3 Best Foundations Under $50

Sumavia Afridi
5 min readMay 15, 2022

The makeup industry is expanding rapidly as the day passes by. With new releases every season, or month, it can become extremely challenging to pick the most promising product based on your preferences. Foundation is a vital product in all the elements combined in a makeup routine.

It creates an even canvas for other features to create magic. As stated earlier, releases of foundation can prove to become the trickiest choice. What is best for dry skin? What foundation will give matte coverage? Which is budget-friendly? We are here to all your questions here.

We know it can get overwhelming, and the questions can be endless. We got you covered with the best foundations on the market that are under $50 and solve all your queries.

  • Best full coverage: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
  • Best for radiance: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid Foundation
  • Best value for money: Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation
  • Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup delivers the full coverage foundation of your dreams. If you want an airbrushed finish that you want to magically smooth out acne and blemish without being cakey, this should be your pick. The brand impressively keeps oil at bay without clinging to dry patches ranking one of the best foundations for oily skin. It also amounts to the widest foundation shades in the industry, attaining around 55 shade ranges under the belt.

Pros:

  • No touch-up is required.
  • Sweatproof.
  • Transfer proof.

Cons:

  • Drying if not moisturized properly.
  • Maybelline Fit Me Dewy Foundation

Maybelline Fit me Dewy + Smooth Foundation is a drugstore classic. This is one of the best foundations for dry skin with a radiant smooth finish. Not only does this have an added benefit of SPF 18, but it is also light to medium coverage, leaving a skin-like finish that suits flawlessly for your daytime looks. The foundation offers great longevity as well. The best part is that it is non-comedogenic.

Pros:

  • Dermatologist tested.
  • Quite budget-friendly.
  • Easy to blend.

Cons:

  • Retouching required.
  • Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation

Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Foundation is a magical potion for your skin. Despite its long-lasting coverage, this makeup foundation makes sure it does not budge throughout the day and stays true to color even after 12+ hours.

Weightless and buildable formula lets your skin breathe through the layers. This is the best foundation for mature skin and here’s why: if you struggle with foundations that settle into your fine lines and wrinkles, get your hands on this miracle.

Pros:

  • Best for anti-aging skin.
  • Transfer resistant.

Cons:

  • Flawed pump.

Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Foundation

The market is highly saturated. You will most likely come out of the store scratching your head after seeing the endless options. It can become a little daunting, but it is not impossible. Let’s look over the things you must consider before opting for a foundation.

Know your Skin type

Your skin is unique. Not all best foundations that promise good coverage will flawlessly suit you. If you have oily skin, your preferred choice should be a mattifying base to keep the shine away. If your skin is dry, then a hydrating formula will work best to avoid flakiness. Got combination skin? A satin finish formula.

Recognize Your Undertones

Often we pick out the wrong shade of foundation, and it sits on the shelf for weeks, wasting away. Knowing your undertones will help you find your foundation shade instantly. The most appropriate way to do that is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If you have yellowish-green veins, you lie under the warmer undertones.

If you are cool-toned, your veins will most probably be blue. And if you come under neutral tones, your veins will presumably be green-blue.

Choose a Coverage

The entirety of choosing a coverage depends on your preference. Some people who prefer to show off their freckles and let their skin peek through the layers must choose a light coverage foundation that is barely there but enhances the natural skin. A full-coverage foundation covers pigmentation, acne, or redness and creates a blank canvas for that festive makeup look.

Between them lies medium coverage, which gives enough room for you to sheer out or build according to the way you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you apply foundation directly onto your face?

It is not a good idea to apply foundation directly to your face. The select method would be to use a thin layer of primer or moisturizer before laying your base. For more promising results, prep your skin greatly before applying your foundation for superior results.

What are non-comedogenic foundations?

Non-comedogenic foundations contain ingredients that do not clog pores and prevent possible acne. They may or may not be oil-free, which means they will help absorb excess oil to avert blockage reducing the chances of acne or pimples.

How can I stop cakey foundation?

Hydrating and prepping your skin before applying foundation can be a vital step to avoiding cakey foundation. The next crucial step can be to powder only where necessary. Be mindful of the areas that require powdering to matte down the shine. This can greatly reduce the cakey base. Lastly, melt your base with a setting spray to eliminate powdery residue.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect foundation is intimidating. A little research on products and your preference goes a long way. Whether you are stepping your foot in the world of beauty, or are already immersed in it, be knowledgeable about your product.

Check the ingredient list. Is there anything you are allergic to? Be open about your choices. Do you prefer full or light coverage? Seek help where needed. Can’t figure out your skin type or undertones? If you ask us for our favorite, we will hands-down choose the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation without a doubt.

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