Flawless for Less?

[SchylarR]

I am a college student on a budget that cannot always afford $40 foundations and setting powders. However, if I don't spend an insane amount of money, I can never seem to find a liquid foundation/setting powder combination that does not look cakey. I also have acne and would prefer full coverage products. Any suggestions? I would greatly appreciate it!

[TrinaBeauty]

L’Oréal pro glo or matte, L.A. Colours truly matte foundation, maybelline mousse foundation is truly amazing, and The Ordinary matte or the Serum one is amaaazing and The Ordinary and L.A. Colours foundation are $6 and definitely overly worth it

[Beadshopgirl]

Others have already mentioned it but the Fit Me collection from Maybelline is excellent if you're not buying cruelty-free. Flower Beauty has a terrific loose face powder and ELF cosmetics also has many low cost options. The ELF tone-correcting pressed powder is a staple for me.

[makeitup305]

I really like Maybellline Fit Me Matte and the new Wet n Wild one. Those are medium coverage for me. Full Coverage is the L.A. Girl Pro conceal and the Milani Conceal and Perfect.  Lóreal True Match was good too but I haven't used it in years @SchylarR

[hannahjojo]

I am not a drugstore girl, but swear by Rimmel stay matte powder. I use translucent, but it does also come in colors. I personally haven't used it, but I hear L'oreal pro-matte and pro-glow foundation is amazing.

[alexasteph]

@SchylarR My favorite drugstore complexion options are L'Oreal True Match Lumi and NYX HD Finishing Powder. If you are looking for a concealer, I've tried both Maybelline Fit Me and SuperStay Better Skin and they are acceptable, but I still think going high end is better. You may not need concealer since you didn't mention it, but if you use it, you still want it to work well with your other products. Check out what Clinique has to offer a well. Their foundations are in the $20-range, so it's still affordable but is really good quality. They are a totally underrated line in my opinion. 

When you're applying your foundation and powder, think about building the product up slowly in layers instead of putting it all on in one go. Makeup tends to look cakey because you are wearing too much. I prefer a sheer to medium coverage over most of my face, and I only build the coverage on the areas that need a bit more. I don't have acne to cover, but I have a bit of redness over my cheeks so I do pat more foundation there after the first layer. 

Second thing to remember, when you are doing touch ups doing the day, use oil blotters first. If you notice a little shine and think "Oh I need more powder" all you're doing in adding more and more product over oil, which leads to more cakiness. 

I hope this helps a bit!

[sydtomato]

I love Loreal Pro glow and Maybelline Fit me matte!! 

[greenporchlights]

Have you gotten your hands on the new Coverage Foundation from The Ordinary? I am absolutely IN LOVE, and it pairs beautifully with NYX's HD Powder. No cake-face! I'd recommend a high-coverage concealer to pair with it, though, as it's not FULL coverage. More like medium-full, but buildable. For a concealer, I've heard wonderful things about the Wet'n'Wild PhotoFocus Concealer. Apparently it's a good dupe for NARS' Radiant Creamy formula.

Hope this helps! ❤️

[gonerogue]

@SchylarR My favorite drugstore foundation/powder combo is from the Maybelline Fit Me collection. I have very oily skin and I find that it provides adequate coverage plus keeps my skin matte for a good while. I touchup using the powder when I start to get oily with either a face brush or a beauty blender and it doesn't cause my makeup to cake. I would recommend looking into this line the next time you go to the drugstore 🙂

[SchylarR]

I use the liquid Fit Me foundation currently but when I put powder on top it starts looking gross. Do you use the Fit Me powder foundation on top or the setting powder?

[SchylarR]

Ok cool thanks so much! I will try that out.

[gonerogue]

@SchylarR oh that's a good question! I don't know?? I had no idea they had two different Fit Me powders. Mine has color to it so it's more of a foundation powder I'm guessing and I press it into my skin with my beauty blender to prevent caking.