Starting with the Base-ics: How to Choose the Right Foundation

Just like how you would use primer on a wall before painting, foundation is used to create a smooth, beautiful canvas that can be the base for the rest of your makeup. However, it can be one of the most difficult parts of your makeup to wear. Foundation is typically applied all over the face and sometimes on the neck, too. This means unless you’re going to wear a bold color on the eyes, lips, or cheeks, the foundation can make or break your look. Think of it like a spider web: if you’re caught, the more you struggle, the worse it gets. If your foundation is the wrong color or wrong texture to your liking, it can impair the look of the rest of your makeup. In this case, a little research on a great base can go a long way.

We are no longer in the old days where powder was mandatory or white face paint was expected. Beauty is accepted in all varieties, so with all the choices in beauty, how do you know you’re picking the right one? The key is to know what your options are, and most importantly, know what YOU need.

First, identify any skin concerns. If you have any allergies, it’s vital to know the ingredients of your makeup products. In the same way, your skin type can affect the way a foundation wears. There are specific products made for oily skin, dry skin, acne, redness, and other concerns. Brands like Clinique or BareMinerals emphasize the skin care benefits of their products over other brands’ products. If you have oily skin and your foundation can’t hold up, you may find that it breaks up over time and isn’t doing its job. On the other hand, if your skin is dry, the wrong foundation may cling to dry patches. Picking the right foundation can make application and wear time greater. It’s also useful to know what undertones your skin has. Matching the color of your foundation with your skin is very important. This video by Lisa Eldridge is helpful in picking a foundation shade.

Next, it’s important to know what kind of coverage you want. Much like how you need to identify your skin concerns, you need to decide what to cover. If you have redness, acne, or scarring,  you may want to use a fuller coverage foundation to cover it. On the other hand, you might want something that has less coverage and gives a more natural feel. Foundations are more opaque with the more coverage you get. Many foundations can also be layered to create more coverage, so you can decide what to cover when you feel like it. If you want something lighter,  you may want to try a bb cream or tinted moisturizer, which will offer skin care benefits and light coverage. If you want coverage that you can build up, a sheer light-to-medium coverage foundation can be very versatile. Full coverage foundations are very opaque and good at correcting colors in the skin. Once you know what to look for in your coverage, you can start looking at your options.

Last, read reviews! Sites like Sephora.com and Ulta.com have plenty of reviews on products, so you can read other people’s real life testimonies before deciding. Some foundations can get pretty pricey, and they can last you a while too, so it can be quite an investment. Reading other people’s comments about products can give you a good idea of what to avoid and what to try.

Consider foundation as a base to the rest of your makeup. It’s going on first and essentially setting the tone for your makeup. It’s worth taking your time to pick the right one. Personally, I’ve grown to liking a different foundation for different occasions. Everyone is different, so every foundation will be different, too. Sometimes it takes trying a few to find your holy grail!

For more help, try this article of the 10 best foundations!