One of the most challenging products for us as women to choose is the right foundation for our skin—whether it’s in terms of skin type or the correct shade. Selecting the right type and shade is crucial for achieving a polished and beautiful appearance. It’s also one of the most important steps for achieving a flawless, even-toned complexion.
Steps for Choosing the Right Foundation
Before thinking about the right foundation shade, you must first understand your skin type to choose the appropriate formula.
For example:
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Dry skin needs a foundation with hydrating properties to prevent a flaky or cracked appearance.
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Oily skin needs a non-oily or matte-based foundation to prevent excess shine on the face.
Types of Foundation and Their Ideal Skin Types
Dry Skin: Dry skin needs a foundation with hydrating properties to give a smooth appearance and prevent cracking or flaking.
Recommended Options for Dry Skin
BOURJOIS FOUNDATION HEALTHY MIX ANTI-FATIGUE
Bourjois Healthy Mix is a suitable option for dry skin as it contains hyaluronic acid and a blend of other vitamins, providing the skin with extra hydration.
MAYBELLINE FIT ME LUMINOUS + SMOOTH FOR NORMAL TO DRY FOUNDATION
This foundation works to soften and hydrate the skin with its lightweight texture, while also giving you a beautiful, radiant complexion.
CATRICE HD LIQUID COVERAGE FOUNDATION
Catrice HD Foundation stands out for its lightweight texture, yet it provides high coverage for blemishes while giving your skin a natural glow.
NOTE DETOX & PROTECT FOUNDATION SPF15
Why should you choose the Note Detox & Protect Foundation?
Not only does it contain vitamin E and sweet almond oil, which help maintain your skin’s moisture, but it also offers sun protection—a feature rarely found in other foundations.
For oily and combination skin, it’s important to select an oil-free foundation to prevent excess oil production and unwanted shine.
Foundation Options for Oily and Combination Skin:
NOTE MATTIFYING EXTREME WEAR FOUNDATION SPF15
As I mentioned earlier, Note Foundation is a great option for dry skin because of its hydrating properties and sun protection. Similarly, the option suitable for oily skin also contains SPF and offers a matte finish, enriched with cedarwood oil and Spiraea extract to help balance sebum production in the skin.
TOPFACE SKIN-EDITOR MATTE LONG LASTING FOUNDATION
It’s a foundation rich in active ingredients with a velvety, matte texture, infused with minerals that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without drying out the skin. It also provides 12-hour wear.
MAYBELLINE FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS LIQUID FOUNDATION TUBE
Lightweight Liquid Foundation with a matte finish, it also helps reduce the appearance of pores. Offers light to medium coverage, making it suitable for everyday use.
We all know that foundation is often available in liquid form, but there are other types as well:
Powder foundation is a suitable option for those with oily and combination skin, as it helps control excess oil and shine on the skin.
MAYBELLINE FIT ME 24HR POWDER FOUNDATION SPF 44
Fit Me Powder Foundation is a high-coverage powder that offers the same coverage as a traditional foundation while controlling excess oil on the face. It also contains sun protection, making it a great choice for everyday use. Moreover, it is available in a wide range of shades to suit all skin tones.
Stick Foundation
This type of foundation comes in a form similar to lipstick in both shape and texture. It’s suitable for all skin types and is known for its ease of use and convenient reapplication anytime due to its relatively compact size.
MAX FACTOR PAN STIK FOUNDATION
Max Factor Pan Stick Foundation is an excellent choice for refreshing your look throughout the day. It offers quick application and maximum coverage for imperfections, blemishes, and pigmentation.
And with that, we’ve learned how to choose the right type of foundation based on your skin type.
Choosing the right foundation for your skin type is just as important as selecting the correct shade, as the wrong shade may oxidize and turn grey on your skin.
How to Choose the Right Foundation Shade Based on Your Undertone
Knowing your skin’s undertone is key to finding the perfect foundation shade for your complexion. Skin undertones fall into three categories:
Cool, Warm, and Neutral.
Cool Undertone
You have a cool undertone if the veins on your wrist appear blue. People with cool undertones often have brown, black, or blonde hair, and green, blue, or grey eyes.
Warm Undertone
You have a warm undertone if the veins on your wrist appear green. People with warm undertones usually have brown, black, or hazel eyes, and their hair often leans toward brown shades or reddish blonde.
Neutral Undertone
If your veins appear a mix of blue and green, or your eye and hair colors are a combination of the traits mentioned above, you likely have a neutral undertone.
Foundation Shades for Each Undertone:
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Cool Undertone: Choose a foundation with a pink, red, or blue base.
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Warm Undertone: Opt for a caramel, yellow, or golden base.
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Neutral Undertone: Choose shades that are slightly peachy, beige, or ivory, or match your skin exactly regardless of the foundation’s base.
How to Test Your Foundation Shade:
When testing foundation, apply it directly to your face (not your hand!)—ideally on the lower cheek or jawline—and let it sit for a few minutes. The right shade should blend seamlessly into your skin, looking like you’re not wearing any product.
If you’re unsure, narrow it down to three shades that seem close to your skin tone, then test them side-by-side on your cheek.
Pro Tips:
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You can also mix two foundations: one lighter and one darker than your skin tone, to create the perfect match.
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If your foundation is a bit too light, you can warm it up with bronzer.
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If it’s a bit too dark, you can brighten it using a lighter concealer on high points like under the eyes, the center of the forehead, sides of the mouth, and bridge of the nose.
Foundation Application Steps:
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Cleanse your skin with a suitable face wash.
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Apply your moisturizer.
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Use a primer based on your skin type:
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For dry skin, choose a hydrating primer.
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For oily/combination skin, opt for a mattifying primer.
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Apply sunscreen if you’ll be out during the day.
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Apply foundation using your preferred tool: fingers, brush, or sponge.
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Remember to replace your sponge regularly to prevent bacterial buildup and breakouts.
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⚠️ Important Note:
Using too much or the wrong kind of makeup can damage your skin over time and lead to breakouts. Always apply makeup correctly and follow a morning and night skincare routine to maintain your skin’s glow and health.
And if you’re looking for an alternative to foundation—a product that provides coverage while also nourishing your skin—then:
BIO BALANCE MAGIC TOUCH FOUNDATION, PRIMER AND CONCEALER
The ideal alternative comes as a foundation, primer, and concealer all in one, with a vitamin-rich formula to nourish your skin. It also comes in one universal shade that adapts to your skin tone when blended on the face, making it suitable for all skin types.
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