Foundation is called by that name because it is a makeup essential. Many people skip over it because they prefer to look natural, don’t like the cakey feeling it has, or want to avoid provoking acne flare-ups. But makeup technology has progressed in recent years so that foundation is now available in so many forms and varieties that excuses such as these are no longer valid.
Foundation makes a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It evens out the skin tone of your whole face, diminishing the appearance of ruddy spots, scars, acne, dullness, and so much more. The coverage levels range from very light to heavy and cover everything in between. But with all of these improvements and choices made available to us today, it is still possible to choose the wrong kind of foundation for your skin.
It is easiest to start by determining what coverage level you think you need. If you have acne, birthmarks, freckles or scars that you want to cover up, you’ll immediately gravitate toward the heavy coverage products. But give it a little more thought than that. Before all else, consider your skin type. If your foundation doesn’t work for your skin type, then it is working against it.
Dry skin:
If the skin on your face is dry and flaky choose an oil-based tinted moisturizer for light coverage or an oil-based cream or liquid foundation to achieve heavier coverage. Powders will only further dry out your skin, and matte finishes make dry skin look lifeless, dull and chalky.
Oily skin:
If your skin produces more than enough oil on its own, use an oil-free liquid foundation of whichever coverage level your skin needs. These days oil-free products come in lightweight moisturizers and liquid foundations. Whichever coverage level you choose, be sure to follow up liquid foundation with a pressed powder.
Acne prone skin:
If you have acne prone skin, you must also choose an oil free foundation. Look for the word “noncomedogenic” on the label, or “salicylic acid” listed in the ingredients. These foundations will keep pores more clear than other foundation varieties would. They help you keep new breakouts from surfacing while simultaneously covering up the acne you already have.
Aging skin:
When you have fine lines and wrinkles, visible veins, and/or age spots, your first instinct might be to cover them up by caking on heavy coverage foundation and thick layers of powder. But in reality, you might not be covering up your skin’s signs of aging when you use thick makeup. Fine lines and wrinkles will actually be much more obvious when you use pancake makeup. If you want your skin to look younger, try making it glow with fresh radiance, but a tinted moisturizer won’t cover up veins or age spots. Use a light-weight, medium-coverage foundation that moisturizes the skin while it evens out your skin tone. The foundation you choose should include subtle light-reflecting pigments that will give your skin a youthful glow while it softens the appearance of flaws.
