By Amanda
The most essential component of any makeup arsenal is (as most women know) foundation. No other type of makeup has the potential to give you the flawless appearance you deserve. Which is why it’s so important, of course, that you possess the perfect paint with which to paint your canvas. After all, if your skin doesn’t look its best, then you can bet that the rest of your face won’t, either.
Foundation is tricky, though – how many times have we applied it, only to realize (maybe too late) that it made our skin look slightly orange-y in tone? Or that it emphasized our wrinkles, giving our faces a much older appearance? So, while it is tricky to find just the right foundation for your skin type, don’t worry – it can absolutely be done.
For starters, it’s important to figure out what exactly your skin type is. This isn’t as easy as it seems – much like bra sizes, some women go their whole lives thinking they know exactly what their skin is like, only to realize later they didn’t have a clue. So, if you’re not entirely sure what your skin type is (or even if you want to double-check), here are some elements of each type, to review and consider before even thinking about buying a foundation:
- Oily skin. If your skin tends to get shiny fast (not just after a workout or a particularly hot day), you find yourself being pretty prone to breakouts (not just before your menstrual cycle occurs), and you have fairly large to large pores – you more than likely have oily skin.
- Dry skin. Can’t really see your pores, consistently have flaky skin, and generally feel a certain tightness in your face? That’d be dry skin.
- Sensitive skin. People who are prone to sensitive skin tend to develop rosacea (primarily on their cheeks) and experience redness after even the most minimal touching or product application.
- Normal skin. Ah, the lucky ones (though I don’t know too many of them in real life!). Normal skin types generally are not prone to breakouts or blotchiness, display normal-size pores, and have a not-too-dry-or-oily complexion. Count yourself among the blessed few if this applies to you.
*Of course, some women may have a combination of these types. But, if you scrutinize closely enough, you’ll find that you have predominant characteristics of only one skin type.
So, you’ve identified your skin type – you know what you’ve got going for you, and what you maybe need some help with improving. Time to move on to the next step, which is reviewing what foundations actually work best with your skin type (because there’s a foundation for every kind of skin, believe me).
Matte-finish, oil-free foundations are perfect for…oily skin types. If you have oily skin, your main prerogative should be combatting your shine and achieving an even complexion. Oil-free foundations with a matte finish will do just this – and bonus, they’re lightweight in coverage, which will help you have fewer breakouts.
Recommendation: Stila Natural Finish Oil-Free Makeup – less shine, no breakouts…this product is perfect for you!
Tinted moisturizers are perfect for…normal skin types. Coverage provided by tinted moisturizers is light – really, they just help even out skin tone while giving your complexion some color and hydration. This is a great foundation for normal skin and combination skin.
Recommendation: Dr. Hauschka Toned Day Cream – get a healthy glow without caking on a heavy foundation.
Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, oil-free, moisturizing foundations are perfect for…sensitive skin types. If you have sensitive skin, it’s important to be on the lookout for foundations that aren’t loaded with cinnemates (the chemical found in most sunscreens), mineral oils, or ANY kind of fragrance.
Recommendation: CoverFX products – no gluten, unwanted oils, or fragrances? Yes, please.
Liquid, moisturizing foundations are perfect for…dry skin types. The goal here is to give your skin some moisture and life, and liquid moisturizers do just that. Look for one with a dewy matte-finish, and you’ll be good to go.
Recommendation: Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation – say goodbye to flakiness and hello to moisture!
You’ve got the right foundation for your skin type, you know what to look for, and now you’re ready to purchase the perfect product for you. You’re almost there – but now it’s time to consider color. To pick the best shade of foundation for your skin color, remember this all-helpful tip: always, always, ALWAYS sample a bit of the foundation you’re trying on your chest area – the goal is to match your face and your chest, not your face and neck (remember, your neck is almost always a few shades lighter than your facial skin tone).
Okay, you’re all set. Keep this info in mind, and you’ll be ready to find the foundation of your dreams!
Author Bio: Amanda is a skin care fanatic and author of SkincareHQ.org which features a guide on the Best Foundation For Dry Skin. Aside from writing about makeup, Amanda loves to travel and one day dreams of living in Italy. Questions or comments for Amanda? Feel free to reach out to her @Skincare_HQ on Twitter!
Picture Source:
- http://www.marieclaire.com/
hair-beauty/trends/shopping/ 10-best-foundations-concealers - http://www.
globalfashionreport.com/ a369625-the-best-foundation- for-pale-skin-a-roundup-plus- colour-swatches - http://www.styleinstep.com/
2012/08/how-to-select-best- foundation-for-your.html
