Makeup with no foundation sounds boring and dull. And if you are a makeup buff, it is even more difficult to skimp off liquid foundations especially when you wish to achieve a smooth and clean look. However, you can achieve it with the best drugstore powder foundation in your makeup kit. Powder foundations help you conceal your blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots effortlessly and do make your skin feel heavy. Plus, they never clog pores. This is clearly possible because of their unmatched mattifying, moisturizing, and skin-smoothing features that are worth appreciating. Moreover, they don’t make your skin feel heavy, unlike liquid foundations, and generally suit those with oily skin types. After all, their powder-based formula controls excessive sebum production and shine.  

A global makeup artist, activist, and influencer, Sir John Barnett, renowned as Beyoncé’s makeup artist says, “Powders are heavy and dry. And anything heavy and dry is a recipe for disaster around the eye area especially when you become more mature. So pick a powder that goes into the air and dissipates away, rather than the ones that are compact.” And, we totally agree! Well, let us also tell you that snagging the best drugstore powder foundations is the most effective way to save your blending and application time, and energy. Now, without further ado, roll your eyes over to bring one home now.

• 1
  Best Overall

  L'ORÉAL PARIS INFALLIBLE Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder - 250 Radiant Sand

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This INFALLIBLE Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder introduced by L'ORÉAL PARIS comes in an alluring shade named “Radiant Sand”. It is a waterproof powder foundation that is also humidity, sweat, heat, and transfer-proof. With the ability to work like a liquid foundation, it amps up your look and lends you a matte finish. Perfect for medium to full coverage, this drugstore long-wear powder is suitable for all skin types but specially crafted for those possessing oily and sensitive skin. Since it is free from parabens and non-comedogenic, this is a good makeup product to use on an everyday basis.

2

Best for Mature Skin

Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation - 01 Porcelain

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Coming with the ability to conceal the imperfections of your pale skin, Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation from Laura Geller is clearly the original gangster of foundations that comes with various rosy undertones. It is one win-win makeup product and one of the best airy baked foundations that lends you a demi-matte finish and self-adjusts to your natural skin tone. The soft, creamy texture and weightless feel are just perfect for achieving a light to medium coverage. This is indeed the best alternative to liquid foundation that makes your makeup look less cakey or patchy, all thanks to its hydrating ingredients and antioxidants.

3

Best for Daily Use

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK SUPER STAY® FULL COVERAGE POWDER FOUNDATION - Natural Beige

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Featuring a high-pigmenting formula, Maybelline New York Powder Foundation is what you need to turn to for attaining full coverage and a long-lasting charm throughout the day. Best suitable for normal and oily skin types, this powder-based foundation showcases its powers with the help of its color-matching pigments suitable for all skin tones. It clings to your skin straight for up to 16 hours because of its impressive creamy texture.

4

Best SPF Foundation

L'ORÉAL PARIS TRUE MATCH NATURALE Mineral Foundation - Light Ivory

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An impeccable skin-improving natural formula and the goodness of SPF 19 make this Mineral Foundation by L'ORÉAL PARIS a cult favorite. It is a 100 percent preservative-free powder that leaves your skin super soft and radiant. With its gentle formulations, you can flaunt flawless coverage for up to 16 hours. Plus, you get to glance through 12 varied warm, cool, and neutral shades and easily pick the one that suits your complexion. The best part of vouching for this product is its swirl foundation brush that will never make you look cakey.

5

Best for All Skin Types

PUR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Powder Foundation - Light

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Enriched with skin-friendly ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, waltheria extract, and ceretin complex, this powder foundation from PUR gently promotes healthy and supple skin. It delivers buildable medium coverage. What makes it super effective is its clinically proven formula that resolves all of your skin concerns. It smoothes skin, reduces discoloration, and builds a protective shield on your face to prevent sun damage. This 4-in-1 makeup must-have works as a concealer, foundation, sunscreen, and setting powder and serves you with a smooth, natural, and flawless finish.

6

Best for Versatile Application

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP “STAY MATTE BUT NOT FLAT” POWDER FOUNDATION - Natural

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A foundation that delivers a gorgeous natural matte finish and asks for no application efforts describes NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder the best. From the 5 shade palette, you can easily pick one that compliments your complexion and drool over its buildable natural-looking coverage. The brand is loved for being cruelty-free and certified by PETA. Like, this is not just a power foundation but a makeup product that helps you conceal undertones and discoloration.

7

Best Skin-friendly Formula

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation - Natural Ivory (20)

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You need just one phrase to describe this essential — Makeup with Skincare! Any makeup product with a skin-benefiting formula deserves applause. And, Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation is definitely worth all the love and attention. It follows a mineral makeup formula that aids in enhancing your skin texture, clarity, as well as tone. It seamlessly helps cover your imperfections like spots and skin redness. In addition to minerals, this powder is loaded with the goodness of vitamins like A, C, and E. With a sheer and smooth finish and 8 natural-looking shades, it is difficult to skimp this makeup product off your list.

8

Buildable Coverage

Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation - Warm 02

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Shades ranging from cool, neutral, warm, and olive, to deep, this power foundation introduced by Mineral Fusion has it all. To ace a natural age-defying makeup look, make sure you rely on this miraculous product without any second thoughts. It is enriched with skin-soothing ingredients like red tea, white tea, and pomegranate. In addition to these, licorice root compliments cucumber and aloe root. Secondly, you can feel the presence of vitamins C and E as this talc-free drugstore foundation powder goes a step ahead and improves your overall complexion.

9

Best for Irritated Skin

COVERGIRL Clean Powder Foundation - Classic Ivory

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COVERGIRL Clean Simply Powder Foundation needs no introduction. Just like liquid foundation, it seamlessly helps you in attaining natural-looking flawless skin. It is as light as air and never clogs your pores. The bonus is its hypoallergenic formula that effectively controls excessive shine, evens your skin tone, and lends you the clean makeup look of your dreams. No matter if you possess a combination, oily, normal, dry, or sensitive skin, this powder foundation in a classic ivory shade will be your go-to makeup buddy for quick and easy transformation.

10

it Cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination - Light Warm Undertone

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For experiencing flawless makeup without the need for liquid foundation, make sure you invest in Celebration Foundation Illumination Full Coverage Powder Foundation from it Cosmetics. This powder-based foundation has managed to rank in the list of best sellers due to its high-pigmented formula and anti-aging properties. With the ability to instantly brighten your complexion, this makeup essential loaded with hyaluronic acid, silk, peptides, and natural protein fiber is every makeup enthusiast’s favorite. In its shade palette, you can find fair, light, medium, and tan warm undertones to a deep neutral undertone. Hence, choosing the right shade is not a task. On the other hand, it is developed in the presence of plastic surgeons and dermatologists for delivering top-notch results.

11

L'ORÉAL PARIS AGE PERFECT CREAMY POWDER FOUNDATION - 320 Warm Beige

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To attain a jaw-dropping airbrushed-like complexion, rely on L'ORÉAL PARIS Age Perfect Creamy Powder Foundation. This drugstore foundation never cakes as it is enriched with vitamins, minerals, and ceramide antioxidant complex. With some impressive hydrating powers and distinctive formula, even a woman above 50s can snag this makeup product for everyday use. It smoothens your skin by blurring the pores and minimizing imperfections. It is clearly one of the best foundations designed for women with mature skin.

12

COVERGIRL Clean Powder Foundation - 520 Creamy Natural

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Today onwards, you need not forcefully apply a liquid foundation to achieve a smooth and flawless base because COVERGIRL’s Clean Powder Foundation is here to help you bid adieu to the heaviness you experience after every application. This powered foundation comes in a natural-looking shade that beautifies your complexion with ease. It is a 2-in-1 product that works like a liquid foundation but performs in a powdered format. Since it is tested by dermatologists, has a cruelty-free, non-acnegenic and hypoallergenic formula, there is nothing about this product that can make you feel disappointed.

13

Non-comedogenic

BURT’S BEES Mattifying Powder Foundation

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This Mattifying Powder Foundation from BURT’S BEES makes your skin shine from within. Despite its mattifying and oil-controlling abilities, your skin still looks flawless and feels soft. It is light in weight and made from bamboo and honey. To hide all of your imperfections and make them less noticeable, choose any shade out of the 6 options. This drugstore foundation also does a great job of delivering buildable coverage. In addition, it blends easily and comes with a mirror and sponge applicator, making it a travel-friendly makeup product.

14

Laura Geller Double Take Baked Full Coverage Foundation - Golden Medium

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The struggles of mature skin are way more different from those of youthful skin. But Double Take Baked Full Coverage Foundation from Laura Geller somewhere balances out the two types of skin. No matter if you possess mature or youthful skin, this power foundation will resolve all of your makeup shenanigans in a jiffy. It comes with a classic matte finish that never cakes nor fades. Since the powder is rich in anti-aging ingredients and antioxidants like jojoba seed oil and Camellia Sinensis leaf extract, you just can’t get over its goodness.

15

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation - 10 Classic Ivory

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Neutrogena gives you an opportunity to navigate through 6 shades of Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation. It is a talc-free foundation that you can easily rely on for sheer to medium coverage. Since it is oil-free, loaded with antioxidants, and packed with gentle and pure minerals selected by dermatologists, the foundation leaves no place for any disappointments. With this fragrance-free and non-comedogenic compact, you can take your makeup game up a notch and achieve a natural-looking and glowing complexion.

There is no limitation on the number of foundations you can own. Hence, without any hesitation, you can easily slide not just one but two of the above-listed drugstore foundations. They are not only effective, but also a great alternative to save your hard-earned pennies. To make your purchase more valuable, snatch a glimpse of the buying guide.

Here are a few aspects to choosing the best powder-based foundation that delivers desirable coverage and checks all boxes.

Skin Type: Always make sure that you understand your skin type well and glance through the excellent options featuring buildable formulas. There are powder foundations suitable for all skin types whereas some of them are meant specially for normal, dry, combination, oily or sensitive skin. A powder foundation is said to be the best alternative to liquid foundations and indeed an effective solution to tackle oily skin. These powders are light in weight and offer the same coverage/finish as the former. However, you must pay heed to the list of ingredients as per your skin concerns.

Ingredients: Below are the skin types and some tips to choose the right foundation according to your skin type. 

- For oily skin: Choose a foundation with oil-free, shine-controlling, and oil-absorbing properties. 

- For dry skin: Stick to hydrating, nourishing, and moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, and avocado. 

- For mature skin: Pick foundations with anti-aging and skin-soothing properties. Look for ones enriched with vitamins, minerals, collagen, and ceramides.

Texture: Always consider the texture of the powder foundation before buying one. You may come across loose, pressed, mineral, compact, or creamy powder textures. Choose the one that you and your skin are comfortable with. It is advisable to rely on a loose powder foundation that has a lightweight formula and easily dissipates in the air.

Shades: Make sure you pick a shade that suits your original complexion. Do not choose a shade that is lighter or darker than your actual skin tone, as it might make your face look patchy and emphasize discoloration. Those possessing a lighter skin tone must choose pale, neutral, and rosy undertones. For those who have a dark skin tone, powders with olive undertones are a good choice. You may also vouch for a foundation that belongs to warm and cool undertones as per your skin’s status at the end of the day.

Coverage: Every foundation aims to lend you a certain amount of coverage apt for daily use. It ranges from full, buildable, and medium, to sheer coverage. Generally, powder foundations have light to medium coverage, making you look naturally beautiful. If you are looking for a product to hide your flaws and imperfections like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, etc, snag a foundation with full and buildable coverage.

After taking notes of the above aspects, roll your eyes over the wide range of powder foundations’ application methods, benefits, and drawbacks and add the perfect match to your makeup routine. 

Following are the ways to apply pressed powder foundation appropriately.

Note:

1. Use makeup sponges, puffs, or brushes to apply the powder. There are a variety of drugstore options when it comes to applicators. 

2. For a light, even-tone, and natural-looking coverage, it is better to use a sponge. 

Steps:

Step 1: Cleanse your skin with a face wash or cleanser. 

Step 2: Apply your everyday toner, serum, and moisturizer. 

Step 3: Seal your skincare routine with sunscreen. 

Step 4: If you possess extremely dry skin, make sure you apply a good-quality hydrating primer. 

Step 5: Swirl the brush/sponge on the powder foundation. Tap access quantity on it, if any.

Step 6:  Begin applying the powder in a circular motion. Start from the center and then move outward. 

Step 7: Gently spread the powder. Repeat the process if you want additional coverage. 

Step 8: Blend the powder near your neck and jawline to avoid demarcation. 

Tada, you are ready!

Below are the benefits of wearing a powder foundation on a daily basis - 

1. Easy to apply 
2. Light and natural-looking coverage
3. Very versatile 
4. A great alternative to heavy liquid foundations 
5. Looks less cakey 
6. Travel-friendly 
7. Best for beginners
8. Ideal for acne-prone skin and combination skin types
9. Controls shine 
10. Reduces excessive sebum production
11. Lends your skin a matte finish 

That was all about the benefits of using the best powder foundation. You can get your hands on any of the best and drool over their finishes — be it dewy finish, satin finish, luminous finish, or radiant finish. 

Now, let’s look at the drawbacks.

The following are the drawbacks of using a powder foundation - 

1. It can accentuate dry and rough patches and make your skin look more dry than usual.
2. Those with dry skin have to moisturize and religiously follow their skincare routine before applying the powder foundation. 
3. Extremely oily skin might clump your powder and make your skin look cakey and streaky. 
4. Too much powder or excessive application may make your skin feel heavy. 

Conclusion

All of the best drugstore powder foundations have some or other features that manage to level up your makeup game seamlessly. Let us tell you the best part of buying one — they are completely budget-friendly and work exactly like your expensive and branded foundations. Another plus point is that they are traveling-friendly and slip into your makeup kitty with ease. Not just that with a sponge or a brush you can control the coverage and natural-looking finish that you wish to achieve. No mess and zero fuss make powder foundations the G.O.A.T (Greatest of all time, quite literally!) of today’s era.