One of the most basic staples in your makeup collection is also one of the most difficult to choose: foundation. You’ve likely struggled for years to find the perfect match for your skin and found that what seems like a simple process is actually very complex. Luckily, picking your foundation is a simple process if you know your skin type and have the time to find a perfect match. Start by taking a look at your skin type.
Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, you’ll want to do everything you can to avoid buying products that have an oil base. Oil on oil will only serve to make things more slick and messy – the opposite of your desired effect. To make sure you get a look that is truly flattering on your skin, opt for products that are powder-based or come with some sort of infusion that will help to keep your natural oils in check.
Dry Skin
If your skin is naturally dry, you’re going to want to look for a foundation that will help to moisturize your face while providing coverage. Anything with glycerin is going to be a great pick. You’ll also have a lot of luck with BB creams, which contain tons of antioxidants and moisturizing compounds.
Blemishes and Breakouts
Mineral makeup is the best option for those with sensitive skin. Most of these mineral foundation products contain compounds like zinc that will help to soothe your skin while providing flawless coverage.
Natural Skin
If you have natural skin that is free of blemishes, you’re fairly lucky and can pick any type of coverage beauty product that suits you. You will, however, want to take your geographical location into consideration. If you’re usually exposed to cold weather that dries out your skin, get a moisturizing formula. If you live in warm areas that have you sweating through the summer, a matte based formula will serve you well.
Picking Your Shade
When it comes to picking the color of your foundation, you need to make sure you take special care. Many women find themselves picking shades that are just a bit off because they try to make their selection too quickly. To make sure you avoid the same mistake, be sure to take these tips into consideration:
- Test your key areas
The key to making sure you get a perfect color match is making sure that you test the correct areas. To get the best results, you’ll want to make sure that you test your color in your T zone and jawline. The ideal match will blend in flawlessly with your skin and won’t stand out against the color of your neck.
- Take Advantage of Natural Light
The over-head lighting of the beauty aisle is too harsh to get an accurate reading of the color and its appearance against your complexion. For the most accurate reading, you’ll want to look at your complexion in a mirror close to a window or go outside to see if it makes a difference. If you can get your hands on one that works with the store lighting and with natural light, you’ve found your match.
- Sometimes it takes two
Your skin complexion will change throughout the year – so you should be prepared to change as well. Find a slightly darker hue that you can mix into your normal color when the summer months come around to make sure you keep your color flawless.