How to choose the right foundation? Rules and practical advice

How to choose the right foundation? Finding the right foundation for your skin , the right shade and the best finish can seem difficult!

However, there are test techniques that allow you to easily identify the ideal product for each person. This is why we want to share with you the advice and rules of Matin Maulawizada , Clinique's International Color Pro , who explains how to perfectly match the foundation to your complexion. We also give you our practical tips .

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT COLOR: 6 PRACTICAL TIPS

How to find the right foundation color? Finding the shade that most closely matches your complexion is the most important moment when buying a foundation.

1. CHOOSE THE BEST SHADE ACCORDING TO THE SEASON

Choose the shades according to the season because even if you always use sunscreen your skin will appear more tanned during the summer months and a little paler in the winter. It is inevitable! For this reason, a single shade of foundation to use all year round is not enough .

2. THE FOUNDATION MUST BE CHOSEN WITHOUT ANOTHER ADDITION

Starting with make-up-free skin is absolutely necessary when it comes to choosing the perfect shade. Buying a foundation when you are wearing another one and, moreover, perhaps the wrong shade, will only lead to worse damage. With the risk of buying a shade even further away from that of your skin. Match the foundation to your complexion , not the foundation you are already wearing!

3. YOU DON'T NEED TO TRUST THE NAME OF THE SHADE

While the shade names can serve as a guide, it is always important to try the foundation on your skin to make sure the shade you have chosen is the best one. The same shade proposed by the same brand can sometimes appear different from one formula to another (for example in the same base, liquid or compact) due to the interaction between the ingredients.

4. KNOW YOUR SUBTONE

Pink, golden or beige foundation? The right one is the one that matches not only the skin tone , but also its undertone . Knowing your undertone, in fact, really makes the difference in the trial phase and purchase of the foundation! How to identify it? A first test can be done by observing the inside of the wrist and the color of the veins :

blue veins = cool undertone. The skin tends to pink.

purple veins = neutral undertone. If the veins turn from purple to blue, you can also use cold pink foundation, otherwise with a neutral undertone.

green veins = warm undertone. If you combine them with skin that tans easily, gold foundations or foundations with a warm component are also suitable. If, on the other hand, the skin tends to remain paler and clearer, but does not tend to pink, neutral foundations are excellent.

If in doubt, do a little test with the foundations that seem best suited to your skin. The one that enhances your complexion the most is the right one!

5. THE SWATCH TRIAL IS DONE WITH 3 SHADES

Choose 3 shades that seem to match well with your skin, then do the swatch test by applying them all in a row on the chin profile and leaving a small strip of free skin between one and the other. Don't just focus on the face! It is important that you make sure that the chosen shade also matches naturally with the neck .

6. THE FOUNDATION TEST MUST BE DONE WITH EXTERNAL NATURAL LIGHT

Spotlights in perfumeries are deceiving! The light inside the shops does not allow you to see the real color of the skin and foundation. Never trust artificial light and try to go outside to verify that the shade you are about to buy is the right one!

 

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE TYPE OF FOUNDATION

Better a liquid, compact or powder foundation? The choice of the type of foundation depends on the type of skin : normal, dry, combination, oily, with imperfections, mature skin.

In addition to identifying your skin type, you need to take into account the different needs during the seasons . The skin tends to shine more in spring - summer, due to the sweat caused by high temperatures, and to dry more in autumn - winter due to cold and wind. Skin dryness can also increase after long exposure to the sun or with the use of a sun lamp. The production of sebum that makes our skin appear shinier can also vary over time.

We cannot neglect  personal taste : there are those who prefer a very natural effect and those who instead want perfect skin like a porcelain doll.

To choose the right type of foundation we must therefore take into account the needs of our skin in the period of the year in which we find ourselves and the  type of result we want to obtain.

These are the characteristics that generally have the different types of foundation:

Compact cream foundation : applied with a sponge, it can have a high coverage, it is ideal for normal to dry skin.

Compact powder foundation : applied with a sponge, it has a mattifying effect with variable coverage, it is ideal for combination or oily skin.

Moisturizing liquid foundation : applied with a brush or sponge, it can have low (watery) to high coverage, ideal for all skin types, even mature skin.

Liquid matte foundation : applied with a brush or sponge, it has a mattifying effect with variable coverage, it is ideal for oily skin.

Cream foundation : applied with a sponge or brush, it can have a high coverage, ideal for normal to dry skin, even with imperfections, also suitable for mature skin.

Cream matte foundation : applied with a sponge or brush, it can have a high coverage with a mattifying effect, it is ideal for combination or oily skin, even with imperfections, not suitable for thin skin.

Cushion foundation : application with sponge, low to medium coverage, ideal for normal, dry, dull and tired skin.

Mineral powder foundation : application with kabuki brush, low to medium coverage, suitable for normal, combination and oily skin.

It is always important to read the information on the formulation (inci) and the specific characteristics of the product on the packaging . In fact, there are foundations specially formulated for an anti-aging effect, funds particularly suitable for those with sensitive, easily irritable and reactive skin. Even more careful must be the choice of foundation when you have skin problems such as acne, rosacea, allergies, rosacea, dermatitis. If in doubt, always consult a dermatologist or your trusted pharmacy for more in-depth advice.

TIPS FOR APPLICATION OF THE FOUNDATION

There is a very fine line between natural and excessive. Finding the right shade and formula for your skin type is key, but to get the perfect result , well, that's all about application. Here are some useful tips.

Less is more is a winning maxim in terms of makeup! A clean look and fresh skin are a must on many occasions and the brighter the skin, the less make-up you will need!

For a more natural finish , dab the foundation onto your skin rather than rubbing it all over your face. This technique helps you avoid streaks of uneven color, allowing the foundation to blend more evenly. To achieve this you can use a moistened beauty blender or, if you prefer, apply the product directly with your hands. The heat makes it creamier and more workable, so as to obtain a more transparent effect. Remember to wash your hands once finished to remove any color residue.

Perfect, don't cover . Apply the foundation without making the characteristic features of your face, such as freckles or small moles disappear - they are extremely sensual!

When you wear a bb cream or liquid foundation, to avoid that annoying shiny effect, dab with a semi-transparent loose powder .

After the foundation it is good to always apply the powder , even if you do not have problems with gloss. In fact, the powder is used to fix the foundation, make makeup last longer and give the skin a velvet effect. We advise you to try a transparent powder, the results will surprise you!

If you need more coverage , finish your makeup by adding locally applying concealer or compact foundation , where necessary. Always remember that applying a compact foundation on top of the bb cream without first fixing everything with the loose powder would let the makeup run and the finish would be less natural.

The imperfections are covered with foundation and the right color corrector : there are no imperfections that can not cover. Think that with the right foundation you can also cover a tattoo, let alone if you can't hide pimples, blackheads, enlarged pores, bags, dark circles or skin spots.

 

 

 

 

BASIC FACE MAKE-UP: EXAMPLES BEFORE AND AFTER

In our guide on how to choose the right foundation, practical examples cannot be missing that demonstrate what results can be obtained. It is the type of product and the type of application that make the difference. Having a perfect foundation is possible even if you have problematic skin. Here are some demonstrative examples of what makeup can do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After all these tips, tricks and little secrets from make up artist , on how to choose the perfect foundation, there is nothing left to do but go to the perfumery! We hope this guide was useful to you, let us know your opinions!

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