9 Best Makeup Artist-Approved Drugstore Foundations For Dark Skin (2024)
Get a smooth and flawless makeup look for all dark skin tones within a budget.
Cha Cha WoskaCertified Makeup Artist
Cha Cha is a certified professional makeup artist, airbrush makeup artist, and beauty educator with over 20 years in the beauty industry. She is also the owner of Cha Cha Beauty Bar and has done extensive work in the bridal and special even... more
baishali bhattacharyaMA (English)
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
srijani roy chowdhuryMA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
srijita deMA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Finding the perfect foundation shade for your melanin-rich skin tone is a challenging task, and that’s why we have got the best drugstore foundations for dark skin. Many popular drugstore makeup brands offer a wide range of shades for dark skin tones, saving you the time and effort of mixing shades to bring out the best shade for your skin tone. While there are many undertones for dark skin tones, we have brought you a list of the 9 best drugstore foundations. Now you can achieve smooth skin, just like your favorite celebrities; take a look!
In This Article
Top 9 True-To-Tone Drugstore Foundations For Darker Skin Tones
1. Best For Buildable Coverage:Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer – Cool Cocoa
The multi-tasking Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer gives you medium to full coverage that lasts all day. It conceals under-eye circles, redness, and blemishes to highlight your best facial features. The waterproof formula blends evenly to create a flawless canvas on all skin types, leaving a natural, weightless natural finish. This Cool Cocoa shade is suitable for dusky to dark skin with cool undertones. If you want to learn about the tester’s experience of using the product and its effects on their natural skin tone, watch this video review.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Buildable coverage
- Long-lasting
- Water-resistant
- Lightweight
- Blends seamlessly
Cons
- None
"This foundation gives full coverage that manages to conceal dark spots and redness on the skin. The consistency is thick, but it doesn't feel cakey. It has a matte finish that doesn't accentuate dry areas of my skin."
2. Best For Oily Skin:Maybelline Super Stay Active Wear Foundation – 340 Cappuccino
The Maybelline Super Stay Active Wear Foundation features high-impact pigments that provide long-lasting full coverage. This drugstore dermatologist-tested foundation glides smoothly on your skin, blends in seamlessly, and doesn’t fade up to 30 hours. Its oil-free and lightweight formula is buildable and leaves a clean, matte, and luminous finish. The 340 Cappuccino shade covers all spots and blemishes on dark skin tones and provides an ultra-smooth effect. Check out this review to learn about the reviewer’s experience of using this foundation.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Full coverage
- Allergy-tested
- Long-lasting
- Oil-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Fade-proof
Cons
- None
"This foundation is a cult-favorite and for all the right reasons. It offers excellent coverage and stays on throughout the day. The texture feels comfortable and weightless on the skin."
3. Best For Full Coverage:e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation – Nutmeg
The oil-free e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation offers medium-to-full coverage for dark and dusky skin tones. This liquid foundation blends seamlessly, while its skin-loving glycerin content deeply hydrate and soften your skin. Its lightweight formula conceals blemishes and uneven skin tone and gives a semi-matte finish. This deep nutmeg shade suits dark complexion with peach undertones (a mix of yellow undertones and red surface tones) and is perfect for all skin types. This video review will help you learn about the tester’s experience of using this foundation formulated for dark skin tones.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Liquid formula
- Blends seamlessly
- Matte finish
- Oil-free
- Buildable coverage
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- May look flaky
"This foundation is true to its name. It gives my skin that flawless finish. It offers buildable coverage and I love using it on a daily basis as well as on occasions. It has a lightweight texture and blends smoothly."
4. Best For Waterproof:L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation – 520 Sienna
The L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation offers waterproof medium coverage on dark skin tones. It has a breathable, buildable, and transfer-proof formula that lasts for 24 hours on most skin types. The foundation contains a trio of oil absorbers that increases its staying power, leaving a second-skin-like feeling. Its matte texture glides evenly onto your skin for a lightweight coverage and healthy-looking complexion. This 520 Sienna shade stays true to color and suits dark skin with yellow undertones. Many reviewers on Amazon praised this product and its lightweight, matte finish on the skin.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting
- Sweat-proof
- Transfer-resistant
- Lightweight
Cons
- May cause a burning sensation
"I love using this foundation regularly. It gives my skin a natural, dewy finish. It gives buildable, full coverage. The formula feels lightweight and doesn't settle into lines."
StyleCraze Says5. Best For Oil-Control:Covergirl Trublend Matte Made Foundation – Cappuccino
The Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made Foundation has fine, mattifying powders that absorb excess oil off your face. This drugstore formula minimizes the appearance of pores and offers a smooth, soft-matte, and polished look that lasts up to 12 hours. It features the Flexi-hold technology that creates a sheer, long-lasting, flexible, and comfortable film on your skin to seal the look without looking dry or cakey. The shade cappuccino perfectly complements deeper skin tones with yellow undertones. Plus, the brand prides itself on testing its products on humans, not animals.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Cruelty-free
- Matte finish
- Oil control
- Transfer-resistant
- Buildable coverage
- Easy application
Cons
- Not sweat proof
"This foundation gives good coverage and is easy to blend. It has a mtte finish that is perfect for my oily skin. It has a pump design and the formula sits comfortably on the skin."
6. Best Multipurpose:Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick- Cocoa Bean
The Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick has a pigment-rich foundation stick with a soft brush applicator on the other side. This affordable foundation for dark skin can be used to contour your face. The brush applicator seamlessly blends the breathable pigments into all skin types to provide buildable and lasting medium coverage. You may add this lightweight foundation to your daily makeup routine.
Pros
- Smooth application
- Buildable coverage
- Long-lasting
- User-friendly applicator
- Lightweight
- Affordable option
Cons
- None
"This foundation stick is very easy to apply. It blends well when used with a dense brush it comes with. The coverage is easy to build. It is also travel-friendly."
Pro Tip7. Best Hydrating:BLK OPL True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation – Nutmeg
The BLK OPL True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation has a weightless formula that gives a flawless, dewy finish to dark skin tones. This cream foundation provides light to medium coverage with a mattifying effect on most skin types. Its Shade ID™ technology and pore-perfecting formula use multi-colored chromatic pigments that adjust to your unique skin tone and neutralize uneven patches and blemishes. This oil-free foundation also contains lentil extracts, shea butter, vitamins C, and E that refine, hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin all day long. Plus, this clean beauty brand does not test its products on animals.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Oil-free
- Long-lasting
- Blendable
Cons
- Not transfer-resistant
"This foundation looks so good on my skin tone. The formula is lightweight but pretty long-lasting. It gives good coverage and is also slightly moisturizing."
8. Best For Sensitive Skin:Ruby Kisses Matte Powder Foundation- Honey Brown
The Ruby Kisses Powder Foundation offers medium to high coverage. The allergen-free formula suits oily skin and is lightweight, blendable, and buildable. This full coverage foundation for dark skin tones, goes on smoothly and blends effortlessly into your skin, leaving a velvety smooth finish that stays for long!
Pros
- Matte finish
- Full coverage
- Fragrance-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- May leave an ashy effect
"This powder foundation is so versatile. I love using it as a standalone product on busy mornings. But I also love the fact that I can layer it over another foundation for extra coverage. It applies smoothly and blends well."
Quick Tip9. Best For Non-Comedogenic:Veil Cosmetics Sunset Skin Liquid Foundation 5P
The Veil Cosmetics Sunset Skin Liquid Foundation in 5P shade gives a sheer to medium, weightless coverage. This dermatologist-tested formula is made with skin-smoothing conditioners, humectants, and hydrators. The water lily and cinnamon bark extracts in this formula to polish and refresh your complexion. This water-based foundation sits evenly on most skin types and doesn’t require a setting powder. Its silky texture blends in without clogging the pores and lasts long. Several reviews on Amazon indicate that this product leaves the skin looking fresh and hydrated.
Pros
- Comfortable wear
- Satin finish
- Oil-free
- Vegan
- Lightweight coverage
- Buildable coverage
- Cruelty-free
- Long-lasting
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- May crease
"This foundation feels very light on the skin. It gives just the right amount of coverage to even out the skin tone. It applies smoothly and doesn't accentuate wrinkles or dryness. The finish is matte."
This was the list of our top drugstore foundations for dark skin tones that we feel are worth investing in and guarantee to render exceptional results. All these products are curated after a careful and in-depth analysis of their unbiased reviews.
Infographic: Tips And Tricks To Remember While Applying Foundation On Darker Skin Tones
Choosing formulas that seamlessly blend into darker skin tones and do not look flat, cakey, or ashy might be time-consuming. However, learning the right application technique can also make a lot of difference to the way your makeup looks. The infographic below offers a brief guide on some hacks to keep in mind while using a foundation for a darker skin tone. Keep this in handy for the next time you are required to apply foundation or help a friend do so. Scroll down to know more!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
If you have been struggling to find a true shade that is the perfect match to your skin, take a close look at these options for a budget-friendly makeup routine. All the cost-effective drugstore foundations in our list give results that are comparable to high-end boutique-bought makeup. The Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer — Cool Cocoa is waterproof and offers a seamless coverage that looks skin-like, while the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation — 520 Sienna offers a long-lasting, matte finish while being transfer- and sweat-resistant. Further, the BLK OPL True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid foundation — Nutmeg has a range of dark to darker shades, with a pore-refining formula that delivers a flawless complexion with its light coverage. In addition, their intuitive pigments match your undertone while giving a long-lasting buildable coverage. So, order your favorite foundation right away and watch how these drugstore beauty products enhance your gorgeous dark-toned skin!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the foundation be lighter or darker than your skin?
Opt for a foundation one or two shades lighter than your skin tone. This allows the foundation to blend well with the contour shade and deliver a natural look. However, if you are only using foundation, match the sade with your skin tone.
How long does a foundation stay on your skin?
Foundations usually last for three to four hours on the skin. But, some long-wearing formulas stay put all day long.
How do you apply foundation on dark skin?
• Apply primer to your face.
• Apply concealer under your eyes and on uneven spots.
• Pour a few drops of foundation onto your damp sponge.
• Dab the sponge on the skin and spread the foundation evenly.
• Pat the face with some translucent powder to set the foundation.
Which dark skin foundation does not oxidize?
The L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation does not oxidize.
Does mixing foundation with moisturizer make it lighter?
Yes. A light-colored moisturizer lightens the pigmentation of the foundation and makes it more blendable.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya is certified in makeup techniques and loves reviewing makeup products. She has carefully selected the best drugstore foundations for dark skin based on user reviews and feedback on multiple forums and brand websites. These products are available in a wide foundation shade range, and they help you minimize the appearance of pores and offer a smooth, matte, and polished finish that lasts up to 12 hours.
