Do you find shopping for a new foundation daunting and confusing? You not alone! Most woman feel this way !
Foundation or Base is meant to even out your skin tone – not to conceal! (unless yours is a highly pigmented one that doubles up as a concealer) . It’s meant to be applied in thin layers. Concealer is what you conceal with – usually only used on small areas that you want to hide.
Lets discuss the different types of foundation on the market and which one is best suited to you (yes there are different types!)
Foundations (often also referred to as base) come in the following basic types:
- liquid foundation
- cream foundation
- stick foundation
- powder foundation
LIQUID FOUNDATIONS – can either be sheer or full coverage. These foundations are often packaged in bottles (sometimes tubes) and their consistency is like a runny liquid. Most of these foundations are sheer – meaning that they do not offer a full coverage (not being able to see skin through it) but rather you own skin is lightly covered but you own skin is still seen through it. These foundations are often “build-able” , meaning that once a layer is dry, you can add another layer or two to increase the coverage. This type of foundation is great for someone who wants to even out their skin tone without wanting to cover up alot of flaws such as freckles, pigmentation marks, acne scars etc. In other words you will see your natural skin peeping through. Full coverage in this type of liquid formula (eg. Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover) , will offer coverage to completely hide unwanted flaws such as pigmentation etc. Liquid foundation is often the perfect choice for a young skin with very little to hide (usually in our 20’s) or also great to use on a mature skin (over 60’s) where one does not want a heavier foundation settling into deep wrinkles and lines. Liquid foundations are easily applied using your fingers (often the best tools!) or a foundation/buffing brush or sponge (although I find sponges soak up alot of the product which is just a waste – if you do use a sponge wet it first, squeeze out all excess and use it damp). These foundations are the most commonly used by woman all over the world are can come in different finishes such as matt (great for those with oily skins), dewy finish, luminous etc. Eg. MAC Studio Fix Foundation, Clinique Stay Matte Oil Free Doundation etc. These foundations often come in long lasting formulas for longer wear. Eg. MAC Prolong Wear, Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup etc.
STICK FOUNDATIONS– these are very similar to cream foundations but in a stick form which makes it easy to carry around in your bag to reapply if needed. The are usually full coverage and again are great to double up as a concealer too. These are also great to do easy highlighting and contouring. Eg, Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation, Kryolan TV Stick, Loreal Infallible Stick Foundation, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Stick
POWDER FOUNDATIONS – this type of foundation combines a powder with a foundation. It’s easily applied with with a sponge or brush. This foundation offers a sheer coverage and there is no need to set with any added powder. I find is it usually best used on young teenage skin or skin that is smooth very very little lines/wrinkles. If one has lines or wrinkles – this type of foundation tends to settle into those lines – accentuating them and can look cake-y after awhile. It’s great to carry as a touch up product. I wouldn’t recommend it for dry /very dry skins or dehydrated skin – would amplify the dryness or dehydration. Great to use if you have normal to oily skin. My favourite it this formula is MUD Dual Pressed Mineral Powder! Other recommedations are MAC Studio Fix Plus Powder, Loreal Infallible 24hr Powder Foundation
Hopefully you are now better educated on foundations types ! In my next article — how to know if a foundation is the right colour for you (this is where people go wrong!)