I’m a Picky Beauty Editor & I Prefer These Under-$20 Foundations Over Fancy Department Store Brands
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I’ve spent five years as a beauty editor and I think it’s safe to say that I’ve tried a good majority of foundations on the market at this point. While my makeup bags are now overflowing with options, that doesn’t mean that all of them are ones I’d reach for on a daily basis. Maybe I’ve just gotten picky, but I have a specific criteria for what makes a foundation formula the best of the best now.
Best Affordable Foundations at a Glance
Best Overall: Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation
, $10
Best Longwear: L’Oréal Infallible Freshwear Foundation, $15
Best for Dry Skin: Revlon Illuminance Skin-Caring Foundation
, $9
Best Two-in-One: Milani Conceal + Perfect Foundation + Concealer
, $12
Best for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless
, $9
First, the finish has to be superior, offering a good amount of coverage without feeling heavy on the skin or drying me out after a few hours of wear. I also have sensitive skin that’s sometimes prone to breakouts so a formula also shouldn’t clog pores or emphasize skin texture. Last, it shouldn’t require a ton of building to achieve the finish I’m looking for.
This may all sound like a tall order, but you’d be shocked to learn that most of the best foundations I’ve tried that achieve this are less than $20. Yep, you read that right! Consider this your PSA not to sleep on the drugstore options, folks. While I love a good Charlotte Tilbury or Makeup By Mario formula as much as the next person, I recently did a budget-friendly foundations haul and was more than impressed by what I picked up. If you’re looking for an affordable foundation that checks all the boxes, keep scrolling. I’m sharing my top six picks ahead.
Best Overall: Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation
Shades: 20 shades
Finish: Natural-looking finish
Catrice’s viral $10 dropper foundation is my top pick for affordable foundations. I wanted to get my hands on this for years prior to actually trying it but failed because it was always sold out. This is an amazing formula that I can’t believe is only $10. It does seem like it’s on the thicker side when you go to apply it, but don’t worry, as soon as it hits your face, it’s lightweight and has a barely-there finish. The coverage it offers is also unreal. It gives your skin an almost airbrushed effect and wears really nicely for hours. I was initially worried about this drying my skin out after a while, but it didn’t do that at all. My only note is that the dropper isn’t the best. It makes it difficult to get the product out in the right amount so I wish it contained a pump instead.
Best Longwear: L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation
Shades: 38 shades
Finish: Natural matte finish
This formula truly does it all. It’s noncomedogenic, provides a natural-looking finish, and resists transfer, sweat, and heat all day. The color also stays true and doesn’t oxidize after a while. I loved how easily this applied to the skin and how well it truly stays put. This one is definitely more of a medium coverage foundation and requires a bit more building to get to a full coverage finish, but it applies really beautifully with a brush and just melted right into my skin. It’s another formula I love for how lightweight and breathable it is. You never feel like you’re wearing a heavy layer of foundation and that’s super important to me if I’ll be wearing it for longer periods of time.
Best for Dry Skin: Revlon Illuminance Skin-Caring Foundation
Shades: 28 shades
Finish: Subtle radiant finish
Revlon’s Illuminance Foundation is a great option for dry skin but honestly, it also works for everyone. I don’t have dry skin in the slightest, but I found that this formula provides just the right amount of hydration without feeling heavy or oily. It contains lightweight hydrators like squalane and hyaluronic acid to give skin extra bounce and elasticity. What I was particularly impressed by, though, was how it didn’t settle into the fine lines on my forehead. This formula and Catrice’s were the absolute best for that. This also gives you a subtle, natural glow that I love. It’s not too glowy, but just makes your skin look hydrated, healthy, and naturally radiant.
Coverage: Full coverage
Shades: 24 shades
Finish: Natural matte finish
If you’re often lazy like me and love to kill two birds with one stone, this formula is for you. It’s both a concealer and foundation in one which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re into it, you won’t be disappointed. First, I love that this formula is oil-free making it a great option for oilier and acne-prone skin types. Second, it provides full coverage so you don’t need to use a lot of product to achieve a full-coverage look. This formula is on the thicker side when you apply it so you may want to use it sparingly, but it dries down to a natural matte finish that isn’t drying or cakey. The shade match wasn’t as great for me on this one so I wish it came in a few more nuanced shades, but other than that, it’s a great formula for only $13 at the drugstore.
Best for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless
Shades: 40 shades
Finish: Natural matte finish
This foundation was my ride or die for years. In all honesty, it was the first foundation I bought in high school when I first got into makeup. Amazingly, I still think the formula is just as good today as it was then. In high school, I struggled with breakouts and needed a foundation that would provide a nice amount of coverage without making my breakouts worse. This one did the job perfectly and it still does today. It really does make your skin look poreless. I know some might be intimidated by the matte finish, but it’s more of a soft matte and never makes me feel dry or gets patchy after a few hours of wear. It’s just a really dang good drugstore foundation and the shade match is also perfect for me.
Best Shade Match: L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation
Shades: 48 shades
Finish: Natural matte finish
This foundation came highly recommended to me by several industry experts, including celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon. Professionals love it for its natural matte finish and ability to withstand a red carpet event. I was really impressed by this formula because of how true the shade match was. The formula features up to six pigments in each shade for your most precise match. It also really locks moisture into the skin and is a true medium coverage foundation. I did have to build this one up a bit more to get the amount of coverage I usually like, but it didn’t bother me at all. The finish always looks really nice and it doesn’t budge for hours.
Best Dewy: Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation
Shades: 14 shades (although some are currently out of stock)
Finish: Dewy finish
While I’ve been venturing into matte finish foundation territory lately, I usually always go for dewier formulas like this Wet n Wild option. At just $5, it’s a total steal and blends so seamlessly into the skin. It just makes your skin look incredibly fresh, hydrated, and luminous without leaning oily. I do wish that it had a few more shades, but if you can find your perfect match and love a dewier finish, this is one you shouldn’t skip.
