10 Best Affordable Foundations: Choosing a foundation can be challenging, especially when it comes to achieving the perfect coverage and formula. There are so many types of makeup – sheer to full-coverage, high-end to drugstore, matte to dewy finish… It’s a makeup minefield.
Well, we’re determined to make things easier by bringing you an edit of the very best foundations according to our staff editors. As always, struggles with finding a long-lasting formula (yes, one that won’t disappear come 3 pm) with beautiful coverage is over!
Every month, we review the best makeup for every skin type and need. Our selections come from famous brands that offer lightweight coverage, such as MAC Face & Body Foundation or Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, which provides unbeatable coverage. You can even find the right foundation at your local pharmacy with Maybelline’s Fit Me Foundation.
How Can We Shortlist the10 Best Affordable Foundations Of 2023?
Much like the foundation, picking out your perfect shade of makeup can be difficult. We’ve performed extensive research to identify the best foundation for you and your skin type. Whether you’re looking for a natural or vibrant look, expertise will recommend one of the best options for you.
Skin tones are an important element we consider because some people have combination skin that is dry in some areas and oily in others. You might be able to detect this on someone’s skin by looking at their face. Our experts thoroughly examine all types of skin to find what would look best with a person’s complexion.
That combination foundation is an ideal choice for them. There are numerous types of foundations available on the market. You can purchase them online or at your local market.
- Liquid foundation
- Cream foundation
- Powder foundation
- Serum foundation
10 Best Combination Affordable Foundations Of 2023
You can quickly see our picks for the best foundation for combination skin by looking at the table below, along with their prices.
S. No | Product Name | Price |
1 | Lakmé 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Foundation | Rs. 123 |
2 | L’Oreal Paris Liquid Foundation | Rs. 1,079 |
3 | Maybelline New York Super Stay 24H Full Coverage Liquid Foundation | Rs. 525 |
4 | SUGAR Cosmetics – Ace Of Face – Foundation Stick – 47 Borgia (Medium Tan Foundation | Rs. 899 |
5 | Wet n Wild Photo Focus Matte Liquid Foundation | Rs. 1,547 |
6 | Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin | Rs. 3,446 |
7 | M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid Foundation | Rs. 3,350 |
8 | L.A GIRL PRO Coverage HD Foundation | Rs. 915 |
9 | Maybelline New York Liquid Foundation | Rs. 420 |
10 | Mamaearth Glow Serum Foundation | Rs. 508 |
10 Best Affordable Foundations Of 2023 In India:
The following is a complete list of the best ten combinations of foundations, along with their specifications, pros, and cons. Read below:
1. Lakmé 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Foundation
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The Lakme 9 to 5 weightless mousse foundation is one of the best foundations for combination skin. It’s a lightweight foundation that’s easy to use daily. After applying it, you won’t feel it on your face. It blends seamlessly into your skin and provides a matte finish throughout the day.
It has an exceptional soft formulation that everyone will love to apply. There are myriad shades available for consumers to choose from, ensuring that regardless of how fair or dark your skin tone is, you can find the perfect color for you.
- Brand: Lakme
- Price: Rs. 123
- Reviews: 4 out of 5
- Ratings: 2000 +
- Best for: Combination skin
- Key Ingredient: Synthetic
- Nature: Yes

Pros | Cons |
True color | The tube is small |
Matte finish | |
Absorbed quickly |
2. L’Oreal Paris Liquid Foundation
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L’Oréal Paris foundation is meant for all skin types with a buildable formula that lasts all day. It can be used by those with oily, combination, and dry skin because it mixes evenly with the skin and lets it breathe. SPF helps protect your skin from sun damage.
Start by applying an infallible foundation to the area around the T-zone first, then blending outward. For additional shape and definition, you can use Infallible powder or airflow setting spray. The ultra-thin liquid formula absorbs oil and sweat, keeping your makeup fresh for 32 hours.
- Brand: L’oreal
- Price: Rs. 1,079
- Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars
- Ratings: 300 +
- Best for all skin types
- Key Ingredient: Not mentioned clearly, but it is SLS and paraben free
- Natural: Yes
Pros | Cons |
It blends easily | Quite expensive |
The foundation is buildable | |
Oxidized free |
3. Maybelline New York Super Stay 24H Full Coverage Liquid Foundation
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This foundation has a unique technology, such as its exclusive absorption feature, to combat oily skin. It comes in seven shades and is loved for its light texture and multi-functional light coverage with a long-lasting finish that also offers shade selection.
The lightweight feel helps you play ball all day, even on a hot summer day. Plus, the saturated color pigments allow for a beautiful transformation. And don’t worry about a cake face with this long-wearing foundation.

- Brand: Maybelline
- Price: Rs. 525
- Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars
- Ratings: 5,000+
- Best for Oily skin
- Key Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, glycerin, silica, aqua/water, etc.
- Natural: Yes
Pros | Cons |
Oil-free foundation | None |
Moisturizers and skin smoothers | |
True to color tone |
4. SUGAR Cosmetics – Ace Of Face – Foundation Stick
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A convenient built-in brush is included with this foundation stick, making it easy to use properly. It boasts a weightless composition that is waterproof and long-lasting. It provides a completely matte finish that lasts up to 12 hours, providing you with the option to choose medium or high coverage, depending on your needs. In addition, it is easily blended with the use of brushes, sponges, or your fingertips.

- Brand: Sugar
- Price: 899
- Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Ratings: 1000+
- Best for All skin types
- Key Ingredients: Iron oxide, polyethylene, titanium dioxide, etc.
- Natural: Yes
Pros | Cons |
Weightless formula | None |
Handy built-in brush to blend formula | |
Full coverage stick foundation |
5. Wet ‘n’ Wild Photo Focus Matte Liquid Foundation
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Now you’ll have light-diffusing and camera-ready makeup that rivals professional sets. To do this, the new foundation underwent extensive tests under both TN and London lights, as well as their seven different lighting conditions.
The test was created without flash, so you can see the results regardless of what photo mode you’re using. It has a matte finish to create a second skin effect with natural looks and is available in 11 different shades.

- Brand: Wet and wild
- Price: Rs. 1,547
- Reviews: 4 out of 5 stars
- Ratings: 8,000 +
- Best for: Combination skin
- Key Ingredients: Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Water/Eau, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol Crosspolymer, etc.
- Natural: Yes
Pros | Cons |
Good coverage and a matte finish | It disappears after four hours |
Liquid textures easily mix into the skin | |
Easy to use |
6. Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin
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Revlon is known for its large selection of high-quality makeup that allows customers to be themselves. Devoted to creating perfect looks and experimenting with new trends, the brand creates 41 shades of foundation in a wide range of colors.
Wanna go gothic or try a new cosmic color? Get your hands on 43 shades of Revlon’s latest ColourStay foundation. There are enough low-cost options to find the perfect one for any style point from press powder to sparkle bombs.

- Brand: Revlon
- Price: Rs. 1.884
- Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Ratings: 2,000+
- Best for: Combination skin
- Key Ingredients: Isododecane, Polyisobutene, Sodium Chloride, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, etc.
- Natural: Yes
Pros | Cons |
Medium-to-full, buildable coverage | None |
Controls oiliness | |
Pocket-friendly |
7. M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
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If you’re looking for a foundation that offers exceptional coverage and wears time, look no further than MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid. This SPF-protective foundation has the perfect matte and oil-controlling texture. It’s great because it’s simple to apply, build, and blend in any color you need. Once applied, your skin will appear poreless and shine-free.

- Brand: M.A.C
- Price: Rs. 3,380
- Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars
- Ratings: 500 +
- Best for: Combination skin
- Natural: Yes
Pros | Cons |
It provides stay-true color | Expensive |
Super long-wearing | |
Ideal for combination skin |
8. L. A GIRL PRO Coverage HD Foundation
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For a perfect appearance and complete coverage for many hours, the high-definition long-wear penetrating liquid foundation is the best choice. For all-day wear, the lightweight composition at the same time feels pleasant. Antioxidants are added to a paraben-free design to help moisturize and enhance the look of the skin. A cutting-edge white foundation mixer is now available for further expansion of your color spectrum and customized color.

- Brand: L.A
- Price: Rs. 915
- Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Ratings: 400 +
- Best for All skin, best for oily skin
- Key Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Isododecane, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG / PPG-10 / 1 Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene,
- Natural: Yes
Pros | Cons |
Illumination and glowing skin | It’s not that effective in blurring pores |
Easy to use | |
Lasts long on oily skin |
9. Maybelline New York Liquid Foundation
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This liquid foundation from Maybelline New York is a practical choice for the Indian market. It helps make the pores less visible, provides good sun protection with SPF 22, has an oily-matte finish, and does not cause shine. This foundation can be applied to the skin directly without being cake, and it carries a clay formula that absorbs excess oil from the skin.
The great thing about small businesses is that you can get high-quality without spending a lot of money. You pay for what you need, and that’s it. No wasted money or time spent on things you don’t need. In short, you get what you need, and pay for exactly what you get.

- Name: Maybelline
- Price: Rs. 420
- Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Ratings: 8,000+
- Best for: Combination skin
- Key Ingredients: Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Nylon-12, Peg-20, Polyglyceryl-4, etc.
- Natural: Yes
Pros | Cons |
It blends subtly | It contains parabens |
Ideal for oily skin | |
It is long-lasting |
10. Mamaearth Glow Serum Foundation
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This foundation provides high coverage to complete the look of your skin. Users will love how it doesn’t cake or wrinkle, and make skin feel like a second skin. The company reports that its product is effective for up to 12 hours in some clinical trials. It feels weightless on the face and helps brighten skin tone also. This product is designed to rejuvenate your skin and make it appear even more radiant than without it.

- Brand: Mamaearth
- Price: Rs. 508
- Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- Ratings: 300+
- Best for All skin
- Key Ingredients: Aqua, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Lauryl Peg -8 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Talc, etc.
- Natural: Yes
Pros | Cons |
Easy to apply | None |
Blends flawlessly | |
Made with natural ingredients |
What To Look For While Choosing A Foundation For Combinations?
Ingredients
Based on your skin type, pick a foundation. The components, including vitamins, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, work well for combination skin. Pick a foundation with salicylic acid if you have skin prone to acne. Hyaluronic acid helps rejuvenate, hydrate, and enhance skin suppleness with no breakouts or allergies.
Vitamin E and vitamin B3 together assist in moisturizing and smoothing the skin. Additionally, it reduces wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation—all indications of aging. To improve skin texture, peptides or amino acids increase collagen synthesis.
Finish
Foundations are available with sparkly or matte finishes. You are free to choose any finish of your choosing. Choose the matte finish if you think your skin is gleaming and oily. Instead, go for a glowy finish if your skin is dryer.
Sunscreen
Any foundation with sunscreen is an excellent option since it eliminates the need for a second layer of protection. Additionally, it shields your skin from the damaging sun’s rays. Either choose a foundation with a broad spectrum SPF or one with an SPF of at least 30.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How to blend foundations for combination skin?
To blend your foundation gently, here are a few points by the experts so that you blend the foundation like an expert.
- Always wash your face before using any makeup
- To achieve a healthy glow, use moisturizer before applying makeup
- Prime your skin
- Colour correct your blemishes, pigmentation, etc.
- Use a buildable foundation
- Contour your hollows
- Apply highlighter
2. Is liquid foundation best for combination skin?
Liquid foundations offer more coverage than powder-based products. If you want to conceal makeup mistakes, liquid foundations are a good bet. Powder-based products provide light and breathable coverage like a second skin, making you look like your skin but better.
3. Is matte makeup best for combination skin?
There’s a matte finish or a glowy finish- it’s up to you. If you find that your skin is excessively oily and greasy-looking, use the matte finish as it will remedy this problem. If you’re experiencing dryness instead, opt for the glowy shade.
4. How do I know if my skin tone is for foundation?
If your veins are blue or purple, you have a light skin tone. If they’re green or greenish blue, you have a warm-medium skin tone.
5. Should the foundation be lighter or darker?
With contour and bronzer in your makeup, the foundation mixes seamlessly with the other colors and gives you a perfect finish.
Conclusion About best affordable foundations of 2023
When it comes to foundation, there are a lot of things you have to take into account. For combination skin, the key is finding a foundation that blends well and doesn’t cause any problems. In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the best foundations for combination skin in 2023.
Some of these foundations come in light and oil-free formulas, which are perfect for those with combo skin who want an easygoing day look. If you’re looking for something more coverage-heavy, check out our recommendations for full-coverage foundations. Thanks for reading!