Great Basics at All Price Points
For those who don’t know, I have struggled with bad skin for as long as I can remember. I even remember a specific day in middle school when a boy made fun of me for having pimples on my face. I was traumatized. I have spent more than half of my life trying to protect and cover my unsightly skin.
It took ten years, but I’ve finally learned to keep my skin flawless with a simple skin care regimen to prevent acne breakouts. I also tried about a million products to find the best skin foundation for all skin types.
So what can I do to help prevent and manage those unsightly blemishes? I stopped using so much dirt on my face! Right now, I wash my face twice a day with a mild cleanser, like Cetaphil, followed by an oil-free moisturizer once a day, that’s all. After consulting with my dermatologist and finding out what was causing my skin to act up, we decided that all the extra products I was putting on my skin were actually clogging my pores. It turns out, less is more when it comes to my skin.
Great Basics at All Price Points
Although I’m not a makeup artist, with all those years of bad skin under my belt, I think I’m a foundation expert. I have tried almost everything to make my skin look smooth and even. I’ve used everything from high-end boutique makeup to affordable drugstore products. I don’t even want to think about the money I spent in my life hiding myself.
So what are the top foundations on my list? I’m so glad you asked! Today I’m sharing my picks for the best foundations across all price points. I’ve divided them into two categories: Best High-end foundations, like the kind you’d find at Nordstrom or Sephora. Then I listed the Best Drugstore Essentials you can find on a trip to Walmart or Target. So no matter what your budget is, I hope you can try some of these products and find one that works for you!
The Best High Quality Foundations
You know I’m not one to spend a ton of money on things. However, there are some great quality products out there, if you can’t swing the cost, go for them. In my quest for the best foundations, I’ve tried many of these products and asked a few of my beauty-loving friends to share their recommendations, too. So let’s get into my picks for quality foundations.
1. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
I love this foundation so much that I have an entire blog post dedicated to it. It is full of anti-aging properties, such as hyaluronic, and is suitable for all skin types.
2. NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation
This medium to full buildable formula with a matte finish is great for acne-prone skin. Available in 34 shades for all skin tones.
3. Sisley Paris Sisleÿa Le Teint Anti-Aging Foundation
This one is very expensive. But as the name suggests, this liquid foundation has anti-aging ingredients based on Sisley’s latest research. It leaves you with a light, slightly dewy finish.
4. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation
Talk about a great shade range! This Fenty Pro Filt’r foundation comes in 54 different shades and is perfect for normal, combination, and oily skin.
5. Westman Atelier Vital Skin Full Coverage Foundation and Concealer Stick
For instant application, apply this foundation stick directly to your skin and use your fingers to pat it in. Because it can also be used as a concealer, it’s perfect for hiding any redness.
6. Dior Forever Matte Foundation SPF 15
Dior Forever is a liquid foundation that resists transfer, heat, and moisture that smoothes skin and minimizes the appearance of pores. If you live in the south, you need to do this.
7. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation
A skincare/foundation hybrid, Airbrush Flawless Foundation is highly hydrating, making it great for all skin types (including our dry skinned ones!).
Best Drugstore Foundations
But if you’re looking for a more affordable foundation, listen up! When I was in high school and at the height of my bad skin, I worked at Walgreens. So with my excellent employee discount, I used to spend very little of my money on makeup.
I tried many types of foundation, and some that I found then I still love and use to this day. But I’ve also included a few new products I’ve discovered over the years. All this to say, I am a drugstore foundation expert at this point in my life.
1. Lip Bar Just Tint 3-in-1 Tinted Skin Conditioner
This Lip Bar cream falls somewhere between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation, but that’s what makes it so amazing! Read my full review here.
2. Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation
Full coverage, matte foundation with moisture and water resistance for only $11? Yes, please! Oh, and it comes in 24 shades.
3. wet n wild Photo Focus Liquid Foundation
Photo Focus has been tested under different photo lighting conditions to ensure that your makeup always looks like the camera. See the flash light!
4. NYX Professional Makeup Make ‘EM Wonder, 24H Soft Matte Foundation
If you’re a fan of a buildable matte look, Make ‘EM Wonder delivers. This foundation provides 24-hour coverage that is sweat-resistant, waterproof, and provides all-day shine control.
5. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation
Pro-Glow is another great option for those looking for a dewy finish. The hydrating formula makes it suitable for normal to dry skin types.
7. Neutrogena Clear Combination CC Cream
Like a color correcting cream, Clear Coverage blurs the appearance of discoloration and redness. It provides full, matte coverage and is hypoallergenic.
You may have noticed most of the foundations I’ve listed offer a matte finish and medium to full coverage. It’s a personal preference, but I feel like when I stray too far from matte, I end up looking like an oil slicker. Do you feel the same way?
I’ve also learned that proper preparation can make a huge difference in the application and staying power of my makeup. I always start with a primer to make sure my makeup doesn’t sink into my pores or the lines around my eyes. I love the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Matifying Primer. You only need a pump or two of your foundation (supermarket or drugstore) to jump out of power.
I would love to know your favorite foundation! Do you prefer liquid foundation, or powder foundation, or are you someone who can’t get away with a light foundation like BB cream? Let me know in the comments.