12 Best Affordable Full-Coverage Foundations from the Drugstore
I say this in almost every drugstore makeup post I write, but damn, I’m always so impressed with the quality of drugstore makeup. Especially recently!
We’ve definitely seen a boom in the beauty industry in the last few years and drugstore makeup brands have responded by continuously releasing quality products.
Just 10 years ago, I wouldn’t even think about going to buy makeup from a drugstore – I always just went straight to the MAC counter at my local Macy’s.
No shade – that’s just how it was!
NOW, some of my favorite makeup products are from the drugstore!
And that’s especially true for foundations. I have a handful of drugstore foundations in my rotation that I use all the time!
I’m a full-coverage girl, so today, let’s take a look at the best full-coverage foundations you can find at the drugstore!
We’re going to leave out ColourPop and Morphe in this post because although those two brands sell products at a drugstore-esque price point, they are not technically drugstore brands.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
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Best Full-Coverage Drugstore Foundations
This list is organized in no particular order.
Maybelline – Super Stay Full-Coverage Foundation
Of all the foundations on this list, the Maybelline Super Stay Full-Coverage Foundation is definitely one of my favorites!
It was released just last year, but it managed to make its way onto the 2018 Allure’s Best of Beauty list – that’s how good it is!
This foundation is oil-free, lightweight, and evens out complexion, leaving a matte finish. Of all Maybelline’s foundations I’ve tried, this one is totally the most full-coverage foundation.
It also lasts well throughout the day as I mention in my post: Best Long-Wear Drugstore Foundations for Summer
L’Oreal – Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation
The L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation will always have a special place in my heart! It was the first ever drugstore foundation I tried and because it was so good, it encouraged me to open my mind to other drugstore makeup products.
Even now, it’s still one of the drugstore foundations that I recommend to others the most. If you’re looking for a matte foundation that has great coverage and will last all day, this has always been my go-to recommendation.
It contains L’Oreal’s Shine Defy Blotting Spheres, which act like blotting paper to control oil throughout the day. So, especially if you have oily skin, this is a great full-coverage drugstore foundation for you!
Also seen in: Best Drugstore Foundations for Oily Skin
Makeup Revolution – Conceal & Define Full Coverage Foundation
This Makeup Revolution foundation has been very well-received since it was first released and it’s one that I personally really like!
The Conceal & Define foundation is lightweight, provides medium (buildable to full) coverage and has a demi-matte finish.
It’s also an oil-free foundation, which is great if you have oily skin, that won’t settle down into fine lines or cling to dry patches, and it’s super comfortable to wear all day.
One down-side is that it has a giant doe-foot applicator that I’m not too fond of. I don’t particularly like swiping the applicator all over my face and then putting it back into the bottle. But, that is just a personal preference.
Side note: Makeup Revolution just released a Conceal & Hydrate version of this foundation, which I am in the process of testing right now. It has a pump dispenser, so that’s a plus in my book!
Also seen in: Best Drugstore Makeup Under $15
Shop now: Ulta
Catrice – HD Liquid Coverage Foundation
I was first introduced to this foundation by Tati! If you don’t watch Tati on YouTube, you should start – she’s one of the few that is actually very informational when it comes to makeup products.
And if you do watch Tati, you already know she raves about this foundation!
The HD Liquid Coverage Foundation is a very lightweight, liquid-y foundation that is high in color saturation to give you a lot of coverage with a natural finish.
It has a dropper applicator and you only need a few drops to get the job done! This little bottle will definitely last a long time.
Also seen in: Top 25 Drugstore Foundations to Try in 2019
Makeup Revolution – Fast Base Stick Foundation
The Fast Base foundation is the only stick foundation on this list and is in fact, my favorite drugstore stick foundation out there. I even included it in my holy grails post!
I just love the ease of a stick foundation – it’s so fast and easy to apply and it makes layering coverage on certain areas such a breeze.
When I’m short on time, this is my go-to foundation for a quick swipe across my face and an easy blend with a dense kabuki brush.
Depending on how much you apply, it can be either medium or full-coverage. But, like I said earlier, it’s super easy to build up coverage with this foundation.
It has more of a radiant finish than the other foundations on this list, but that’s probably what I like most about this foundation.
Because it does not have a matte finish, it works really well with setting powder so you still have a natural finish after powdering your face.
Also seen in: Best Drugstore Makeup Under $10
Shop now: Ulta
NYX – Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation
This foundation had to have been one of NYX’s biggest releases in the last year. It was really well-received in the beauty industry and Jeffree Star even did a video on it comparing it to a SUPER expensive foundation.
He applied this NYX foundation to half of his face and the expensive foundation to the other half of his face, then went out in public to see if anyone could tell the difference. And guess what? Barely anyone could tell the difference.
The Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation comes in 45 shades (omg!) and is a lightweight, full-coverage, matte foundation that claims to be waterproof and transfer-proof.
Not gonna lie, almost no foundation is transfer-proof without setting it with a ton of setting powder. BUT, this foundation does dry down nicely to a matte finish.
Also seen in: Best Drugstore Foundations for Oily Skin
Milani – Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer
We can’t have a post about full-coverage drugstore foundations without mentioning the Milani Conceal + Perfect Foundation because this foundation is FULL-COVERAGE.
Since it is so full-coverage, the consistency is pretty thick, but it sure will cover up any imperfection you may have!
Also, thanks to its full-coverage and thick nature, it can be doubled as a concealer by layering the foundation on certain areas as you would a concealer.
Also seen in: Best Drugstore Foundations in 2019
Revlon – ColorStay Liquid Foundation
I have to give a round of applause to Revlon for creating two versions of this foundation – one for those with combo/oily skin and one for those with normal/dry skin, while not completely changing the formula between the two.
Since my skin leans more towards the dry side, I’ve only tried the normal/dry skin version and I love it!
Unlike most foundations that are catered towards those with dry skin, this foundation is easily built up to full-coverage. Most foundations that are for those with dry skin tend to be luminous without providing a lot of coverage.
But not this one! It has a natural finish that isn’t too dewy, but is definitely not matte, and is very long-wearing.
The combo/oily skin version also states its buildable to full-coverage and is long-wearing, so it seems like both versions do the same thing, they just have different finishes.
Also seen in: Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin
Shop now:
For combo/oily skin: Amazon | Ulta
For normal/dry skin: Amazon | Ulta
NYX – Total Control Drop Foundation
This is another foundation that is not technically a full-coverage drugstore foundation. However, you can definitely achieve a full-coverage finish with this foundation.
The Total Drop Foundation is a lightweight, very liquid-y foundation that is unique in that it allows you to customize the coverage it gives to suit your needs (or mood).
It has a dropper applicator and is very similar to the Catrice HD Liquid Foundation above, as they both allow you to easily build up coverage by adding more drops while maintaining the lightweight feel of the foundation.
Also seen in: Best Drugstore Foundations for Oily Skin
Wet n Wild – Photo Focus Liquid Foundation
First things first – this foundation is SO CHEAP. At the time of writing this post, it is retailing for $6.49 on Ulta! (hint: it’s usually even cheaper on Amazon)
Especially at that price, this foundation is amazing! It’s even a favorite among many in the beauty industry, regardless of price, but just based on its performance.
The Photo Focus Foundation provides great coverage and leaves a matte finish while smoothing out texture.
It is made with a special light-adjusting complex that supposedly helps prevent white cast in photos, hence the name, Photo Focus!
Also seen in: Full-Face of Drugstore Makeup – Starter Kit Under $50
L.A. Girl – Pro Coverage Liquid Foundation
This is another great drugstore foundation that is super affordable! It isn’t quite as cheap as the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation, but it’s still cheaper than most drugstore foundations!
Right now, it’s retailing for $8.99 on Ulta. Anything under $10 for a foundation is a total win.
The L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Foundation is a long-wearing, full-coverage, illuminating foundation. Like I said a little earlier, it isn’t often that we come across a foundation that is full-coverage AND illuminating.
It is a lightweight, paraben-free formula with added antioxidants, making it comfortable to wear all day long, especially for those with dry skin.
Also seen in: Best Drugstore Foundations for Dry Skin
L’Oreal – Infallible Total Cover Foundation
Last, but definitely not least, is one of THE MOST full-coverage foundations at the drugstore. I would even put it into the “stage makeup” category because it’s thick and can end up looking cakey in-person if you apply too much.
However, with that being said, this is a great full-coverage drugstore foundation for photoshoots/video shoots or performances when you want every single imperfection covered.
And that’s it for this post on the best full-coverage drugstore foundations! Did any of them sound like a match for you?
Have you tried any of these before? Be sure to let me know your thoughts down in the comments! 🙂
If you are planning on buying any one of these foundations soon, be sure to use Rakuten (formerly Ebates)!
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Thank you for reading and until next time! <3
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More Drugstore Makeup Posts:
- Fall Drugstore Beauty Essentials
- Drugstore Makeup Dupes – The Ultimate List
- Best Drugstore Makeup Face Products Under $10
- Best Drugstore Concealers to Cover Anything!
- Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit for Beginners
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