8 Things You Should Know Before You Go To Buy Your Foundation

Choosing the right foundation is tricky but not impossible. From getting your shade right to the picking the correct texture type, it’s the one makeup essential that we think about the most. We want flawless skin and coverage that not only helps us look gorgeous but also helps cover up skin issues such as acne, dark spots, rosacea and more. Here’s how to find the right shade, help your look last and stay flawless the right way.

1. PINPOINT YOUR SKIN TYPE

If you have oily skin, stick to a mattifying base, as this will help you with shine control. If your skin is prone to dryness, pick a hydrating foundation that helps pump your skin with the moisture it needs. When in doubt, use a primer to help prevent oxidation and keep your makeup in place.

2. KNOW YOUR SKIN

Your skin is unique to you, so you know which products you need to achieve the best finish. A primer beneath your foundation will give you confidence if you’re not loving your skin that day. And if you’re not fancying full-coverage, a great short cut is to use a skin tint that locks your look in while moisturising at the same time. Win-win!

3. CONCEAL LIKE A QUEEN

A breakout can be a day-ruiner but it doesn’t have to be. Once you’ve found your perfect match, cover up pesky spots with a pro trick: add concealer under your foundation and build on your look. Blemishes don’t have to be depressing – have fun with your makeup with tiny stars and hearts to help cover up the areas you want to hide, then blend out your arty application with a blending sponge or concealer brush.

4. FIGURE OUT THE COVERAGE YOU WANT

If you’re after an everyday look, a medium-coverage base is your go-to. If you’re hitting the town or posing for selfies, try a full-coverage foundation to help create truly flawless skin that looks healthy and gorgeous. If no-makeup makeup is the look you love, this light, breathable foundation is your answer to gorgeous coverage without the weight.

5. KNOW YOUR UNDERTONES

It’s important to pick the right shade, of course – and knowing your undertones will help save you from hours of foundation mismatching. A quick way to check is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrists.

If you have warm undertones, you might have a slightly yellow tinge to your skin and mostly green veins. If you’re cool, your skin leans towards a pink or beige hue and you have mostly blue veins. If you’re olive-toned, you might have a green or brown tint to your skin and a mix of blue and green veins.

6. FIND YOUR LIGHT

The best way to find your perfect shade is to do your makeup in natural light. Fake a little illumination, too, with a highlighting powder that will balance out some of the tones in your makeup - try one of our favourite contouring palettes. If you’re not sure if your foundation is still a good match for you, apply it to your lower jaw and neck - it’s the place on your body that’s the most accurate for base testing. If you want to easily transition into a different look, grab a hold of a foundation that blends easily with your daily moisturiser for a light, tinted coverage.

7. CHOOSE MAKEUP FOR RIGHT NOW

That face powder that gave you glowy coverage in July might not work so well if you’re still using it in December. Your favourite foundations come in a full range of shades, meaning that you can mix it up according to whether you’re sporting a summer tan or not – it’s always a good idea to have a couple of different shades in your foundation wardrobe.

8. POWDER AND PROTECT

Don’t forget to set it so you can forget it! Applying a powder to your liquid foundation is the best way to help your base stay fresh-looking and flawless all day. A light, translucent powder, or one with a subtle tint, will help you seal in your look. If you prefer to use powder foundation as your full base, a savvy one that changes texture from wet to dry will give you that perfect velvety look.

Want more foundation tips? Here’s how to keep your makeup in place all day.