Purchasing the Right Foundation for Your Skin

Now that trying on samples of makeup in store is a thing of the past (thank you COVID-19), it’s become difficult to locate the right foundation for your skin tone and type. While images and descriptions online are great, many times they are not enough. In addition, just because a foundation looks great on a friend/sister/neighbor, doesn’t mean it will work for YOU. We’ve compiled some information, including some resources, to help you make a more informed purchase.

First things first: What is your skin type?

Analyze your skin. Does your forehead and nose (your T-zone) get super oily, or is your concern more about dry, flaky skin? The answer to that question will determine the foundation type you should be looking for. If your skin is more to the oily side, you should be looking for foundation with buzzwords like mattifying and long wearing. However, if dryness is your concern, look for a hydrating or radiant foundation. Bonus tip: Look for ingredients with skincare benefits like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.

Combination skin is a combination of oily and dry skin. Purchasing a foundation for combination skin is a bit more complicated- you’ll need to decide if you want a more dewy or more matte look. If purchasing a mattifying foundation, you may want to prep your skin to moisturize it in spots where your skin is usually drier, and vice versa.

Next: What kind of foundation do you need?

What are you planning to use the foundation for? Is it for the summertime, and just needed to smooth your complexion? Then you might want to stick to a light coverage foundation with SPF. If you are looking for something a bit heavier, or long lasting for Yomim Tovim and weddings, look for keywords like full coverage, long lasting, etc.

Liquid, powder, or compact?

This question boils down to a matter of personal choice. If this is not your first time purchasing a foundation, you’ll know which one is your cup of tea. Stick with what you know! If liquid is what works for you, go with a liquid! And same to powder or a creamy compact. Experience with the material you prefer will create a better final result.

Do you know your skin tone?

“Golden or warm tones have more of a yellow/olive tone, cool means more of a pink undertone, and if you are neutral, you are somewhere in between,” explains Sarah-Jane Froom, BareMinerals international makeup artist.

Knowing what your skin tone is will help you make the right purchase. Many foundations have warm or cool undertones, so knowing where you stand can help you make the right purchase.

Here are some easy ways figure out what your skin tone is. Hold up a hot pink and an orange garment or lipstick near your face. If the orange makes your skin look glowy, you’re warm. If it’s the pink that does, you’re cool. If they both look fine, you’re neutral. The same test can be tried with silver and gold jewelry. Gold suits warm undertones best; if you’re cool, you’ll better off with the silver palette.

(Another way to assess your skin tone: If you tan easily and your veins look greenish, you’re warm. If you get red in the sun and have blueish veins, you’re cool. Neutrals will have a mix.)

Use online foundation color finders:

Many brands or beauty resellers, such as Sephora, offer a foundation finder. The basic premise is, you enter the name and color of a different foundation that you love, and it will suggest which shade of foundation to purchase from another brand. We’ve used findation.com in the past; definitely check that out!

What foundations have worked in the past for you?