Searching for the best foundation makeup to suit your skin colour, skin type, coverage needs, and other personal preferences can feel like an endless quest.
Top MUA, Nora Sleek, discussed the benefits of different types of foundations and how you can find your perfect match.
Most important rule about Foundation: One size does not fit all
Just because a foundation looks great on your friend or looks like a good match in the bottle doesn’t mean it’s going to be the right fit for you. It’s extremely important to choose a foundation that balances the needs of your particular skin type and skin concerns, and matches your skin colour perfectly.
Matte-finish liquid foundations
Benefits:
Lightweight texture and finish (doesn’t feel heavy on skin).
Typically easy to blend; buildable coverage.
Excellent for holding back excess oily shine.
Generally a safe choice for covering blemish-prone skin.
Beneficial for those who live in humid climates and cannot get their foundation to last.
Downsides:
Foundations with a Matte finish can exaggerate flaky skin or wrinkles if the finish is too dry. You can remedy this by applying a light layer of moisturiser or a serum underneath, although that can reduce the Matte aspect of the finish.
Attempting to blend mistakes after it sets can cause rolling or streaking, which is hard to correct.
Moisturising liquid foundations
Benefits:
Typically provide light to medium coverage that allows for a natural look.
The best for hydrating skin without being greasy.
Satin or satin-matte finishes, perfect for normal to dry skin.
Many have a slight sheen for a youthful-looking glow.
Downsides:
Not the best option for oily skin because the moisturising finish makes oily areas look even more oily.
Anti-Aging & Serum Foundations
Benefits:
Best multi-tasking foundations, providing coverage and anti-aging ingredients that are beneficial for all skin types.
Complement an anti-aging skincare routine to net you even better results.
Downsides:
Some “anti-aging” serum foundations exaggerate their superstar ingredients’ benefits or include only minute amounts, so you’re not getting what you pay for.
Pressed-powder or loose-powder foundations
Benefits:
Fast, easy way to get a smooth finish for normal to slightly oily or slightly dry skin.
Some powder foundations offer subtle luminescence for a soft glow.
Pressed-powder versions are easily portable, for on-the-go touch-ups.
Lightweight feel.
Excellent for use over a daytime moisturiser with SPF to reduce the shiny finish of some sunscreens.
Downsides:
If you have very oily skin, powder foundations can look clumpy or slip into pores.
If you have dry or flaky skin, the powder will absorb moisture, making your skin drier.
Powder’s pigmentation can change when it mixes with skin’s excess oil and oxidises.
Building coverage can look cakey or powdery.
Cream-to-powder compact foundations
Benefits:
Easy to blend with a sponge or brush, and sets to a semi-matte or powdery finish.
Ideal for normal to slightly dry or slightly oily skin if you don’t want a true matte or dewy finish.
Wide range of coverage, from sheer to full.
Work well for on-the-go touch-ups.
Downsides:
Tend to look heavier than other types of foundation.
Not for very oily skin because the cream portion exaggerates shine and the powder finish isn’t strong enough to keep excess oil in check.
Not for very dry skin because the finish exaggerates dry areas.
Stick foundations
Benefits:
Typically offer medium to full coverage to conceal imperfections.
Works well for on-the-go touch-ups.
Downsides:
Some stick foundations have a thick, waxy texture that looks heavy and can lead to clogged pores and/or worsen breakouts.
Not always easy to blend over large areas.
If the finish is too creamy, it can crease into lines around the eye.
Tinted moisturisers and BB creams
Benefits:
The sheer nature of tinted moisturisers (and many BB creams) makes it easier to match skin colour because they tend to blend on almost invisibly.
Often combines soft coverage, hydration, and sun protection in one product, for triple the benefit.
Bonus if the formula contains skin-replenishing ingredients.
Downsides:
Coverage can be too sheer for obvious imperfections.
