The Best Drugstore Foundations, According to Pro Makeup Artists
The Best Drugstore Foundations, According to Pro Makeup Artists
High-quality foundation doesn't have to come at a high price tag. Considering foundation is a daily-wear kind of product (that is, if you are wearing makeup these days–bravo), it's one you have to replace frequently. Over time, those $60 bottles add up. Do yourself a favor and save the splurging for other parts of your beauty routine. There's incredible foundation right in the shelves of your local drugstore. Skeptical? Allow professional makeup artists–and the WH beauty team–to guide you with tried-and-true, skin-perfecting formulas all under $20. Really!
1) BLK/OPL TRUE COLOR Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15, Nutmeg — hypoallergenic, cruelty-free
Black Opal
amazon.com
$12.01
This foundation stick "gives a buttery matte finish that melts into the skin" according to makeup artist Jonet Williamson. She also likes it for its "full coverage so it can double as a concealer, plus the color match technology makes it easier to find your shade."
2) L'Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation Makeup
L'Oréal
ulta.com
$10.99
Makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran says she's been using this foundation since the start of her career and praises it for its "natural finish." "This formula is light to medium in coverage sporting a very fresh and clean vibe and is super blendable," she says. "This foundation can get you flawless wear for about 6-8 hours." One pro tip she shared was to use a brush for more coverage and a Beautyblender for more sheer coverage.
3) Revlon ColorStay Makeup Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin with SPF 15 Medium Shades - 1 fl oz
Revlon
target.com
$9.49
This was a foundation recommended by each of the makeup artists we talked to (unplanned!). "I’m all about illuminating and sun protection, so if you’re like me then Revlon Colorstay would be a great fit," says Brandy Allen. "With its 24 hour wear, transfer resistance and sun protection, this formula is beautiful under the sun. My favorite finish is semi-matte which this foundation has. The buildability is medium to full coverage with a semi-matte finish."
Jaikaran swears by this, too, for its longwear powers and the fact it works for all different skin concerns. "This formula is lightweight and does a great job of keeping oil and shine to a minimum. Skin looks healthy and vibrant and coverage can generally last between 12-20 hours," she adds.
4) CoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation
CoverGirl
ulta.com
$11.49
Allen is a fan of this bottle because it is "the best of both worlds: mattifying with a natural, flawless finish." The 24-hour wear formula has a "skin-like" finish, she shares, and controls oils while reducing the appearance of pores. CoverGirl trublend matte made foundation is the perfect 24 hour longwear foundation. The matte finish is still skin-like and natural while controlling oils and reduce the appearance of pores. Williamson is also a fan for its "buildable coverage" and "velvety matte finish." She says it is best suited for oily/combination skin.
5) Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
Maybelline
ulta.com
$7.99
Aside from the affordable price point, this drugstore staple is a favorite of Jaikaran's because it is buildable. "The finish is flawless and does not usually set into smile lines or creases on the face. I have found that this foundation does not enhance any texture on the skin and has a more airbrushed-like finish," she says. On top of that, it has 42 shades. "Maybelline has been in the diverse color range game for a minute. To say it is a cult favorite is an understatement."
Allen is another fan of this foundation because "its micropowders blur skin texture and control shine. Whether you have a Zoom meeting or a date night, this foundation is a staple to have in your makeup bag," she says.
6) NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation
NYX Professional Makeup
ulta.com
$10.00
This medium-coverage foundation is great for both dry and oily skin. "It has a built-in glow formula that makes your skin look and feel like a vacation," Allen describes. "Imagine a radiant skin filter in a bottle. It’s wearability is comfortable and great for everyday wear."
7) IMAN Cosmetics Second to None Stick Foundation
Iman Cosmetics
amazon.com
$16.00
Iman has been a pioneer for making cosmetics catering to deeper skin tones when the market didn't offer it. This creamy jojoba-infused foundation stick is amateur-friendly, looks like skin, and blends like a dream.
8) Best For Acne-Prone Skin
Neutrogena Skinclearing Makeup
amazon.com
$10.59
If you have breakout-prone skin, there's no better brand to trust than Neutrogena. The formula contains salicylic acid to prevent breakouts, too, so you can feel confident about using it to cover up and clear up zits.
9) Best Customizable Coverage
NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation
walmart.com
$10.49
This liquid dropper lets you totally customize how opaque or sheer you want your foundation coverage to be. It's water-light, so it won't feel sticky even in the humidity of summer.
11) Honest Beauty Everything Cream Foundation
Honest Beauty
amazon.com
$17.99
Honest Beauty takes "clean" beauty seriously, so you know even the most sensitive skin will be able to wear this foundation. The balm-like formula can have both light and full coverage, and blends seamlessly into your own skin.
12) ColourPop Pretty Fresh Foundation
ColourPop
ulta.com
$16.00
ColourPop can't be beat when it comes to prices and shade ranges. This offering is perfect for dry skin as it contains both coconut water and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin while it covers.
13) Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation
Rimmel
walmart.com
$4.97
Mousse foundations tend to give you the most matte finishes–and that's what you get with this one from Rimmel. The consistency really smooths out your skin texture and minimizes the appearance of pores.
14) wet n wild MegaCushion Foundation SPF 15
wet n wild
walmart.com
$8.75
Mess-free foundation is the best foundation. This compact neatly houses all the foundation inside a cushion, so you never have to worry about spills, and you can control how much or how little product you want. Skin looks luminous and dewy.
15) Juvia's Place Shade Stick Foundation
Juvia's Place
ulta.com
$16.00
Whether you want all-over evening out or spot coverage, this stick can work for both. It glides easily (no dragging!) over skin thanks to shea butter and won't budge all day.
16) e.l.f. Cosmetics Foundation Palette
e.l.f. Cosmetics Foundation Palette
amazon.com
$8.99
This four-in-one palette has everything you need to contour and cover. The silky-finish, solid foundations allow you to customize your shade–ideal if your skin gets more tan in the summer, or if you can never seem to find the right undertone in other foundations.
17) Burt's Bees 100% Natural Mattifying Powder Foundation
burts-bees
cvs.com
$16.99
If you've got oily skin, this one's for you. You can use this powder foundation alone, or as a setting powder on top of a different foundation–either way, skin looks flawless . Any shine gets zapped right away as soon as you dust some of this on your T-Zone.
18) Milani Screen Queen Foundation
Milani
ulta.com
$13.99
Everyone has upped their screen time these days, which means we're all getting exposed to more skin-compromising blue light. Thankfully, this skin perfector has Nastursium Flower extract, an ingredient that helps stressed-out skin.
19) L.A. Girl Pro.Matte Foundation
L.A. Girl
ulta.com
$8.99
Whether you've got redness, dark spots, or pimples, this high-coverage foundation disguises all of it with a matte finish.
20) Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation with SPF 20
Physicians Formula
amazon.com
$10.70
If breathable is what you're looking for, this foundation is for you. It is lightweight, mineral foundation infused with sun protection, and skin-improving Vitamins A, C, and E. Skin ends up looking satin-soft.
They all agree on one that's under $10.