How to Select Foundation

When applying makeup, selecting the right foundation is the first and most important step. Foundation is the layer of makeup that goes on first before all other makeup. It should match your skin tone and also the type of skin you have, whether its oily, dry or combination. Some foundations will help to minimize wrinkles, blemishes and other skin imperfections while others will only enhance these problems depending on how it is applied and what kind is used. With all these technicalities, selecting a foundation might seem like a nightmare, but it doesn't have to be.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Figure out your skin undertones--they'll either be warm or cool. Skin that appears yellowish, bronze or olive in sunlight have warm undertones. Skin that appears pink, red, beige or brown have cool skin undertones.

2. Match your foundation to your skin tone. Warm skin tones will match best with nude, creamy beige or pink foundations, while cool skin tones will match best with porcelain or sandstone foundation colors. Neutral colors will usually match well with either skin tones.

3. Determine whether you have oily, dry or combination skin.

4. Choose a type of foundation that works well with your skin type. Types that work best with dry skin are oil-based foundations or tinted moisturizers. Oily skin types should wear oil-free foundations. Combination skin can wear just about any kind. Water-based foundations or cream powder foundations work especially well on combination skin. One kind that works well with all kinds of skin are the new mineral powder foundations.

5. Decide what type of finish and coverage you want the foundation to have, either a matte or satin finish, or whether you want sheer or heavy coverage.

6. Test the foundations that you've decided will look best with your skin. Rub a little bit of the foundation on your face. If it blends in and disappears, then you have chosen the right hue. If it makes your skin look lighter, try the next darker shade. If it makes your skin look darker, try the next lighter shade.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have sensitive skin, make sure the foundation you select is hypo-allergenic.
• Make sure you always choose a foundation that has SPF.
• If you have paler skin, do not try to buy foundation to make your skin look tan. It will not look right. The same goes for people who have yellowish skin--do not buy a pink-based foundation. Your foundation must blend in with your skin to look the best.
• Do not test the color on your wrist or underside of your forearm as some people may say, because your face is not the same color as those parts of your body. Test the foundation where you will be putting it--your face.

Resources

• Choosing a Foundation
• Best Foundation Types
• Cosmetic Foundations