The question that I get asked most often is, "What foundation is right for my skin?". This is a question that can't be answered quickly and easily and in most cases requires you to try the foundation for more than just 5 minutes when buying it. Trying the foundation initially however is VERY important but there are also many other things that you must take into account when buying a foundation. So many people are uneducated in these things and it is for that reason that many people find buying a foundation so difficult.
Here are some of the most important things that you should consider when you are buying a foundation.
- What type of skin you have;
This is one of the most important things to consider when you're buying a foundation. You have to buy a foundation that will sit well on top of YOUR skin. If you have dry skin, you are going to want something that is going to add moisture, luminosity and radiance to the skin. A foundation is meant to enhance the skin and make it look its best. It is for this reason that you should either never use, or only use sparingly, a powder on top of a dry skin. Powder will dry up any moisture on the skin (hence why it mattes a dewy foundation when it is applied on top), and it will only make the skin look flaky and dull. There are powders that work well on a dry skin such as MAC Mineralize skinfinish which does not have a matte finish and is baked with water to prevent it from drying out the skin.
The same kind of things can be said for an oily skin. If you have an oily skin then you are going to want to use a foundation that is going to dry up the oils on your skin, and stop it from looking greasy and shiny. This is the job of a matte foundation, most of which contain Silica, which helps too absorb and disperse oils across the skin. It is a general rule of thumb that most matte foundations tend to have more coverage to them because people with an oily skin will tend to suffer more with spots as the oil blocks sebaceous glands on the face. However this is not always the case, and MAC have brought out Matchmaster, a matte foundation that has a sheer to medium buildable coverage. You will also need a setting powder if you have a very oily skin as this will help to eliminate oils immediately and throughout the day. It is also another rule of thumb that people with an oily skin should not moisturise. However I am not of this school of thought and will be following this post with one about skincare, and how to make the most out of your perfect foundation once you have found it.
If you have a normal skin then you are lucky enough to wear pretty much any foundation that you want, providing that you use the correct skincare, and that the foundation reacts to your skin well. Some foundations can dry out a normal skin, some can make it oily and it is for this reason that you need to be aware of the types of skincare that you are using. The same can be said for combination skin; skincare is very important.
- What you want your skin to look like;
This is an umbrella question really and encompasses the following things; the finish, coverage and colour of your foundation. The finish is whether you want your foundation to be matte, or have a sheen or a dewy glow to it. Generally people with an oily skin will go for a matte, and people with a drier skin will go for a dewy/satinfinish. It is important that you know what you want because the artist will not be able to tailor their service (and your foundation) to your needs. Sometimes the finish doesn't solely rely on the foundation but also on what is added later such as powder and blusher. I have oily skin but I do like a dewy glow to my skin. Therefore I use a matte foundation, it combats my oils and therefore the foundation lasts longer on my skin as the oils aren't pushing it off. I then add shimmery powder blushers and highlighters to achieve a sheen.
The coverage of your foundation is generally one of the things that is the most misunderstood. Coverage involves how much of your skin that you want to cover. Some people have freckles, pimples or other skin imperfections that they wish to cover and so therefore, something with a full coverage is what you would want to go for. Other people chose not to cover up their freckles and so therefore something with a sheer to medium coverage might be more desirable. Other people have amazing skin and so therefore only want the colour or tone evening out. Again, something with a sheer to medium coverage will take care of the colour whilst letting their natural skin show through.
The colour is the final thing and is usually one of the things that is decided through trying various foundations. Once you have got the texture of the foundation right then the colour is the last thing that you worry about. Some people prefer to lighten their skin, some people stay the same colour, and some people go darker. The colour of your foundation not only depends on the colour of your face, but also the colour of your body. Everything needs to look even at the end of the day.
What is the most important aspect of finding a new foundation however is trying it. Try it in the store, as for a sample, take it away and try it at home for a couple of days. Try it with different skin care and see which gives you the best results. Finding the right foundation is the holy grail of make up for most people and so it is so important to know what you are looking for, so as not to be disappointed. Once you understand your skin and you have a good skin care routine then finding the right foundation should be easy!
No comments:
Post a Comment