17 best drugstore foundations according to online reviews. The cheapest is only S$13!

Foundations are going to be the one of the biggest expenses you make in your makeup shopping list, and for good reason too. Foundation sets the canvas of the rest of the makeup we are going to apply. In order to achieve the look we want, ideally our canvas is smooth, blemish- and shine-free. Buying one is also a very personal experience as what suits you and your skin, may not necessarily work for your BFF. There are so many factors to think about too, like skin type, undertones, shade, coverage, just to name a few.

Then there is that age-old question: luxury or drugstore? While most self-confessed beauty junkies tend to gravitate towards high-end foundations, some of the drugstore brands are just as good in their own right and comparable to the popular luxury brands. Today we feature 17 of the best drugstore foundations based on online reviews!

1. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Bourjois hit the nail on the head with the Healthy Mix Foundation, promising to provide good coverage with a healthy glow to your skin. Faring well in reviews, this foundation is lightweight and dries to a semi-matte coverage. It works well for combination skin, with some reviewers noting that it does cling to dry patches if you have them. Overall, a great buy for a drugstore foundation. You can buy this at Watsons and it retails for SGD29.90.

2. Clio Kill Cover Airwear Foundation

This Clio foundation, as the name suggests, promises to be lightweight and long lasting. It also contains a skin lifting serum to nourish and bring radiance to the skin. Another K-beauty foundation but with drugstore prices, this will make a great addition for those days you need your skin to breathe but still cover up those blemishes! This can be purchased at Watsons and retails for SGD29.

3. Covergirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir foundation

Hydrating and infused with vitamins, this Covergirl foundation promises to give smooth coverage with a healthy glow. If you have dry to combination skin, it will be a good one for you. It is rated highly in Influenster and also has good reviews on YouTube. Unfortunately, Covergirl is not sold in our local drugstores, but if your shade is Golden Tan – then, congrats – you can buy it at Shopping District. This retails for SGD25.50.

4. Etude House Double Lasting Foundation

Another strong contender from the K-Beauty scene is this foundation from Etude House. Featured on a number of best foundation buys from Korean brands, this foundation promises a medium to full coverage and works well for combination to oily skin. It sets well to a semi-matte finish. It is a good substitute if you like Revlon Colorstay or Estee Lauder Double wear. It retails for SGD39.90 at Etude House stores or you can buy it online here.

5. Kate Secret Skin Maker Zero

It may seem impossible that a foundation can be super lightweight, yet provide full coverage but that is what this Kate foundation promises to do exactly. And judging by online reviews and YouTube first impressions, Kate has indeed managed to achieve that feat. The only downside is the limited shade range, which is not uncommon for Asian brands. This retails for SGD29 at Watsons.

6. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Foundation

Rated among the top 10 foundations on Influenster, the L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte foundation is well worth the buy. It stands up to the other luxury brand foundations on its own. It promises to be ultra-lightweight and creamy to apply while drying down to a demi-matte finish. Judging by the reviews, it does live up to its promises! While our local drugstores do not carry the Pro-Matte range, you can buy it online at Shopping District This retails for SGD24.

7. L’Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Makeup

Another hot favourite foundation is the L’Oreal True Match foundation. This ranks high among makeup bloggers and YouTubers as a go-to foundation. It is easy to work with and blends in smoothly. It is buildable to a full coverage. True to its name, it has a perfect match technology which gives that is a true match to your skintone. This retails for SGD30.90 at Watsons.

8. Maybelline Fit Me! Matte+Poreless Foundation

This is a hot favourite foundation and appears in virtually every YouTube video for best drugstore foundation. Not to mention, it also won best drugstore foundation on Influenster in 2017. While this foundation is targeted at combination and oily skin, but even those with dry skin have remarked that it still works well on them. It has a natural finish, is non-drying nor leave a “cakey” finish. This foundation scores well also because it has a good shade range from fair to tan complexions. This retails for SGD19.90 at Watsons.

9. Milani Conceal and Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation

If you are looking for a concealer and foundation combination, then look no further than this Milani foundation. Listed among the top 20 liquid foundations on Influenster, this foundation promises to cover imperfections like dark circles and redness. Highly pigmented, you can skip concealer when using this foundation. You can buy this online on Coma Makeup or Shopping district. This retails between SGD22-23.

10. Silky Girl Skin Perfect Liquid Foundation

This transfer-resistant liquid foundation, formulated for Asian skin, has a fluid texture that applies easily and provides medium coverage with just one layer. It offers a weightless matte finish while also boosting radiance for a natural glow. What’s more is that this foundation is suitable for those with yellow undertones, making it the perfect choice to enhance and complement their natural skin tone.

Additionally, it contains SPF 30/PA+++, which is a plus for those looking for additional sun protection. It comes in a pretty packaging which makes it looks expensive but at drugstore price. This retails for SGD15 on Watsons.

11. Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-free foundation

If you have problem skin and looking for a foundation that will not clog up pores, then the Neutrogena Skin Clearing range is a good option for you. It promises to provide good coverage while at the same time treats blemishes, controls shine and prevent future breakouts. This is a great option if you have acne/ blemish prone skin. This retails for SGD17.58 on iHerb.

12. NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation

Touted as a must-have drugstore foundation, NYX Stay Matte but not Flat powder foundation has received great reviews and included in a number of top drugstore foundation list. Rated in the top 20 for powder foundations on Influenster, this foundation promises a flawless-looking complexion with a matte finish. It comes in a convenient compact and the packaging resembles MAC. In fact, this compact can be a dupe for MAC’s Mineralize Powder. This is definitely worth considering, especially if you are looking for a foundation that is easy to apply on the go. This retails at SGD15 at Shopping District.

13. NYX Total Control Drop Foundation

The NYX Total Control is a buildable foundation so the coverage can be controlled when applied. Two to three drops will provide light coverage and four to six drops of foundation will build it up to a fuller coverage. NYX has established itself well, and can compete with the big makeup brands in terms of qualiy. NYX also has a good shade range to cater to everyone’s needs. This retails for SGD26 at Sephora or NYX stores.

14. Physicians Formula Mineral Wear talc-free all-in-1 cushion foundation

This cushion foundation has a super lightweight formula that will provide light to medium coverage. It is also non-comedogenic and suitable for those with sensitive skin. This foundation is meant to have the “airbrushed+blurred+correcting” formulation to leave your skin looking flawless. It gets extra brownie points as it contains SPF 50 as well. You can purchase this on iHerb or Shopping District. It retails for SGD21.82 – SGD25.

15. Revlon ColorStay Foundation

Revlon ColorStay is a long-time favourite for many beauty enthusiasts and is highly rated. General consensus is that this foundation provides good coverage and blends very well into the skin. In particular, the combination/oily skin formulation is very popular with those whose skin are suitable for it. Many reviewers remarked that they have used this for years and will continue to do so. This retails for SGD33.90 at Watsons and Guardian.

16. Rimmel Lasting Finish 25H Foundation

Rimmel comes highly recommended by reviewers and YouTubers alike and rates well across Influenster and MakeupAlley. This foundation promises to be full coverage and long lasting. Based on YouTube reviews, this Rimmel foundation lives up to its promise. This retails at Watsons for SGD26.90.

17. Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation

Truly makeup on a budget, the Wet n Wild foundation does show that good foundation can come at affordable prices. One of the competitively priced drugstore foundations, this one has been named possible dupes for Makeup Forever Ultra HD or YSL Fusion Ink foundation. It promises full coverage and lasts the whole day without breaking. You can buy this online at Coma Makeup for SGD32.22.