What is Foundation?

Foundation is designed to even out skin tone, conceal flaws and act as a base for the rest of your makeup. It is the very first step of your makeup application to give a flawless complexion. 

Types of Foundation:

•    Liquid Foundations – The most popular type of foundation, these give a light to medium coverage, depending on the formula. Liquid foundation gives a natural look and feel, and will still even out skin tone.
•    Mousse Foundations – These give a medium coverage and will set to a matte finish and the mousse formulation is better for people with oily to normal skin types.
•    Mineral Foundations – These are made of natural minerals and have very little, if any, fragrance or preservatives. This means they are ideal for skin that is sensitive to harsh fragrances or preservatives. They give a natural finish and due to the natural formula will not block pores.
•    Compact foundations – these are ideal for on the go application and are a pressed creamy powder formulation that sets to a powder finish.
•    Spray on foundation – These are a relatively new product and give a professional airbrush finish, and are very quick to apply. These are ideal for those wanting a heavier coverage and a long lasting finish.
•    Tinted moisturiser – This gives the lightest coverage, and also works to hydrate skin. This is ideal for those wanting minimal coverage and a natural finish.

Getting the right shade:

Getting the perfect shade is important when it comes to choosing your foundation. Your aim is for it to disappear into the skin so it doesn’t look as if you are wearing any at all. To get your perfect shade, test a small amount on your jaw line, in natural daylight. The correct colour for your skin tone will disappear. You shouldn’t test on your wrist or hands, as these areas are naturally a different shade to your face.
You may find that one foundation isn’t right for your skin all year round. In summer you may need to buy a slightly darker shade if you tan, and in winter skin can become drier than other times of the year, meaning you might need to change the type of foundation you use as well.

Applying foundation:

The three main tools for applying foundation are brushes, sponges and your fingers.
•    Brushes give a flawless, even finish and different types give different coverages. Thicker brushes such as a kabuki brush give a heavier coverage, whereas a finer brush will give a lighter coverage.
•    Sponges give a light, sheer coverage and are easy to blend your foundation with. They do absorb a lot of foundation though, which means you can waste product.
•    Fingers are obviously the easiest way to apply foundation, but can leave a slightly oily finish and it can be harder to blend well.