Don’t let drugstore liquid foundations scare you away—many drugstore formulas work just as well (if not better!) than department store brands. The key to finding the best liquid foundations is by matching the product to your face. The keyword here is face—not hands or arms. Your face tends to be lighter than the rest of your body, so a color that blends perfectly on the top of your hand is not necessarily the perfect shade for your face. You also want to be sure to test drive liquid foundations in natural lighting. The stark fluorescent lighting in stores isn’t conducive to perfect matching. Thankfully many stores are awesome about returning makeup products, so give it a shot in natural outdoor lighting and return if necessary. Stay tuned for this list of awesome drugstore liquid foundations:
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1. Revlon ColorStay Foundation
$7.21 at amazon.com
This product is at the top of my list of drugstore liquid foundations. It comes in formulas for Normal/Dry Skin and Oily/Combination Skin, but I’ve only tried the Oily/Combination variation. What I found through using this product is that it delivers an all-day matte finish that covers any skin imperfections flawlessly. Even if you don’t have oily or acne-prone skin, the matte finish will still make your face look like porcelain, and you won’t even have to think about worrying about this product rubbing off throughout the day. Even though this foundation offers seriously long-lasting wear, taking it off at the end of the day is a cinch with your basic facial cleanser.
2. L’Oreal True Match Foundation
$7.12 at amazon.com
True Match has gotten rave review for years for its incredible application at an extremely affordable price. This foundation comes in so many different shades in three different categories: warm, neutral, and cool. This way, matching your makeup to your skin tone has never been easier.
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3. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation
$5.69 at amazon.com
Maybelline has really re-vamped their brand with their Fit Me collection and it truly speaks volumes in terms of quality and application. This foundation has seamless shade-matching ability and leaves a beautiful matte finish on your skin.
4. Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation
$6.45 at amazon.com
If you’re looking for a foundation that will give your skin the look of airbrushed, poreless perfection, look no further. Maybelline’s Dream Liquid Mousse formula is air-whipped to help deliver beautiful coverage. It’s also oil-free so you don’t have to worry about shiny skin or clogged pores.
5. CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation
$15.99 at amazon.com
Ever in a rush and need to cut down on your makeup routine but don’t know how to go about doing that? Try this incredible foundation that’s a primer, foundation, and concealer all in one. That’s right, all 3 of those products wrapped up in to one pump-foundation that gives flawless coverage and lasts all day long. Can I order a lifetime supply please?
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6. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup
$7.12 at amazon.com
Many women have said that they’ve seen a noticeable difference in their skin after having consistently used this foundation. It helps even out skin tone, while also concealing and protecting from the sun! All this from a foundation? Count me in!
7. L'Oreal Visible Lift Repair Absolute Foundation
$9.99 at amazon.com
This foundation doesn’t come in the traditional bottle, but rather a round tin that can either be extracted using your fingers or a foundation brush. I used this foundation on an entire bridal party and had the girls asking me after the wedding what that “amazing” foundation I used on them was. It leaves an absolutely beautiful finish and makes skin look flawless and dewy-fresh.
8. Almay Clear Complexion Makeup
$8.54 at amazon.com
This is a great foundation if you're need of something lightweight and good for dry skin. This foundation blends well and goes on easy. There's no need to worry about skin matching either! This Almay foundation is great for even the toughest skin matching.
9. SheaMoisture Sheer Foundation
$32.50 at amazon.com
If you're looking for a foundation that lasts for hours without worrying about your oily skin, this is the foundation for you. Don't worry about your oil seeping through your makeup because this foundation is so lightweight. Users also say that the best thing about this is that if you have yellow undertones, this foundation will match them. A lot of people who have trouble finding foundations to match their skin tones claim that this is the best foundation they can find.
10. No7 Lift & Luminate Foundation SPF 15
$26.39 at amazon.com
If you're looking for a foundation that doesn't make your skin feel cakey, look no further. If you have sensitive or acne prone skin, this foundation may be your best bet. Users of this foundation say that it works best with their skin whether it be oily or combination skin.
11. Boots Botanics Colour Adjusting Foundation
$39.99 at amazon.com
This foundation works best with oily or combination skin. It also stays on all day and is really lightweight. It leaves a smooth texture on your skin once you put it on and it's paraben free! If you're looking for a cheap, but amazing foundation - here you go!
12. L'orÉAL Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation
$9.25 at amazon.com
This foundation is truly innovative and will give you the coverage you want for up to 24 hours. The lightweight formula is comfortable to wear and covers up any blemishes or spots you want to hide. The semi-matte finish keeps you from looking shiny or oily.
13. REVLON ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
$16.58 at amazon.com
We've got another winner from Revlon's ColorStay collection! This whipped version is said to not only feel dreamy going on with its silky texture; it's also a high-performing formula made to last through the hottest summer days.
14. PHYSICIANS FORMULA Mineral Wear Talc-Free All-in-1 ABC Cushion Foundation SPF 50
$12.10 at amazon.com
I'm not sure if this next foundation qualifies as a liquid, but I think it comes pretty darn close. Physicians Formula jumped on the cushion foundation bandwagon and is offering a high SPF foundation that's talc-free! It offers the benefits of an alphabet cream that blurs imperfections, hydrates, and protects skin.
15. COVERGIRL Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation
$10.92 at amazon.com
For the ladies who're looking for a foundation that not only offers coverage but also helps impart a youthful glow, Simple Ageless is the answer. This foundation features Olay's anti-aging and hydrating ingredients for the perfect balance between makeup and skin care!
16. E.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation
$5.80 at amazon.com
Give your face a flawless look with this lightweight liquid makeup. It evens out skin tones and textures, goes on silky-smooth for a semi-matte finish, and offers SPF 15 to keep your skin youthful and protected.
17. RIMMEL LONDON Lasting Finish Foundation
$4.79 at amazon.com
Achieve a "your skin but better," look with Rimmel's Lasting Finish Foundation. Blendable, lightweight, and easy to build up coverage, this foundation should easily take you from day to night without any muss or fuss. It comes in seven shades and is formulated with comfort serum, to make it easy-to-wear, and SPF 20 protection.
18. CoverGirl Queen Collection All Day Flawless Foundation
$9.35 at amazon.com
This foundation has almost a 5 star rating on Target.com and users are raving about its natural finish and how well it matches their skin tone. This 3-in-1 formula that combines liquid, concealer, and powder comes in an array of 14 shades and lasts all day!
19. COVERGIRL Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation
$5.99 at amazon.com
The idea behind this liquid makeup is that you'll be fresh-faced and ready to go in one step. If you're the type who needs a foundation that provides lightweight yet long-lasting coverage and that's easy to apply and blend, you've gotta give this a go.
Foundation is a tricky area to perfect, but hopefully with these awesome products (that happen to be priced incredibly well!), you’ll find something that works great for you! Remember to match, match, match, and find a formula that works for your skin type—if you have really oily skin, look for an oil-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores) foundation, and if you have dry skin, look for something a bit more hydrating. Do you have any favorite drugstore foundations? I’d love to hear about them!
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