You don’t need to shell out a lot of money for a decent foundation. These affordable drugstore foundations get top marks.
The more money you spend on something doesn’t necessarily mean the better the quality. This is especially true with makeup. There are lots of great, budget-friendly drugstore products you can buy that are just as good–if not better–than the more expensive, prestige brands. Plus, some of them have just as fancy packaging. Next time you’re in the market for a new foundation, consider getting one at the drugstore when you’re stocking up on cheap lip products. Whether you want something that controls oil or gives your skin a luminous glow, there is an affordable option.
Check out the best reader-approved drugstore foundations:
1. Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream, Garnier
If you prefer a BB cream instead of a foundation, Boots is a fan of this Garnier one:
“Garnier BB cream in Light (Clair). The sensitive skin one goes on smooth provides just enough coverage to make it worthwhile but doesn’t make my skin greasy or cakey. It’s about $9-12AUD here (no idea what that is in the US).”
The BB cream also minimizes pores, keeps oily T-zones in check, and gives your skin a velvety finish.
2. Fit Me! Shine-Free Foundation, Maybelline
If you want something different than a liquid foundation, how about a stick formula? footnotegirl says this cheap one is the only one that works for her skin:
“Maybelline Fit Me foundation in the Poreless liquid or the shine-free stick, which is the ONLY stick foundation that I’ve ever found that works on my skin, cheap or expensive or VERY expensive.”
The stick foundation goes on creamy and sets into a matte powder that keeps your skin shine-free all day long.
3. Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Liquid, Maybelline
This was footnotegirl’s other pick. It makes your pores look invisible, thanks to blurring micro-powders. The lightweight formula evens out your skin tone and keeps your skin perfectly matte.
4. Healthy Mix Foundation, Bourjois
Attention pale-skinned girls. Reader Elyne has found a foundation that comes in a range of colors with shades light enough for your complexion:
“Bourjois Healthy Mix. It comes in a bunch of different colors, and some of them are light enough to work with my incredibly pale skin. The foundation itself has medium coverage with a very nice glow and works great on dry skin. It also lasts on me for at least a day (providing that I don’t rub my face)”
If your face is looking a little lackluster, this foundation will give you the right amount of radiance.
5. ColorStay Makeup For Oily/Combination Skin, Revlon
This was my pick for my favorite drugstore foundation, and commenter Sarah also picked it too. She said:
“So this is my favorite too! I used it all throughout college, and although I don’t use foundation every day anymore, this is still my go-to for events.”
It is lightweight and has Time Release Technology that controls shine. It won’t rub off, so you don’t have to worry about stained shirt collars.
6. 9-In-1 Skin Perfecting BB Cream, Rimmel
If you thought a 3-in-1 product was good, reader Michelle has found a BB cream that is a 9-in-1:
“I like Rimmel myself; right now, I’m using their BB cream. it’s light, and I don’t seem to have a reaction to it like some others.”
What are the 9 things it does, you ask?
- Smooths
- Soothes
- Controls shine throughout the day
- Evens out your skin
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Mattifies
- Conceals dark circles
- Offers all-day coverage
- Helps prevent blemishes.
7. Dream Wonder Touch-Fluid Foundation, Maybelline
Maybelline was a clear favorite. Anne likes it for cocktailing (mixing with other products, not drinking it):
“I’m really into Maybelline Dream Wonder right now because it blends really well with other things, and lately, I’ve been really into cocktailing it with luminizer, moisturizer, and sunscreen. It’s like a budget version of the CoverFX drops. I don’t normally do real foundation (without mix-ins), but because this is buildable light to the medium foundation, it’s an easy next step from my usual BB routine.”
It has a dropper applicator that is different from the usual pump formulas.