10 Best Full-Coverage Drugstore Foundations

10 Fabulous Full-Coverage Drugstore Foundations (2023)

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a small fortune on every item of makeup in your vanity. In fact, if you know which brands to look for, you could score some primo beauty products on a budget.

Drugstore foundations have somehow gotten a bad reputation, but why pay gobs more when you can get quality ingredients that make you look your best with enough left over to buy new shoes? Am I right or what?

I love drugstore foundations in particular. There truly are some spectacular finds out there. And guess what? I’m going to spill it and tell you all about the best full coverage drugstore foundations out there. Save your money, ladies, and buy these foundations instead. There are other things you’ll be happy you waited to splurge on, trust me!

Best Full-Coverage Drugstore Foundations

We all have different skin concerns and different skin types, to be sure. Some ladies want a natural, dewy look, but if you want (or even NEED) that full coverage, this is where it’s at.

Full coverage foundations are best when your skin has been misbehaving. Maybe it’s that time of the month, and you’ve been graced with a fresh crop of zits just in time for that hot date. Maybe you simply want to glam it up and take some AMAZING photos to post to your Instagram, so you look flawless. Whatever the occasion, full coverage foundation has you covered, literally.

Without further ado, I present 10 fabulous full-coverage drugstore foundations for you to choose from with details following below on each of them.

  1. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation
  2. L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Foundation
  3. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation
  4. Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Flawless Coverage Foundation
  5. Revlon ColorStay Makeup liquid foundation
  6. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup
  7. Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation
  8. Milani 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer Liquid Foundation
  9. Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation
  10. Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation

10 Fabulous Full Coverage Drugstore Foundations

I’m sure you’ve recognized a few of these famous drugstore foundation brands, right? Now I’m going to give you all the details to help you choose the best one for you. All you have to do is pick the right shade to match your skin, and you’re all set!

1. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Ready for the long haul? Whether it’s all day at work or all night on the dance floor (or from day to night!), Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation is an anti-fatigue full coverage drugstore formulation that you’ll love.

It’s infused with vitamins B5, C, and E to nourish skin and boosts the skin’s hydration factor for up to 24 hours. Skin looks more radiant than when bare, and it’s remarkably easy to blend. I recommend this drugstore foundation for sensitive skin types because it’s very gentle. If your concern is maturing skin, I think you’ll love this too because it doesn’t get lodged in any creases, making skin appear smooth and flawless for as long as you wear it.

L'Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Foundation
  • For All Skin Types
  • Medium To Full Coverage
  • Lasts All day
View on Amazon

2. L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation

L’Oreal is honestly one of my favorite drugstore brands. With the Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation, I’m telling you, prepare to be amazed. For a very low price, you’re getting buildable coverage with a completely natural finish. When I used it, my skin was absolutely flawless.

And that’s something to note because I’d just gotten this big, red pimple on my chin. It blended it right away like it wasn’t even there. It doesn’t feel heavy either. Very lightweight and breathable despite having that full coverage. There are 40 shades to choose from, so you’ll easily find your perfect match.

Another great thing about this formula is that it contains 3 oil absorbers that keep sweat and water from ruining your look. They also keep it from transferring so if you change out of your work clothes and pull on that killer white top to pair with your favorite black slacks for your night look, it won’t get all over it and force you to spend the next 90 minutes destroying your closet looking for something suitable.

As you may know, if you’ve read my articles before, I am big on skin protection. It is the best way to take care of your skin and keep it youthful. That being said, this formula is SPF 25, which gives you enough protection from those daily jaunts to and from your car or sitting by your fave window in your fave café.

If you have acne or oil-prone skin, I definitely recommend Infallible. It is non-comedogenic, so it won’t break you out, and it works so well, you may even decide to skip your concealer.

3. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation

Would you prefer a more matte finish? NYX’s Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation is pressed powder with the buildable coverage you need in a foundation. Unlike a finishing powder though, it evens out skin tone, covers up those imperfections, and leaves skin shine-free.

This one is ideal for minimalist makeup days that call for mega-coverage. For full coverage, you’ll use the sponge it comes with though for the fullest coverage, wetting the sponge (or even your favorite beauty blending tool) will achieve the look.

I love NYX products because they are cruelty-free and never test on animals. For this particular product, it works great to keep your shine minimized with decent coverage. I’m not a fan of going full-powder for full-coverage, but my skin type isn’t oily. Those with very oily skin will find this halts the shine while keeping skin smoothed and flawless all day long. The texture is nice, and it stays in place, though my friend Bella who does have oily skin, says while she likes it, she takes blotting papers with her to help keep things maintained.

Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Coverage Foundation
  • Best for Dry, Normal and Sensitive Skin
  • With SPF 50 (Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection)
  • Medium to Full Coverage
View on Amazon

4. Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Flawless Coverage Foundation

Ah, Maybelline. Did you grow up with the whole “Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline” slogan too? Anyway, it’s a great brand that has continued to evolve with the needs of women.

Dream Urban Cover Flawless Coverage Foundation is a perfect example of evolution in makeup. The formula creates a shield that helps protect your skin from environmental troubles and has a whopping SPF 50 to halt sun damage. It also has antioxidants to kick free radicals to the curb, nourishing skin and helping city dwellers achieve skin perfection without damage from pollutants.

It’s so lightweight too, giving skin a natural finish with full coverage and long wear. Since it stays so smooth, I’d definitely recommend this if you have fine lines because it doesn’t get all cakey or accentuate them even as the day goes on. The texture is really liberating too. Skin doesn’t feel heavy, and coverage isn’t compromised. Great job, Maybelline!

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation
  • For Combination & Oily Skin
  • Medium-Full Coverage with Matte Finish
  • SPF 15
View on Amazon

5. Revlon ColorStay Makeup liquid foundation

If you need to keep your budget under $10, go for Revlon ColorStay Makeup Liquid Foundation. It creates a lightweight matte finish that is ideal for any of you with combination or oily skin.

My friend Jessie is a bit older than me and has oily skin to contend with. She really loves this formula by Revlon and says she’s spent so much more on higher-end brands that didn’t give her the same results. As she told me, “It feels really comfortable on my skin while giving me complete coverage and a smooth look. Without it, you can see my uneven skin tone, but as soon as I smooth this stuff on, I look about 10 years younger.”

Thanks, Jessie! Other things to know about this full coverage drugstore foundation is that it is oil-free, has SPF 15 protection, and can be worn for up to 24 hours. There are 43 different shades to choose from too so you’ll find one that works for you.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
  • For Normal to Oily Skin
  • Buildable Coverage with Matte Finish
  • Non-Comedogenic
View on Amazon

6. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup

Another under $10 option is the Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation from Maybelline. This one is ideal for normal to oily skin types, especially if you want to minimize the appearance of pores AND have a matte finish that looks natural.

Thanks to the clay contained in the formula, it helps naturally absorb and control oil for a non-comedogenic full coverage foundation that won’t aggravate existing breakouts or invite new zits to pop up.

I have used this one before and like it when I want a matte finish because it gives such a nice full coverage effect that seems to work on all skin types. Though I think those of you that are oilier are definitely going to love it. I personally found I didn’t even need to finish with powder after I applied it, and my pores looked like they’d been erased. If you’re sensitive about your pore size, give it a try!

7. Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation

When my friend Christy asked me what I was writing about this week, and I told her, she was the one who recommended I look into Maybelline’s Super Stay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation. As someone who lives in the sweltering heat and humidity of South Florida and has rosacea, Christy’s story is very compelling.

“Because it’s SO hot and humid here, everything just slides off my face. I’d tried everything before I found Super Stay by Maybelline. All it did was melt away or worse, make my rosacea stand out even more. Like I needed another reason to feel self-conscious. This was one of my last-straw moments. I never expected it to work so well, and it costs less than $10. I spent upwards of $50 on bottles of foundation before that never helped me. When I wear it, you would never know I have rosacea!”

That’s from a DM Christy sent me over the weekend. Thanks, girl! I’m glad it helps, and I’m happy to share your experience. Since Maybelline has so many great formulations, and I know I’ve chucked a few on this list already, I figured what’s one more? Especially with a problem like rosacea. I know it is a difficult skin concern, so if you have troubled skin, you may want to reach for this one that smooths skin, stays put (even in Florida, according to Christy!), and leaves skin flawless without feeling heavy.

Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer
  • For all Skin Types
  • Medium To Full Coverage
  • Water-Resistant Formula
View on Amazon

8. Milani 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer Liquid Foundation

Another skin concern so many of us have involves dark circles or blotchy red spots. You use the foundation and the concealer, and you feel like you’re wearing layers of makeup. I get it. I’ve been there. I really love Milani’s 2-in1 Foundation + Concealer Liquid Foundation.

This is what I trot out when I haven’t slept well, or stress has gotten the best of me, leaving my skin looking blah and my eyes looking dark and old. This one completely multi-tasks as it advertises without going through multiple steps to save you time.

There are 29 shades that last a long time and give you a flawless look all over your face. I really love the lush and creamy feel of it too. It feels very dewy and hydrating, something I’m more drawn to because I sometimes feel on the drier side of things.

When I’m tired, I feel like my eyes look creased too, and when I apply this 2-in-1, it doesn’t get all caught in there. In fact, I look brighter, well-rested, and even younger in an instant. This is absolutely one of my favorites for achieving a healthy and fresh-faced look even when I’m not feeling chipper inside. I’d definitely encourage those of you with aging concerns to check this one out.

9. Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation

I couldn’t do a drugstore foundation roundup without Covergirl! TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation is another favorite among my friends who adore matte finishes. My friend Daniella particularly loves it as she confided in me. She’d tried many more expensive brands but found Covergirl really had her covered.

“Using it made my skin look less shiny and my pores smoothed away, so I looked camera-ready. It also lasted all day at work without needing touchups,” she had messaged to me.

It comes in 40 shades and is certified cruelty free by Leaping Bunny so you can feel good about using it to look your best!

10. Wet n wild Photo Focus Dewy Foundation

I remember buying Wet n Wild nail polish in middle school and thinking I was so cool. Then I grew up, and I thought I’d outgrown the brand. After all, how could anything that costs less than $5 really make a difference on my face, right?

Photo Focus Dewy Foundation is really a game-changer. It’s not just me, either. It’s women younger and older than me that love this stuff as much as I do. I’d never have thought it until I tried it. And honestly, at this price, you really should.

It’s designed to skin-perfect with a light-diffusing complex that leaves skin with a slight matte yet hydrates dry or mature skin types. If you love taking selfies but feel white-washed out of there, this is going to change all of that. The color-matched formulas balance undertones, so you look absolutely flawless in any lighting.

I swear, I’d sit there, taking tons of selfies trying to get one that made me look as good as I did in the mirror, and they all did me wrong until I tried this stuff. It’s fantastic, and at that price, you can’t lose!

Conclusion on Choosing the Best Full-Coverage Drugstore Foundation

That’s 10 fabulous full coverage drugstore foundations that can tackle your skin concerns while keeping you looking your best. I’m sure you’re going to find one you love on here. None of them cost more than $15 either though most are less than $10, and we even have one under $5 on here. With the way your skin will look after using them, it’s a steal.

Now, go forth and enjoy full coverage from these drugstore foundation formulas and save your money for that handbag you’ve had your eye on!

Hajer

My name is Hajer and welcome to my site. This is my little haven, my outlet, where I can express myself, and show you everything I've learned about makeup, skincare, hair tips, and so much more, as well as the different beauty mistakes I've made so that you can avoid them.

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