The 4 Best Drugstore Foundations

The world of drugstore foundations is definitely tricky to get around. It seems like every brand has one, but they are certainly not all made equal.

I’ve tried high end foundations, and I don’t think there’s a lot that sets them apart from what’s available from budget brands… besides the fact that you’re able to test them ahead of time, so there’s more of a chance you’ll buy something you actually like.

Luckily, I’ve tried enough hits and misses to be able to deliver you my list of the best drugstore foundations that have great coverage and staying power, so you can stop buying the ones that don’t work.

All Skin Types: Neutrogena HealthySkin Liquid Makeup ($13.99)

You’ve heard about this foundation enough on my blog and YouTube to know it’s my absolute holy grail. It’s the one I never let myself run out of, and have been repurchasing since I was 14. There are twelve shade options in a range of undertones, and the formula offers buildable medium coverage with a lightweight feel. The finish is demi-matte, which is great for most skin types. It doesn’t feel oily throughout the day, but it has a real skin look, unlike fully matte foundations. It has SPF 20 as well as antioxidants to keep the skin looking and feeling healthy!

Dry Skin: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation ($11.99)

This newer foundation is already a stand out, and is going to be great for maintaining glowing skin during the next few months of chilly weather. It contains extremely fine microshimmer that ends up giving you a subtle sheen when applied, and the creamy texture offers medium to full coverage. Heads up: this foundation is scented which may not be best for sensitive skin.

Combo Skin: Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation ($6.99)

This foundation is a combo skin’s best friend in terms of long lasting coverage! Out of all of these picks, it probably offers the most coverage that stays put throughout the day. This, too, has a demi-matte finish that is made extremely comfortable due to being enriched with comfort serum, so your oily parts will be tamed while your dry parts will be hydrated. It holds up through sweat and humidity with very little transfer.

Oily Skin: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation ($4.99)

If you’re constantly battling a shiny face, this foundation is for you. You don’t need a lot of the lightweight mousse formula for complete coverage, and it blends easily to give you a true matte finish that controls oil for about 8 hours. I will admit that the seven shade options for this foundation all seem to lean warm, but when I blend enough I can get it to match my skin decently.

I encourage you to give drugstore foundation another shot, because finding one that works for you can be the best feeling when you realize how much money you’re saving! Don’t forget that most drugstores have a very forgiving return policy on cosmetics, so you can always return or exchange products that dont’ feel like the right formula or shade for you.