13 Affordable Foundations To Try Now
UPDATED NOVEMBER 2019
Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation, £5.91 (was £6.95)
This new, silky foundation feels so weightless on the skin that you’ll forget it’s there. Buff it in with a foundation brush, concentrating on redness and trouble spots. What you see on your skin after you’ve blended it in is what you’ll get for the rest of the day. This stuff goes the distance, yet never feels sticky or cakey.
Available at JustMyLook.com
Milani Conceal & Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation, £11.20 (was £14)
Doubling up as both concealer and foundation, Milani’s new base is richly pigmented for an even veil of colour that blurs everything – from blemishes and redness to dark circles and uneven tone. Despite the full coverage, it’s surprisingly blendable as it doesn’t dry down immediately, so you have time to play and build it up. For a more flawless finish, try using a beauty blender and apply it in firm dabbing motions for the best effect.
Available at BeautyBay.com
No7 HydraLuminous Foundation, £15
With a serum-like formula, No7’s luminous foundation melts into skin for a smooth, even canvas and a nearly undetectable finish that doesn’t budge for hours. It’s hydrating too, preventing the formula from seeping into creases, with vitamins A, C and E, and nourishing grapeseed oil.
Available at Boots.com
NYX Born To Glow Naturally Radiant Foundation, £8 (was £10)
One of the best high-street bases we’ve ever tried, this medium-full coverage formula promises to give a visible glow, and it really does deliver. With no streaks, it blends effortlessly and covers imperfections, without feeling like you’re caked in a mask. Plus, it comes in a whopping 45 shades, so there’s something for everyone to try.
Availabe at Boots.com
Revolution Fast Base Foundation Stick, £5
It’s not often we fall for a foundation stick, but Revolution’s had us at hello with its creamy, easy-to-use formula. Available in 18 shades, it caters to a wide range of skin colours and undertones, plus it’s free of pore-clogging oils, delivering a flawless finish that belies its affordable price tag. Ideal for those who prefer a dewy, fresh finish to a matte one.
Available at Superdrug.com
Rimmel Lasting Radiance Foundation, £7.99
This is the foundation for people who don’t want to look like they’re wearing foundation. The formula is a thin, breathable consistency and the coverage is sheer, but noticeable enough. Unlike other lightweight foundations on the market, it doesn’t slip or slide come lunchtime, and stays crease-free for hours. The addition of SPF 20 is a huge bonus.
Available at LookFantastic.com
Benefit Cosmetics Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundations, £7.22 (was £8.50)
Available in 12 suits-all shades, this creamy foundation is beautifully light, incredibly blendable and invisible to the eye, except for the luminous glow it leaves behind.
Available at Boots.com
The Ordinary Coverage Foundation, £5.90
Delivering impressive coverage that may be a little thick for some. Lighten the load by mixing this with your regular moisturiser or a tinted moisturiser for a radiant, soft-focus finish. Or, apply it all over straight from the bottle for a base that will last all night.
Availabe at CultBeauty.co.uk
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation, From £11.99
Sitting somewhere between a tinted moisturiser and a fuller foundation, this much-loved base has fast become a professional make-up artist staple thanks to its longevity. Expect coverage that stays put for hours while leaving behind a smooth finish that still allows your skin’s texture to come through.
Available at Amazon.co.uk
Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation, £13.99
With an in-built primer and concealer, this easy-to-build formula locks everything in place for a mattifying effect that doesn’t look cakey or dry and stays put for hours. It really is a one-stop-shop for your base needs.
Available at Boots.com
NYX Total Control Drop Foundation, £14
Boasting an impressive 24-shade range, there’s a colour for everyone with this pipette-style foundation. It gives decent coverage but is sheer enough that you never look overdone. Use it with a brush and you’ll find it blends seamlessly. Just a couple of drops is all you need for the most natural look.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Anti-Pollution Foundation, £9.99
With an innovative moisturiser-like texture, this latest offering from Revlon feels amazing on the skin. It’s incredibly lightweight too, so you never have to worry about it settling into fine lines or creasing on your eyelids come 4pm. Designed to give a natural, blurring effect, you’ll notice a natural glow ensue that looks like your skin, only better.
Availabe at Boots.com
Kiko Liquid Skin Second Skin Foundation, £18.99
Laced with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, it’s easy to see why this is a slightly higher price point than the others on this list. It’s a medium coverage and great for all skin types, but thanks to its’ nourishing and hydrating formula, it’s especially good on dry complexions. A little goes a very long way too, so you can expect to be eking this out for months on end.
Available at KikoCosmetics.com
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