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With different formulas, textures, finishes and coverage options, choosing the right foundation can be a difficult task. I'll help break down everything you need to consider in order to choose the right foundation for you!
What Is Foundation?
Foundation enhances the appearance of the skin by creating an even and uniform tone. It’s available in many different formulas, including: cream, liquid, powder & stick.
There are two elements that determine the color, coverage and application of foundation: Vehicle and Pigment.
Vehicle
gives foundation its slip and ability to move around on the face
the easier foundation moves around the face, the lighter the slip
the more drag a foundation has, the stiffer the slip
Pigment
provides shade color and coverage
the less pigment a base has, the less coverage it will deliver
Analyze Your Skin
The key to determining the correct foundation requires evaluating the condition of the skin. The “ideal skin” to work with will have an even surface, which makes for a smoother, even application.
Dry skin can affect the way the foundation applies, resulting in a more uneven application. In contrast, oily skin may prevent the base from adhering to the skin, resulting in an uneven application, since the oil from the skin may mix with the foundation (therefore, it's imperative that your skin is prepped properly and any excess oil is removed).
To keep the skin in a healthy state, and to allow for the best makeup application, it’s very important to properly "prep & cleanse" the skin. The basic steps to properly prep & cleanse the skin, includes: cleansing, toning and moisturizing (as well as SPF of at least 30, during the day).
Additionally, I highly recommend adding an exfoliator as part of your skincare regimen. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, and can be done using a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliator. Personally, I prefer chemical exfoliators, since they contain special types of acids (such as: AHAs & BHAs) that dissolve and remove the dead skin cells, without the need for scrubbing.
Finding The Right Finish
Foundations are available in a variety of different finishes. It's important to consider your skin-type when choosing a finish.
Matte
helps control excess oil and shine
ideal for those will combination and/or oily skin-types
Dewey
leaves the skin with a radiant glow
ideal for those will normal, normal-to-dry, and dry skin-types
Natural/Satin
balance between dewey & matte, delivering a more “natural” finish
ideal for most skin-types, except very oily
Choosing The Right Formula
Now that you know your skin-type and which finish you want, the next step is choosing the right formula.
With so many different foundation formulas on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming—I'll break down the most common foundation formulas for you!
Liquid:
most popular form of foundation
depending on the formula, coverage varies from light all the way to medium/full coverage
Cream:
creams are generally high in pigment
creams are very versatile, and can be used with a variety of different mixing mediums, giving you the ability to adjust coverage and/or finish
oil-based creams are great for dry and/or mature
wax-based cream foundations are great for all skin-types
Powder:
great for those with combination or oily skin-types
depending on the formula, coverage ranges from sheer all the way to full coverage
In addition to liquid, cream & powder foundations, there are four other popular formulas, such as:
Tinted Moisturizer:
sheer-to-light coverage
lighter in texture than a traditional liquid foundation
hydrates and moisturizes the skin
BB Cream:
light coverage
lighter in texture than a traditional liquid foundation
typically contains SPF and antioxidants
generally marketed as an “all-in-one” product
CC Cream:
"CC" stands for: color correcting
coverage and texture is similar to BB cream
depending on the formula, CC creams can address issues, such as: redness, sallowness, uneven skintone, etc.
typically contains SPF and/or other skin benefiting ingredients
Cushion Compact Foundation:
a liquid foundation formula that's infused into a sponge-like cushion, which is housed inside of a compact
generally offers a natural or dewy finish
most cushion foundations offer light-to-medium coverage, although some may offer some more coverage
I hope that this information comes in handy and helps you choose the right formula!
XOXO,
Sheldon