Choosing the right foundation for your skin is so important because it can really make or break your overall makeup look. Foundation sets the stage for the rest of your makeup and when chosen and applied correctly, it can make you look flawless and radiant. However, the wrong type or color of foundation can have the opposite effect, making you look older, sallow or even sickly.
Considerations When Buying Foundation
You need to make sure that the foundation you choose is right for your skin type (oily, dry, aging, blemish-prone), and also that the shade blends well with your own natural skin tone. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect match:
Determine your skin type.
Is your skin dry, oily, combination or sensitive? Knowing your skin type will help you select a foundation that’s appropriate for your skin. For example, if you have oily skin, you will want to select an oil-free, matte foundation. If you have thin, aging skin and wrinkles, you’ll want to use a liquid or cream foundation with plenty of moisturizing properties. If you’re prone to blemishes, you’ll want to find a foundation that is non-comodegenic (i.e. won’t block your pores).
Identify your undertone.
Knowing your undertone is crucial in finding the perfect match for your skin. There are three undertone categories: cool, warm, and neutral. If you have pink or blue undertones, you’re cool-toned. If you have yellow, peach, or golden undertones, you’re warm-toned. If your undertones are a mix of warm and cool, you’re neutral. You’ll need to choose a shade of foundation that fits with your natural undertone.
If you’re not sure what your undertone is, take a piece of plain white paper (not off-white but true white) and hold it up next to your face while looking in the mirror in good, natural light. The skin of people with cool undertones will tend to look pink in this setting. Those with warm undertones will look yellow.
Test the shades.
Test the foundation on your neck or jawline, not your hand. This will give you a better idea of how the shade will match your face. Also, it’s important to test the shade in natural light. Take a mirror near a window and see how it looks in natural lighting.
Choose the right formula for you.
Pick a formula that’s appropriate for your skin. Powder foundations work well for those with oily skin. Creams and liquids are better for those with dry or aging skin.
For a wide selection of foundations made with natural minerals for a flawless finish, check out bareMinerals.
Be sure to check out the full line of skin care products available on our website. We guarantee that all beauty lines offered are 100% authentic, never from a third-party, and are items that our beauty team uses on our own hair and skin. Plus, Pandora Beauty offers some of the best prices available on all your favorite salon-quality products at our online discount beauty supply store.