Tips on Finding Your Ideal Foundation

Here's another article I wrote for my magazine club!

Tips on Finding Your Ideal Foundation

The warm summer has gone and the breezy autumn has begun. It’s finally time to purchase a new foundation! Throughout the different seasons, your foundation shade changes. You sport a darker color in the summer and a lighter color in the winter. Here are some tips for choosing the perfect foundation!

 Foundation is the base of all your make-up adventures. Finding the right foundation will make your skin look flawless. Everyone has different types of skin…whether it is dry, oily, or combination! First, make sure you know your skin before buying foundation.

Dry skin

If you have dry skin, try shopping for a liquid or a cream foundation rather than a powder one. Powder foundation will just accentuate your dry patches. Look out for words like “hydrating” or “moisture-rich”. Check out Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup ($12.49).

Tip: always put on face lotion before applying your make-up.

Oily skin

If you have oily skin, go for a powder or oil-free liquid foundation. Watch out for words like “oil-free” or “matte”.  Powders absorb the oil in your face, leaving it nice and matte. Try L’oreal’s True Match Super Blendable Make-up ($10.95)! It’s oil-free and provides over 30 shades!

Combination skin

If you have combination skin, a cream or a powder foundation is best for you because it’s not too oily or very dry. However, you can also try liquid foundations that are specifically for combination skin like Revlon’s ColorStay Foundation in Combination/Oily skin ($10)

Tip: Throughout the day, powder down your oily areas or use oil-blotting sheets! 

Choosing your foundation color

Tip: To find the right shade of foundation, swipe some on your jawline. If the color blends into your skin perfectly, then you found a winner.

When you’re at a higher end make-up store such as Sephora or Mac Cosmetics, it’ll be easier for you to find your foundation shade. Not only are there makeup artists that guide you, but also there are samples of the make-up products where you’re able to swatch on your face.

When you’re at a drugstore, it’s arduous to pick the perfect color. The foundations are already packaged with no products you can try out on the spot. Make sure you know your skin tone, whether it is pale, medium, or dark. Once you know your color range, use it as a guide. Try matching the shade on the packaging with your jawline. Select your best fit!

I recommend going to a store like Sephora and asking one of the makeup artists to help you get your shade. Then take a sample of it to the drugstore and match it up with what you want to buy. There’s actually a new Color IQ service at Sephora, where it gives you your Color IQ for foundation. It’s able to provide foundation matches from over 1,500 formulas! If you’re struggling in achieving the perfect shade, just walk into Sephora and ask to get your Color IQ! It’s as easy as that!

Tip: When applying foundation, make sure you bring the product down to your neck!