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    How to: find your perfect foundation

    Updated:14 Jul 2015 4:57 PM | Posted by
    bh's Carli Alman's picture
    bh's Carli Alman
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    About ingredients

    • SPF foundationsmean that you really have no excuse to leave the house unprotected.Though you should remember that SPF is not cumulative - layering an SPF10 foundation over an SPF 15 moisturiser won't add up to SPF 25 (you'llonly have the SPF of the highest single product) -  and, even if youwear your make-up all day, the sun protection will wear off withoutreapplication.

    • Modern foundations are clever enough to care for your skin, not just cover it up. Look for ingredients that will help improve your complexion while camouflaging imperfections.

    • For problematic skin
    Sarah Hughes from The International Dermal Institute advises that oily skins should avoid the following ingredients:

    Mineral oil- this forms a film on the surface of the skin that is only removedwith either alcohol or soap. The film stops the skin from workingcorrectly, preventing the secretion of sebum and sweat. The sebum andsweat can then build up under this layer of oil and, in an oily skin,can cause pimple-promoting congestion.

    Lanolin- this is an irritating ingredient that, once applied to the skin, canstimulate sebum production (as a reaction to the irritation) in thefollicles/pores.

    Artificial colours- these ingredients, particularly FD&C (Food Drink & Cosmetic)colour dyes, have the potential to irritate the skin and, thereby,cause sebum congestion.

    Isopropyl myristate- this ingredient is highly active and may also be extremely irritating to the skin.

    Shopping tips

    • Consider your skin type as well as shade.Colours may appear different on different skin types so make sure youselect a formula designed for your skin (oily, dry, combination) aswell as the shade that's right for you.

    • Face the task with clean, make-up-free skin. You won't be able to match your true skin colour as easily if you're already wearing make-up.

    • Test colours on your jaw line (the back of your hands and insides of wrists are not similar to your face at all!) and in natural light. If you're in a department store without windows, go outside with a compact mirror. A perfect match is worth the extra effort.

    • If you've got time, test the product while you do the rest of your shoppingto see how it wears. Does is disappear, go shiny, slide or changecolour over time? Buy it once you're confident it can go the distance.

    • Don't expect one foundation to take you through all seasons. Your skin takes on different hues at different times of the year, and so should your face base.

    28 Member Comments

    talk-a-lot 26 Apr 2014 4:27 AM

    Some wonderful tips on finding the right foundation, very informative, thank you.

    apple8 26 Oct 2012 7:32 AM

    Great tips.

    FeatheredBeauty 19 May 2012 9:46 AM

    This is good advice. Thanks BH.

    smckinnon 21 Nov 2011 4:16 AM

    Amazing advice, I'll have to bookmark this article for future reference

    BBB3 13 Nov 2010 11:33 AM

    Thanks for the tip. I have the worst time choosing between the different foundations that are out there.

    bubble ba6y 13 Nov 2010 11:12 AM

    SPF is not cumulative? oh darn..

    Boosh 2 Apr 2010 3:02 AM

    awesome tips, thanks!

    Applecandy 13 Jan 2010 1:25 AM

    Unreal! Thats what I'm gona do, I like the idea of mineral makeup....wonder if its as good as it sounds? ;)

    Ellllllle 13 May 2009 8:15 AM

    Great tips. I've always found foundation-shopping a bit frustrating! Thanks :)

    Sweetlolliepop64 16 Apr 2009 6:49 AM

    when it comes to foundation i am the WORST in finding the right shade not to mention the type for my skin. So thank you for the tips on which ingredients to avoid and that. very helpful xox

    yeahemaan 5 Apr 2009 12:12 PM

    these are really good tips! ;) i have trouble buying foundation!

    Lois Lane 26 Mar 2009 6:45 AM

    Thanks for the advice, it is so hard to find a foundation for oily skin that doesn't slide off your face or cause blemishes.

    cuteeyes 22 Mar 2009 7:42 AM

    What I really need is a color swatch! I just can't pick a foundation.. :-|

    Poezy 22 Mar 2009 4:26 AM

    good tip from star791 =D

    Sugarandspice 21 Mar 2009 2:48 AM

    Thanks for yet even more great advice BH!

    Princess Pink 2 Mar 2009 9:01 AM

    Great tips for the perfect base! xx

    Rjac 2 Mar 2009 5:01 AM

    This information is AWESOME!! Thanks so much Bh ...

    youngmum 2 Mar 2009 2:21 AM

    BH is a library of tips and info - I just found this article from the Related Articles list on another article on foundation. Way to go, BH!

    Star791 2 Mar 2009 12:36 AM

    For all you gals out there who are blessed with clear skin, here's a tip. Try mixing a little of your foundation with a little of your moisturiser in a little jar or pot. This is perfect for light day time coverage and also much much healthier for your skin. Did you know you can mix mineral foundation with moisturiser too, works a treat!!

    Elle09 1 Mar 2009 9:48 PM

    This information is GOLD!! Thanks so much Bh angels! xoxoxo

    Tkm1981 3 Sep 2008 5:38 AM

    Great advice. I always go to a cosmetic counter now and have a sales assistant choose my foundation, i am hopeless and choosing the right colour and type of foundation.

    annibaby 10 Jun 2008 2:14 AM

    Great advice Bh. Although I should head to the counters make-up free before requesting to test foundations in order to get a true indication of the quality of the foundation and what the colour will be like on my skin.

    p.rosalie 28 May 2008 4:47 AM

    yeah it makes sense that it is better to test makeup when your not already wearing makeup but i cant go shopping without makeup on!!

    Reiyel 29 Apr 2008 2:03 PM

    This will come in handy when I'm embarking on my foundation-buying! (soon now! :))

    Gem xxx 22 Apr 2008 1:31 AM

    I do change my foundations when the seasons change also. Yes... I'm a foundation addict too!... and just love to try different ones...a girls got to have choices you know...all to well...so many in my draw...it is hard sometimes to find the perfect colour (and of course formula) as some have more yellow or pink undertones in them...;P

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