One of the most common beauty struggles is how to pick the perfect foundation. It can all seem overwhelming – powders, liquids, creams, BB creams and the list goes on. And with brands continually coming out with ‘new and improved’ foundations in shiny, new packaging, where do you even begin? We’ve put together the ultimate list to show you the top tips we’ve learnt over the years on how to choose the right foundation for you – from now on!
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Shade selection and undertones
This is where I know many people stumble in their foundation selection process. Remember: to achieve that seamless, natural look to the skin, a good foundation shade must match your neck. That means if you frequently use fake tan, then you should match the shade to your tanned neck and not your natural skintone.
But it’s not just the right shade that’s important; selecting the right undertone is crucial! If you’re unfamiliar with what an undertone is, it’s the colour that your skin leans toward. Most people fall into cool (pink), neutral (both pink and yellow, possibly grey or ashy) or warm (yellow) undertones. Your undertone should be fairly obvious, but if you’re struggling, PopSugar has a pretty accurate quiz to help you figure it out.
So, when you’re in store find 3 close shade matches that also suits your undertone and swipe them next to each other on your jaw bone. You’ll then be able to see which colour is the best match for you.
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Skin type
This is another essential factor that you need to determine to choose the best foundation for you. The general skin types are: oily, combination, normal, sensitive and dry skin. Once you’ve decided which skin type describes you best, you’ll know what formula to look out for.
Oily-skinned ladies should look out for long-lasting, matte liquid formulas or powder foundations as they prevent makeup meltdown. Those with this skin type should also avoid cream foundations as they can be too heavy and appear greasy on the skin.
Those with dry skin should avoid matte finishes and powders as it can enhances the appearance of dry patches on the skin. Any luminous or natural satin-finish liquid or cream foundations would be ideal for this skin type!
Those with combination or normal skin can fortunately get away with most foundations. Beauties with sensitive skin also have a variety of foundation options, but mineral makeup with less harmful ingredients could be the perfect option.
Coverage needs
When I first started out with makeup I honestly believed that the fuller the coverage in a foundation, the better. Looking back, that may not have been the most flattering look for me! So the next step is to work out what amount of coverage you would like to achieve. Girls with near-perfect skin with a few blemishes will find that a tinted moisturiser, BB Cream or light dusting of powder foundation will be just enough coverage for them. Those who have increased redness, blemishes, discoloration or hyper-pigmentation will find that a medium to full-coverage foundation may be the answer.
Remember: Foundation should be used to even out the skin and create a smooth canvas. Any imperfections should be covered with concealer, instead, to achieve a more natural appearance.
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Bring along a matching foundation
If you’ve already found the perfect match in another foundation, bring it along with you when purchasing your next. There’s nothing wrong with comparing something new to a product you’ve already tried, tested and loved! It’ll save you a lot of time umm-ing and ahh-ing in store, and you’re guaranteed to get the right shade match. A great resource is Findation, which allows you to enter in all the foundations that actually match you and find a similar shade (based on other user submissions) in another brand.
Don’t always believe the hype
A big trap (that I must admit I’ve fallen for in the past) is believing in the latest hyped-up foundation and expecting it to be a one-size-fits-all perfect match for you! You should be doing your research to determine whether a popular foundation is right for you (perhaps by using these tips as a checklist), before you buy into it.
Images via huffingtonpost.com, blazon.pk, makeupforever.com
