Few things bring the United States of America greater joy in life than a ride-or-die chemical, bonus points if it’s a base. Along with the hardest makeup stuff to pull off, it’s one thing to find a base product you love, let alone one that doesn’t make a significant dent in your portfolio. As wonderful as the chemical bases out there are, you just have to feel compelled to figure out where to look.
According to makeup creative Jasmin Lo, an honest benchmark is a few things that “blend simply, look natural, and wear well during the day without trying to be serious.” whether your skin is oily or dry may dictate a few things, but we’ve made the leg selection simpler for all complexions and listed them below for your browsing pleasure.
Keep Scrolling Through the Simplest Chemical Bases:
Top 12 Types of Drugstore Foundations (insert number)!

Best Overall: L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Liquid Foundation
L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Liquid Foundation
Sale Price on (Amazon – $8.16) – (Ulta – $10.99) – (Walmart – $4.72)!

We Like
- Oil-free
- Fragrance-free
- Light
We Don’t Like
- It can be problematic to match the tone
This formula is the one that the GOAT, and the permanent reason. With its natural textile finish, medium level of coverage, and really attractive value for money, it will do everything a foundation should do without breaking the bank. It is oil-free and fragrance-free, making it a safe choice for many sensitive skin types.
Coverage: Medium buildable | Shade Range: 45 shades | Finish: Natural satin finish | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Dry Skin: L’Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation

L’Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation
Sale Price on (Amazon – $6.52) – (Ulta – $15.99) – (Walmart – $6.86)!
We Like
- Long-lasting
- Absorbs excess shine
- Light
What We Don’t Like
- It can settle in lines and pores.
It’s hard to find a useful, fuller coverage foundation that doesn’t dry out your skin, but L’Oreal has managed to do just that. Recent foolproof wear lasts all day without excess shine (thanks to oil-absorbing spheres), doesn’t transfer but still feels lightweight and versatile.
Coverage: Medium to full coverage | Shade Range: 40 shades | Finish: Satin finish | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Acne: Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup
Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup
Sale Price on (Amazon – $10.06) – (Walmart – $7.05)!

We Like
- Oil-free
- Contains ingredients to fight acne.
We Don’t Like
- Limited shade variation.
Foundation is a factor, however, a foundation for acne-prone skin could be a whole different kettle of things. But luckily, Neutrogena has our complexions precociously with this formula designed to not only hide blemishes but also treat them. Not only is it oil-free, but the formula also contains Hydroxy Acid, Aloe Vera, and Retinyl Palmitate.
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 14 shades | Finish: Matte to natural | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Mature Skin: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup
Sale Price on (Amazon – $24.99) – (Walmart – $26.75)!
What We Like
- Firms the skin
- Does not settle into fine lines.
- Contains FPS
We Don’t Like
- Limited shade variation.
Thicker foundation formulas will settle into fine lines and wrinkles, but Maybelline’s Age Rewind contains a shimmery tip that looks fresh all day. Blends together alkaloids and goji berries to subtly firm and even skin.1
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 8 shades | Finish: Luminous but natural | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Dark Skin: Black Opal True Color Mineral Matte Crème Powder Foundation SPF 15
Black Opal True Color Mineral Matte Crème Powder Foundation SPF 15
Sale Price on (Ulta – $12.95) – (Riteaid.com – $9.49)!

We Like
- Long-lasting
- Can double as a setting powder
- Contains FPS
We Don’t Like
- Can be laborious to mix
Silky, sleek, and surprisingly lightweight, this cream-to-powder formula glides onto skin with a pleasing matte finish. It wears well, and also the square measure of colors was designed specifically with POC in mind, so there are no achromatic ash gray casts. Wear alone or set your liquid foundation.
Coverage: Full coverage | Shade Range: 12 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.3 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Stick: Iman Cosmetics Second To None Stick Foundation

Iman Cosmetics Second To None Stick Foundation
Sale Price $21 on Amazon!
What We Like
- Travel friendly
- Can work as a spot corrector
- Long-lasting
We Don’t Like
- Can be laborious to mix
This oil-free stick cuts its full coverage and flexibility. Because it’s creamy and pigmented, it’s often used as a blemish concealer or anywhere on the face for full yet fresh coverage. the fact that it can’t spill through our bag is also a big plus.
Coverage: Full but buildable | Shade Range: 14 shades | Finish: A soft matte | Size: 0.32 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Olive Skin: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation
Best for Olive Skin: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation
Sale Price on (Amazon – $3.25) – (Ulta – $8.49) – (Walmart – $12.59)!

We Like
- Does not settle into fine lines.
- Contains FPS
- Safe for sensitive skin.
We Don’t Like
- It can rust over time.
If you prefer light and luminous coverage products, Maybelline’s sleek, drenched iteration of the long-wearing Maine Work Fragrance Foundation is the one for you. It’s fresh and crisp, but not too greasy for a natural, healthy finish. It is best suited to drier skin types, and the range of shades biased towards yellow is ideal for those with an olive complexion.
Lo also loves this one when she’s working with clients: “It has a blendable consistency that melts into the skin, and the glossy finish means it won’t crease or set.”
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 24 shades | Finish: Dewy to natural | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Medium Skin: Covergirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation

Covergirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation
Sale Price on (Amazon – $7.39) – (Ulta) – (Walgreens – $8.99)!
What We Like
- Easy to mix
- Does not rust
- Absorbs excess shine
We Don’t Like
- Unpleasant smell
Do you find your skin looking glowing in just a few minutes once you apply your foundation? you’d like a matte formula with shine control, like this one from Covergirl. It is amazingly blendable for a full-coverage product and seems to dry very well and adhere well to the skin. the simpler half is that it doesn’t rust and keeps grease to a minimum.
Coverage: Full coverage | Shade Range: 20 shades | Finish: Matte finish | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Cream: Milani Cosmetics Smooth Finish Cream To Powder Foundation
Milani Cosmetics Smooth Finish Cream To Powder Foundation
Sale Price on (Ulta – $10.99) – (Walmart – $9.97)!

What We Like
- Nutritional formula
- Absorbs excess shine
We Don’t Like
- Can be laborious to mix
What is remarkable about Milani’s Cream-to-Powder formula is that it is enriched with antioxidants along with tea, vitamin E, and bamboo extract. The creamy formula takes a bit of blending, but it smoothes out to a matte finish that’s so nice and material, perfect for anyone who wants a foundation that covers the gap.
Coverage: Full coverage | Shade Range: 22 shades | Finish: Natural matte finish | Size: 0.28 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Fluid: Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation

Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation
Sale Price on (Amazon – $11) – (Ulta)!
WHAT We Like
- Light
- Long-lasting
- Easy to mix
We Don’t Like
- Can dry quickly
In full Kardashian-style glamour? This liquid formula from Catrice applies a kind of dream and settles to a real matte finish as a second skin. It’s super pigmented so a little goes a long way – try using your fingers or a sponge to blend it out.
Coverage: Full coverage | Shade Range: 20 shades | Finish: Matte | Size: 1.01 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Shade Range: ColourPop Pretty Fresh Foundation
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Foundation
Sale Price on (Ulta – $16) – (Colourpop.com – $16)!

What We Like
- Nutritional formula
- Does not settle into fine lines.
We Don’t Like
- It can rust over time.
With forty-two numerous shades, ColorPop’s Pretty Contemporary Foundation has five stars in our books. It’s packed with moisturizers like milk and mucopolysaccharides, so it’s great if you find your foundation settling or drying out during the day.
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 42 shades | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Fair Skin: The Ordinary Serum Foundation

The Ordinary Serum Foundation
Sale Price on (Ulta – $7.50) – (Beautybay.com – $7) – (Deciem.com)!
What We Like
- Easy to mix
- Light
We Don’t Like
- Limited shade variation.
The Ordinary Blood Serum Foundation could be a best seller due to its lightweight, shimmery finish and buildable coverage. a few drops can give you a hint of sheer color or, if you prefer, you can build it up. Despite the fluid texture, it does not have a shiny or greasy finish. While the range of shades is quite intense, the lighter shades, in particular, are varied, making it a good alternative for lighter skin tones.
Coverage: Sheer to medium | Shade Range: 21 shades | Finish: Luminous finish | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Our chemist’s favorite foundation is L’Oréal’s True Match Super Blendable Makeup. We’re working on the pretend being from the drugstore aisle because it works well on almost all skin types. It’s a good light but full coverage option, and we love that it has forty-five shades to choose from. For those with dry skin, we tend to suggest Maybelline’s Maine Wet + Smooth Foundation combination. It’s modern and sleek, yet still looks and feels light on the skin. So if you’re oily, Colourpop’s Pretty Contemporary foundation is truly spectacular. the sun fluid consistency has good coverage and thus the soft matte end can keep the bay highlighted.
What to Look for in a Drugstore Foundation
Satin Finish
There are area unit formulas with matte finishes and shimmer finishes, but, according to makeup creator Jo Levy, projected with the textile end in between is the safest. Products with a textile end-area unit better mimic real skin and tend not to dry out or cake, he explains.
Neutral Undertones
If you’re having trouble finding the right color, stick to shades that say “neutral undertones” on the label; they tend to appear the most effective on most skin tones, says Levy.
Free of Mineral Oil
Levy suggests scanning the ingredient label to make sure the product you select doesn’t contain oil, which has a high potential for clogging pores.
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