FOUNDATION: THE BASE-ICS
Finding the perfect foundation can be incredibly difficult. If the foundation you choose does not properly match your skin type or tone, you could easily end up looking orange, fake, or cakey.
Foundation has been perfectly named; it constitutes the very base layer of your makeup, and covers the largest amount of coverage across your face.
Do you find yourself struggling to decide between different foundations at the store? We have a few expert tips to make the intimidating process of choosing your foundation fun and easy.
1. Know your skin type
The first step to finding your perfect foundation is to figure out your skin type. If you don’t know well enough, take the ‘quiz' here.
- If you have dry skin, you will want to pick a formula that is hydrating and moisturizing.
- If you have combination or oily skin, go for an oil free foundation to minimize shine.
When you are at the store, some helpful tips when looking for foundation are:
- Ask about the items return policy. Some makeup stores will allow refunds or exchanges if the colour doesn’t match right, or you aren’t satisfied with the coverage. This way you can try the product out in everyday settings to see if it is the one for you.
- Check the ingredients. Some products will claim to be oil-free, but will contain other oily ingredients that can worsen the condition of breakout-prone skin.
- Stay away from long-lasting formulas. Foundations that claim to last a long time tend to house ingredients that dry out skin and can start to form lines and creases throughout the day. Opt for a long-lasting setting spray to finish your look instead.
2. Know your undertone
Next, figure out which undertone your skin carries. This will help you pick a tone of foundation that combats your undertones.
An easy way to figure out your under tone is to look at the inside of your wrist. See if you see more yellow or pink in this area.
- If you see yellow, that means you are on the warm side.
- If you see pink, you are a cool tone.
In case you are still confused, check out this link to gain some more clarity.
Florencia's Tips:
"When I am shooting, I rarely pick foundation with a pink tone for my clients; I always choose a yellow or a neutral tone since I find they complete the final look better and these tones give more of a healthy warm glow to the subject.
I suggest trying to match your foundation to your chest rather than your neck since your neck tends to be lighter that the rest of your body because it doesn’t get as much sun, and will be a lighter shade than needed to match the rest of the body.. Our chest has more pigment, so sometimes if we wear a foundation that matches our neck when we see ourselves in pictures or natural light we tent to feel too white or that our face doesn’t match the rest of our body.
If you have an even tone all over by all means match it to your neck, but if you don’t expose your face to the sun then you will probably be happier matching your foundation to your chest."
In the end, we do always like to say that there are no rules for makeup and you should wear what makes you feel most comfortable and beautiful!
About our Contributor
Florencia Taylor is the winner of the Year Award at the 2017 NAHA Awards. Florencia uses the art of makeup to bring out the best in women by expressing their internal passion through an external large. She highlights the unique nature of each of her clients and uses makeup to enhance their beauty and personality. To Florencia, makeup is so much more than a job, it is her passion and her gift.
