Have you ever bought a foundation, only to hear someone say you look paler or darker than you should? Or maybe you bought a foundation that made your face too oily or dry. If this is you, then you’ll want to check out our guide on choosing a foundation that is right for you.

The first thing you need to do is determine what your skin tone color is. You can do this by testing the product on your chin or jawline where daylight is present. If you can tell where the foundation was applied, then chances are the shade is not right for you. The right shade should look invisible on your skin. Generally yellow-based foundations will look natural on all skin tones while very pale skin tones will look great in a cooler shade. Keep in mind however that each manufacturer’s foundation shades, vary.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money at guessing on the right shade, check your local department store for free samples or have a department store makeup specialist help you decide which shade is right for you. To get the best results, plan to come in baring a clean face that is free of makeup. You may also want to try your local drugstore if department store prices, scare you. Some drugstores allow returns of makeup products, “gone wrong.”

Once you have determined the right shade, you’ll want to look for a foundation that is right for your skin type.

·    If you have dry skin, look for a crème or liquid foundation that will moisturize your dry skin. Look for words like moisture-rich or hydrating on the container. Your goal here is to cover imperfections while leaving the skin dewy and moisturized.  

·    If you have oily skin, stick with a liquid or powder foundation that say oil-free or oil-control on the container. If you don’t want the shine that comes with oily skin, look for a foundation that has a matte finish.

·    If you have combination skin, determine if you’re more dry or oily and then go with a foundation that leans toward that skin type. If you can’t decide, cream or powder foundations are great for combination skin types.

·    For normal skin, you can choose whatever form of foundation you feel more comfortable with.

Now that you have chosen a foundation shade that is right for you, make sure you know how to apply the foundation correctly.

To Apply:

If you have dry skin, use a moisturizer before applying foundation. Then, start by dotting the foundation on areas where you would like to cover any imperfections. You may also want to dab a bit of foundation onto your eyelids to help set your eye shadow. Blend the foundation outwards and just past your chin, using your fingers for a natural coverage or a dampened sponge for sheer coverage.

Finally, keep in mind that you may need to adjust your foundation shade seasonally, especially if you tan during the summer.

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