Marie also notes that “unlike other stick foundation formulas, Mented’s doesn’t have that waxy, slippery texture.” She also recommends warming the product between your fingers or on the back of your hand before applying with a dense foundation brush for the most seamless finish.
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Frequently asked questions
Is drugstore foundation as good as high-end foundation?
Yes. “Drugstore and high-end foundations share similar base formulations, making it achievable to attain high-end results at affordable prices,” Marie says. For sensitive or reactive skin specifically, drugstore may actually be the better call, “as they are less likely to incorporate fragrance and alcohol.” As she puts it, “the difference between drugstore and high-end foundation narrows down to technique and product choice.”
What’s the best drugstore foundation for mature skin?
Marie points to two qualities that make drugstore foundations a strong pick for aging skin: “lightweight and breathable.” A lightweight texture, she explains, “minimizes the appearance of fine lines and texture, avoiding a ‘cakey’ look that can emphasize rather than conceal these concerns.” She also highlights that many drugstore foundations now incorporate active skin-care ingredients like hyaluronic acid for added nourishing, softening benefits.
What should you look for in a drugstore foundation?
“Familiarize yourself with foundation finish keywords that align with your makeup goals,” says Marie. “Terms such as matte and blur indicate oil-controlling and pore-minimizing ingredients, while dewy, smooth, and radiant indicate hydrating, light-reflecting formulas.” From there, she recommends comparing shade ranges across brands to find the best match, and always checking the product’s expiration date and point after opening symbol to ensure the formula is “both safe and performing at its optimal efficacy.”
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best drugstore foundations, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine. You may simply be browsing for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we’re able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
