STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

small fry · Chanel

finding a drugstore foundation

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I think they best way is to shop your friends make up bags to try a few different brands/formulas before buying. Do drug stores let you return make up?

Boots · Gucci

I just upgraded from a drugstore foundation (Almay Nearly Naked) to a high end (Smashbox HD). It is definitely worth the extra money for me. The Smashbox HD is so much closer to my shade and feels a lot better on (and looks better too.) Sephora does codes every once in a while so that helps a bit pricewise.

It took a few trips to Sephora and trying out different foundations until I found a brand and a shade I liked. I also checked out the reviews on MakeUp Alley to see which brands got better reviews.

small fry · Chanel

Thanks ladies, Boots sad to say there is not a Sephora close to me. I will check the reviews on makeup alley

Kelly · Hermes

How heavy do you want it? I like Neutrogena Glow Sheers but like the name suggests, it is lighter than other foundations.

I remember really liking Maybelline Matte Mousse when I was into heavier foundations...do they still make that?

Elle · Hermes

Some drugstores allow you to return opened makeup. Rite-Aid has this policy I'm positive, but I'm not sure which others do (CVS, Walgreen's, etc) so check their website maybe?

I'm not an expensive makeup buyer either but I needed something in a shade they just don't make in drugstore brands. I got two small tubes of Dermablend - one that's too light for me, one that's too dark - and I've been mixing them as needed into a little makeup pot for almost 4 years now. This way you can alter the shade as your skintone lightens or darkens throughout the year, and you don't have to worry about contaminating a larger bottle or jar of foundation. So I think it cost me maybe $40 initially, but that comes out to less than $10/year at this point ...

If you're not hard to color-match though, I'd second looking up reviews on makeupalley. I had decent luck with Neutrogena before I switched to the Dermablend.

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

I have a bottle of Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation that I use from time to time. I really like it, which is rare because I usually hate d/s foundation.

Metric · Gucci

I recently down graded from Nars to Maybelline Superstay 24 hour foundation and I love it. I doubt I'll ever go back to paying $40 for makeup when I can get a great one for $9.

My drugstore has testers so I always mess around with them.

twinkle_star · Kenneth Cole

I'd check around and see which stores let you return make-up, I think CVS might? I have slightly oily skin and have recently gone back to Maybeline Dream Matte Mousse foundation. I was using the Dior spray foundation or Bare Minerals or Laura Mercier mineral foundation but I have to say I'm really liking the Maybeline better! If you have trouble finding the right color I've heard good things about the L'Oreal True Match line. HTH

-- Edited by twinkle_star on Saturday 6th of March 2010 12:19:58 PM

small fry · Chanel

thanks for all your suggestions, I will research them and hope to find one

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

I just got true match from l'oreal. I really like it. I guessed on color, and I did pretty good. I hear that a handful of the colors are too pink: natural ivory, shell beige, and classic beige, and that tawny beige is too peach. I don't remember what color I got. It's slightly lighter than I wanted, but I just blend it with my darker tinted moisturizer.

true match is definitely on the matte-side, and runs drier, so it should be good for oily skin. I use a good moisturizer underneath to keep it from looking too dry in certain places.

I'm quite sure all the major drugstores allow you to return, Target too. I say shoot for what appears to be closest (I always opt for the more yellow of two final choices). If you get it wrong, you'll know which direction to go next (lighter, darker, warmer, etc.).

jah · Dooney & Bourke

I've heard awesome things about Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Liquid Foundation. I've been thinking about switching from the Estee Lauder I wear to this. It has won a lot of awards...

Elle · Hermes

pollyjean23 wrote:

I'm quite sure all the major drugstores allow you to return, Target too.

FWIW, Target does not allow you to return opened makeup. Unless it's a brand they sell exclusively or something tried-and-true for you that they happen to have the best price on, I wouldn't shop Target for makeup!

nunzi182 · Kate Spade

Check out www.silknaturals.com; they sell powder foundation super cheap (think bare essentuals) and it's great on my oily skin. Best thing is they have a starter kit that includes various shades. You get to mix it to your perfect shade.

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

Elle wrote:

pollyjean23 wrote:

I'm quite sure all the major drugstores allow you to return, Target too.

FWIW, Target does not allow you to return opened makeup. Unless it's a brand they sell exclusively or something tried-and-true for you that they happen to have the best price on, I wouldn't shop Target for makeup!

Ditto - they let me return something once because I said it gave me a rash. My Wal-Mart doesn't let you return opened makeup either. Maybe this is why I stick to Sephora!