It is the perfect starting point from which you may next produce the intended appearance. First you have to know your skin type and tone and then pick the foundation that best highlight them.
Know your skin type
First of all, you will have to know the natural look of your skin and identify which kind it falls into to begin with the basis that best fits you. Skin usually falls into five main categories: normal, oily, dry, combination or sensitive. To get an idea of your skin type, start by cleansing your face with a gentle product. After, let your skin breathe and see if:
- It becomes shiny – then you have oily skin
- It feels stretched – it means your skin is dry
- Has both shiny areas and tense areas – it means you have mixed skin
- Shows redness – your skin is sensitive
- Feels comfortable – then you have normal skin
For oily skin, look for oil-free, mattifying foundations that provide a long-lasting, shine-free finish. For example, powder foundations absorb excess sebum and maintain a matte finish.
A foundation for dry skin, such as liquid or stick, is ideal for hydration and a luminous finish. Combination skin can benefit from a balanced foundation that is neither too dry nor too oily.
To take proper care of sensitive skin, choose hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products that help minimize the risk of irritation.
Know your skin tone
Finding the right shade of foundation or concealer starts with knowing your skin tone. Tone refers to your natural skin colour, which can be light, medium or dark. If your skin tone varies across different areas of your face, focus on your jawline.
The right shade of foundation should also match your skin’s undertone. Undertone refers to the shades below the surface of the skin, which can be warm, cool, or neutral. Take a good look at the veins on your wrist in natural light as an easy way to determine your undertone. If your veins look green, you probably have a warm undertone; if they are blue/purple, you have a cool undertone. If they appear blue/green or match your skin tone, you most likely have a neutral undertone.
How your skin reacts to UV rays can also be an important indicator of your undertone. Think about when you go to the beach in the summer. If you burn easily, your skin probably has cool undertones; those who tan without burning often have warm undertones.
Why is the undertone important?
The right shade of foundation will melt into your skin so perfectly that you’ll hardly know it’s there. This kind of makeup magic is only possible when your skin undertone matches the undertone of your foundation shade. If the undertones don’t line up, the foundation will show through on the skin. For example, a foundation with a cool undertone can give a ghostly or ashy look to the skin of a person with a warm undertone, even if the intensity of the shade is correct.
Matching shades
The key is to test the foundation colour on clean skin first. This may differ if you frequently use self-tanner. In this case, you should match the shade of the foundation with your skin undertone after applying the self-tanner, as the undertone of the product may be different.
Compare possible shades on the jawline, the area where your face naturally meets your neck. The perfect shade should blend invisibly on the skin without creating lines or contrasts.
Always do this test in daylight as it gives the truest picture of the foundation colour. Through this process, you will achieve a natural, flawless fit that enhances your complexion.
Choosing the ideal foundation is a personalized process that varies according to each person’s skin type, problems and tastes. By knowing your skin and its needs, you will be able to choose a foundation that not only looks amazing but also provides comfort.
