1. Home
  2. Style
  3. Beauty

Top 13 Foundations for the Money

By , About.com Guide

Picking the right foundation can be tricky. Your best bet is to go to a store like Sephora and try out a variety of products in your shade range. In the meantime, here's a rundown of my 13 favorite tried-and-true foundations.

1. Best Foundation for Oily Skin: Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Liquid

Hands down one of the best foundations for oily skin. Laura Mercier's foundation gets high praise from beauty editors (myself included) and the reviewers on Makeupalley.com.
Compare Prices

2. Best Pricey Foundation: Chanel Teint Innocence foundation

Flawless. Chanel products go on smooth and aren't drying (but they also don't add oil to your already oily skin). A plus is most come with an SPF of at least 15 -- a big bonus in moisturizers. We suggest trying out the different versions at the Chanel counter.
Compare Prices

3. Best Inexpensive Foundation: Revlon ColorStay Foundation

If you're going to spend money on beauty products, we usually suggest saving it up for a good foundation. But this inexpensive product is worth a try. If you have oily skin, you might want to skip this product, however. Best for women with dry skin.
Compare Prices

4. Best Drugstore Foundation: CoverGirl Clean Liquid Makeup

CoverGirl's foundation is another Glamour favorite (winner 2 years in a row for inexpensive foundation). Readers love it because it gives good coverage without covering too thickly (your freckles will show through, which I love, because I think freckles are fabulous). It also controls oil, according to Glamour. But be warned, I've done my research and some reviewers find it's too thin and doesn't cover enough, others find it hard to find the perfect match out of the more than a dozen shades. I say, buy a few shades and then return the ones that don't work. Never, ever buy makeup from a store that doesn't have a return policy!

5. Best Foundation Stick: Bobbi Brown

Foundation sticks are great for covering blotchy skin and were made for women on the run who need a quick fix. They provide on-the-spot coverage in a flash and there's no better product than Bobbi Brown. Make sure you blend in product after applying.
Compare Prices

6. Best Mineral Foundation: BareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation

Personally, I am not a fan of mineral makeup. I find it settles into my fine lines and looks weird with my large pores. But what doesn't work for me, works for thousands of women since Bare Minerals is a cult classic and Sephora favorite. It's also a 5-time Glamour Magazine "best foundation" winner. Users love "BareMins" because it won't melt away. Women also love the way it looks on their skin. Because mineral makeup is a love or hate thing, I strongly suggest you try it out first and if you hate it, return it.
Compare Prices

7. Best Pricey Foundation Powder: Laura Mercier

Powder foundation tends to be more matte than sheer or satin, so it's great for women with oily skin. This product blends well & has great staying power throughout the day mainly because it comes in powder form, which is great for bringing along in your purse.
Compare Prices

8. Best Affordable Foundation Powder: MAC Studio Fix

We've used this powder foundation for years. The trick is to find the right shade. MAC Studio Fix is perfect for women with oily skin who want to minimize the appearance of large pores. Keep in mind you might need different shades for the different seasons of the year -- you're usually a bit darker in summer.
Compare Prices

9. Best Foundation With SPF: Philosophy "The Supernatural"

This foundation is one of the best rated and most popular on Drugstore.com. We gave it a whirl and loved how light it went on without being greasy in our t-zone spots. No wonder this foundation is much-beloved. Plus, we love that it is SPF 15.
Compare Prices

10. Best Tinted Moisturizer: Clarins Hydra-Care Tinted Moisturizer

Clarins consistently impresses. You'll find these light, tinted moisturizers offer great coverage without feeling heavy. And there's no better tanning product out there than Clarins. Here, you'll get the moisturizer and the tan without the need for a heavy foundation.
Compare Prices

Explore Beauty

About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Fall Fashion Accessories

These hot fall accessories will update your wardrobe without breaking the bank. More >

  1. Home
  2. Style
  3. Beauty
  4. Face
  5. Foundations
  6. Top 13 Foundations for the Money>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.