9 Best Drugstore Foundations That Professional Makeup Artists Swear by

Why It's Worth It: Makeup artist and beauty vlogger Alissa Ashley teamed up with Nyx Professional Makeup to produce the full-coverage, matte-finish foundation of our dreams. "We noticed that a lot of in-between shades were missing," Ashley previously told Allure. "When developing this range, we found that if we mixed two shades together or tweaked some by adding a slight undertone, we could get those in-between shades."

Editor Tip: This formula is infused with skin-nourishing vitamin E so your skin will feel soft and moisturized all day long.

Who It's For: People who want their skin but better | Finish: Matte | # of Shades: 45

Why It's Worth It: The Black Opal True Color Foundation Stick is so good that we had to give it an Allure Best of Beauty Award for its solid formula, and we're not the only ones who adore this medium coverage foundation. Makeup artist Donovan Lamar Watson is also a fan of it for its velvety, satin finish that looks as identical to the skin as a foundation can get. "I love the versatility and it has great shade options for deeper skin tones," she says. "These sticks can also be used to conceal, sculpt, and highlight the face."

Editor Tip: Similarly to Watson, we love to use this stick in darker hues for contour and lighter hues for brightening and concealing.

Who It's For: People who want a satin finish | Finish: Satin | # of Shades: 23

Why It's Worth It: Dry skin types will especially love The Lip Bar's Just a Tint Skin Conditioner, according to Los Angeles-based makeup artist Sean Harris. "I love this lightweight, hydrating formula that will give your skin the perfect glow," he says. In other words, this skin tint is one of the best base products for drier complexions due to its lightweight, sheer coverage formula that treats skin with water-retaining hyaluronic acid for a plumper look and radiant finish.

Editor Tip: This coverage is sheer so if you want more, consider using the brand's Quick Conceal Liquid Caffeine Concealer on any discoloration or blemishes first.

Who It's For: Dry skin types | Finish: Radiant | # of Shades: 12

Why It's Worth It: Maybelline New York's Fit Me Matte + Poreless Oil-Free Liquid Foundation beats some of its high-end competitors with its 40 diverse shades and matte texture. "I personally have pretty acne-prone and sensitive skin so I love this foundation because of its oil-free and water-based formula," says makeup artist Courtney Housner. "While it is a matte foundation, it finishes with a beautiful, natural texture — not too matte, not too hydrated."

Editor Tip: You may want to skip setting powder here. This ultra-matte formula sets itself.

Who It's For: Dry-skinned folks who crave a matte finish | Finish: Matte | # of Shades: 40

Why It's Worth It: Allure's Angela Trakoshis was never a powder foundation wearer until TikTok convinced her to try L'Oréal Paris's oh-so-buttery Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder, and now, there's no turning back. "The formula is so lightweight, it almost feels like you're wearing nothing," she attested. "The coverage is medium to full but definitely not cakey at all."

Editor Tip: This powder is the one you want to carry in your purse for touch-ups. It layers divinely over other products and even has a mirror built into its packaging.

Who It's For: People who want a long-lasting base | Finish: Matte | # of Shades: 20

Why It's Worth It: If achieving an even skin tone without looking like you're wearing full-on paint is your top priority, E.L.F.'s Camo CC Cream is the foundation for you. Formulated with SPF 30 (as if it weren't awesome enough to begin with) it promises color correction, a natural finish, and some very expensive-sounding skin-care ingredients (niacinamide and peptides among them) for $15 a tube.

Editor Tip: Senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen uses it by warming it up around the back of her hand and using her fingers to spread it across her face in sections, then blending those sections together with a fluffy, tapered brush. "This formula's buildable, so I'll repeat the process anywhere I need extra coverage (under my eyes, around my nose, and chin) instead of using concealer," she says.

Who It's For: People who want a product that does it all | Finish: Glowy | # of Shades: 30

Why It's Worth It: Because it's a concealer, too, Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer is thick and creamy. If you're used to a lightweight formula or a BB cream, this will feel heavier — but not at all suffocating and still breathable. The pump bottle makes for less mess than the turn-the-bottle-over design of other drugstore foundations.

Editor Tip: To get the most out of this product, use one layer as your foundation and double it for the areas you want to conceal.

Who It's For: People who love a multitasking gem | Finish: Matte | # of Shades: 45