 3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This cult favorite provides dewy, glistening coverage, thanks to light-diffusing micro-pearls that impart a high-shine finish. Our testers loved how it maintained its luminosity even when wet, noting that it’s perfect for poolside lounging. Because of its shimmer, it doesn’t offer full coverage, but we think it’s a splurge-worthy feel-good product to elevate your body care routine, especially for special occasions.
What We Like
Creamy texture blends easily
Minimal transfer
Water resistant
What to Consider
Coverage dissipated after blending
Shade Range: 12 | Finish: Natural | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The coverage of Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup Foundation is full-on (a little goes a long way, and it’s best to apply it with a makeup sponge), lasting up to 16 hours. We loved how well the product stayed put and found that transfer only occurred with rough rubbing.While it has amazing coverage, it never felt heavy or greasy.
What We Like
Lightweight feel
Water-resistant
No transfer
What to Consider
Shimmer may be too intense for some
Shade Range: N/A | Finish: Shimmer | Size: 6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
With a subtle hint of bronze, this ultra-lightweight product adds instant shimmer and sheen from head to toe, giving just enough coverage to blur imperfections and refract light. Note that because this product is a glimmer, it comes in only one shade and isn’t suitable for covering tattoos, birthmarks, or bruises. But if you’re looking for a radiant glow that feels incredible and softens imperfections, we think it’s worth an investment.
What to Look for When Buying Body Makeup
Good body makeup can enhance, conceal, and ultimately elevate our skin. To determine which body makeup is best for you, we recommend considering the following points.
- Water-Resistant or Waterproof: Even if you won't be sporting the body makeup during a beach or pool day, Figueroa advises looking for these criteria to ensure the product’s staying power.
- Shimmer Level: Most body makeups have some shimmer in them, but just how much can vary greatly. So think about whether you want a “J-Lo just back from the beach”-esque glow, or something more subtle and natural.
- Shade: While you do have more wiggle room when it comes to finding the perfect match of body makeup than you do for your face, you still want to find a hue that’s pretty close to your natural skin tone to make sure it blends in well. Top tip: If it’s a bit too dark, try sheering it out with some plain body moisturizer.
How We Tested Body Makeup
Below are the features our editors and contributors evaluated to determine our top picks.
- Feel: No matter how effective a body makeup product may have been, it didn’t make the cut if it didn’t feel good on our skin. We considered the texture and consistency of each product, eliminating options that felt heavy, greasy, or sticky.
- Coverage: For body makeup products that claimed to conceal skin imperfections, we observed if they provided adequate coverage—awarding extra points when the coverage looked natural (versus cakey or opaque).
- Transfer Resistance: Body makeup transferring onto your precious clothes is a big no-no. As such, we considered which options stayed on our skin and off our fabric, favoring products that lasted throughout the day.
- Water Resistance: While not every day is a beach or pool day, it’s still a good idea to choose makeup that’s water resistant to ensure staying power. We spritzed water over the body makeup products we tested, noting which options stayed put.
Why Trust Byrdie
Jill Di Donato is a senior commerce editor for Byrdie and has over a decade of experience as a beauty editor. She’s contributed to some of the best beauty and lifestyle magazines out there. Jill routinely uses body makeup to conceal tattoos and has personally tested many products included in this roundup. To write this story, she consulted the following expert:
- Nydia Figueroa, a beauty expert and professional makeup artist in the New York/New Jersey area, and the owner of Faces By Nydia Makeup Studio.
Updated byAllison Lax