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3 tips when shopping for a foundation
Finding the perfect foundation shade can be tough, especially when you're shopping online. One trick is to check out the shade you're currently using. If it's from a popular brand, you can often find online converters that help you figure out which shade from another brand would be the best match. Here's an example of one converter you can use.
Many make-up blogs also display shade samples, known as swatches. But the best way to find your perfect match is to go to a store and try it out in person, or get assistance from a friendly salesperson.
There are many types of foundations on the market, from regular liquids to powders and cushions:
Liquid foundation is the most common type you'll find. It comes in lighter and thicker formulas, with different levels of coverage and different properties.
Powder foundation, also known as mineral foundation, is made from loose or pressed powder. It often contains a low SPF level, but remember to still wear sunscreen. It can give you a natural look with a hint of shimmer.
Stick foundation is like a big concealer stick - firm but creamy. It usually offers higher coverage, but there's a lot of variation available.
Cushion foundation is a lightweight liquid foundation that comes in a jar with a sponge applicator. It provides a light coverage for a natural-looking finish.
Brush, sponge, beauty blender, or fingers – there are many ways to apply foundation. Some types require specific application methods, like a powder foundation, which needs a kabuki brush or something similar.
For liquid foundations, though, you can experiment with different techniques to find the one you prefer. Many people like using their fingers because the skin's warmth makes liquid foundation easier to apply. If you'd rather keep your hands clean, we recommend using a foundation brush or a beauty blender for an even and stunning result.
FAQ
It’s a liquid, powder or mousse face makeup that works to create an even base for the rest of your makeup. It helps cover blemishes, soften spots and create an even skin tone. Foundation comes in different levels of coverage: sheer, medium, full or buildable. It also has different finishes: natural, matte and dewy.
There are a couple of things you need to know to be able to find the right shade. First things first, find out what your skin tone is. They are split into three main categories: light, medium and deep. Then find your undertone. Now, how do you do that? By checking the colour of your veins.
- Blue or purple: Cool undertone
- Green or olive: Warm undertone
- Undefined colour: Neutral undertone
Once you’ve figured these things out, apply the foundation to your jawline so you can see the shade against both your face and neck. The right shade for you is the one that’s the least visible.
It’s important to start with a clean slate when applying foundation, so begin with washing your face, then move on to the following steps:
- Apply a thin layer of moisturiser to your face, give it 5-10 minutes to set.
- Put about two pumps of foundation in the palm of your hand.
- Use a foundation brush, a beauty blender or your fingers to dab the foundation onto your face, start from the centre and blend out.
- If you want to, use a damp beauty sponge and dab, don’t wipe or smudge, and blend the foundation all around your face. Use the pointy part of the sponge around your eyes and nose.
- If you want to, set your foundation with a translucent setting powder.
You can apply powder foundation with either a sponge or a brush. Generally speaking brushes produce a better result when it comes to powder foundation. Start off with washing your face, then:
- Apply a thin layer of moisturiser to your face, give it 5-10 minutes to set.
- Use a big fluffy brush, dip it in your powder.
- Gently tap the handle to shake any excess off.
- Apply the powder to the areas that the sun hits first: nose, forehead, cheekbones and jawline. Use firm yet gentle circular motions over your whole face, until you’ve reached the result you want!
This completely depends on the result you’re looking for. Are you going for a natural look? Or are you building a base to contour on? It depends on if your skin is dry or oily and if you want a liquid, powder or mousse texture. One tip to follow is if you want a foundation that’s less visible, go for a liquid one. For better coverage choose a powder or mousse foundation. The thicker it is, the more coverage it will give you. If you want more tips, we tried different foundations to see which one tested the best.