There are approximately a million-bazillion (okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration) foundations on the market so how do you know which foundation is right for you?
First it’s important to know what skin type you have, so let’s talk skin before we get into the good stuff. There are four main types of skin which are dry, oily, normal, and combination. If you have combination skin that means you have one skin type on a certain area of the face and a different skin type on a different area of the face. Combination skin can be oily and normal, dry and normal, or oily and dry.
“Okay Morgan, that’s great and all, but how do I know which skin type I am?” Allow me to introduce you to what I call, the shower test. When you get al dried off after a shower (before any product is applied), how does your skin feel? Does it feel tight? If so, you are dry. Does it feel like you just ran a marathon? You’re most likely oily. Or is there no change at all? You have normal skin. You might also notice how your skin responds to wearing foundation (ex: looking greasy halfway through the day), this could be an indicator of your skin type, as well.
So now that you know your skin type, let’s talk about three things you should be familiar with before buying a new foundation. Foundations have different coverages, undertones, and finishes. Foundation coverage ranges from sheer, medium, and full. Sheer coverage is going to be the most natural of the three, offering a “your skin but better”, look. Sheer coverage allows freckles, moles, and flushed skin to show through. Sheer coverage typically can’t be built up (add more coverage) so if you’re wanting to camouflage acne or discoloration, this foundation wouldn’t be best suited for you. Medium coverage will conceal more than sheer coverage would, but isn’t quite enough to be considered full coverage. Medium coverage still looks very skin-like but offers a very “instagram filtered” finish. Basically you can still see your skin through the makeup, it’s just enhanced a bit. 🙂 This type of coverage would most likely be very buildable, so if you wanted full coverage you could totally achieve that look with an extra half-pump or so of foundation. Medium coverage will do a great job of camouflaging blemishes and some discoloration. Full coverage will give you a new, blank canvas to work with. If you’re wanting something natural, I would steer clear of this type of foundation! Full coverage will cover blemishes, acne, discoloration, freckles, and sometimes even tattoos! Like I said, it will be like you have a brand new blank canvas.
When it comes to foundation undertones, typically the main ones we see are yellow, pink, neutral, and olive. The options are endless, however, because everyones complexion is different. When trying to pick a shade of foundation that will best suite you, try to take samples of at least two different colors in the same foundation. Once you wear them you’ll be able to see which one suits you best 🙂
Choosing the right foundation finish will be where knowing your skin type comes in handy. There are several types of finishes including dewy, satin, and matte. Dewy finishes are very glowy and will have the most hydrating ingredients in them. Because of this, they will be best suited for dryer skin types. Dewy finishes are very easy and quick to blend, however they have the worst longevity due to all the hydrating ingredients. Satin finishes are the most natural, and skin-like. They’re not too dewy and they’re not too matte, a happy medium. Matte finishes have the most oil-absorbing ingredients so they will be best suited for oily skin types. Matte foundations will be the most time consuming to blend because of how quickly they dry, but they will last the longest out of all the different finishes.
With all of that being said, finding the perfect foundation for you can be a trial-and-error process, and that’s okay! Foundation isn’t a one size fits all, so don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Find a foundation that makes you feel just as good as you look while you wear it, and have FUN!
If you would like additional assistance, book a Jane Iredale Makeover with me and I will match you to one of the Jane Iredale foundations I carry in the Salon 🙂
xoxo,
Morgan