9 Best Drugstore Foundations For Dark Skin Tones Of 2023

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 tone, 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 the 9 best drugstore foundations for you. Take a look!

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

4.3

BUY ON AMAZON | $8.87

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 are an absolute beginner, this video review might be useful.

Pros

• Cruelty-free
• Buildable coverage
• Long-lasting
• Water-resistant
• Lightweight
• Blends seamlessly

Cons

None

2. Best For Oily Skin:Maybelline Super Stay Active Wear Foundation – 340 Cappuccino

4.2

Now 22% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $10.98

The Maybelline Super Stay Active Wear Foundation features high-impact pigments that provide long-lasting full coverage. This drugstore 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 for a detailed understanding about this foundation product.

Pros

• Dermatologist-tested
• Full coverage
• Long-lasting
• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Fade-proof

Cons

None

3. Best For Full Coverage:e.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation – Nutmeg

4.2

Image: E.l.f.

BUY ON AMAZON | $6

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 ingredients like glycerin 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 understand more about this foundation for dark skin tones.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Blends seamlessly
• Matte finish
• Oil-free
• Buildable coverage
• Vegan
• Paraben-free
• Cruelty-free
• Phthalate-free
• Sulfate-free

Cons

• May look flaky

4. Best For Waterproof:L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation – 520 Sienna

4.4

Now 62% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $6.54

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 healthy-looking complexion. This 520 Sienna shade stays true to color and suits dark skin with yellow undertones.

Pros

• Easy to apply
• Long-lasting
• Sweat-proof
• Transfer-resistant
• Lightweight

Cons

• May cause a burning sensation

StyleCraze Says

Swatch different foundation shades on your jawline instead of the back of the palm to know the correct shade for your skin tone.

5. Best For Oil-Control:Covergirl Trublend Matte Made Foundation – Cappuccino

4.4

Now 46% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $6.75

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.

Pros

• Long-lasting
• Cruelty-free
• Matte finish
• Oil control
• Transfer-resistant
• Buildable coverage
• Easy application

Cons

• Not sweat proof

6. Best Multipurpose:Black Radiance Color Perfect Foundation Stick- Cocoa Bean

4

Now 18% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $8.99

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

Cons

None

Pro Tip

Use a mix of rubbing alcohol and shaving cream to easily lift foundation stain from your dress.

7. Best Hydrating:BLK OPL True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation – Nutmeg

4.4

Now 9% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $11.94

The BLK OPL True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation has a weightless formula that gives a flawless, dewy finish to dark skin tones. This 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.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Oil-free
• Long-lasting
• Blendable

Cons

• Not transfer-resistant

8. Best For Sensitive Skin:Ruby Kisses Matte Powder Foundation- Honey Brown

4

BUY ON AMAZON | $4.99

The Ruby Kisses Powder Foundation offers medium to high coverage. Its allergen-free formula suits oily skin and is lightweight, blendable, and buildable. The foundation for dark skin tone 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

Quick Tip

Use a rounded kabuki brush, a rounded foundation brush, or a fluffy powder brush to apply this matte powder foundation evenly and smoothly on your dark skin tone.

9. Best For Non-Comedogenic:Veil Cosmetics Sunset Skin Liquid Foundation 5P

4

Now 12% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $44

The Veil Cosmetics Sunset Skin Liquid Foundation in 5P shade gives a sheer to medium, weightless coverage. It is made with skin-smoothing conditioners, humectants, and hydrators. The water lily and cinnamon bark extracts in this formula 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.

Pros

• Comfortable wear
• Oil-free
• Vegan
• Lightweight
• Buildable coverage
• Cruelty-free
• Long-lasting
• Hypoallergenic

Cons

• May crease

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.

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.

Recommended Articles

• Bronzer For Dark Skin Can Give You A Sun-Kissed Luminous Shine
• Concealers For Dark Skin Tone
• Lip Glosses For Darker Skin Tones To Try!
• Lipsticks For Dark Skin Tones That Will Bring Out The Glow On Your Face

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