How To Pick The Right Foundation!

Foundation in my opinion, is one of the hardest and most important decisions to make when it comes to makeup. Everyone has different needs, undertones, requirements and preferences that they require in a foundation which makes looking for the perfect base that much harder. Over the years I have had the struggle of trying to figure out my undertone and finding a foundation that actually lives up the claim of ‘long-wearing’ as foundation never seems to want to stay on my nose. I’ve taken to the internet to research different foundations to suit my needs before heading to the shops as there is nothing more frustrating than getting the wrong foundation and not being able to return it!

Before you buy a new foundation here are a few steps I look at to see if the product fulfills my requirements:

What undertone are you? Warm (Yellow), Cool (Pink) Neutral (Mix of both) or Olive.
What finish do you want? Dewy, Satin, Matte, Natural.
What coverage do you prefer? Sheer/Light, Medium, Full. (TIP: if you’re after a sheer foundation, look into BB creams or try mixing a small amount of moisturizer into your usual foundation as it’ll thin it down)
How long does it need to last? A few hours, water proof, 10+ hours etc
What type of skin do you have? Dry, Combo, Oily, Redness, Acne, Scarring, Discoloration.
What do the reviews say about it? This is a great way to see if people rate or hate it!

In regards to step 5, this will greatly help you find your ideal foundation.

If you have redness, acne, blemishes or scarring etc you will most likely want a full coverage, long lasting foundation to help hide these imperfections all day/night.
If you have dry skin, you will most likely want a dewy finish foundation to make your skin look healthy and glowy.
If you have combination or oily skin, you will most likely opt for long wearing and matte, to help keep the oil at bay.

To help you out here is my situation.

I know I have a yellow/olive undertone so I look for foundations that have a yellow hue when I test them on my hand.
I have combination skin, as I get oily in my t-zone. I lean towards matte, long wearing foundations as I know the product will last on my face for hours on end. If you want a glowy look, I find cream highlighters are the best as they melt into the foundation and have the most natural look.
In regards to coverage, I prefer a full coverage but will also purchase medium coverage for the days where you just want a light layer to help you look alive but not be full glam. You know what I mean!

Now you know what type your looking for, the tricky part begins. Picking the right shade!

My biggest tip for this is to NEVER buy online. A picture is never accurate in colour, trust me I’ve learnt the hard way. Head down to the shop that stocks the brand your after and begin your search. One trick I’ve used in the past and still continue to use is to put a dollop of your perfect shade of foundation that you use at the moment on your hand. Use this as your guide and try and find other foundations that match that dollop. This trick always works for me, see how you go! When looking for your foundation keep in mind your undertone. Majority of signs and packaging will tell you the longevity, finish and coverage although barely any brands tell you the undertone. L’Oreal True Match displays the undertones in their shade name (C3, W4, N5) as does Urban Decay (.0, .25, .5) If you are unsure, ask if you can take a sample home to try, that's the best way of knowing if a foundation is right for you, especially if they are expensive!

I hope this helped you with working out how to find your perfect foundation. It’s always tricky trying to find the perfect foundation and when you do never let it go. I have a few I love that I have bought in different shades to cater for when I tan.

Also, If you have any tips that you use, please leave me a comment!

Until next time,

Ashlee Louise