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the best drugstore foundation for black skin 1 k is for kinky
the best drugstore foundation for black skin 2 k is for kinky
the best drugstore foundation for black skin 1 k is for kinky
the best drugstore foundation for black skin 2 k is for kinky

In Part 2 of our Best Drugstore Foundations series, we’re hoping to help change how you search for and find the best drugstore foundation for your skin. We’ve broken your drugstore foundation options down by brand, skin tone, undertone and skin type matching and based on how they hold up all day on skin to help you find your best match. Some brands work for various skin types and may be repeated below. Have a favorite that works flawlessly ans is not on our list? Let us know in the comments.

In This Series:
The Best Drugstore Foundation For Your Skin Tone Pt. 1

In This Article:
The Best Drugstore Foundation For Oily Skin
The Best Drugstore Foundation For Acne Prone Skin
The Best Drugstore Foundation For Combination Skin
The Best Drugstore Foundation For Dry Skin
The Best Drugstore Foundation For Normal Skin
The Best Drugstore Foundation For Sensitive Skin
The Best Drugstore Foundation For Fair Skin
The Best Drugstore Foundation For Mature Skin

THE BEST DRUGSTORE FOUNDATION FOR OILY SKIN
Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin
Complexions Matched: Light to Very Dark
Undertones Matched: All
Shades Offered: 20
Finish: Matte
SPF: No
Coverage: Buildable to Full coverage
This is a great foundation that comes in a true range of colors. It finishes satiny and matte and helps to control shine and lasts about 8 hours before you need to blot with tissues but will give you a “full day” worth of wear. The coverage is medium and can be built to full. Revlon ColorStay Makeup also comes in Normal/Dry but we only recommend it for oily and normal skin types and do not recommend it for dry skin as it can get ashy and flaky. Also after a few hours it can settled in the lines depending on your skin, so we also don’t recommend this for mature. This formulation is not that much different from the Normal/Dry skin formulation except that this one includes alcohol and a little more fragrance (orchid extract) so you may want to test out both.

Iman Second to None Stick Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Very Dark
Undertones Matched: Warm
Shades Offered: 14
Finish: Natural to Matte
SPF: No
Coverage: Buildable to Full coverage
Some people say Iman’s foundations are like the Kevyn Aucoin line of the drugstore. We kinda agree and it make sense seeing as Iman used to be a department store line. This easy to apply cream stick foundation gives a perfect, flawless matte finish and even goes sheer if you apply it thin enough and blend out with a wet sponge. It even takes away the need for concealer. It’s oil-free and lasts all day long.

Iman Luxury Radiance Liquid Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Very Dark
Undertones Matched: Warm
Shades Offered: 6
Finish: Natural
SPF: No
Coverage: Medium
This is a foundation that leaves you immediately impressed. Though there are only eight colors don’t let that fool you. The color matching is spot on and flawless. Iman is the woman who introduced us to the idea of matching our skin to the earth. The colors come in Clay and Earth tones from 1 through 4. Lighter than the foundation stick, but just as good in coverage, this oil-free foundation is enriched with pigmented minerals which gives your skin a flawless finish.

L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Very Dark
Undertones Matched: All
Shades Offered: 17
Finish: Natural
SPF: 17 (Select Shades)
Coverage: Buildable to Full coverage
This is a great line to start with when buying drugstore foundation because it not only works on oily, but all skin types and is, in our opinion, L’Oreal’s best foundation for all skin types. L’Oreal offers so many tone matching colors which is great for black or dark skin since we can often look similar to someone in hue but our undertones will be completely different. The formula is oil-free and lasts all day. The coverage is medium but buildable and finishes like your skin’s natural texture. No wonder Beyonce agreed to put her face on this line.

Shea Moisture Sheer Liquid Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Very Dark
Undertones Matched: Warm
Shades Offered: 20
Finish: Natural to Dewy
SPF: No
Coverage: Buildable to Full coverage
This foundation is really nice. It goes on medium and can build to “right at” full but finishes like a BB cream and looks weightless on your skin and even still can last all day even in humid weather (around 8 hours before you need to touch up). This foundation is also great for those who prefer that no makeup makeup look. This line seems to cater more to warmer/yellow undertones but if you really like it, you can blend two colors together to get what you really want out of your foundation.

Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Dark
Undertones Matched: Cool
Shades Offered: 14
Finish: Matte
SPF: 20
Coverage: Buildable to Full coverage
This is a 3-in-1 foundation– primer, concealer, and foundation–with a medium-to-full coverage build-ability. It lasts all day (about 8 to 10 hours) and the formulation includes silicone so it fills pores and smooths out fine lines. It dries matte and looks great all day. Though the shades are limited, this line stands out as a great choice for darker skinned women who have cool undertones.

Covergirl Queen Collection All Day Flawless Foundation
Complexions Matched: Medium to Very Dark
Undertones Matched: Cool and Warm
Shades Offered: 9
Finish: Matte
SPF: No
Coverage: Medium to Buildable
This foundation is like the next step up from Outlast and picks up where it leaves off as far as matching darker skin tones and more undertones go. If you’re unable to find your color in the Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation, then try this line. It’s buildable to right at full coverage and stays put and mattes your face all day.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Dark
Undertones Matched: Cool and Warm
Shades Offered: 12
Finish: Demi-Matte
SPF: No
Coverage: Medium
This is a really good foundation to get that matte finish that so many people have fallen in love with. This foundation photographs well and is a good choice for when you’ll be taking lots of pictures and need your makeup to hold up all day long. it has an airy feel but still blurs imperfections really well and does not feel heavy on your face. You’ll need to blend it fast to the full matte and blurring effect from it. We don’t recommend this at all for dry or combination skin since it can exaggerate flaky patches.

Maybelline SuperStay 24HR Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Medium
Undertones Matched: Cool and Warm
Shades Offered: 8
Finish: “Powdery” Matte
SPF: No
Coverage: Medium
Like ColorStay, this foundation lasts “all day” (which we know in makeup terms means, “Can it get me through work?”). It withstands heat and humidity which is a big plus. The coverage is buildable and it finishes almost like a cream to power foundation so it has a less matte finish but more like a matte/powder finish. This is a great option of those who love how powders finish on top of foundation so you can skip one less step. We like this best for the darker colors after beige (for lighter skin) since this warms up the skin a lot.

THE BEST DRUGSTORE FOUNDATION FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN
L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) L’Oreal True Match was one of the first drugstore brands to get it right when it comes to color matching. And because this foundation is also oil free, it cuts down on the risk of inflaming acne or becoming an oil slick on your face which highlights acne. It can be built to full coverage and hides breakouts as well.

Almay Clear Complexion Foundation
(See description below under fair skin foundations) This foundation works so well at keeping blemishes at bay and lives up to its name.

Covergirl Queen Collection All Day Flawless Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) We think this foundation is great for acne prone skin because you can cut down on the number of products you have to apply, it lasts all day long, mattifies oil and does not seem to aggravate acne.

THE BEST DRUGSTORE FOUNDATION FOR COMBINATION SKIN
Rimmel London Stay Liquid Mousse Matte Foundation
Complexions Matched: Fair to Medium
Undertones Matched: Neutral
Shades Offered: 8
Finish: Matte
SPF: No
Coverage: Light to Medium
This oil free formula goes on very light weight with a finish that’s similar to a heavier version of tinted moisturizer. The texture is an airy mousse that is not at all heavy or greasy. It mattifies skin all day and blends well. The only downside that that the colors are limited but it does match fair ethnic skin tones very well.

Iman Second to None Stick Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) Many creamy foundations can be tricky but this one works on combinations skin flawlessly without any dry patches or overly shiny oil patches.

Maybelline SuperStay 24HR Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) This is also great for combination skin because it does not overly dry out your dry patches nor does it send your oily patches into overdrive.

Revlon ColorStay Foundation For Combination/Oily Skin and Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin*
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations and below for dry) ColorStay works just as well on combination skin without having to worry about flakiness from dry patches or and oily T-zone showing through. (Revlon ColorStay Makeup also comes in Normal/Dry but we only recommend it for oily and normal skin types and do not recommend it for dry skin as it can get ashy and flaky.* This formulation is not that much different from the Normal/Dry skin formulation except that this one includes alcohol and a little more orchid extract which gives this foundation its fragrance so you may want to test out both.)

THE BEST DRUGSTORE FOUNDATION FOR DRY SKIN
Boots No7 Lift and Luminate Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Light/Medium*
Undertones Matched: Cool and Warm
Shades Offered: 8
Finish: Natural
SPF: 15
Coverage: Light to medium
This foundation is really great for dry skin as well as dry and sensitive and or acne prone skin as it’s hypo-allergenic. *Though the shades are limited, it matches cooler Black and ethnic skin undertones well. There is also a really rich mocha option.

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Dark
Undertones Matched: All
Shades Offered: 12
Finish: Soft Glow
SPF: 20
Coverage: Light to Buildable
Despite that marketing hype about this foundation being able to match to your skin in seconds, we like that it actually works on darker skin. Normally, “magic tone matching” foundations don’t work past ivory skin so this one got our attention fast. It is made with 40% water which is great for dry skin and is also formulated with Vitamin C and E which is an added benefit for skin that’s more sensitive or is starting to age. This foundation looks really pretty on your skin.

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation
(Also see description above under normal skin foundations) Very moisturizing without being too greasy, this foundation is great choice for dry skin.

L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation for Sensitive and Normal, Oily or Dry skin
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) This foundation also works great on all skin types.

Iman Second to None Stick Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) This foundation is very moisturizing thanks to the jojoba esters and antioxidant vitamins.

Iman Luxury Radiance Liquid Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) Blended with vitamin E, acai, magnolia and cottonseed plant extract this foundation is delivers a healthy balance of moisture to your skin.

Cover Girl TruBlend Liquid Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Dark
Undertones Matched: All
Shades Offered: 21
Finish: Sheer to Natural
SPF: No
Coverage: Sheer to Light
This foundation has been reformulated and looks even more natural on your skin. It covers more like a tinted moisturizer or BB cream and is best for those who like the no makeup makeup look. It can get a little streaky so we don’t like it for dry skin but it works well on normal and combination skin.

THE BEST DRUGSTORE FOUNDATION FOR NORMAL SKIN
Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Very Dark
Undertones Matched: Cool and Warm
Shades Offered: 12
Finish: Natural
SPF: No
Coverage: Light to Medium
The air-whipped formula makes this silky textured foundation go on really airy and smooth for a natural finish that hides pores and gives your face a little bit of luminosity that’s similar to airbrush makeup.

L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) This foundation also works great on all skin types.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) Because of the demi-matte, powdery finish, this is a good foundation choice for normal skin.

Iman Second to None Stick Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) This foundation is very moisturizing thanks to the jojoba esters and antioxidant vitamins.

Iman Luxury Radiance Liquid Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) The color matching is so true and sharp and this is an all around good choice as a foundation for normal skin.

Covergirl Queen Collection All Day Flawless Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) Even though it works well on oily skin, this foundation is an all around good choice for all skin types.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin
Complexions Matched: Light to Very Dark
Undertones Matched: All
Shades Offered: 12
Finish: Light to Matte
SPF: No
Coverage: Buildable to Full coverage
As noted before, we don’t recommend this foundation for dry skin since it can be drying on dry skin but we do recommend it for normal skin if you really need a full coverage makeup that won’t budge – think special evening out. It’s a full coverage foundation that coves skin imperfections well and even lasts all day on your skin without a primer. It covers redness and dark circles and feels very light on your skin. This formulation is not that much different from the Oily/Combination skin formulation except that the Oily foundation includes alcohol and a little more orchid extract which gives this foundation its fragrance so you may want to test out both.

THE BEST DRUGSTORE FOUNDATION FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Shea Moisture Sheer Liquid Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) We like this for sensitive skin as its dermatologist tested, Paraben-Free, hypoallergenic, talc-free, Phthalate-Free and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Free.

L’Oreal Visible Lift Repair Absolute Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Medium
Undertones Matched: Cool and Neutral
Shades Offered: 12
Finish: Natural
SPF: 16
Coverage: Light to Medium
This foundation is hard to find and only caters to skin on the lighter end of the spectrum. Think Halle Berry or lighter. However, it’s a standout for us because it’s lightweight and luminous and gives you a very flawless finish. The formulation is great for dry, sensitive and mature skin and includes Pro-Retinol, ProXylane, ProLastyl, Hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin C, which work to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while increasing your skin’s elasticity and brightening your complexion overall. The SPF is also mineral-based.

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation
(Also see description above under normal skin foundations) This foundation is also good for those with sensitive skin and for those who need a non-comedogenic foundation to avoid dreaded “foundation pimples.”

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin* for Sensitive Normal skin
(Also see description above under normal skin foundations)

Maybelline Fit Me Dewy And Smooth Foundation for Sensitive Normal and Dry skin
Complexions Matched: Light
Undertones Matched: Warm and Neutral
Shades Offered: 16
Finish: Lightly Dewy Matte
SPF: No
Coverage: Sheer to Medium
This foundation looks best on normal to dry skin as advertised. It gives a really natural finish and hides large pores well. It mattifies lightly and depending on how you apply (dry vs. wet brush) can give you a natural or dewy finish. It covers skin imperfections only slightly so it’s best for those who don’t battle breakouts. This foundation also seems to work on redder and yellow undertones better.

L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation for Sensitive Normal, Oily or Dry skin
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) This foundation also works great on sensitive skin as it’s fragrance free and it contains sunscreen and it’s titanium dioxide which means that it’s a gentler form of sun protection.

Iman Luxury Radiance Liquid Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) Lighter than the foundation stick and formulated with with vitamin E, acai, magnolia and cottonseed plant extract, this mineral-based foundation offers great coverage without sacrificing your skin’s tolerance for makeup.

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Foundation for Sensitive Dry skin
(See description above under dry skin foundations) The 40% pure water content plus the antioxidants and Vitamins C and E make this a gentle choice for easily irritated skin.

THE BEST DRUGSTORE FOUNDATION FOR FAIR SKIN
Almay TLC Truly Lasting Color Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Light Medium (Think Jennifer Beals, Nicole Richie and Rashida Jones)
Undertones Matched: Cool and Neutral
Shades Offered: 8
Finish: Natural to Dewy
SPF: 15
Coverage: Light to Medium
We have to say that this is a really, really good drugstore foundation and we really wish it came in darker colors so everyone could experience it. If you have fair and sensitive skin, this is going to a foundation you want to try. It provides a satin-y light to medium coverage and can go on as light as a tinted moisturizer. The texture is very silky and soft and it lasts on your face between 6 and 8 hours and won’t rub off even in heat and humidity. It sits on your face instead of setting in your fine lines and is hypoallergenic and won’t clog pores.

Almay Clear Complexion Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Light Medium
Undertones Matched: All
Shades Offered: 6
Finish: Natural
SPF: No
Coverage: Light to Medium
This foundation works to clear up your blemishes and mattes skin for a shine-free and even finish all day. It contains salicylic acid, meadowsweet, licorice extract and aloe which work together to fade dark spots, fight acne and smooth out the texture of your skin. We really love this foundation and it’s to bad it only comes in such limited shades.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Light Medium
Undertones Matched: Cool and Neutral
Shades Offered: 12
Finish: Matte
SPF: 20
Coverage: Light to Medium
We like this foundation best for dry skin. The foundation gives a pretty dewy finish because it sits on your skin without highlighting imperfections and covers well.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Compact
Complexions Matched: Light to Light Medium
Undertones Matched: Cool and Neutral
Shades Offered: 8
Finish: Natural
SPF: 55
Coverage: Buildable to Full coverage
This compact is a cream foundation that can be built up to full coverage if you need it. Like the foundation, we like it best for dry skin but it also works well on normal skin. It’s very moisturizing so it’s a bit too much for oily skin but balances dry skin out very well. The compact has the most powerful level of UVA/UVB protection available in foundation.

THE BEST DRUGSTORE FOUNDATION FOR MATURE SKIN
L’Oreal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Advanced Age-Reversing Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Light Medium
Undertones Matched: Neutral
Shades Offered: 12
Finish: Luminous
SPF: 17
Coverage: Medium
This foundation is so silky and gives a really beautiful finish and looks best applied over your moisturizer or primer so that it does not settle into skin. It blends really well and gives a flawless finish.

Iman Second to None Stick Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) This is a foundation that you can’t age out of. It works on all skin types, especially mature skin that likes a full coverage finish.

Iman Luxury Radiance Liquid Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) Really great for mature skin that wants a barely there makeup finish, this foundation delivers and lasts all day without settling in or oxidizing on your skin.

L’Oreal Visible Lift Repair Absolute Foundation
(Also see description above under sensitive skin foundations) The stand out ingredients for mature skin include: Pro-Retinol which helsp to accelerate skin renewal which in turn cuts down on wrinkles, ProXylane which promotes moisture retention, ProLastyl which stimulates the production of new elastin and Hyaluronic acid which plumps your skin from within giving you a younger, fuller looking face.

CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Medium
Undertones Matched: Cool and Neutral
Shades Offered: 12
Finish: Matte
SPF: No
Coverage: Sheer to Light
This foundation is totally focused on not only being a foundation but also treating skin discoloration and age spots. It gives a beautiful even coverage and does not settle into fine lines. We love that it’s a formulation with Olay which means that it’s treating your skin with proven products so you don’t have to worry whether it’s working or not. It’s matte but not drying at all but works best on normal to dry skin.

Covergirl Queen Collection All Day Flawless Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) We think this foundation is great for mature skin because it mattifies and does not sit in pores or fine lines.

Shea Moisture Sheer Liquid Foundation
(Also see description above under oily skin foundations) This foundation is formulated with shea butter, Vitamin E and aloe and softens the appearance of aging skin and imperfections and also works well on all skin types.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Foundation
Complexions Matched: Light to Light Medium
Undertones Matched: Cool and Neutral
Shades Offered: 8
Finish: Lightly Dewy
SPF: 18
Coverage: Light to Medium
Formulated with goji berry and caffeine this foundation is designed to cover skin discolorations like age spots and fill fine lines to give your face a more flawless and plumper finish. The goji berry and caffeine aims to improve your skin tone over time to balance it out and make it more even.

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