Foundation Colors - How To Find The Right One

I would say one of the top two complaints I get from women is that they just can't find a foundation they really, really like (the other top issue being wrinkles, of course) - either the color doesn't match, or it doesn't cover the way they want it to, or it fades throughout the day. As far as makeup goes, foundation is the most difficult thing to find. There are so many formulas and shade types and questions that come with searching for the right one.

I'm going to address some of the top questions I get about foundations!

First off, how do I pick the right shade?

Answer: You don't want to match to your wrist or the back of your hand - the skin there is often a much different shade than your face, especially inside the wrist because it doesn't often get much sun and can therefore be much paler than the skin on the face. The best place to match is right on the jawline - you can stripe the foundation from your cheek down to your neck to see how well it blends and if there's going to be that always-dreaded foundation line that comes from having too-dark or too-light foundation. You want to base your color choice on your skin tone - if you have more pinks in your skin, you're a cool tone and if you have more gold in your skin, you're a warm tone. If you have a lot of pink and want to tone that down, you can opt for a neutral foundation that has an even balance of pink and gold to balance it out. A key mistake a lot of women make is getting a foundation too dark or too light for their skin. Let me be clear: THIS IS NOT ATTRACTIVE! It seldom blends in appropriately and usually ends up looking completely ridiculous! It aggravates me to see beautiful women buying foundation four shades darker than they need because it just simply doesn't look good. If you want to go darker, get some self tanner and have a true need for the darker foundation shade. My number one tip for finding the best foundation shade is to head to a department store and let a professional help you - they can help you identify your tone and what would look the most flawless on your skin. They've been trained, people! It's not easy picking one out on your own, and they can help show you what looks good and what doesn't!!

What's a good foundation for someone with oily skin?

Answer: I personally have very oily skin and I tend to like something that doesn't feel heavy on my skin. Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra ($40) liquid foundation is terrific for normal to oily skin types because it's an oil-free formula and is 14-hour retouch-free. So often, the oils in our skin break down foundations and make them fade or become splotchy throughout the day. A tip for oily-skinned women is to also use a great primer that tones down shine and helps hold foundation longer, like Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer ($36-$49). It comes in several different finishes to suit different skin types and tones.

What's a good foundation for someone with normal skin?

Answer: Laura Mercier's Oil Free Foundation ($42) is a buildable liquid that can go from sheer to full coverage, depending on application method. It has ten shades for various skin tones. The finish is natural but flawless.

What's a good foundation for dry skin?

Answer: Lancome's Renergie Lift Foundation SPF 20 ($40) is a fuller coverage liquid that smoothes the complexion and lightly moisturizes while also providing anti-aging technology and softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

What's a good mineral foundation?

Answer: Mineral foundations are all the rage right now, everyone wants one and just about every cosmetics line offers some kind of it. The obvious choice is Bare Minerals by BareEscentuals, the brand that jump-started this craze. But there are other great mineral foundations, as well. AmazingCosmetics Velvet Mineral Pressed Powder Foundation ($36) is a mess-free mineral makeup that gives a flawless, matte finish without settling into lines and pores and making them more apparent. Lancome's newest foundation, Oscillation Foundation ($48), is a loose mineral makeup that comes with a vibrating buffer that is also mess-free and provides a fuller coverage than most powder foundations.

What's a good option for someone who doesn't like to wear a lot of foundation?

Answer: Tinted moisturizers are a great way to even out the skin tone and give the skin a very sheer, flawless finish. Some really great ones are Laura Gellar Barely There Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($30) because it's oil-free and suits all skin types and Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($30) because it has incredible vitamins and antioxidants to help improve the skin's condition while protecting it from sun damage.

What's a really long-lasting foundation?

Answer: Estee Lauder's Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10 ($33.50) is an enduring foundation that lasts through just about anything. It stays fresh through heat and humidity when most foundations melt. It's oil-free so it suits all skin types and has a semi-matte finish that's not dull or flat but not shiny, either.

Department store makeup can be so expensive - what's a good foundation I can get from the drugstore that won't break the bank?

Answer: One of the top-selling drugstore brands these days is Loreal, particularly their True Match line of cosmetics. The True Match Super Blendable Liquid Makeup ($10.95) has 24 shades that are easy to pick on your own in the store, and their displays often have transparent shade finders to help with that task. It has a light to medium coverage with a natural finish and is oil-free, making it suitable for all skin types. The True Match line now also has concealer, blush, powder, and bronzer as well.

I hope I gave you some useful tips on finding a good foundation that works for your skin type and your needs! If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask and I'll do my best to answer them. In my next post, I'll be providing tips on proper foundation application. Everybody have a good Tuesday!!