You wouldn’t even think about building a house without laying some firm foundations first and it’s the same with your make-up.
Granted, it can be tricky to work your way through the minefield of foundation faux-pas’, that’s why we quizzed ex-MAC pro Nicola Burford on her no-fail tips for selecting an ace base.
Skin texture
Is your skin flawless and youthful? Or do you have a few lines? Are you super sensitive and prone to redness? Do you have open pores? Is your skin susceptible to breakouts? According to Burford, these are all questions that you need to ask yourself when you’re looking for a foundation. So what foundation suits which texture?
Youthful skin
Stick to “minimal foundation that provides protection so skin remains youthful as long as possible. A tinted moisturiser or a sheer coverage foundation in a natural satin finish” is best for this type of skin.
Bh recommends:
Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturiser
BECCA Luminous Skin Colour
Olay Total Effects Touch of Foundation
Skin with a few lines
Mineral foundation is the trick for skin that is starting to show signs of ageing as “it nourishes the skin while providing a natural coverage and diffused finish.” Burford recommends, “looking for ingredients such as soft-focus particles that diffuse the light and soften the appearance of fine lines.” Another handy hint is to “choose concealers that colour-correct and illuminate, especially around the eye, rather than choosing maximum cover concealer” which can add years on.
Bh recommends:
Inika Mineral Foundation
Musq Makeup Musqskin Self Adjusting Foundation Powder
Maybelline New York Wonder Finish Foundation
Melli Cosmetics Mineral Illuminating Concealer Pen
Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer
Sensitive skin
Look for a foundation that is “perfume free and has few active ingredients that could over-stimulate the skin.” Burford finds that “gel-based foundations work well on sensitive skin as they have superior adhesion to sensitive skin that may otherwise repel product.” And, most importantly, “look for products that have been sensitivity tested.”
Bh recommends:
Mary Kay Creme-To-Powder Foundation
BABOR Young Tinted Day Cream 01/02
Clarins True Comfort Foundation
Blemish prone skin
What’s the best way to cover blemishes or enlarged pores? Well, Burford says your best bet is a two-pronged approach: “wear the foundation with a primer and a gel-based or water-based matte foundation.” Burford swears by Dr. Brandt Pores No More. And remember to avoid “anything with an iridescence or satin finish, it will only highlight the flaws.”
Bh recommends:
ELES Mineral Makeup Pore Perfecting Face Primer
Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
Rimmel London Cool Matte 16Hr Mousse Foundation
Skin type
Your skin type will affect the style of foundation you need. Help! I’ve no idea what skin type I am. Not to worry, we’ve got a quick run down here >>
Dry skins – go for a cream-based or water-based foundation. Try Covergirl Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream Foundation or La Prairie Anti-Aging Foundation SPF 15.
Oily skins – go for matte, water-based or powder-based foundations like Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation.
Dehydrated – go for foundations containing a high water content or featuring a gel-based formula. Bh likes Bloom Liquid Foundation and MAC Select Tint SPF15.
Handy hint: “pigmentation can be lessened by any concealer or corrector that has a peach undertone. I find the most effective way to cover pigmentation is to layer a peach colour corrector with your natural colour concealer.” Try:NARS Duo Concealer in Vanilla/Honey (Honey has peachy undertones).
Testing your foundation
Burford shares her top tips for purchasing:
1. To find your best shade test two or three different shades on your face (never, ever your hand!); the one that disappears is the correct colour.
2. If you need to wear a concealer and/or powder then make sure you test those with your foundation as well to ensure you pick the right combination of shades; you may not be the same colour in all products and may need to alter the undertone to colour correct any flaws or pigmentation.
3. If you are between seasons or planning on getting a fake tan wait and purchase the foundation when you are the colour you want to be as guess work will never pay off.
4. It’s also important to consider lifestyle too. “Do you want foundation for the day or evening? How much time will you have to apply, what’s your personal preference, a liquid or compact?” These considerations should be factored into your choice.
5. It’s also important to realise that it may not be the case of ‘one foundation suits all’ for you, as Burford highlights: “you may want to think about getting different textures and coverage foundation for different events such as a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturiser for day time and something with more coverage for parties and events.”
