The struggle is real when it comes to foundation. There are so many things that could go wrong with it – it could rub on our clothes, be too dark or too light for our skin tone, it can even make our pores look larger.
The role of foundation is to even the skin, hide certain imperfections, and get us compliments such as “your skin looks amazing” not “your foundation is great.” Ideally, the perfect foundation should look like we’re not wearing any. Talking about a quest for the Holy Grail! So, how to find THE perfect foundation?
1. Consider your skin type
As usual, it all starts and ends with your skin type. For oily skin, it is ideal to choose a water-based foundation and a matte finish. A mineral foundation can absorb the excess sebum better than a liquid one, so you might want to try Youngblood Pressed Mineral Foundation Compact. The formula contains rice starch that helps you get a matte look with a natural glow.
Dry skin thrives with liquid foundations with hydrating properties. However, this doesn’t mean that you can skip on your daily moisturiser. Use the cream first, then follow with the foundation for incredible results.
Jane Iredale Liquid Mineral Foundation helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and evens out skin for an amazing result. Combination skin can be more challenging to address when it comes to finding the right foundation.
Special techniques might be required to get the best coverage and resistance for your makeup. A method often recommended by makeup artists is to use a liquid foundation all over the face, followed by mineral powder applied just on problem areas such as the forehead, chin, and nose. The liquid foundation should be applied in a thin layer, to even the skin texture.
If you have combination skin, make sure to eliminate excess oil from problem areas before applying the liquid foundation. You can use a special paper for this, but any napkin and even some toilet paper would work just as fine. Press gently to allow the paper to absorb the oils.
Another recommendation for people with combination skin is to use a primer before applying the foundation. A lightweight foundation that can be an excellent fit for your combination skin is Jane Iredale Beyond Matte Liquid Foundation.
2. Choose the right tone and undertone
Choosing the right shade for the foundation is crucial. As mentioned before, the ideal foundation is an entirely invisible one that disappears into your skin. Depending on your skin tone, this might mean wearing a different foundation in summer and winter. When looking for the ideal colour, keep in mind that the foundation should never be tested on the hand or forearm.
Makeup artists advise us to try the foundation on the neck or under the jaw to get a better idea. If the shade of the foundation is identical to the skin tone on the neck, it means you’ve found the foundation, and your makeup will look natural.
The undertone mentioned before is the sublayer that makes the foundation match your skin perfectly. Most foundations have either a pinkish undertone (cool undertone) or a golden one (warm undertone).
If your skin tone is lighter, choose the pink undertone. If your skin tone is darker, the golden one will look better. This will help give you a true match.
3. Sheer, medium, or full coverage?
The coverage is important; however, this doesn’t mean that a quality foundation equals a full coverage foundation. This is a pretty common mistake.
The reality is that full coverage foundation is only recommended when there are severe, visible imperfections. We are talking about acne, severe breakouts, rosacea, etc. In any other case, you are better off with a sheer or medium foundation.
Full coverage foundation is not ideal to wear during hot months as it can prevent the skin from breathing, so try to avoid using it daily, unless it’s indispensable. A sheer foundation is the right option when you want to even the skin tone and give it some brightness. A medium coverage foundation can mask irritations and other small imperfections, so that the skin looks natural and healthy.
4. Foundation finish - dewy, matte, or natural?
To make things simple for you when it comes to choosing the right type of finish:
• The dewy finish is the right thing if you want glamour and a youthful-looking glow. It’s an excellent choice for women with dry skin, but it should be avoided by people with acne or other visible imperfections of the skin as it can accentuate them.
• Matte finish is for people with oily and combination skin or people who tend to sweat a lot. Always avoid just a thin layer; otherwise, the natural aspect might be compromised.
• Natural finish is between dewy and matte and a great choice for everyday use, whatever your skin type might be.
5. How to apply the foundation
Depending on the consistency of the product (stick, liquid, powder), the foundation can be applied with the fingers, a brush, a makeup sponge, or a beauty blender. What is interesting to know is that the same product can offer different types of coverage depending on the application. You should therefore always try to apply in natural light to get the best results.
When looking for THE foundation for you, think about how you want to apply it. If you’re familiar and comfortable with the finger application, then you should go for a liquid or stick foundation.
While some people might think this is a bit of a middle ages’ beauty ritual, some makeup artists still do it nowadays, and there’s a simple explanation behind it. The heat from skin on skin contact, allows the product to blend into the skin easier, but always make sure to wash your hands before applying the foundation.
If you’re a fan of the beauty blender, you can choose any type of consistency. However, make sure to clean your sponges regularly.
Photo by Raphael Lovaski on Unsplash