Ask any makeup artist and they will tell you the amount of times they are told a client does not like their foundation is countless. Most women have the misconception that foundation is used to change or brighten your skin tone and this is why they are unsatisfied with the results they get with a well matched base. Foundation is the basis of every makeup look and everyone needs it no matter how great your skin is. There are many different varieties of bases that can help to fix flaws as well as different textures from light to full coverage.
First things first ask yourself a few questions…What is your skin type? Are you oily, dry or combination and do you have some flaws in your skin tone that you would like to cover? Once you have the answers to these simple questions finding a base foundation will be a piece of cake.
Let’s go over skin type. If you have an oily skin type you are going to want to go with a foundation that if formulated for oily skin. Most will not be as heavy of coverage and most likely will be oil free or have matte texture to keep your skin shine free throughout the day. These foundations can be in a liquid form or in a power foundation. Yves Saint Laurent MATT TOUCH COMPACT FOUNDATION is great for oily skin. ($56 Sephora.com) This matte Finish with a SPF of 20 is long lasting and works with lily extract to reduce sebaceous gland production.
Now if you completion is dry or very dry a cream foundation with moisture is your best friend in producing a flawless look without any flakiness or irritation. Power foundations are usually not recommended but you can use a light powder to set your liquid foundation. Bobbi Brown makes the Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm (Sephora.com $50) for dry to very dry skin. It has a light coverage and actually hydrates the skin while giving a dewy look to the skin.
Most foundations out on the market right now are either made for or work with the combination skin tone. You get to choose from liquid, cream or powder foundations depending on what combination you are. You are mostly going to look for the texture and coverage wanted. Smashbox has the HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder. (Smashbox.com $59) This mineral powder foundation has a buildable base that can go from light to full coverage. The built in shaver allows for just the right amount and minimal waste.
Now that we have chosen the product that is right for our skin type, how do we match a foundation? This is the easiest problem that we will face when looking for a new base makeup. Most of the counter consultants at your makeup counter are highly trained in foundation matching. All of the good cosmetic companies put a lot of time and expense into training the consultants in product knowledge but just in case you come across someone that is new you may want to keep these steps in your head just to make sure you will leave happy.
First always remember how you are going to apply your foundation. If you will be using your finger tips, a sponge applicator, or a foundation brush and test your color in this way, most artists will recommend using a brush due to the better coverage and control.
Next, know if you have a red, olive, dark or neutral undertone. This will greatly limit the colors of foundation to choose from. Test the foundation color on your jaw line, from the top of your lower jaw near your ear to your upper neck line. This will ensure that you will not end up with the mask look. You should not see your foundation and it should be blended in completely to give you that even flawless look. Build your color pallet on your base.
Lastly, take a look up and see those florescent lights… No matter how perfect the shade looks the lighting in department stores is deceiving. Take a walk outside to double check the color match. It is a bit of a hassle but when you look at the time and money you will save by not having to bring the foundation back and sit for another color match, it truly is worth the time.
Foundation can be a tricky creature for some people but when you know the basics it is very easy to tame. Make sure that you have the correct foundation for your skin type and the right color for your skin tone. Remember that base foundation is just that a base to start your look off right with the even tone and neutral color. Add a bronzer or blush to the cheek and lip and eye color to finish off your day or evening look. One tip to always follow is your skin changes with the seasons and so should your foundation.
Morgan Danaher has long loved the world of beauty. From the time she was a little girl she always made sure she never left the house without her lipstick and mascara. After attending the Michigan College of Beauty and the Dermal Institute in Chicago, She triumphed out on her own opening the Bellachi Spa and working freelance for Estee Lauder and Shiseido Cosmetics. After 12 years in this wonderful world she realized style and beauty isn’t something we buy it’s the way we live. Currently she explores the world of beauty blogging. Email her with questions at morgan.danaher@yahoo.com or connect with her on Twitter @Bellachibeauty.
Photo credit © Alexandr Stepanov | Dreamstime.com
Tags: Bobbi Brown, foundation, makeup products, sephora, smashbox, Yves Saint Laurent
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