Choosing the right foundation

 

This very morning before the start of the 9am lecture, I went with a couple of friends browsing through beauty counters outside University. It was my friend almost ending up buying the wrong shade of foundation that tempted me to write this post. Going to a beauty counter to purchase a new foundation can be frustrating, and something that we tend to delay.

After seeing countless beauty videos and reading tips on choosing the right foundation, here are my main tips in a nutshell.

Skin type

 

Probably the most important thing to be aware of. Most foundations, if not suitable for all skin types, target:

• oily/combination
• normal
• sensitive / blemish-prone
• dehydrated
• dry

Firstly, if your skin is sensitive it doesn't necessary mean that it's oily - fact. In winter, my sensitive skin chooses to deprive itself of all hydration, but it still goes bonkers if I apply an unsuitable product.

Coverage

Decide on the amount of coverage you want - light, medium or heavy. If you're looking for a daytime foundation, the best route to go through is light-medium coverage. A little SPF is also beneficial to avoid slapping numerous products on your face. On the other hand, if you're looking for something to hit the clubs with, go for medium-heavy coverage. Also, avoid any foundation containing SPF if you're going to have your picture taken with flash. Ever wondered why your face turns out much paler than the rest of your body in photos? Yes.

Right shade

Take note: your hands are not the same colour as your face. It's useless trying to blend the foundation on the side of your hand; your chance of getting the right shade is second to none. The way to go is to apply the product on your jawline and blend it down to the side of your neck. Keep in mind we have different colour zones on our face.

Samples

It's not rude to ask for a sample, as long as you don't march up to the counter and demand it from the salesgirl. Take a small pot with you, and after trying different shades and showing interest, ask for a small pump of the product. It's best to try the foundation in your own environment and spend some time with it, see how it blends with your skin under natural light. Remember that the light in beauty stores is artificial. You'll also have time to ask people for their opinion. If you get compliments without asking, it's even better.

Making the decision

Don't be pressured to buy - if you don't like it, don't buy it. It's you who'll be pouring out the gravy. You should take your own time at buying a foundation, it's something which should not be done in a slapdash manner. There are plenty of foundations for each and every one of us.