{"id":53632,"date":"2026-07-19T16:52:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T16:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/53632\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T16:52:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T16:52:14","slug":"21-drugstore-foundations-beauty-redditors-say-are-better-than-the-expensive-stuff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/53632\/","title":{"rendered":"21 Drugstore Foundations Beauty Redditors Say Are Better Than The Expensive Stuff"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been wearing less makeup and going out in my own skin more often. But whenever I do want a foundation, I’m always curious which drugstore formulas people actually think are worth buying. So I went down a rabbit hole through three big Reddit foundation threads across r\/drugstoreMUA<\/a> and r\/Makeup<\/a> \u2014 with more than 300 comments between them \u2014 to find the products people genuinely swear by.<\/p>\n

You can find the threads here<\/a>, here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I skipped the drive-by “Maybelline lol” comments and pulled the replies where people explained why they recommended a foundation \u2014 their skin type, how they apply it, what it compares to, and whether they’d buy it again.No single foundation topped all three threads. In fact, each had a different most-upvoted pick. But a handful showed up repeatedly.<\/p>\n

Maybelline Super Stay 24HR Skin Tint<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0L’Or\u00e9al True Match<\/a>\u00a0came up most often, with\u00a0Maybelline Fit Me<\/a>, the\u00a0e.l.f. complexion<\/a>\u00a0lineup,\u00a0Revlon ColorStay<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0L’Or\u00e9al Infallible<\/a>\u00a0close behind.<\/p>\n

I grouped the recommendations by who they actually seemed to work best for, with the Reddit receipts underneath each one:\u2b50 BEST FOUNDATIONS FOR DRY & MATURE SKIN \u2b50<\/p>\n

Related: “14 Simple Choices Will Reveal The Exact Color Of Your Personality”<\/a><\/p>\n

1. L’Or\u00e9al True Match: Super Blendable Foundation<\/a> \u2014 The single most-recommended foundation for dry and mature skin. It was named over and over, and flagged as a near-dupe for Armani Luminous Silk<\/a>.\"A2. L’Or\u00e9al True Match: Nude Tinted Serum<\/a> \u2014 The top-voted foundation comment in the r\/Makeup<\/a> thread, and a repeat “better than the expensive stuff” pick for dry, dehydrated skin.\"A3. Maybelline Fit Me: Dewy + Smooth<\/a> \u2014 The go-to for people who’ve aged out of the matte look and need something that won’t cling to dry patches.\"Three4. e.l.f. Soft Glam Satin Foundation<\/a> \u2014 A satin-finish favorite, and cheap enough that people keep it in permanent rotation.\"Five5. L’Or\u00e9al Infallible Fresh Wear<\/a> \u2014 The “make it stay put” pick. One bridesmaid says her drugstore base looked as good as the bridesmaids who paid for professional makeup.\"Hand6. Milani Conceal + Perfect<\/a> \u2014 A full-coverage favorite that still reads like skin and holds up for everything from weddings to drier, acne-prone skin on tretinoin.\"A7. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Tint<\/a> \u2014 A hydrating, no-cake pick that a few people call a holy grail full stop, drugstore or otherwise.\"Person8. About-Face: The Performer Foundation<\/a> \u2014 People love the finish, but reviews on wear split hard by skin type, which is worth knowing before you buy.<\/p>\n

“I don’t know what a high-end dupe would be, but the About-Face Foundation<\/a> is incredible, especially for the price. It doesn’t move on me, but I have quite dry skin.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/beeskneesandtrees_<\/a><\/p>\n

“The color selection is good, and it has a nice finish, but the performance is nonexistent on me. It slides all over my face, transfers and settles into lines like nobody’s business.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/cedwa00<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2b50 BEST FOUNDATIONS FOR OILY & COMBO SKIN \u2b509. Revlon ColorStay Foundation: Combination\/Oily Skin<\/a> \u2014 The runaway oily-skin favorite that people keep buying by the case. The formula also boasts Vitamin E and SPF 15.<\/p>\n

“Revlon ColorStay Longwear Makeup for Combination\/Oily Skin<\/a> is my holy-grail foundation. I have incredibly oily skin, and this stuff stays put and never breaks me out. It also has the perfect shade for my very fair, cool-toned skin and never oxidizes.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/whimsyandwild<\/a><\/p>\n

“Revlon ColorStay for Combination\/Oily Skin<\/a>. Every time I stray, I end up right back there.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/audaci0usly<\/a><\/p>\n

“I have purchased SO MANY bottles of that foundation. They just need to send me stock certificates at this point!”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/New-Perception-9754<\/a><\/p>\n

10. Maybelline Super Stay Lumi-Matte<\/a> \u2014 It’s thin, matte, and oil-controlling, and flagged as a likely dupe for Lanc\u00f4me Teint Idole<\/a> (L’Or\u00e9al owns both).\"Hand11. Maybelline Super Stay Powder<\/a> \u2014 An underrated powder that wins over both oily skin and dry, mature skin. The trick, they say, is skin prep.\"Person\u2b50 BEST EVERYDAY SKIN TINTS & NATURAL “YOUR SKIN BUT BETTER” COVERAGE \u2b5012. Maybelline Super Stay 24HR Skin Tint<\/a> \u2014 The single most-mentioned foundation in the whole roundup, loved across mature, dry, and combo skin. The one recurring complaint is the messy dropper applicator, but some people swap in an Amazon pump top.\"Hand13. e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter<\/a> \u2014 A water-based makeup-skincare hybrid that isn’t quite a foundation or concealer. It can be worn alone, used as a primer, blended into another foundation, or dabbed on as a highlighter.\"Open14. Revlon Illuminance Skin-Caring Foundation<\/a> \u2014 A dewy, luminous pick that dry skin especially loves.\"Three15. L’Or\u00e9al Infallible Fresh Wear Powder<\/a> \u2014 For anyone who prefers a powder base. Tip: Apply with a stipple brush, not the compact sponge.\"Person16. Wet n Wild Photo Focus Liquid Foundation<\/a> \u2014 The $5 cult pick. It comes in dewy and matte, and converts people who try it on a whim and never switch back.\"Wet17. Wet n Wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator<\/a> \u2014 A low-effort everyday base. It’s easy to apply, has decent coverage, and lasts all day while still looking like skin.\"A18. Almay Ageless Smart Shade Foundation<\/a> \u2014 The pick for hard-to-please neutral undertones that read too warm or too cool in everything else. Not to mention, it dries down nicely.\"Tube\u2b50 BEST HIGH-END FOUNDATION DUPES \u2b5019. W7 Legend<\/a> \u2192 Est\u00e9e Lauder Double Wear<\/a> \u2014 The budget swap for Double Wear devotees who went looking for something cheaper and stuck with it.<\/p>\n

“W7 Legend<\/a>, a dupe for Est\u00e9e Lauder Double Wear.<\/a> I used to use Double Wear and started looking for something cheaper a few years ago. A few sites suggested W7 Legend. I tried it, and I’ve been loving it ever since.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/mmmmmmbeans<\/a><\/p>\n

Heads up: W7 Legend appears to be sold out at major US retailers right now, including Amazon<\/a> and W7’s own site<\/a>. It’s worth a search if you want to track it down, but it’s hard to find at the moment.<\/p>\n

20. e.l.f. Camo CC Cream<\/a> \u2192 IT Cosmetics CC Cream<\/a> \u2014 A $15 stand-in for the $47 IT Cosmetics CC cream, with SPF built in.\"A21. And, once again, L’Or\u00e9al Infallible Pro-Glow<\/a> \u2192 Armani Luminous Silk<\/a> \u2014 Repeatedly called the best drugstore foundation people have tried.<\/p>\n

“L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow<\/a> is the best drugstore foundation I have ever tried.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/Pale_Year_9777<\/a><\/p>\n

“I’ve only bought one high-end foundation in the last 12 months: Lanc\u00f4me Teint Idole.<\/a> I’m not impressed. My favorite foundation is L’Oreal Visible Lift<\/a> in Nude Beige, with Pro-Glow<\/a> in Nude Beige as a close second. They’re a perfect match for my skin tone and make my skin look good despite having age spots.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/makeup1508<\/a><\/p>\n

“Infallible Pro-Glow<\/a> for me! I try others, but I always go back.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/KittyMeow1969<\/a><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd0e READ THE FINE PRINT: There are a few honest caveats worth knowing before you buy.Some of these oxidize orange, especially on olive or pale-neutral skin:<\/p>\n

“None of them! As a light olive, I have a hard enough time finding a matching foundation. Then they all oxidize and turn an odd orange.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/Glum_Material3030<\/a><\/p>\n

“I feel like makeup has gotten more orange over the last 10 years or so. I’m not olive-toned \u2014 I’m very, very pale with neutral undertones \u2014 and it seems like every single thing I’ve bought for the last freaking decade turns orange on my skin!”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/chair_ee<\/a><\/p>\n

Even the beloved True Match<\/a> can go muddy or run too cool for some:<\/p>\n

“I’ve tried L’Or\u00e9al True Match in 8.5, I think. It looks great, but it transfers and also oxidizes to a weird, muddy color on me. Revlon foundations oxidize to a muddy green on me, too.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/Livid-Till-9808<\/a><\/p>\n

“I love the formula, but my God, is it that hard to make cool-toned foundation shades?”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/Full_Molasses_9050<\/a><\/p>\n

A longtime favorite, Neutrogena Healthy Skin<\/a>, was reformulated \u2014 and some buyers say the new version runs darker and more orange:<\/p>\n

“This has been my go-to for years. I ran out of the bottle I had purchased about four months ago, so I ordered a new one in the same shade I’ve always used. It arrived the day before Christmas, and at first glance, I thought it looked darker than it usually does. I checked the shade name and number on the bottle, and they were the same.<\/p>\n

I put it on Christmas morning before I left for my family celebration and INSTANTLY realized that not only did it look darker on my skin, but it also had an orange undertone. So I did a Google search and discovered that Neutrogena had changed the formula to something very different. Several new ingredients have been added, while others have been removed. Now the product is being widely panned by people who, like me, had been using it for years.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, because I didn’t try it until Christmas Day and everything was closed, I couldn’t grab something else from the store. So I went to my family’s Christmas party looking like a pumpkin…and people noticed. Ugh.”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/EileenTiger<\/a><\/p>\n

Lastly, some users report that L’Or\u00e9al True Match<\/a> shades don’t match across finishes. Be sure to swatch the dewy and matte versions separately:<\/p>\n

“Be sure to swatch it in person. The shades are not the same as the matte version. The 110 is normally perfect for me, but in the dewy version, it was about four shades too dark and made me look like a Jersey Shore<\/a> reject!”<\/p>\n

\u2014u\/DrMcSmartass<\/a><\/p>\n

If there’s one thing these 300 comments make clear, it’s that there’s no single “best” drugstore foundation. The right one depends on your skin type, your undertone, and the finish you’re after. Luckily, most of these cost under $15, so experimenting is a lot less painful than gambling on a luxury foundation that ends up collecting dust.What’s the drugstore foundation you buy over and over again, the one you’d panic about if it got discontinued? Drop it in the comments, and tell us your skin type and undertone, too!<\/p>\n

Your daily brain workout: You’re One Of The Smartest People On Planet Earth If You Can Finish This 25-Word Mega Word Chain In One Try<\/a><\/p>\n

Read it on BuzzFeed.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been wearing less makeup and going out in my own skin more often.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":53633,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12905],"tags":[1577,34444,34445,1580,15742,34443,34442,34446,34441,34447],"class_list":["post-53632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-loreal","tag-amazon","tag-armani-luminous-silk","tag-drugstore","tag-loreal","tag-l39oreal","tag-l39oreal-infallible","tag-l39oreal-true-match","tag-maybelline-super-stay","tag-revlon-colorstay","tag-skin-type"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53632","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53632"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53632\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}