*Links marked with an asterisk are affiliate links.
Choosing the right foundation is key to complexion perfection and is an absolute game changer in your makeup routine. But there are so many options that you can feel completely overwhelming! For a perfect and natural finish, you need to choose a formula that complements your skin type. In this guide, we will help you identify the best foundation for your skin needs.
Step 1: Identify your skin type
How to choose the right foundation
When understanding how to choose the right foundation, it is important to understand the type of skin.
Skin type and Skin condition They are two different things, and it is important to understand them. When purchasing skincare and makeup, knowing what skin type you are will greatly help you.
Normal skin
The skin looks healthy, clear and fresh. Normal skin types are neither oily nor dry, and are usually free of crowds or scratches.
Dry skin
This skin is thin and fine, lacking sebum, and wrinkles too quickly. Skin may feel tight after washing and may have dry, flake-like patches.
Oily skin
The skin may be shiny and may appear slightly sallow from the excess sebum produced. You may see enlarged pores and the skin tends to clog pores. Oily skin tends to slow aging, and excess sebum helps lubricate the skin through the aging process.
Combination skin
The skin has areas of dry, greasy, normal skin. The forehead, nose and chin (T-zone) are usually oily, leaving dry areas around the eyes and cheeks.
Sensitive skin
The skin is often dry, delicate and turns red very easily. Genetic factors can be responsible for sensitivity as well as environmental or local use of the product.
Mature skin
Mature skin refers to skin that exhibits signs of aging, including wrinkles, thin lines and lack of stiffness. The skin is a dryer and you can see that you need a little more hydration.
For more information on identifying skin types, read: How to Solve Skin Types – Read the Ultimate Guide and Products You Need.
Step 2: Choose the appropriate formula
Once you have identified your skin type, the way to choose the right foundation will be to find the formulation that matches it best.
Basic formula for Normal skin
There is flexibility to choose from a variety of finishes, from matt to Dewey. This is simple, so it’s up to you to choose the finish you want.
My favorite foundations for skin-spanning finishes are the NARS Light Reflecting Foundation and the Shiseido Revitalessness Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30.
For a more matte look, I love the perfect blurry second skin matte foundation with the Elf Cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation and Anastasia Beverly Hills.
Basic formula for Dry skin
Choose a foundation for softened skin conditioning with ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Here are some of my favorite foundations for dry skin:
Basic formula for Oily skin
Choose oil-free, tenacious foundations such as powders and long-fatigue liquid formulas. Some of my favorite options for oily skin are:
Basic formula for Combination skin
Choose a lightweight, buildable foundation that balances different areas of your face. I have skin combinations and these are my favorites:
Basic formula for Sensitive skin
Choose a fragrance-free, comedogen-free foundation with soothing ingredients.
Basic formula for Mature skin
I love the hydration and blurry formula that supplies skincare ingredients to my mature skin.
Step 3: Find the perfect shade
Once you have selected the formula, choosing the shade is the final step in how to choose the right foundation for you.
This is my top tip:
- Test the basics of the jaw line in natural light.
- Decide your undertone (cool, warm, or neutral) and find the most flattering shade
- Think about seasonal changes as skin tones can shift slightly between summer and winter
Getting the correct colour is a trial and error. All the blog posts I have shared with you in this summary have swatches of different shades for you to check out.
Step 4: Application Tips for Perfect Finishing
Personally, I love using a brush to paint and blend my base. My favorites are those I made for my brand. Leeson No.1 brush.
My best tip is to apply one brush and have another clean brush to polish the excess product. This technique means you never look like a cake, and you achieve the most perfect and natural look results.
Watch this video.
Find this guide on how to choose the right foundation for your skin type. Always let us know if you need any recommendations.
