Want a Good Foundation For Combination Skin? Try These!

Inside: Searching for a good foundation for combination skin? I’ve found some great options that won’t break the bank. It turns out drugstore foundations can do just as good a job as high end for less!

What Makeup is Good for Combination Skin?

A few months ago I decided to ask my Instagram followers what their favorite matte foundation was. I have acne-prone and oily skin, so I need a full coverage matte foundation. I had been using two different drugstore foundations that I thought were pretty good, but I know that lots of beauty bloggers believe high-end foundations are the best matte foundations out there. So I took a trip to my local Sephora to get a foundation match (which I actually loved; that little machine they use is so cool!) I went home with three high-end foundations and put them to the test against three drugstore foundations.

(Be sure to check out my ultimate list of skin care and beauty tips for busy moms, here!)

Related: Who Else Wants An Affordable Eyelash Enhancing Serum?

Here are the surprising results from the worst foundation to best. I took a photo right after I applied the foundation and then again in the evening. It was still getting dark early, so some of the photos were taken with bathroom lighting. (Note that it’s super awkward to try and take a selfie with a DSLR. Also my skin was pretty dry in these photos so please be nice!):

Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation

This was the worst foundation I tried. It did not apply well at all! I couldn’t even get a decent application on of the Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation so I didn’t bother taking a full face photo to show you. I was really disappointed with this one.

Wet n’ Wild Photo Focus Foundation

I had a family member recommend the Wet n’ Wild Photo Focus Foundation to me as a great drugstore option and I really wanted to love it, because the price is so affordable! However, I did not love it.

The first day it applied pretty well, but I could see some shine and break down by the end of the day. It wasn’t anything too terrible, so I decided to wear it again the next day. The second application was terrible! It just would not blend or stay on my skin well. I couldn’t believe how different the two applications were from the same foundation. I NEVER get that with the best matte foundation I use (keep scrolling to see my favorite!)

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation

Lots of bloggers love the Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation and while there were some pros, I just wasn’t really impressed.

I did love the texture (it was more like a mousse which I’ve used before and really like) and it didn’t cake when I applied my finishing powder. However it didn’t give me the full coverage that I like and there were some problems blending the foundation on top of my first coat. For those reasons, I placed it fourth on the list.

Sephora 10 HR Wear Perfect Foundation

I did this review so long ago, I can’t remember exactly what I did and didn’t like about the Sephora 10 HR Wear Perfect Foundation. Oops! I do know that it was the best one from the three that I got from Sephora, but it was a little too orange for me so I didn’t like that. It was also a good texture and applied pretty well.

If you’re looking for the best high end foundation, I would suggest trying out the Sephora 10 HR Wear Perfect Foundation!

Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin

This is my second favorite foundation right now and was before I started my testing too. However, I’ve had to learn a few tricks to get the best application with the Revlon Colorstay Foundation.

I have to wet my beauty sponge when I apply this foundation or it doesn’t go on smoothly. I also have to pat my face with a tissue after I’ve put all of the foundation on or it gets super cakey when I go in with the finishing powder. And if I smudge my foundation or make a mistake while I’m getting ready, trying to fix it turns into a nightmare. The foundation is not forgiving if you try and add more once you’ve set your face. It also doesn’t offer the best coverage and wears off fairly easily during the day. Because of that, it’s not the best matte foundation in my books.

However, there is another version called the Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin. I’ve used it before but got the Normal/Dry one once and just haven’t bought the Combo/Oily one again! I need to and see how each wears.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

This is the winner of the best drugstore foundation for oily skin!! This was my favorite foundation when I went into Sephora and stayed my favorite after all of my testing! I just can’t say enough good things about the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Foundation! I love how easily the foundation applies and how full the coverage is. I rarely have to use concealer when I use this foundation, and it stays matte almost all day. I apply it in the morning and by the evening there is some shine, but not like how it is with other foundations.

I also love how it wears in the summer. I wanted to wait to post this review until after I had worn it during some hot days and it still stays in place and doesn’t break down.

My only complaint with the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte is the lack of shades. I was using the shade 101 but it was just too light (as you can see in the side-by-side photo). Then I tried 102 and it was way too dark for me. So I decided to mix the two together and that shade is perfect! I would suggest buying whatever shade you normally are and a bottle of the 101 to mix to it so it’s more natural looking.

Related: Try This Easy Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial (With Pictures!)

Finally, a Good Foundation for Combination Skin!

It takes a lot of time to buy and test out different foundations, so I hope this post will save you some time and money! That being said, you could probably find someone who loves and hates every foundation out there! For someone with oily, acne-prone skin, I’ve found that the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation wears the best on my skin. It’s my pick for the best matte makeup for oily skin!

While I didn’t like most of the high-end foundations, I do like that Sephora will give you samples to take home and try so you don’t have to buy a full bottle before you decide you don’t like it.

Did my results surprise you at all? I was only surprised with how unimpressive the high-end foundations were compared to the drugstore matte foundations. It just goes to show that drugstore makeup really can be the best, especially when it comes to full coverage foundation!

L’Oreal also has a Pro-Glow and Total Cover Foundation that may be worth trying. If you’ve used those ones and love them, let me know in the comments!

Want More?

I’ve got more great skin care a beauty tips! Now that you’ve found a good foundation for combination skin, try The Fastest Way To Curl Hair That’s Thick And Long!

Your Turn

Do you have any great foundation tips? Any favorite drugstore makeup items you love? Let me know in the comments!

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