These Are The Best Drugstore Foundations Available

Finding a great foundation that works for your skin can take your makeup game to the next level. But, a lot of coveted foundations can be quite pricey. Over the past years, drugstore makeup brands have only been getting better and better. There are so many dupes for high-end products that really do live up to the hype.

Drugstore foundations come in an abundance of different formulas and finishes. Foundation formulas range from mattifying to glowy, for dry to oily skin, and low to high coverage. With the wide array of drugstore makeup formulas, you really don’t need to spend a bunch of money on an expensive high-end foundation. Our favorite is the L’Oreal True Match Foundation.

What is the best drugstore foundation?

Here are our picks for the best foundations found in the drugstore.

L’Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation

Our Pick

Our Pick
L’Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation

This foundation is super-hydrating and provides medium coverage with a natural finish that is super blendable.

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This foundation has been around for years now, and it has truly raised the bar for drugstore foundations. Also, it is one of the earliest examples of including an inclusive range of skin tones. This foundation provides a very natural finish that works for all skin types. Another excellent thing about this formula is that it has SPF, so it prevents skin damage from the sun. It blends out seamlessly, but the coverage can sometimes be difficult to build.

Pros:

  • Easy to blend
  • Wide range of shades
  • Includes SPF

Cons:

  • Difficult to build the coverage

Where to buy it: Amazon

Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation

Best Foundation For Dry Skin

Best Foundation For Dry Skin
Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation

This dewy foundation hydrates and smoothes your skin, leaving a natural, luminous finish.

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Maybelline has been one of the most popular drugstore makeup companies for years. Out of all of the foundations that Maybelline has produced, the Fit Me line is definitely the fan-favorite. It provides medium coverage, but it can be built up to cover problem areas. The dewy and smooth finish gives you a glowy look and hydrates skin. It is great for people with dry skin, as it does not leave any dry patches.

Pros:

  • Leaves a glowy finish
  • Can be built up for more coverage
  • Hydrating

Cons:

  • Doesn’t offer enough medium-to-dark shades
  • Can change color when it oxidizes

Where to buy it: Amazon

NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation

Best Foundation For Oily Skin

NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation

This full-coverage classic foundation hustles to cover imperfections so you don’t have to.

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NYX Cosmetics is one of my personal favorite drugstore makeup brands. The NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation is a matte liquid foundation, so it is great for concealing oily skin types. The formula is lightweight, but it can be built up to have a higher coverage. Also, the line shows its inclusivity by including a wide range of 45 shades.

Pros:

  • Lightweight and buildable
  • Wide range of shades
  • Lasts all day

Cons:

  • Can become cakey if too much is applied
  • Can become darker when it oxidizes
  • Difficult to remove

Where to buy it: Amazon

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

Best Waterproof Foundation

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

This light, long-wearing, liquid formula goes on smooth with a demi-matte finish and lasts up to 24 hours.

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The L’Oreal Infalliable Pro-Matte Foundation has a matte finish that stays in place all day. Its longevity is what makes this foundation one of the most popular in the drugstore. It has very high coverage that covers blemishes any discoloration or acne you may have. Since this foundation is highly mattifying, it works best on normal to oily skin. Something to note about this product is that when you are applying it, it dries down fast. Because of this, it can sometimes be difficult to blend.

Pros:

  • Highly long-lasting
  • Full coverage
  • Completely mattifying

Cons:

  • Not optimal for dry skin types
  • Difficult to blend

Where to buy it: Amazon

NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation

Best Powder Foundation

Best Drugstore Powder Foundation
NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation

This lightweight powder foundation offers buildable coverage and evens your skin tone to cover imperfections.

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Powder foundations are often avoided because they can appear cakey or flat on the face. But, the NYX Stay Matte Powder Foundation does a great job at formulating a powder formula that doesn’t do this. You are going to need other products to add some dimension and color to your face. But, this product provides a solid base and even complexion for the rest of your makeup routine. The powder formula is very lightweight on the skin, and it leaves a matte finish. The product comes with a sponge applicator, but it can be difficult to use. Your best bet is to buy a different applicator if you use this product.

Pros:

  • Gives a very even complexion
  • Mattifying finish
  • Very lightweight

Cons:

  • Can look cakey or flat on the face
  • The included sponge applicator is difficult to use

Where to buy it: Amazon

E.L.F. Flawless Finish Foundation

Best Cruelty-Free Foundation

e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation

The lightweight, oil-free foundation blends into your skin for a semi-matte finish that lasts the whole day.

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One of the things the drugstore makeup section has lacked in the past is providing a lot of cruelty-free options. But, one brand that has been cruelty-free for years is E.L.F. The E.L.F. Flawless Finish Foundation is both cruelty-free and vegan, so you can feel good about using it. It has a semi-matte finish, and it is perfect for all skin types. But, this, unfortunately, is not the most long-lasting foundation on this list. If you have a long day, you may have to reapply this once or twice.

Pros:

  • Cruelty-free and vegan
  • Great for all skin types
  • Full coverage without being cakey

Cons:

  • Not very long-lasting
  • Can irritate some sensitive skin

Where to buy it: Amazon

What exactly is foundation?

If you are a makeup beginner, you might be wondering…

What exactly is foundation?

Well, foundation is basically the base for your entire makeup look. It is meant to be applied to your entire face with the goal of evening out your complexion. By applying a foundation to your face, you are able to cover any discoloration, acne, or scarring that may be present on your skin. Additionally, foundation comes in many different forms. The main types are liquid-based foundations, powder foundations, and bb creams.

Liquid-based foundations are broken down into two groups: water-based and silicone-based. The difference between the two is in their ingredients. Water-based foundations use a blend of water and oil-based ingredients. Silicone-based formulas have a mix of silicone and water as the base. Typically, water-based formulas are more lightweight and easy to apply compared to silicone-based formulas.

Hence the name, powder foundations have powder as the base. They also have binding agents included in the formula that adheres the foundation to your skin. Powder foundations are great if you are looking for a mattifying finish. But, they usually don’t provide very high coverage.

Lastly, the bb cream trend has come upon us within the past decade. The abbreviation is short for “blemish balm,” and it is basically a skincare product and foundation all in one. Usually, these products include pigment, moisturizer, and sunscreen in their formulas. Along with the powder foundations, bb creams work best for low to medium coverage.

What makes a foundation good?

A foundation has to incorporate a few factors for us to consider it worthy of trying. One of the most important things is the color. You have to choose a foundation that matches your skin tone. But, you also have to make sure it doesn’t change colors when it oxidizes. A helpful tip when choosing the right color is figuring out whether your skin is cool-toned, warm-toned, or neutral-toned.

Another thing that makes up a good foundation is how blendable it is. It is very important that your foundation’s formula blends out seamlessly. It should effortlessly fade into your skin’s natural complexion without any harsh lines. Also, a blendable foundation often eliminates any creasing in the finished look. Typically, liquid-based foundations are the easiest to blend.

You don’t want to be reapplying your makeup constantly throughout the day. So, finding a long-lasting foundation is key. Your foundation should be able to last throughout the wear and tear of everyday life. By the end of the day, your makeup look should look just as flawless as the beginning.

Lastly, you want to pay attention to the finish of the foundation. Foundations can be natural, glowy, or mattifying. Depending on which foundation you are using, you should be getting that desired finish. Also, your foundation should not feel cakey or sticky on the skin.

Final Thoughts

Luckily, the drugstore makeup section has upped their game when it comes to providing high-quality products. So, finding a good foundation while on a budget doesn’t have to be such a difficult task. While there are many different available options, our favorite is the L’Oreal True Match Foundation. Its bendability and wide range of shades make this product the perfect well-rounded foundation at the drugstore.