Coverage

Coverage

Coverage refers to the opacity of the makeup, or how much it will conceal on the skin.

• Sheer is the most transparent and contains the least amount of pigment. It will not hide discolorations on the skin; however, it can minimise the contrast between the discoloration and the rest of the skin tone. Although pigment technology has evolved dramatically since 2004, the traditional protocol for sheer foundations called for pigment to compromise 8–13% of the finished formula.
• Light can cover unevenness and slight blotchiness, but is not opaque enough to cover freckles. It contains 13–18% pigment.
• Medium coverage can, when set with a tinted (instead of translucent) powder, cover freckles, discolorations, blotchiness, and red marks left by pimples. It will contain 18–23% pigment.
• Full coverage is very opaque, and used to cover birthmarks, vitiligo, hyperpigmentation and scars. It is sometimes referred to as “corrective” or “camouflage” make-up. In general it will contain up to 35% pigment, though professional brands, designed for use on stage, can contain up to 50% pigment