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What on earth are the best foundations you can buy at the drugstore? –Probably the most requested post for every beauty blogger ever!
And for good reason. Out of all the makeup products, foundation is the stuff we go through the fastest. On top of that, foundation often doesn’t come cheap. High-end foundations from Sephora or departments stores often start in the high-$30 range, and the sky really is the limit when it comes to prices.
We always want to know how we can save a bit of money. Just because we love makeup, doesn’t mean we want to spend our entire salaries on the basics. (Holiday eyeshadow palettes …maybe.) These are the best of the best foundations you can find at almost any drugstore. There’s something in here for everybody. Whether you have oily skin, dry skin, or what kind of coverage your want, the drugstore has you covered!
I’ve listed these foundations in no particular order, so be sure to skim through the entire post for the full spectrum of drugstore foundation favorites!
*UPDATED: New foundations have been released since this post was originally published. In order to keep this info current and super helpful, I have changed some of my top drugstore foundation picks to keep up with the times. I plan on updating consistently as new products are released!
I feel like Revlon has been kind of forgotten lately, overshadowed by flashy releases from other brands. This foundation didn’t get a lot of attention, and I don’t know why because it’s pretty amazing! The foundation is formulated with anti-pollution and anti-blue-light technology, plus it includes antioxidants and is paraben and phthalate free. Whew. The product dries to a natural finish on the skin and provides a beautiful medium coverage. Not to mention, the shade range is awesome.
It wouldn’t be a Top 10 list without mentioning this gem! Milani created a foundation that combines foundation and concealer into one mega-product, hence the 2-in-1 name. I don’t know the science behind that, but I do know that the product provides unmatched coverage that latches on to my skin and doesn’t let go. When I need to look doll-like and immortal for a loooong time, this is what I wear. Plus, it works on so many different skin types, I even got my mom into it!
This probably the oldest and most frequently ignored drugstore foundation on this list. We all know it’s there, but most of us have never tried it because it’s just so boring. If you have sensitive skin and want a non-irritating foundation with light-to-medium coverage, this may be a good option for you. You can get past the boring-ness, I believe in you.
Okay, this one is a tinted moisturizer and not a true foundation. Not all of us enjoy wearing full coverage foundation every day! This stuff is incredibly hydrating, though because it is so lightweight it doesn’t slide around or break up on my skin. On the contrary, I find that it melts in and “becomes one” with my skin so beautifully, it looks like I’m not wearing any foundation at all. And yet I look 10x better.
Before I discovered Milani Conceal + Perfect, I had this. It was my holy grail foundation back when my skin was an oily disaster. I find the coverage to be a tad lighter than the Milani foundation, but it controls oil very well. If oil control paired with full coverage is what you need, then this is a great option.
Here we have another unassuming pick. I ignored this foundation in stores for the longest time. As my skin has gotten older and drier, I’ve started venturing into the world of dewy foundations. This formula is a nice introduction to dewiness. It’s not too much. Does it last a full 24 hours? I don’t know, I haven’t worn it for that long. But it does keep my skin looking fresh for the better part of the day.
My favorite for days when I want to look a bit more glam, yet still fresh and natural. This is one of Covergirl’s OG formulas that like the Neutrogena, is often overlooked. I wear a light layer of the mousse-y formula for light-to-medium coverage, but the formula does build well if you want more coverage. I wouldn’t call this foundation exceptionally long wearing, but I do find that it fades rather gracefully. You won’t have to worry about going from flawless to train wreck without ample warning,
Covergirl has really been stepping it up lately! This foundation is another full coverage option, and the selling point has to be the price. Drugstore foundation prices have been creeping upward, yet somehow this foundation remains in the $5-6 range. Though Covergirl calls this a matte formula, reviews suggest that it is more of a natural finish that wears all day.
If you’re constantly toeing the line between coverage and heaviness but aren’t finding the balance you want, then liquid foundation formulas are awesome. This highly pigmented yet lightweight liquid can be built up on the skin without feeling too heavy and uncomfortable. It’s also a great multitasker. Mix a drop or two with your moisturizer for some light skin-evening on casual days.
This one may be controversial because some people say it’s amazing, while others insist it is utter garbage. (Isn’t everything like that, though?) I personally love the look this provides. It gives me a beautiful finish that looks full-coverage flawless, but still has that natural skin-like appearance. The only caveat is that it tends to break down faster than other foundations, at least on me. For that reason, I often wear it for photo ops when I want my skin looking impeccable for a short period of time. It wins that game by miles!That’s all for today!
Like this post? You’ll definitely enjoy this one too >> Top 10 BEST Concealers Found at the Drugstore!
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Till next time. ♥︎
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FTC- Not sponsored by any brands mentioned. I purchase all products myself. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliated.
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