4 Best Drugstore Foundations for Summer and Sweat
Summer is officially in full swing, and temperatures are hella high. I can work up a considerable amount of sweat just walking to my mailbox and back! Usually when it’s this hot (105° on most days, recently!) I wear minimal makeup if I’m not doing anything particular. When I do decide to put on a face, though, I need to make sure my makeup can handle to heat.
I recently tested out four popular drugstore foundations from Covergirl and L’Oreal to find out how they’d do when worn all day in the heat. Watch the video above to see how they performed, and keep scrolling to see how they ranked!
Some notes: I have combination skin, and wore these foundations without primer. I prepped my skin with toner, serum and SPF moisturizer.
#4: Covergirl Outlast Active Foundation ($4.47)
This foundation was specifically made with all-day, active wear in mind. It claims to be sweat-proof, water-proof, and humidity-proof. Technically, I feel like it successfully delivers on those claims. Even though it doesn’t control shine, and I looked incredibly slick when I was sweating, my sweat didn’t affect the foundation at all. There was no smearing or running, even though I was dripping sweat. The medium coverage lasted all day, as well, though I wouldn’t consider it transfer-proof as I could pick up a small amount of product when dabbing my face with toilet paper. This foundation felt light and breathable, and has SPF 20 which is great for spending time outdoors.
#3: L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation ($9.07)
Here’s one of my favorite matte foundations, and a great choice for hot days. It puts in the work offering medium to full coverage that lasts. The matte finish doesn’t look dry or dull at all, and gives you a smooth base of your look. It’s got a comfortable “air-light” texture and is oil-free. I would definitely recommend this if you have normal to oily skin, and I ranked it at #3 because it could accentuate fine lines in drier areas of the face and slightly broke down in the same spots, too.
#2: Covergirl Matte Made Foundation ($5.79)
If you want a foundation that will not only last through sweating but also help control shine with a smooth matte finish, this is the one to pick! It stays flexible on the skin and uses mattifying powders to absorb oil and minimize pores for up to twelve hours of wear. I was really impressed with how, at the end of the day, my skin still look blurred and fresh, and all of my face makeup on top of my foundation was still intact. There was very little transfer, even when actively sweating as well. What’s most impressive is that there are 40 shades to choose from, so you’re bound to find a close match with your skin tone.
#1: L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation ($11.48)
I was incredibly surprised to find that this foundation actually did the best out of the four I tested when it came to handling sweat and staying transfer-proof. Even though it’s not matte, and has a fresh natural finish, it sets and maintains its coverage and smooth appearance all day. Plus, it’s lightweight which is super important when wearing makeup in the heat. With Broad Spectrum SPF 25, I also love that it adds another layer of sun protection for summer wear.
What’s your favorite drugstore foundation for summer?
