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Top Drugstore Foundations of 2025
Updated Dec. 12, 2025: This article was updated with new top drugstore foundations after an additional round of product testing. Our editors are currently testing additional formulas for consideration in this guide.
The art of perfecting a base makeup routine is ultra-personal, and it takes trial and error to discover the right complexion products to suit your skin. As the seasons shift, it’s crucial to switch up your complexion products to avoid a serious makeup meltdown or a mismatched shade when your summer glow begins to fade.
There’s no need to shell out the big bucks for a high-quality skin perfector because the best drugstore foundations have you covered. Our team of editors tested a range of budget-friendly foundations from top makeup brands that compliment different needs and preferences, including skin care-infused formulas, matte and dewy finishes, and textures for every skin type or concern.
“Foundations are a personal preference,” says celebrity makeup artist Katie Mellinger, who counts Sofia Coppola and Emma Watson as clients. “As long as the shades suits your skin tone and you like the performance, it doesn’t matter if it’s a prestige foundation or a drugstore brand. A lot of strides have been taken in the last 10 to 15 years to increase the quality of performance with drugstore brands. There’s definitely no shame in saving money when you can get the same effect as a prestige brand.”
Drugstore foundations cost dozens of dollars less than their luxury counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they skimp on quality ingredients or coverage. New formulas and innovations, like serum-enriched formulas or smoothing filter-like foundations, offer similar results that won’t break the bank, and often pose as a lighter, SPF-powered layer for the sunny months.
Upon selecting a drugstore foundation, “you want to pay attention to your skin type and the type of coverage that you want,” explains Mellinger. “Steer clear of any ingredients that might aggravate your skin, for example, looking for oil-free foundations if you’re prone to acne. But in my opinion, shopping for a drugstore brand isn’t any different than shopping for a prestige brand — the only difference being that you usually can’t swatch to color match on the spot.”
Our editors have tested top drugstore foundations in every season and on every skin type throughout three testing windows. Below, discover 12 editor-tested and expert-recommended formulations that knock the makeup bag essential out of the ballpark.
Testing Verdict: Top 3 Drugstore Foundations of 2025
To hunt down the best foundations at the drugstore, multiple WWD Shop editors put dozens of budget-friendly foundations to the test and tapped a beauty expert for standout recommendations. We sleuthed through local drugstores near our New York City offices to conduct real-time reporting on the drugstore foundations that are flying off shelves, then compared notes on formulas that are taking off on TikTok or have earned a high number of five-star reviews on Ulta Beauty. During testing, we looked for foundations with robust shade ranges, skin-nourishing ingredients, and flawless finishes for dry to oily skin types.
Since our first round of drugstore foundation testing in October 2023, our editors have embarked on multiple additional rounds of foundation testing to consider newcomers as well as newly-popular foundations. Products that no longer impressed our editors in comparison to newly tested additions were removed, while we still stand by many of our original recommendations from our first round of product testing.
The best drugstore foundations come in a vast range of formulations, so we’ve selected our top three foundations for different finishes, coverage levels, and, of course, skin types. Our winner’s circle hit the mark on impressive staying power, comfortable coverage, skin nourishing formulations, and overall finish throughout all three testing periods.
- Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Liquid Foundation: After conducting a third round of drugstore foundation testing, we still stand behind this formula as the best drugstore foundation for oily skin. It provides a high level of coverage, impressive staying power, and a shine-absorbing formulation that’s great for hot summer days when you’d be hard-pressed to leave the house without blotting paper. It’s all thanks to the mattifying light-diffusing complex that is meant to blur the complexion, even under the harsh flash of cameras. The only downside is the paddle applicator, which can be a pain to apply and keep clean.
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation This lightweight formula is the top drugstore foundation for oily skin that our editors evaluated. It’s the best choice for those who like a no-makeup makeup look, delivering lighter, more breathable coverage than other foundations on our list. The non-cakey, emollient formulation melts into the skin to provide that lit-from-within glow we all want.
- E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter: A drugstore foundation that boasts a high-quality formulation at an affordable price is practically unheard of — but E.l.f.’s foundation fits the bill, particularly for those looking for a hydrating, luminous finish. This formula is a dead-ringer for Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter down to the packaging, at half the price. The application is tactile and precise thanks to the ample doe foot that evenly distributes product. The added skincare ingredients in the formula create that dewy finish without sacrificing that medium to buildable coverage, making it a must-have for dry skin. This is a favorite of TikTokers across the board.
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Editor’s choice
Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Liquid Foundation
Editor testing review rating: 4.9/5 rating
Shade range: 20 shades available
Texture: Liquid
Finish: Matte
Luxury alternative: YSL Fusion Ink Foundation & Armani Luminous Silk
Editor testing and review notes: “I’ve used this foundation for years because its performance is comparable to high-end formulas, which is an impressive feat given its price. This isn’t a formula for the natural girlies. It’s mattifying, blurring and extremely full coverage but can be sheared out when applied with a damp sponge. The two downsides that come to mind are the applicator, which is a messy and unhygienic spatula, and the scent, which is slightly plastic-y. If you can get past those two pitfalls, you’ll have yourself a foundation you’ll be reaching for more than your high-end alternatives.” — WWD Shop Commerce Writer Amina Ayoud
Longwear: 4.7/5 rating | Coverage: 4.9/5 rating | Formula: 5/5 rating | Finish: 5/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $4.92
Editor’s Choice
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation
The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Foundation comes recommended by Mellinger as a stellar full-coverage drugstore foundation that’s well-suited for mature skin, due to its silicone-based formulation that blurs fine lines. It’s also a TikTok favorite, too, with well over 200 million views and searches on the app. Its impressive staying power — which lasts up to a whopping 24 hours — makes it a standout, which is powered by three oil-absorbing ingredients that resist water, sweat, and transferring. This matte-finish formula is one of the best drugstore foundations for oily skin, and earns bonus points for its inclusion of SPF 25 and wide range of shade options.
Editor testing and review notes: “This foundation is the best drugstore matte foundation throughout both of our first and second rounds of testing. At first, I noticed that the product was thinner than I’m used to, but after applying it with a fluffy makeup brush, the foundation blended perfectly and felt lightweight while concealing my blemishes and redness. I love that it has SPF 25, which boosts my daily sun protection. The only caveat is that a little goes a long way, which I learned from experience — if you apply too much product, it tends to look a little cake-y.” — Cigliano
Longwear: 5/5 rating | Coverage: 4.8/5 rating | Formula: 4.6/5 rating | Finish: 4.9/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $13.60
Editor’s Choice
E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Shade range: 15 shades available
Texture: Liquid
Finish: Dewy
Luxury alternative: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter & Nars Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
Over the years, E.l.f. has become a powerhouse drugstore beauty brand that offers affordable options for everything from makeup brushes to lip gloss and face primer. E.l.f. is no stranger to high-quality complexion products with viral hits like the E.l.f. Flawless Satin Foundation and Hydrating Camo Concealer, and this foundation is no exception. The E.l.f. Halo Glow is outstanding not only for its buildable medium coverage and lively dewy finish, but it’s unique doe foot that gives the user more control when it comes to application. This top E.l.f. beauty product is best suited for oily and combination skin types that’ll enjoy hydrating glycerin and clean, vegan ingredients that help to keep oils at bay.
Editor testing and review notes: “I’ve continued to use E.l.f.’s Halo Glow for years since its release in 2023. I am in love with the finish because it gives my skin a dewiness that I could usually only achieve with help from hydrating setting sprays worn over top foundation. I also find the foundation is breathable. No heavy or greasy feeling here. It gives you that ‘no makeup makeup’ look that everyone’s looking for these days.” — Ayoud
Longwear: 4.6/5 rating | Coverage: 4.4/5 rating | Formula: 4.7/5 rating | Finish: 5/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $15
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Shade range: 24 shades available
Texture: Liquid
Finish: Dewy
Luxury alternative: Too Faced Born This Way Undetectable Foundation
Editor testing and review notes: “It has a natural finish and a medium to buildable coverage, which I enjoy because it allows me to choose the way my base lays over my freckles and beauty spots. It has a weight to it but feels lightweight all day. It’s important to note that it does leave a wet-to-the-touch feeling upon initial application, so make sure to wait for it to fully set before applying products on top (otherwise brushes or sponges may displace the product). While this foundation is marketed to all skin types, we’d say dry skin folks should definitely skip this product, but if your skin type is combination or oily and you’re looking for a your-skin-but-better foundation, give this a try.” — Ayoud
Longwear: 4.5/5 rating | Coverage: 4.7/5 rating | Formula: 5/5 rating | Finish: 5/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $8.39
Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Foundation
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Shade range: 50 shades
Texture: Liquid
Finish: Demi-matte
Although Clinique isn’t a classic drugstore brand, we’re including the Even Better Makeup Foundation on this list due to its rave reviews and availability at drugstore-adjacent retailers like Target. This is an excellent foundation for mature skin types and those dealing with discoloration due to the wallop of vitamin C you’ll find in the formula: The free radical-foraging ingredient helps to brighten your overall skin tone, while preventing new dark spots and discoloration from surfacing.
Beyond its face serum-caliber ingredients, this foundation has a skin-mimicking finish with bulletproof coverage. Rather than settling into fine lines or caking throughout the day, it melds with your skin for a barely-there feel, despite the fact that it packs enough coverage to conceal breakouts. More to love: It’s safe for sensitive skin, available in 50 shades, and fragrance free.
Editor testing and review notes: “I recommend this top foundation to any of my friends who are looking to pull off a no-makeup makeup look. It’s more like a skin tint than a true full-coverage foundation, though you can pat on more product for extra coverage where you need it. My skin looks luminous and my tone feels more even when I’m wearing it, and it’s so lightweight that I can smooth on a few layers before heading out on a sunny day without fear of it clogging my pores or melting off my skin. Best of all: My skin genuinely feels better after I’ve worn it all day.”— Sullivan
Longwear: 5/5 rating | Coverage: 4.7/5 rating | Formula: 5/5 rating | Finish: 5/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $31.20
L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Liquid Foundation
Editor testing review rating: 4.75/5 rating
Shade range: 15 shades available
Texture: Cream
Finish: Demi-Matte
Luxury alternative: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
L.A. Girl’s Pro Coverage Liquid Foundation is one of the more high-coverage options on our list. While it is full-coverage, it doesn’t tend to dry out the skin, making it a friendly option for all skin types. The finish is slightly luminous, likely thanks in part to the antioxidants found in the ingredients list, namely vitamin E and C. Both ingredients create a brightening effect, while also fighting against premature aging, boosting collagen and strengthening the skin barrier. While some skincare-packed foundation formulations tend to separate, this formula is homogeneous upon first application to the last drop.
Editor testing and review notes: “There’s a fine line that foundations need to walk to be both full-coverage and luminous and somehow L.A. Girl knocks it out of the park. To apply, I like to pump the foundation out onto the back of my hand before applying with a stipple brush, working in circular motions to blend before going over my work for a seamless finish.” — Ayoud
Longwear: 4.6/5 rating | Coverage: 4.9/5 rating | Formula: 4.2/5 rating | Finish: 4.6/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $8.22
Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Skin Tint Stick
Editor testing review rating: 4.65/5 rating
Shade range: 25 shades available
Texture: Cream
Finish: Soft Matte
Luxury alternative: Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick
Stick foundations have gone out of fashion for reasons unknown to us, because it’s an ideal complexion product for on-the-go makeup lovers. This Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Skin Tint Stick is a soft matte with a light to medium finish that reads as ‘no-makeup makeup.’ The second-skin finish is comparable to serum or water-based foundations, but with less mess. Milani formulated this stick with Murumuru butter, an ingredient that moisturizes and nourishes skin while evening the complexion.
Editor testing and review notes: “When using this stick formula, and any other stick formulation, you can apply two ways. Either you’ll apply directly to the face or, the way I prefer, is to take the foundation on the back of my hand, warming the waxes in the stick up for an even, skin like finish when applied vs. when applied straight from the stick. Usually, stick foundations will have a mix of oils, pigments and either beeswax, carnauba, candelilla, or synthetic waxes that can benefit from warmth before application. It gives the formula time to melt into the skin rather than sitting on top.” — Ayoud
Longwear: 4.6/5 rating | Coverage: 4.9/5 rating | Formula: 4.2/5 rating | Finish: 4.6/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $14.79
Colourpop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Hydrating Foundation
Colourpop’s Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Hydrating Foundation is similar to a serum foundation but boasts more coverage. It has a hydrating formula base of coconut water that’s doubled-down with hyaluronic acid to quench the skin and blur fine lines. Those who need foundations for acne-prone skin get the green light with this product, not only for its buildable, natural-looking coverage that’ll camouflage blemishes, but also because it’s dermatologist-tested and is formulated without irritating added fragrance or alcohol.
Editor testing and review notes: “This is the first complexion product I’ve tried from Colourpop and it’s become a mainstay in my routine ever since. The Pretty Fresh foundation feels incredibly hydrating on the skin and has a wet, thin formula that blends effortlessly atop moisturizer and primer. It provides a satin to dewy finish (depending on my moisturizer base) that’s super lightweight — it feels better than a tinted moisturizer. The coverage of this foundation is light to medium, which allows for plenty of layering control without the risk of getting cakey. The brand was smart to add a pump to its packaging, since the foundation has a runny consistency.” — Cigliano
Longwear: 4.3/5 rating | Coverage: 4.5/5 rating | Formula: 5/5 rating | Finish: 4.8/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $16
Maybelline Super Stay 24H Skin Tint
If you’re in the market for a foundation that won’t slide off your skin when humidity reaches an all-time high, look to the Maybelline Superstay Super Stay 24H Skin Tint. The bestselling drugstore foundation for combination and sensitive skin boasts over 1,500 five-star reviews on Amazon that rave over its flawless finish and budge-proof wear. Infused with brightening vitamin C, this weightless formula provides light-to-medium coverage in a natural, radiant finish that won’t weigh you down. Plus, it’s sweat-, humidity-, and transfer-proof, so you don’t have to worry about your glam fading away by the end of the day.
Editor testing and review notes: “This foundation looks like skin! I found it incredibly easy to blend into my complexion, and it feels lightweight and hydrating like a traditional serum formula. A little goes a long way to start, then it’s easy to build for fuller coverage in target areas on your skin. Keep in mind that I found it clinging to dry patches on my combination skin, likely due to its long-wearing formula. If you have dry or combination skin, just make sure to moisturize beforehand so you’re primed with a hydrated base.” — Sullivan
Longwear: 5/5 rating | Coverage: 4.7/5 rating | Formula: 4.7/5 rating | Finish: 4.9/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $12.59
Covergirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation
For those with sensitive skin types, finding a foundation that’s not loaded with irritating ingredients can be a challenge. Consider this clean and vegan foundation from Covergirl your next holy grail drugstore foundation for sensitive skin. Its formulation is free of formaldehydes, sulfates, and talc, while packing a healthy punch of hydrating coconut milk and soothing aloe vera. It has a lightweight feel that won’t clog your pores and creates a healthy, fresh glow that’s comfortable for daily wear.
Editor testing and review notes: “As someone with sensitive, dry skin, I’m always looking for clean foundations that go big on moisturizing ingredients, so I was excited to try Covergirl’s Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation. The formula is packaged similar to a tinted moisturizer — and applies just like one, as well, as this creamy liquid has light but buildable coverage. There’s a slight smell to the formula, but the cushiony, cooling effect on my skin makes it well worth it. During my eight-hour testing period, I didn’t experience any smearing, smudging, or streakiness.” — Sullivan
Longwear: 4.3/5 rating | Coverage: 4.4/5 rating | Formula: 4.5/5 rating | Finish: 4.8/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $6.87
Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Instant Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Makeup
Editor testing review rating: 4.6/5 rating
Shade range: 8 shades available
Texture: Liquid
Finish: Dewy
Luxury alternative: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Maybelline New York’s Instant Age Rewind Instant Perfector 4-In-1 Glow Makeup is one of the most unique drugstore foundations. It’s a TikTok-favorite beauty product for its plush sponge applicator that allows for speedy swipe-on application and wins with its jack-of-all-trades formulation. Similar to pricey filter foundation products on the market, it works to blur and prime the skin, while going a step further by delivering on concealer-level coverage. Don’t let the limited shade range scare you, because it’s formulated as a self-adjusting foundation that seamlessly blends into your skin tone.
Editor testing and review notes: “Consider Maybelline’s 4-in-1 Perfector the polar opposite of a matte foundation. This fluffy cream foundation goes big on dewiness and shine, but in a flattering way (particularly for those dealing with dullness or dry patches). I’d liken it to a BB cream in color payoff and hydration, but with the sheen of a lightweight liquid highlighter. This combination lends a really nice brightening, blurring effect that I didn’t experience with other foundations I tested. Best of all, it’s easy to layer other products on top — the formula features some ingredients you’d find in a great makeup primer.” — Cigliano
Longwear: 4.5/5 rating | Coverage: 4.6/5 rating | Formula: 4.7/5 rating | Finish: 4.6/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $3.50
Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer
If full-coverage is your priority, the Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer is the best drugstore foundation for a flawless finish. The formula combines flexible, full face coverage with the concentrated pigment of a concealer, so it serves as a double-duty product to streamline your complexion routine. Its demi-matte finish is best for combination or oily skin, white its sweat-proof and waterproof staying power bodes well for long days where there will be tons of photo-ops, like a wedding. It’s a great two-in-one drugstore foundation to throw in your travel makeup bag because it allows you to control your coverage without having to lug around a makeup aisle’s worth of complexion products.
Editor testing and review notes: “This foundation is one of the most full-coverage formulas I’ve tried across both drugstore and prestige price points. It pumps out to a thick consistency, but thins out as you blend it into the skin. I recommend starting with a super light hand — you’ll be surprised with how much pigment this product packs. I find that I can certainly skip concealer with this product, as it completely evens out my discoloration and covers spots in one step. I even like to mix it with my moisturizer on days when I want a more lightweight feel.” — Cigliano
Longwear: 4.9/5 rating | Coverage: 5/5 rating | Formula: 4.7/5 rating | Finish: 4.7/5
Price upon publish date of this article: $10.39
What to Look for in the Best Drugstore Foundations
Shade range: Many brands have expanded their shade ranges to offer more inclusive options, but it can still be tricky to find your perfect match. “First, you want to understand your undertone,” says Mellinger. This is especially key when you order a drugstore foundation online, as product imagery isn’t always accurate. “A good way to do this is to hold up a piece of white paper next to your face in natural light. That will give a point of comparison and you should be able to see either a yellow undertone in your skin or a red/pink undertone. Yellow is considered a warm undertone whereas red/pink is considered a cool under tone. If can’t decide which undertone you are, then you probably are a neutral undertone, which is a combination of both.” If you’re shopping in-person, Mellinger recommends holding the glass bottle up to your jawline to determine your closest shade.
Finish: Drugstore foundations come in myriad finishes, but they do not perform the same on different skin types. For example, dewy drugstore foundations may overwhelm oily skin with too much shine, while matte foundations will exacerbate dry skin. Mellinger explains, “a matte [finish] doesn’t give off any luminosity or shine, a lot like a powder finish without the powdery texture. A dewy finish gives a glow to your skin and a natural finish is a combination of the two, meaning you’re not too dewy and not too matte. Your skin looks fresh but not shiny.” It’s important to select a foundation that supplements your skin type to ensure the most flattering appearance and lasting wear. Those with dry skin should lean into hydrating, dewy foundations, while those with oily skin will most benefit from matte finishes. Combination skin types have a bit more flexibility in their selection, though satin or demi-matte finishes that absorb oil and contain hydrating ingredients will best suit your complexion.
Coverage level: Foundation coverage is a personal preference that depends on your skin concerns and comfortability. Full-coverage foundation can often sit heavier on the skin, however it will create the most flawless finish by concealing all signs of blemishes and redness. Medium coverage foundations will even out the skin tone and blur imperfections, while light coverage will create the most skin-like finish and allow natural features like freckles to shine through.
Key ingredients: Ingredients in drugstore foundations have evolved in recent years thanks to skin care-infused formulas and innovations. However, foundations are almost always formulated with a base of water, oil, or wax that’s blended with iron oxide or titanium dioxide pigments to mimic natural skin tones. Water-based drugstore foundations are best for sensitive skin types. Oil-based foundations are thin and hydrating, similar to any facial or body oil, while wax foundations are thick, oil-absorbing, and reliable for long periods of wear time. Other common ingredients in modern formulations include SPF, brightening vitamin C, smoothing vitamin E, and hydrating hyaluronic acid.
How We Chose the Best Drugstore Foundations
In order to select the best drugstore foundations, our WWD Shop editors conducted extensive research across the beauty market, along with our own comprehensive editor-approved product testing. We tested a total of 31 top drugstore foundations, including new product releases, TikTok-viral formulations, and prominent foundations that have been shopper favorites for decades. We also sifted through and compared hundreds of customer review quotes to roundup superlative foundations available at the most common drugstores. We tested many drugstore foundations, including the below runner-ups:
- Flower Get Real Serum Foundation: While our testers love Flower Beauty’s blushes and lip liners, we weren’t as impressed with this foundation. Unfortunately, this serum foundation is more serum than foundation, leaving more to be desired in terms of coverage and formula consistency. Only those with very dry skin may appreciate the hydration of this foundation, however we found it to be far too slick on other skin types.
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup: The Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation had an off-putting fragrance that our testers didn’t find in other foundations on our list. While it has nice coverage and blends well using fingertips or a sponge, we noticed the color oxidizing to a darker tone a few minutes after applying it.
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte Poreless Foundation: At first test, our reviewers loved the consistency, feel, and coverage of the formula. However after hours of wear time, we noticed the formula settling into fine lines and pores, rather than gliding on top to conceal them. The product doesn’t come with a pump or doe foot wand applicator, so it’s also tricky to dispense.
- NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation: While our testers found the shade range impressive and the price point affordable, this formula was too dry for all members of our testing panel (oily skin types, included). The texture dried down quickly upon application, which limited the product’s ability to blend.
How We Tested & Reviewed the Best Drugstore Foundations
A total of 31 foundation formulations were evaluated by five WWD editors and product testers for this best drugstore foundation shopping guide. Initially, these drugstore foundations were put to the test for a duration of eight to 18 hours per day across a three-week testing period in order to determine the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, these foundations were already purchased by testers and used daily for months before our official review process began. We assessed key factors of the drugstore foundations throughout our testing, including skin finish, coverage, application experience, wear time, comfortability, packaging, and whether or not the foundations caused breakouts or irritation.
Since our original testing period in October 2023, we’ve continued to test our favorite formulas over the course of 11 months. We also assessed additional drugstore foundations to add to this guide, of which we discovered outperformed a few of our original product picks. We’ve included new finds that are particularly beneficial for the warm weather months, though we stand by the bulk of our original recommendations in this list after a second round of testing.
In both rounds of testing, we made sure to compare shade ranges, special formulations, like serum- or skin care-infused foundations, and overall texture. The drugstore foundations included in this article were tested across a variety of skin types, skin tones, climates, and functions, so you can feel confident about your next drugstore foundation purchase.
Below are the criteria our panel of testers considered while trying out drugstore foundation formulas:
- Packaging: Foundation packaging does not only impact its aesthetic appeal — it’s also incredibly important to its overall usability and application. We evaluated each foundation’s packaging in terms of weight, durability, accessibility, and whether the foundation leaked or clogged in its dispense mechanism. It’s important to note that a foundation’s packaging should go hand-in-hand with its formula. For example, thick foundations are most easily and cleanly dispensed with a pump, while thin or runny foundations benefit from a dropper applicator to direct product in controlled areas. Liquid formulas that mimic the texture of a moisturizer are most easily accessed with a squeeze tube bottle, while thick creams are convenient to apply from pot compacts.
- Coverage: We assessed foundation coverage based on the formula’s claims. For instance, if a foundation promised full coverage, we tested whether it could double as a concealer for blemishes or dark under eye circles. We also paid attention to each foundation’s buildability and whether it could be layered for added coverage without appearing thick or cakey.
- Wear time: A foundation’s staying power refers to whether it can maintain its initial finish and coverage after long hours of wear. We tested each foundation for eight to 18 hours to determine whether they left our skin feeling dry, looking shiny, dissolved atop face serums and moisturizers, or transferred. We also considered how well they played with different types of primers, concealers, and setting powders throughout the day and whether the formula broke down in conjunction with other products.
- Ease of application: We judged the application of each foundation based on how it blended and set on the skin. Our testers utilized several application methods during our testing, including beauty sponges, different makeup brushes, and our own freshly-washed fingertips. Any formulas that took too much time and effort to blend, oxidized to a darker finish, or failed to fully dry on the skin were removed from our list.
WWD Shop editor Claire Sullivan swatches drugstore foundations in our New York City office.
WWD/ Adam Mansuroglu
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Meet the Drugstore Foundation Testers
A panel of five testers contributed to this extensive shopping guide for the best drugstore foundations. Our drugstore foundations testing team represents a range of needs and preferences, such as varying skin tones and under tones, dry to oily skin types, and some with sensitive and acne-prone skin. Each of our testers assessed formulas for a variety of makeup looks for various occasions and climates, from natural no-makeup-makeup days to full glam beats, in order to determine the best recommendations that are universally satisfactory.
Meet the Expert
Katie Mellinger is a bicoastal makeup artist who specializes in flawless skin. She has worked with clients such as Sofia Coppola, Emma Watson, Chloë Sevigny, AnnaSophia Robb, and more. Her work has been featured in major publications including W, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and i-D, to name a few.
Meet the Authors
Amina Ayoud is a Commerce Writer for Billboard, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to fashion and beauty releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic. Ayoud attended Virginia Commonwealth University and studied Fashion Merchandising along with Mass Communications. After college, Ayoud went on to work as a part of Fashion Snoops’ Culture team and as a beauty writer for Allure, WWD, FootwearNews, Glamour and more before landing at Billboard.
Olivia Cigliano was a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she wrote and edited shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. At WWD, she regularly tested and reviewed top-rated and TikTok-famous products like drugstore foundations to recommend for a variety of skin types and preferences.
Claire Sullivan was the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she wrote and edited beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor, so she’s well-versed in selecting top drugstore foundations. Sullivan contributed to the August 2024 update of this article on drugstore foundations with new product selections after an additional round of testing.
