Your Ultimate Foundation Guide
Decades ago, we found the makeup products we’ve been using ever since: foundation, lip gloss, and mascara. Most people have at least one form of foundation in their bag right now—novices and makeup artists included.
Even if you’ve been wearing it for years, there’s a chance you haven’t discovered the best type of foundation for your skin yet. Luckily, we do all the work for you by providing essential information on seven types of foundations and how to determine which is best suited for your individualized needs.
What Is Foundation Makeup, and How Can It Benefit You?
If you’re not familiar with it, foundation is a type of face makeup that can be applied all over your face, unlike eyeshadow or lip color. It typically has three main purposes:
- Consider foundation the backdrop or primer for your other makeup. It usually goes on before blush, bronzer, luminizer, and eye products to help develop a unified skin tone.
- Locking in your color cosmetics can help your other products stay put, too.
- Not only does it smooth over fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes, but it also works to create an even skin texture overall.
If you’re used to using liquid foundation, we’ve got a few different options you can try. Foundation makeup can be richly pigmented or sheer, and it comes in different styles and finishes.
Where Should You Apply Foundation on Your Face?
You can put foundation all over your face, but trends come and go about how much you should use. The best looks utilize foundation to create flawless, true skin by using it to enhance rather than cover up. Consider using foundation in these areas.
Center
The t-zone is the middle of your face, and it’s important to put foundation here because this area often has more redness or uneven skin than other places. To blend in foundation so there are no harsh lines, start at the center of your t-zone and work outward.
Eyes
Because the skin around our eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of our face, it’s one of the first places we notice fine lines and wrinkles.
Because of this, you have to be extra careful when applying foundation or concealer under your eyes; using too much product can cause creasing and a cakey appearance.
When applying products to this area, start from the inner corner of your eye and lightly blend outward. Also, focus on adding product to the edges, as that’s where most discoloration occurs.
Nose
Blotchy or red skin around your nose? No problem—Foundation can assist.dab some on a Q-tip and smooth it outwards from the sides of your nostrils.
If you want full coverage, blend foundation on your cheeks and then outward. But beware: if you put too much near your hairline or jawline, it’ll be difficult to avoid having streaks.
There Are Many Types of Foundation
If you’re like most people, you probably started out wearing liquid foundation. Nowadays, though, there are all sorts of foundations available on the market, from liquids to powders.
1. Liquid
The original foundation, most of us started with a small bottle of liquid foundation and a wedge-shaped sponge.
Liquid foundations are simply what they sound like—you can apply them with your fingers or a brush. They’re buildable as well, so the coverage is adjustable to your needs. Let’s say you find you need more coverage in your t-zone but less under your eyes—no problem!
A liquid foundation allows you to do it all with one product. Plus, these types of foundations usually work well for all skin types since they can be formulated using water or plant-based oils.
2. Powder
Powder foundations come in loose or pressed forms and usually offer lighter coverage than liquids. They can be more difficult to build up than creams, since the first layer has a tendency to disappear while you’re adding subsequent layers.
Powder foundation is ideal for people with oily skin who are looking for products that will help soak up excess oil. However, any skin type can use powder foundation provided they select the right formula—for example, one that includes hydrating ingredients if you have dry skin.
Powder foundation is easy to apply and can give your skin a matte finish. The main risk with powder foundation is that you may end up applying too much, which can make your skin look powdery.
3. Cream
If you’re looking for a thicker foundation that comes in medium-to-full coverage, creams are a great option. They’re buildable and usually contain ingredients targeting specific skin concerns, making them a favorite among people with dry skin.
Some popular cream foundations include BB creams and CC creams—bleach balm cream and color-correcting cream, respectively. Such foundations often include SPF protection, ,moisturizers, and compounds that prevent aging signs.
- The Cream Foundation is an easy and natural way to achieve a dewy finish that makes your skin look alive. This product is formulated with wild-crafted buriti oil, organic coconut oil, and adaptogenic herbs, which help improve your skin tone, keep it hydrated, and calm any irritation.
The Beauty Oil in this foundation helps diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Craving an airbrushed complexion? The creamy foundations are specially formulated to be easily blendable without adding harsh chemicals to your daily routine.
4. Serum
If you’re looking for a trendy new take on classic liquid foundation, look no further than serum foundations. These hybrids between liquid foundation and tinted moisturizer include ingredients designed to work like your favorite skin care products, such as hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a popular ingredient in these types of foundations because it helps the skin stay hydrated.
5. Stick Foundation
Stick foundation is exactly what it sounds like—a large lip balm. In fact, these foundations have been around for almost as long as liquid foundations. They come with a twist top that reveals the stick of makeup, which can be applied directly to your skin.
Then, using a sponge or your hands, blend the foundation into your skin until you have reached the desired finish. These usually provide full coverage but can be tricky to apply because, depending on the formula, they can be hard to move on your skin and difficult to blend in.
6. Tinted
Introducing tinted moisturizers: your favorite hydrating skincare product now has light coverage.
Tinted moisturizers have ultra-light coverage and work well for almost any skin type, but they are especially effective for combination skin types because of their abilities to hydrate dry areas and provide coverage for oilier regions. These foundations give you a natural-looking finish that only has a slight hint of coloration.
7. Mineral
Mineral foundation is a type of natural makeup that usually consists of loose powder made up of minerals found in the earth, such as mica, iron oxides, and zinc oxide. Mineral foundation is sometimes also found in pressed powder formulas. Zinc oxide may be added to mineral foundations to act as sunscreens.
How Do I Find the Perfect Foundation for My Skin Type?
Follow these three simple steps to find your perfect foundation match.
1. Determine Your Skin Type
People with oily, sensitive, or dry skin types should use different products. Before you decide on a foundation formula, make sure your skincare routine is good.
For example, don’t think you need powder just because you have oily skin. Take care of your skin first by using products that help with excess oil. Then pick a foundation type..
2. Choosing the Perfect Shade
Did you know that finding the right foundation shade for your skin can be as easy as understanding and detecting your skin’s undertone?
Once you identify your skin’s natural coloring, it becomes much easier to find a foundation shade that will complement rather than clash with your complexion.
3. How Much Coverage Do You Need
The level of coverage you want will determine the type of foundation you need. If looking for full coverage, a stick foundation will give this look, whereas a tinted moisturizer won’t provide heavy coverage but rather a more natural look.
Hacks
Keep at it if you don’t get your foundation right the first time. With some practice, these tips and tricks will help make things go more smoothly.
- Use less foundation than you think you need—a thin layer is better. You can always add more if needed.
- Use a damp sponge to touch up your foundation like a pro if it has settled into any lines or wrinkles.
If you’re using powdered foundation, try pressing a small amount of powder into your skin to touch up areas that have become oily.
- If you use the right foundation brush, your makeup will glide on smoothly and stay in place all day. Choose foundation brushes made with synthetic, vegan bristles that feel just like real skin. This makes it easy to apply different types of foundation formulas to your face for a natural look.
Using foundation is an easy way to create any style you want.
Choose the Perfect Foundation
Find formulas that work together to keep your skin hydrated and free of aging signs so you can have a flawless complexion.