The Easy Guide to Choosing the Right Foundation

Even with all the hype around BB creams and CC creams I still stand by a good foundation,  it can be hugely daunting choosing one when faced with literally thousands of options. It would be so easy to waste both time and money tirelessly searching for the foundation that is your perfect match so I’ve put together this easy guide to help you along your way.

Budget

Your budget doesn’t need to huge to find a good foundation but it will decide where you are going to hunt for it. If you have under £20 your best bet is going to be a drugstore, I’d avoid supermarkets as they never carry a very large choice. If you have over £20 you’re going to be headed straight for a department store. The department store will most-likely allow you to try the product as you’d use it at home, the assistants will usually do your makeup for you which is an advantage but drugstore’s do have assistants on hand of you need help too. I don’t advise buying online unless you are repurchasing a product you know and love.

Skin type

Foundations each have a different function, some may be good for oily skin and help to maintain a matte finish, others may moisturise as they go.  Try to avoid the ones that do it all and choose one that sorts 1/2 problems. One that claims to knock 20 year of your sin age, stop oilyness, moisturise skin, provide a natural glow and last an entire week may sound like the product you’ve been dreaming of but in reality it problem only does each thing marginally well. If you have oily skin perhaps go for one that last 16hrs (for example) and tackles oily skin. If it’s ageing skin that’s the problem try an anti-aging foundation that provides a healthy glow. Those that only do 1 or 2 things are likely to do them very well indeed.

Coverage

You need to consider the coverage you require. Even those of us who look after our skin like it’s an obsession will have the odd day/week where it doesn’t look it’s best, often due to hormones and stress! I tend to have a couple (Uh hmm 6) foundations in at any one time so that if I am having a good skin day I can use a lesser coverage. If you only need a light coverage a mousse or cream may be a good option. If you’re after a heavier coverage I would always suggest a liquid foundation.

Skin colour

Hole you hand next to your face and look in the mirror.. it’s not the same colour. Avoid using your hand to test out foundations. Take wet wipes with you to the store and try the foundation along the jaw bone instead, it’s more accurate and you’re less likely to come away with a foundation that make you look like a orugantan. When choosing shades first decide whether you are light, medium or dark-skinned and check for the shades in these categories. Also consider the undertones of your skin, are you a yellow or pink base? If you want to maintain the undertones you already have then select a shade with the same undertone if not then go for the opposite. Yellow undertones will neutralise the skin tone of those with pink undertones. Not all brands tell you the colour of the undertones but you can see if it is doing what you want it to when you test it on your jaw bone.

Matte or dewy?

The final thing to consider is whether you want a matte finish or you’re embracing the current dewy-skin trend. If you go for matte choose a foundation that doesn’t have any shimmer in it as this will produce a dewy look.

Optional extras

To get the most out of your new-found foundation you can consider selecting a concealer which is the same colour as your skin (not lighter as many advise), a primer to enhance the performance of your foundation or a powder foundation to set it all in place. I wouldn’t advise all 3, a concealer and a primer OR powder will be sufficient, you don’t want to look like you’ve caked your makeup on!

I hope this has been helpful and if you have any more tips please do let me know!

Find me on Facebook and don’t miss our fab giveaway!

Related articles

• The pros and cons of BB Cream, Foundation and Moisturiser (nakedbeautyblog.wordpress.com)
• how to {foundation} (smartysbeautymark.com)
• Top 5 Thursday: Affordable Foundation (nakedbeautyblog.wordpress.com)