Amateurs, enthusiasts, or professional experts of make-up – they all will tell you that the foundation is the base of any make-up, and finding the right foundation for your skin is the most challenging and daunting of all tasks. There are just too many to choose from, and only one true match. Matte, dewy, or neutral, cool-toned or warm-toned, oily skinned or dry skinned – so many aspects to consider before one finds the right foundation to suit your complexion, perfect in shade and texture.
It’s not a search, it’s a hunt. But don’t you worry, we’re here to help!
What’s your skin like?
You probably already know the answer to this. Go see if your skin is dry or oily or the blessed neutral or a combination. Not much has to be done here, just touch your face and you’ll feel it.
What’s your undertone?
The undertone tells you if you’re warm or cool-toned. Watch the veins in your wrist under sunlight. If they are bluish-purple, you’re cool-toned and if they’re olive green, you’re warm-toned. If you see a combination of the two, you’re neutral.
One more way to find out is to check which jewellery suits you. Gold usually suits warm tones better and silver suits cool tones.
Foundations usually mention warm or cool in their names, so knowing your undertone will help reduce your search.
Which kind should you choose?
Foundations come in liquid, cream, powder, and stick. Liquid and cream foundations are preferred for drier skin due to their mousse-like texture which creates a natural dewy look. A powder or stick is better for oilier skin as it balances out the greasy texture and also sticks to the skin more firmly.
How to find your match?
Your search is going to be significantly easier, once you know what texture and tone to look for. When going to shop for foundation, make sure you go bare-faced.
To find the perfect shade, try the foundation from the side of your face down to your neck. If the foundation fades into the skin of your neck, it’s the right shade for you. If it doesn’t, it’s either too light or too dark.
Make sure you’re not trying out a foundation under yellow light. Yellow lights can deceive you into thinking the shade is right for you when it clearly isn’t.
Is it possible to not be able to find a match after all these efforts?
Well sadly, yes. Skin tones vary greatly from one another. It is hardly possible for anyone to bring in all shades to their palette. In fact, most of us may never find a foundation that perfectly suits us.
What to do now?
You can mix two or more shades together to create the shade most suited to yourself, just like with lipsticks. Do it yourself or with the help of an expert. Once you know the shades and proportions, just stick to that. You’ve found your perfect match!