Looking for the best budget-friendly foundations? This post is all about the absolute best foundation drugstore finds!
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When you are applying makeup, you can dare to say that foundation is one of the most important steps. Unless you have the smoothest most hydrated, no pores, even toned, spotless skin, foundation is a must for those special occasions or even on a daily basis if you wish. Think about it, if you put on eyeshadow, mascara, blush, contour, and bronzer without the perfect base, it will look off. The goal when we apply makeup, is to enhance our features in a flawless way. We may not cover ever single imperfection, however we want our skin to look its best for the most part.
When we use foundation in conjunction with the rest of our makeup, we have a perfected photo ready look. Sometimes though, it can be hard to find the perfect one to use. You don’t want it look like you put a mask a mask on, you don’t want it to cause creases, settle in your pores, or even disappear by the end of the day. Well that sounds expensive doesn’t it? Wrong! With so many high priced foundations on the market that are being advertised everywhere with insane claims, sometimes drugstore foundations can take a back seat but they are just as good, if not even better than high end foundations.
Some of the best foundations ever have come from drugstores and the best part is, is that they don’t cost an arm and a leg! Save your coins and check out these best foundation drugstore finds!
What Are The Best Drugstore Foundations?
1. Maybelline – Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation
Calling all you ladies (or gentlemen) who love a luminous glow, this one is for you! As you are applying this foundation, it goes on super smooth and gives off such a healthy look to the skin covering redness. It doesn’t cause any creases, doesn’t give you a cake face, or enhance any texture on the skin either. It’s a perfect easy every day foundation.
Finish: Natural Luminous
Coverage: Medium Buildable
Lasting Power: Approximately 8 Hours
Shade Range: 24 Shades
2. L’Oreal – Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation
To the ladies who love a flawless buildable coverage foundation while still looking like skin, you will love this! The way this foundation wears is seriously unreal. It’s so lightweight but yet somehow still manages to be so perfecting. I mean, the sorcery is real. It feels like you are wearing nothing and gives the most flattering immaculate finish. This is one you will constantly be reaching for and for good reason!
Finish: Natural Finish
Coverage: Medium Buildable
Lasting Power: 24 Hour Wear
Shade Range: 40 Shades
3. Revlon – Candid PhotoReady Foundation
If you are looking for a drugstore foundation that doesn’t transfer, look no further! This stuff is here to stay in place on your face until you remove it. It has quite a bit of coverage, and keeps your skin gorgeously satin matte all day even in the heat. Even though it is more of a matte finish, it is still moisturizing so it won’t dry you out and leave you flakey. Overall, it’s a great option!
Finish: Natural Finish
Coverage: Medium Buildable
Lasting Power: 8-10 Hours
Shade Range: 31 Shades
4. L’Oreal Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation
This is such a beautiful smoothing foundation. It gives the feel of a lightweight tinted moisturizer but still keeps the coverage of a foundation. It’s like the best of both worlds. You will be left will a gorgeous radiant glow but won’t look oily or greasy by any means. It covers any imperfections just enough for every day wear and will keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
Finish: Radiant Finish
Coverage: Medium Buildable
Lasting Power: 8-10 Hours
Shade Range: 30 Shades
5. Catrice – True Skin Hydrating Foundation
Just like the name says, this foundation has such a lovely dewy finish. It blends super easily and gives you incredible weightless coverage that will hide redness and blemishes. It lasts almost all day on the skin and provides just the right amount of moisture where you don’t look dry or oil either. It’s actually really comparable, if not better than it high end counterparts. You will definitely not be disappointed with this one.
Finish: Natural Finish
Coverage: Medium To Full Coverage
Lasting Power: 8-10 Hours
Shade Range: 20 Shades
6. Wet N Wild – Photo Focus Foundation
For those of you who love a matte foundation, you need to try this one! It’s very full coverage and you will look beautifully airbrushed. So, if you don’t like full coverage foundations, I would pass on this one. However, for you ladies that do like full coverage, this will be your go to! The dry down is flawless but you won’t look dry. On the contrary, your skin will look healthy. Seriously don’t sleep on this one!
Finish: Matte Finish
Coverage: Full Coverage
Lasting Power: 10 Hours
Shade Range: 20 Shades
7. L’Oreal – True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
Holy Canoly! I don’t know what is in this stuff but surprisingly, it looks even better as the day goes on. It almost becomes one with your skin and makes you look hydrated and fresh. In has an incredible skin-like finish that is undetectable making it look perfect on the skin. Not only that, but your face will look smoothed out and some of your fine lines will be less noticeable. You will seriously obsess over this foundation!
Finish: Radiant Finish
Coverage: Medium Coverage
Lasting Power: 8 Hours
Shade Range: 10 Shades
8. Joah Beauty – Crystal Glow Primedation
This foundation combines a blurring primer, skincare, and coverage all in one! Who doesn’t want a foundation that is not only going to provide coverage, but also benefit your skin at the same time? It has a gorgeous radiant finish that lasts all day. It will coverage any imperfections on the skin and make you glow and look alive. It’s such a super easy and fuss free foundation. It’s a no brainer!
Finish: Radiant Finish
Coverage: Medium Coverage
Lasting Power: 9 Hours
Shade Range: 24 Shades
FAQ’s
1. How can I choose the right shade of drugstore foundation?
To choose the right shade of drugstore foundation, first identify your skin’s undertone (warm, cool, or neutral) as it influences which shade will look most natural.
Test the foundation on your jawline, not your hand, as the skin tone there is more representative of your face.
Lastly, consider the lighting in the store; natural light is the best indicator of how the foundation will look in daily wear, so try to check the color match in daylight if possible.
2. How do I get the most coverage out of my foundation?
To get the most coverage out of your foundation, start with a well-moisturized and primed face to create a smooth base that enhances foundation adherence.
Use a dense brush or a beauty sponge for application, as these tools help in achieving a fuller coverage by evenly distributing the foundation without soaking up too much product.
Build coverage gradually by applying thin layers and allowing each layer to set before adding more, focusing on areas that need extra coverage, to avoid a cakey appearance.
3. How do I get full coverage without looking cakey?
To achieve full coverage without looking cakey, ensure your skin is hydrated and exfoliated before applying a primer suited to your skin type, which helps create a smooth canvas.
Apply foundation in thin layers, using a damp beauty sponge or brush for a more even and natural finish, blending well with each layer.
Set your foundation with a fine, translucent powder by lightly dusting it over areas prone to oiliness or creasing, avoiding heavy application to maintain a natural look.
4. How do you know if your foundation is too light?
Your foundation is too light if it makes your complexion appear ashy or washed out, especially under natural lighting.
You might also notice a clear demarcation line between your jawline and neck, indicating a mismatch in shades.
Additionally, if your face looks significantly lighter than the rest of your body in photos, especially with flash photography, it’s a sign that your foundation shade is too light.
