Finding a flawless foundation can be incredibly difficult, and shade matching is just the start. But, once you’ve narrowed down tone, texture and just how much you want the foundation to cover your face, it makes the job of finding a new staple a whole lot easier.
Of course, we all have our favourite foundation finds, and many of us have fallen in love with the luxury labels, but when money is tight, it can be tricky to find a replacement without the worry of messing up your daily makeup routine.
More on high street makeup:
- The best high street mascaras used by the Eliza team that are all under £12
- The under £10 beauty products makeup artists always recommend
- 6 affordable concealers that mask blemishes and do away with dark circles
Scouring the high street from the staples we all know and love – Dream Matte Mousse, may you stay in the past – to new formulas filled with skincare ingredients, I’ve listed my favourite six cost-cutting foundations below to help guide you to spend your pennies wisely.
Just be sure to carefully read how much coverage each high street foundation offers, lest you be left with a dewy, fresh-faced glow when a matte full-coverage makeup look is your go-to.
Max Factor Miracle Pure Skin Improving Foundation, £13.99
This Max Factor foundation is a must-have in my makeup bag, and I’m dubbing it a dupe for a much fancier foundation from a very luxurious label (you know the one). What sells it so well is the skin-loving ingredients that work to improve texture and tone from the inside out, making it a multitasker with many benefits.
Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are the two hero ingredients here, making the product both a skincare staple and makeup must-have. And the result is an ultra-hydrating, radiance-boosting foundation that masks flaws with a lightweight, semi-dewy finish. If you do find yourself falling asleep with a foundation on (although I can’t recommend it), best make it this one.
Revolution irl filter foundation, £9.99
The clue is in the name of this Revolution foundation, as it really does give a filtered look to the face. For those who like a full coverage look, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, and a little really does go a long way.
A semi-matte finish leaves the face with an airbrushed look that covers all blemishes and redness with just one layer of the product. And the long-lasting formula is sure to keep your full makeup look from day to night with no need for powder or extra product. So, if you’re looking for a long-haul flawless face, Revolution is ready for the challenge.
The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation, £18
The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation is famous for its vast shade range of over 40 colours, meaning almost everyone can enjoy this high street find. At £18, it is at the more expensive end of my penny-pinching product recommendations, but the hoards of beauty buffs who swear by it all agree it is worth every penny.
Enriched with vitamin E and aloe vera, it’s lightweight yet provides a medium coverage that blends effortlessly into the skin while soothing redness and fighting UV exposure. Again, a little goes a long way, and the glowy finish gives off a natural-looking result that could fool people into thinking it’s just your own great skin.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum, £14.99
L’Oréal Paris was one of the first makeup brands I ever tried as a teen walking the aisles of Boots – and yes, Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse was still the star of the show. But turning back to the brand not only offers a nostalgic hit but a reminder of why these high street heroes really were staples in our first forays into foundation.
Compared to the full coverage options on my list, this foundation is for those who like a more natural look, with a light coverage and dewy finish that evens out skin tone. The catch is the True Match Nude only comes in nine shades (which definitely needs to be improved), but the sheer nature of the formula means it is suited to a wide range of skin tones; just be sure to swatch first.
Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation, £8.99
With smart tone technology, the Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation is a go-to for anyone looking to find a foundation shade without too much stress. A range of 25 colours is available, but the wow factor comes from the finely dispersed pigments that seamlessly blend in with your skin.
Taking coverage into consideration, I’d say this is more of a medium base, so sits nicely in the middle for those who want a full face and those who like to layer up. Just be sure to select the right undertone to let the skin shade-matching magic happen.
Collection Cosmetics Hydra Serum Foundation, £7.99
For those mad about a matte finish, I have a feeling this cheap and cheerful Collection Cosmetics Hydra Serum Foundation could be your new favourite. Packed with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E and vitamin B5, it’s another skincare-infused serum that soothes the skin from the inside out, reducing redness and helping with hydration.
From a foundation side, it gives full coverage that will conceal any blemish or dark circle in an instant yet can be easily layered thanks to its non-greasy formula. So, matte foundation fans, this could be the dream product for you.
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