7 Drugstore Foundations That Will Not Let You Down

We realize we may sound like a broken record at this point, but there are SO many incredible drugstore products, you just have to separate the average formulas from the holy-grail finds. This is undoubtedly the case with regards to foundation. There are so many elements to get right, from the coverage to the finish, not to mention the shade range. Here are seven of our “holy-grail foundation” finds that’ll never let you down.

Our Fave Drugstore Foundations:

Best Glow-Up: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint, $17

Source: Neutrogena

Finish: Radiant glow
Coverage: Light to Medium
Shade range: 10 shades ranging from fair to rich

If you’re looking for a glow-up in a bottle, this is it. The lightweight liquid foundation offers the ultimate dewy, healthy skin finish that’s super popular right now. The silky formula blends like a dream and offers light to medium coverage, but can also be built up for those days when you need a little extra juice! Packed with antioxidants and armed with SPF 20, it’ll also help protect your skin from UVA and UVB damage, as well as blue light and free radical damage. If you have normal to dry skin, it wears well throughout the day, however, if you have oily skin, we recommend setting the formula with a light dusting of powder.

Top tip: To up your glow-game, add a drop of liquid highlighter into the formula before applying and blend with a damp makeup sponge.

All-Time Fave: L’Oréal True Match Super-Blendable Foundation Makeup, $11

Source: L’Oreal

Finish: Natural skin finish
Coverage: Medium
Shade range: 45 shades ranging from fair to rich

You’ll probably spot this foundation on everyone’s list of ride-or-die foundations, which makes total sense since L’Oreal spent over a decade refining the formula! The mission was to develop shades that matched each person’s unique skin tone, which now consists of 45 shades with pure color pigments to provide a true-to-skin shade match. With medium coverage that’s super easy to blend, once you’ve laid it down it wears well all day. The formula also feels super hydrating and is infused with pro-vitamin B5, plus vitamin E to keep your skin radiant and healthy. It’s also oil-free, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.

Fave for Rich Skin Tones: Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick Foundation, $11

Source: Black Radiance

Finish: Natural skin finish
Coverage: Light to medium
Shade range: Nine shades ranging from tan to rich

This long-wear, oil-free stick foundation provides a natural skin finish that’ll keep you looking fresh and flawless all day long. The formula is super easy to blend and provides good coverage that is easy to build. We also love that it comes with a built-in foundation brush on the other end, which is super easy for touching up on the go. With nine shades ranging from tan to rich, this focused collection has nailed their undertones.

Top tip: Ask any celeb MUA and they’ll tell you that using a primer is non-negotiable. Not only will it help you achieve a more seamless finish, but it’ll also improve the longevity of your makeup. We’re currently obsessed with the new Huda Beauty Water Jelly Hydrating Primer, $33, as the ultra-hydrating formula creates the perfect canvas that grips makeup in place for flawless all-day wear.

Best Tinted Moisturizer: L’Oreal Skin Paradise Water-Infused Tinted Moisturizer, $17

Source: L’Oreal

Finish: Natural skin finish
Coverage: Light to medium
Shade range: 12 shades ranging from fair to rich

This tinted moisturizer was one of our favorite drugstore releases of 2020. The 70% water-based formula provides light to medium coverage with broad-spectrum SPF to keep your skin protected from sun damage. It’s also infused with a blend of hydrating ingredients to quench your skin for a radiant glow. It’s the ultimate WFH foundation as it evens out skin tone and cancels out redness while feeling super creamy and luxurious on your skin. Plus, it wears well throughout the day, so it’ll keep you looking fresh on your Zoom calls. Read our full review here.

Most Customizable: NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation, $14

Source: NYX Professional

Finish: Natural
Coverage: Buildable
Shade range: 30 shades ranging from fair to rich

Our favorite thing about this formula is that it’s so easy to play with, so it can take you from a sheer no-makeup makeup look to fierce full-coverage glam. The lightweight clean and vegan formula delivers a natural, healthy skin finish, which lasts up to 12 hours without transferring or settling into fine lines or wrinkles (yay!). Plus, it doesn’t leave oily skin feeling greasy and will help you avoid midday shine. Another reason why we love it? They have a 100% shade match guarantee, which is hella-helpful RN when we’re buying everything online.

Tip: Spritz your brush or blender with a little setting spray to keep your look on lockdown all day.

Best Stick Foundation: BLK/OPL TRUE COLOR® Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15, $11

Source: BLK/OPL

Finish: Velvet
Coverage: Full coverage
Shade range: 19 shades ranging from tan to rich

If you prefer a stick formula, this full coverage foundation stick is about to become your BFFL! It has a delicious velvet finish and applies and blends out with ease. Enriched with antioxidants like vitamins C and E, it’ll keep your skin glowing and plump, plus, as it’s amped up with SPF 20, it’ll help protect your skin from sun damage. As for the shade range, it uses Shade ID™ technology with multi-colored chromatic pigments to adjust to your unique skin tone and neutralize imperfections for a flawless finish.

Fave Dewy-Skin Finish: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation, $8

Finish: Dewy
Coverage: Light to medium
Shade range: 24 shades ranging from fair to deep

If skinimalism is your vibe (ditto), then this juicy dewy formula is for you. The lightweight, hydrating foundation has actually been one of our faves for years as it gives the most beautiful natural finish. It lasts well through the day and doesn’t crease into fine lines. With that said, we recommend setting with a loose setting powder for longer wear.

Top tip: If you have freckles on your nose and cheeks, bounce a clean part of your makeup sponge over the top of your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose to pick up excess product and allow your freckles to peek through.

For more amazing drugstore products, check out the drugstore face oils your skin will love.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. We never take payment to review products, however, some brands allow affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.