Everything there is to know about Foundation

We're all looking for the perfect foundation and there is a relationship between a woman and her foundation. This constant search for "the one" foundation, the one that exactly matches the skin tone, meets your needs, covers all the flaws, and yet does not create a "mask" effect. The one that will give you a natural look in the morning, a meticulous look in the evening and not less important - will not dry your skin and continue to help it "breathe" throughout the day.

Texture

Liquid, solid, creamy or compressed powder? In short, the search for the perfect foundation is somewhat reminiscent of the search for the perfect man. Am I right?

The function of the foundation is to make our faces a smooth palette and to prepare it for makeup. Any other use of it is sinful, and it is important to remember what its purpose every time you purchase and use it.

Find the one!

A good few years of sun exposure, poor nutrition (fried and salty foods), smoking, pregnancy and breastfeeding, environmental pollution, stress, fatigue and anxiety, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the damage of your facial skin. The result: two bags (no, not shopping bags) under your eyes, a collection of pigmentation stains, dark spots and an overall uneven skin tone.

The good news is, you can cover it!

How to choose the right foundation?

Skin type rule of thumb

For oily skin, a fat-free liquid foundation is recommended, while for dry skin a good choice would be to go for a moisturizer and moisturizing foundation.

The importance of experience

It is important to try the foundation on the face or on the jaw line and not on the back of the palm (its shade is quite different). The shade should "disappear" and blend with the skin and blend with the natural shade of your neck.

Try our Makeup Match online tool to find the perfect foundation for you.

Day test

Once you've chosen the shade that looks right for you, it's important to test your foundation with the right lighting (see how it looks in sunlight), remember that Fluorescent neutralizes skin complexion and creates a delicate matte and bright look. At the same time, it is recommended that the product contains a sunscreen (SPF).

Durability

Nowadays, up to 16 hours and even water resistant foundations can be found, so if you spend long hours outside your home or if your lifestyle includes swimming or fitness workout, opt for durable makeup that won't go down right before you need to look your best.

Packaging

If the product will only serve you at home, you should buy a foundation bottle in a glass bottle with a pump, which puts out a measured amount of product. On the other hand, if you want to carry it in your bag, you might want to buy a compact package (such as a powder or in a plastic tube).

Advanced tip

You should switch the type of foundation between the day, where foundation is usually more fluid and light, and the evening, where it is recommended to apply solid foundation.

Refine the relationship

The technological advance also influenced on the makeup industry and today top makeup brands offer a vast verity of vitamin-based foundations, minerals, silicons and natural ingredients that don't dry the skin. To further refine the nature of your relationship with your foundation, it is important to precisely match it to your shade and skin type.

To help you with that, we suggest you try Makeup Match, our online tool. Take a selfie and find your perfect match.

Facial skin types and foundation

It's not that complicated

To know what foundation to use, follow these easy definitions:

Dry skin

Moisturizing foundation is recommended, such as liquid makeup.

Regular skin

It is recommended to use a water based foundation to maintain the skin's level of hydration.

Oily Skin

It is highly recommended to use fat-free foundation.

Mature skin

It is recommended to use high-nutrient ceramic foundation, with components such as: vitamin E, wheat germ and ceramides.

Our recommendation for most skin types is: CAN'T STOP WON'T STOP FULL COVERAGE FOUNDATION.

Weather

It is important to adjust the foundation to the season. The weather in the winter is drier so it is recommended to use a moisturizing foundation that will protect the skin's natural moisture from dehydration. Liquid or creamy foundation that contains nutritious and moisturizing ingredients will do the job.

During the summer, it is recommended to use light foundation based on water.

How to match the complexion?

For a good rule of thumb, foundation can be, at most, up to one shade lighter than your skin's shade.

It is advisable not to use a darker foundation than the skin, as it tends to mature and give the appearance of a mask we want to avoid.

If you like a tan look, you should make use of a bronzer, powder or dark blush.

In the winter, the facial skin brightens up a ton or two, so it is advisable to choose a slightly brighter foundation (again, one tone brighter) than in summer and matte appearance (beige, pink, medium).

Operating instructions

Now that you know the basics, it's time for the practice.

Foundation types on the market:

Liquid foundation

The most common type.

Comes in tube or jar and designed for women with no special skin problems or older women.

We like to use this medium coverage foundation: Hello Happy Flawless Brightening Foundation.

Solid foundation

Comes in a jar or box (compact packaging). Has a creamy texture and a thicker cover relative to other foundations. It is recommended for young girls with acne, blemishes, pigmentation and more, but not for wrinkled skin (the solid emphasizes wrinkles).

Try this Hello Happy Air Stick Foundation for added bonus, it comes with a lavender scent.

Powdered foundation

For women who want to save time. Does not shine, fixates on the skin without the need for powder later on.

Mousse foundation

Reminds of the liquid texture, but usually thinner. Recommended for those who like the look without the feel.

Foundation-like

A moisturizer that contains a bit of makeup in it. Suitable mainly for young girls with near-perfect skin, since its coverage is very minimal.

And of course, the latest and most successful versions in recent years:

BB cream

Contains moisturizer, sunscreen and tint.

CC cream

Almost the same as bb cream, only that its formula covers more skin blemishes.

Now that we found the one

Here's how to apply foundation like a professional makeup artist

Make sure to apply moisturizer to the face and neck area, at least 10 minutes before applying foundation. The moisturizer opens the pores and it is important to wait until they close again before using foundation.

For young, smooth-skinned women, it is recommended to use a swab to apply foundation, moisten it with water and squeeze it tightly. The smear itself should be done with dabs rather than smears. Beginning from the cheekbone upwards, passing under the eyes and eyelids, continuing to the nose and only on the forehead.

Another common method is the "5 points": forehead, nose, chin, right cheek and left cheek - smear the product evenly - towards the neck.

For women with wrinkles, apply the foundation using the fingertip rather than the swab (which also uses more product).

To blur the wrinkles around the mouth and eyebrows, apply foundation containing a moisturizer.

With light tapping and while avoiding a swirling motion. Remember, foundation without a moisturizer highlights wrinkles.

Don't forget the neck.

The borders with the neck and ears must be blurred so that there are no visible lines left. You can take a large brush with a little powder, or blush in natural tan, and create an even transition from the face to the neck.

It is not recommended to use a large amount of product. If you have problems with the facial skin (acne, pigmentation, etc.), you should first put a concealer on these areas first, and only then apply the foundation.

At the end of the application, it is recommended to set the foundation with a little powder, which also prevents the skin from shining.

Try the following best seller from NYX for a setting powder: CAN'T STOP WON'T STOP SETTING POWDER

Common mistakes with foundation and how to avoid them:

Buy foundation by advertising or company recommendation

When buying foundation it is important to take into account the type and hue, the skin care routine, your favorite texture (liquid, solid, mousse), the finish type (matte, glossy, natural, glowing) as well as ease of use (stick, bottle , Powder).

Skip the foundation smearing stage

A serious mistake, as the makeup creates a uniform complexion for the facial skin and a lightly textured product that can be compared to a natural looking skin can be chosen. In addition, if you do not apply makeup as a base makeup, the rest of the skin directly applied to the skin will cause it to dry and appear pimples and irritations.

Choose a light shade to look illuminated

Mistake! The result will be a greyish complexion. In order to create a more illuminated face, it is recommended to lighten only the T area (forehead, nose and chin) in the face using a highlighter.