13 Body Makeup Products for Coverage Wherever You Need It Most
It was only a matter of time before makeup went beyond the face, and now, the best body makeup products have made covering tattoos, veins, bruises, and beyond simple — allowing for healthy, radiant skin from head to toe. The formulas are just as thoughtfully considered as those for your face; these days, there are options for even the oiliest of skin types, some that deliver a subtle body glow, and those that can last throughout the day with little to no wear or smudging.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Foundation For Face and Body, $49
- Best Drugstore: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, $12
- Best for Highlighting: Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm, $50
- Best Bronzing: Bondi Sands Glo Matte One Day Tan, $16
- Best for Beginners: St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer, $25
- Best Light Coverage: Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint, $52
- Best Full Coverage: Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup, $40
That said, body foundation formulas are quite different from the foundation you blend onto your face, according to cosmetic chemist Ginger King. After all, they have to be sweat-resistant but comfortable for all-day wear. "The overall finish [of body foundation] is not cakey," says King. "You need a non-transferring, quick-setting formula with great coverage, as body foundation is typically to cover up spider veins, scars or bruises, or tattoos with it. The pigment loading is much more than for facial care," she explains. "A regular facial foundation, [on the other hand], needs to be more natural-looking and with breathable coverage to prevent potential breakouts on the skin."
Their ingredient lists may read a bit differently, too. "You will often see isododecane [in body foundations], which is an emollient that leaves a smooth finish and sets the pigments without leaving a smear," King says. Oil-based emollients typically added to face foundation are notably missing, though, as they create smudges, she adds. (That said, you can still find oils in some of these formulas, as they lend them a creamy, blendable texture and moisturizing properties.)
New York City-based makeup artist and body painter Michela Wariebi, who famously drew Beyonce's striped body art in the visual album Black Is King, slathers body foundations with her hands. "Certain [body foundations] will apply better with certain tools," she says. Occasionally, Wariebi reaches for a large buffing brush or tanning mitt, if the product calls for a more dense applicator than just her palms.
The amount of product you'll need depends on how large an area you are covering, as well as the formula, Wariebi says. We recommend starting with a dime-sized dollop and building up from there. Before you apply your favorite makeup, we suggest exfoliating with a body scrub beforehand for a smoother, more even skin finish.
With that in mind, consider these the 13 best body makeup products on the market. No matter the coverage level, finish type, or overall versatility you prefer, there's a body foundation that works for you.
Best Overall: Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Foundation For Face and Body
Why It's Worth It: Available in 15 shades and cool, warm, and neutral undertones, Estée Lauder's Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Foundation offers ample coverage for just about every skin tone. The matte formula, which features kaolin, works on both your face and body and is completely waterproof, so you can go to the beach or dance until you sweat without the worry of messing up your makeup.
Editor Tip: While the full-coverage foundation is formulated with broad-spectrum SPF 15, we recommend applying a separate body sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher prior to application for adequate UV protection.
Key Ingredients: Kaolin, vitamin E, aloe | Who It's For: People seeking a versatile, full-coverage formula
Best Drugstore: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs
Why It's Worth It: This product effectively introduced the category of body makeup when it launched back in 2004 — no big deal. If the reviews can't convince you, allow us. Sally Hansen lets you say goodbye to that stubborn pantyhose (which inevitably catches a snag) with Airbrush Legs Lotion. It smooths out discoloration with its fast-drying, water-resistant, and transfer-proof formula. Leaving a subtle golden tint when applied, it also doubles as a bronzer.
Editor Tip: If you prefer a spray format, there's an aerosol version of Airbrush Legs. Just be sure to give the bottle a hearty shake so the formula comes out as smoothly and evenly as possible.
Key Ingredients: Sage oil, glycerin, panthenol | Who It's For: Those looking for a straightforward, no-frills option
Best for Highlighting: Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm
Why It's Worth It: Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm is like a highlighter for your whole body, with a glossy finish that can make "glass skin" seem possible from head to toe. It uses a combination of nourishing ingredients, like jojoba oil and shea butter, as well as micro-fine pearls to catch the light and give skin a glow. While you can apply it to your collarbone, shoulders, and legs, it's multipurpose — meaning it works just as well for a touch of shine on the lips and cheekbones.
Editor Tip: The balm can get soft in warm temperatures, so stash it in the fridge to resolidify it (and don't leave it in your bag on a hot day).
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, shea butter | Who It's For: People seeking a touch of glimmer
Best Bronzing: Bondi Sands Glo Matte One Day Tan
Why It's Worth It: This bronzing body foundation is all over every influencer's Instagram highlight reel, and for good reason. If you're looking for an easy, buildable glow that can instantly hide minor blemishes at the same time, consider the search over. The Bondi Sands Glow Matte One Day Tan can be used on your face as well as your body, making it especially easy to match your foundation to your skin color.
Editor Tip: It's also available in Gloss for a high-shine, reflective finish, and Shimmer, which is infused with highlighting particles that glisten. No matter the finish, it's best when applied with the Bondi Sands Self Tanning Mitt.
Key Ingredients: Cucumber water, vitamin E, gluconolactone | Who It's For: Regular self-tanner users
Best for Beginners: St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer
Why It's Worth It: A 2022 Best of Beauty Award winner, the St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Bronzer snagged the win for its soft-focus finish and budge-proof formula, which won't transfer even onto light-colored clothing. The tinted cream transforms into a powder texture upon application, which gives it staying power and minimizes streaking.
Editor Tip: It has a tropical scent with notes of lotus flower, coconut milk, and peach.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, tapioca starch | Who It's For: Commitment-phobes
Best Light Coverage: Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint
Why It's Worth It: Looking for a sheer-coverage foundation for your body? Rihanna's got you covered by way of Fenty Beauty's Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint. This transfer-resistant skin tint provides light, buildable coverage that's available in seven glow-inducing shades. It also intensively moisturizes skin as you wear it, thanks to the addition of conditioning babassu oil and antioxidant vitamin E.
Editor Tip: The shade range leans dark, so it might not be a good option for those who are very pale.
Key Ingredients: Babassu oil, vitamin E | Who It's For: People who want light, subtle coverage
Best Full-Coverage: Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup
Why It's Worth It: This foundation means business. With its highly buildable formula, you're able to conceal tattoos, if you so choose. Dermablend's deeply pigmented Leg and Body Makeup is formulated with 16 hours of smudge-free coverage with the added benefit of SPF 25 (though we still recommend slathering on a sunscreen with SPF 30 beforehand).
Editor Tip: Use the Dermablend Loose Setting Powder to seal the deal by absorbing any excess oil for a matte, smooth complexion.
Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, sodium hyaluronate | Who It's For: Those who need to cover deep or dark pigments
Best Waterproof: Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector
Why It's Worth It: The beauty of Westmore Beauty's Body Coverage Perfector is that its long-lasting formula is 100% waterproof, so this beauty product can withstand whatever the weather throws at it. Available in six flexible shades, this full-coverage body makeup can effortlessly cover tattoos, stretch marks, varicose veins, you name it.
Editor Tip: You can layer on this buildable formula; once your first application sets, layer on the second for even better coverage.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, dimethicone, sodium hyaluronate | Who It's For: People planning to be outdoors
Best for Face and Body: Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation
Why It's Worth It: Feel free to bring this foundation past your neck and décolletage and all the way down to your toes. The full-coverage Face & Body Foundation from Dior's Backstage line is so versatile, that you can cover the blemish on your cheek while hiding that mysterious bruise on your leg — all with one product. It's a medium- to full-coverage, buildable foundation that's also waterproof and sweat-resistant, allowing you to beat the heat while still looking flawless.
Editor Tip: It's non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: People who want a versatile formula
Best Body Concealer: Blk/Opl Total Coverage Face & Body Concealer
Why It's Worth It: Technically this is a concealer, but it still qualifies. This full-coverage concealer and foundation hybrid can cover anything from tattoos to unwanted body acne, from head to toe. Developed by a dermatologist, the Total Coverage Face & Body Concealer is a fan-favorite for its ultra-pigmented formula, smudge-proof assurance, and opaque, matte finish. Bonus: It even has a sponge tip for easy application.
Editor Tip: Blk/Opl also offers a cream-to-powder foundation compact for face and body.
Key Ingredients: Retinyl palmitate, beeswax, vitamin E | Who It's For: Those who want to cover tattoos
Best Long-Wear: Vita Liberata Body Blur Body Makeup
Why It's Worth It: This light-reflecting, Best of Beauty-winning Vita Liberata Body Blur Body Makeup conceals unwanted blemishes while promising a gorgeous, dewy finish. Think of this as a body BB cream that lightly blurs while providing a luminous, sun-kissed glow. It's an ideal daytime coverup that can easily be washed off with warm water and soap. "The feeling felt like nothing was on my legs, unlike other body foundations on the market that leave behind a heavy or cakey finish," shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis said of the blurring, transfer-proof formula.
Editor Tip: Trakoshis was impressed by how well this held up during a hot, humid week, making this is a good option for warmer weather.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter | Who It's For: People who want coverage with a lightweight feel
Best Shade Range: MAC Studio Radiance Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation
Why It's Worth It: Famous for perfecting the undertone match, MAC formulated the Studio Face and Body Foundation with four undertone families in mind (cool, neutral, neutral warm, and neutral cool). It allows you to achieve the perfect shade match with 13 available tones to choose from. This is a light-to-medium coverage body foundation best applied with a damp sponge or foundation brush for a lightweight, natural, satin finish.
Editor Tip: It has staying power, offering up to eight hours of wear.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, orange peel oil | Who It's For: Those seeking an ultra-natural look
Best for Small Areas: Kryolan Professional TV Paint Stick
Why It's Worth It: New York City-based makeup artist Krystal Vigo loves the Kryolan Professional TV Paint Stick because of its clean, matte finish. "Once you blend this foundation stick out, it looks so natural, like you're not hiding anything," she says. It's formulated with more than 35% pigment, and the oil-based formula has a smooth, easy-to-blend texture that makes it a mainstay among pros.
Editor Tip: For the most seamless finish, moisturize skin before applying.
Key Ingredients: Beeswax, candelilla wax, vitamin E | Who It's For: Those targeting specific coverage areas
