DRUGSTORE STEALS

21 Drugstore Foundations That Go Toe-to-Toe With Luxury Splurges

These expert-approved formulas deliver quality without the hefty price tag.
21 Best Drugstore Foundations of 2021 Reviews
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As beauty writers and editors, our standards are high (sometimes unrealistically so) when it comes to foundation, as this one product can lay the groundwork for all other makeup. As much as we love a good no-makeup day, our skin doesn't always agree. But not all foundations can get the job done without creasing, caking, or flaking — the marker of a great foundation is one you can't really tell is there, after all. And while it'd be great if we could bathe ourselves in Giorgio Armani's $64 Luminous Silk formulation, our wallets aren't always as big of fans as we are. 

You might be of the mentality that you get what you pay for with makeup, but that's definitely not true — at least, not anymore. Throw away your preconceived notions about drugstore base makeup because it's getting better by the day. Allow us to introduce tried-and-true (and expert-vetted) favorites, including some Best of Beauty inductees and more. Cheers to a shopping guide that won't break the bank.

Below are the 21 best drugstore foundations, according to makeup artists and beauty editors. 

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • L'Oral Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation on white background
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    1/21

    L'Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation

    Few drugstore makeup lines are as heralded as L'Oréal Paris's Infallible, and the Fresh Wear Foundation is no exception. This full- to medium-coverage formula absorbs the skin's oils for a fresh, semi-matte complexion that lasts all day long. 

    $15 (Shop Now)

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    2/21

    Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Fix Makeup

    Looking for an Instagram filter finish that won't break the bank? Try one of makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes's go-tos, which is basically FaceTune in a stick. "I love buffing it onto the T-zone with a small fluffy brush and then building as needed," she says.

    $13 (Shop Now)

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    3/21

    Revlon PhotoReady Candid Glow Moisture Glow Foundation

    Dewy foundation formulas are rare in the drugstore aisle, but thankfully Revlon's PhotoReady Candid Glow Moisture Glow Foundation has all the bases covered there. This medium-coverage foundation subtly glistens in direct sunlight — but not so much that you blind passersby. 

    $9 (Shop Now)

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    7/21

    Nyx Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation

    Makeup artist and beauty vlogger Alissa Ashley teamed up with Nyx to produce the full-coverage, matte-finish foundation of our dreams, which comes in 45 inclusive shades. "We noticed that a lot of in-between shades were missing," Ashley previously told Allure. "When developing this range, we found that if we mixed two shades together or tweaked some by adding a slight undertone, we could get those in-between shades."

    $15 (Shop Now)

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    8/21

    Maybelline New York SuperStay 24HR Full Coverage Foundation

    If pores could talk, they'd be praising Maybelline New York SuperStay 24HR Full Coverage Foundation. The pigment-rich formula is oil-free, lasts all day, and glides easily onto skin, which is why it took home the 2018 Best of Beauty Award for the best full-coverage foundation.

    $12 (Shop Now)

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    9/21

    Physicians Formula Super CC+ Color-Correction + Care Cream

    Physicians Formula Super CC+ Color-Correction + Care Cream works to color-correct and cover at once. "I love that it's vegan and that it protects from the sun," says makeup artist Azra Red.

    $14 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    10/21

    Covergirl Outlast All Day Stay Fabulous 3-In-1 Foundation

    "Outlast is great for someone who likes matte skin since it dries to a demi-matte finish and lasts all day long," Nelson tells Allure. And with a built-in concealer and primer, consider it the Swiss Army knife of drugstore foundations.

    $12 (Shop Now)

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    11/21

    Revlon Colorstay Makeup For Combo/Oily Skin

    Revlon's Colorstay is a drugstore hero. "The new packaging includes a pump applicator, and the long-lasting, matte formula has SPF. It's specifically created for combination-to-oily skin, so it absorbs and controls excess shine," makeup artist Nicole Walmsley says. Plus, there are 35 inclusive shades.

    $14 (Shop Now)

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    12/21

    Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick Foundation

    Like almost all of its products, Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick Foundation caters exclusively to deep skin tones. You won't find any gray casts or nonsensical undertones with this velvety, full-coverage formula. 

    $9 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    16/21

    Burt's Bees Mattifying Powder Foundation

    Burt's Bees nailed its Mattifying Powder foundation right off the bat when it launched in 2017 — so much so that it won a Best of Beauty award. Testers praised this powder formula for its oil-controlling abilities that work without flattening the complexion or eliminating natural radiance.

    $17 (Shop Now)

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    17/21

    Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation

    Wet n Wild tested this formula under seven different lighting conditions with smartphones to essentially selfie-proof its product. We're not complaining. The resulting super-affordable foundation leaves a matte finish that looks flawless in pictures.

    $6 (Shop Now)

  • Courtesy of brand
    18/21

    CoverGirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All-Day Foundation

    This one's for the people who love a classic, high-glam beat: CoverGirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All-Day Foundation covers a lot with a little and stays matte all day while absorbing any oil that threatens to mess with your look.

    $8 (Shop Now)

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