How to Choose the Right Foundation: Things to Consider
Finding the perfect foundation color can be a daunting task. Discover right here how to choose the right foundation.
Keyword(s): how to choose the right foundation
Did you know cosmetics have been in use since 10,000 BCE? That's right, somewhere in Ancient Egypt, scented oils and pigments were smeared on the skin for protection and religious rituals. Stone age societies on the other side of the world buried their dead with colored unguents.
Fast forward to 1500 CE and white lead is all the rage for a fashionable pale and youthful complexion. For the next 400 years or so, homemade white lead and arsenic gave ladies a color to die for.
It wouldn't be until the 1920s that cosmetics for film and theater would come to the attention of the general public. These modern cosmetics eschew killer ingredients.
Modern foundations perfect skin tone and texture for a flawless, youthful finish. It's all about finding the correct color and formula for your skin.
Read on to learn how to choose the right foundation.
Find the Perfect Tone
The first step to creating a flawless looking complexion is to find the right color. No one wants a face that looks like a mask. The wrong colors can leave you looking vaguely seasick green or Oompa-Loompa orange.
Your skin tone and undertone determine what foundation makeup shades are your best matches. Your skin tone can range from light to dark. Foundation shades are available in the palest porcelain to the deepest mahogany.
Try shade matching on your chest or the underside of the jaw. Skin tone may vary with sun exposure.
More difficult to determine is your undertone. These are the natural colors just beneath the surface of your skin.
Determine Your Undertone
There are two basic undertones: warm and cool. The warmer undertones have peach to golden hues. Cooler undertones include reddish and bluish tints. Undertone is not the same thing as skin tone.
In fact, it is entirely possible to have porcelain skin with warm undertones or deep olive skin with cool undertones. This is why shade matching can be so difficult. Sometimes the tone is perfect, but the undertone just isn't!
How to Choose the Right Foundation
Once you have your color matched, the next step in how to choose the right foundation is to select a texture. Do you need light coverage to even out your complexion? Or do you want something heavier to cover a birthmark or tattoo?
What about your skin condition? Dry? Oily? Combination? There are several different formulations available. Here are the most popular types.
Tinted Moisturizers and BB Creams
Coverage Level: Sheer
These multitaskers provide light coverage, moisturizer and sun protection in one product. They are nearly invisible and easy to match to your skin tone. However, they provide almost no coverage if you have a blemish or imperfection.
If your skin is oily, look for longer lasting formulations.
Matte-Finish Liquid Foundations
Coverage Level: Medium to Full
Matte-finish liquid foundations are the safest bet for all but the driest skin. The lightweight finish is easy to blend. If you have a blemish, it is easy to layer on more coverage. Streaking and uneven application must be blended in before the foundation sets.
The foundation is long wearing and ideal for acne-prone or oily skin.
Luminous and Moisturizing Liquid Foundations
Coverage Level: Light to Medium
These foundations provide the most natural look. People with large pores or oily skin may want a longer lasting formulation. They have a slight sheen for a youthful glow.
Powder (Loose or Pressed) Foundations
Coverage Level: Light to Medium
Fast finish for normal skin. These very lightweight pigments can be layered over moisturizer or sunscreen for a flawless finish. However, they may look cakey or streaky if built-up. Also, they may change color as they absorb excess oils and moisture.
Cream Compact Foundations
Coverage Level: Light to Full
Easy to use and blend like a powder foundation, sets to a semi-matte to a matte finish. Use a light touch with a dry brush for nearly sheer coverage, a damp sponge for nearly opaque finishes.
This type of foundation is best on skin that is neither very oily nor very dry. It can make shine worse on oily skin and exaggerate flakiness on dry skin.
Stick Foundations
Coverage Level: Medium to Full
The thick, waxy texture works well to fully conceal scars, tattoos or other imperfections. Unfortunately, it can worsen breakouts and clogged pores. It is best for small areas and should be blended well.
Too much foundation can crease into wrinkles and lines. This type of foundation provides the most coverage but is the most difficult to perfectly match to your skin color.
Apply Your Foundation With the Right Tools
Once you have the perfect color and texture, the next step is to apply the foundation. The secret to perfectly blended and flawless skin is in the application.
The lightest texture foundations should be applied with the fingers and thoroughly blended. Liquids and powders benefit from brush application. Use an angled synthetic brush for liquid foundations.
For powder foundations, use a fluffy natural bristle brush. Sweep powder lightly in the direction of facial hair growth. Brushing powder against the grain of your peach fuzz will result in a caked-on look.
The heaviest formulas should be dabbed on with the fingers directly and blended with a sponge.
Ask For Expert Help
Dermacol products are well known for their high quality, rich texture, and flawless coverage. They are hypoallergenic, preservative free and come in a variety of shades. From our 2 in 1 Primer Foundation for the lightest coverage to our original Dermacol Makeup Cover, we have the right foundation for you.
It can be confusing to find the best makeup for your skin tone, coverage needs or skin condition. Start shopping here today! Do you still have questions about how to choose the right foundation? Click the chat box for expert help.