Find Your Perfect Foundation
Finding the right foundation for your skin is harder than you’d think. The average woman will purchase seven different shades and formulas before finding her ideal match. Follow these rules to go straight to your most flattering fit.
Choose the right texture
This is the single most important factor. Invest in a primer to get your skin into the best shape possible then follow these simple rules.
- For oily skin: Look for the words “oil-free” or “shine-free”. Powder formulas are excellent over your T-zone.
- For dry skin: Look for cream formulas or a whipped texture. These give you full coverage, stay put and hydrate your skin.
- For combination skin: Look for fluid formulas (especially those with silica), as these will balance oily T-zones while still nourishing dry areas.
Find the perfect shade
Patience is a virtue – as is sampling. Treat the foundation like a paint swatch against your skin. Take the colour you feel is your best match and apply it in a line on your lower cheek and jaw area, followed by a slightly lighter and darker shade for comparison. Find a window or daylight and see which shade has blended most flawlessly into your skin. Remember that yellow undertones will always add radiance and warmth while pinks and peaches can wash you out.
Invest in two shades of foundation
Skin tone changes throughout the year. In winter, it’s a little paler while in the summer, even the most regimented of SPF 50+ devotees catch a little colour. So wear your foundation according to the season: invest in two shades and don’t be afraid to blend them for those in between months. For blending, look no further than liquid foundations. With your fingers, apply foundation to the uneven areas of your complexion and gently work outwards.
