Foundation MakeUp Basics

In the quest for perfectly even-toned, luminous-looking skin, many women turn to foundation for help. But with a seemingly endless array of shades and formulas to choose from, selecting the best base for your face can be a complex task. Get it wrong and you could end up with telltale lines or an unnaturally pale (or dark) complexion. Get it right and no one will notice your foundation at all — just your gorgeous skin.

So how do you get the right formula and shade for your skin? Celebrity makeup artist Vincent Longo of Vincent Longo Cosmetics shared his advice and opinions with Daily Glow:

Foundation Formulas

Liquid: Liquid foundations tend to be either water-based or oil-based and work well on most skin types. Women with skin on the oily side should choose water-based formulas, while oil-based formulas tend to work better for women with drier skin.
Cream to powder: Cream-to-powder foundation formulas (like Longo’s own patented Water Canvas Crème-to-Powder Foundation) work great in humid climates and look fantastic on all skin types.
Cream: Cream formulas are known for their full coverage and typically have an oil base, making them less suitable for women with oily skin.
Mousse: With its light, airy texture, mousse foundation works great on younger skin and offers medium-to-weak staying power. The best mousse formulas have a slight ‘cushiony’ feel that allows for added wear and blendability.
Airbrush: Airbrush foundation offers full coverage and is frequently used by professional makeup artists for high-definition film work. It leaves the skin looking almost plastic, however, and the texture makes it difficult to layer over powder eye shadows or powder blush.
Powder/mineral: Powder mineral makeup works best for women who don’t need a lot of coverage or long wear. The staying power of mineral makeup is very low, and after a few hours the consistency tends to break down.

Foundation Shades
Regardless of the foundation formula you choose, getting the right shade is crucial to achieving a flawless look. To ensure you make the right choice, Longo recommends selecting your shade in natural daylight. If you’re buying foundation at a store where you can’t sample the shade before buying, “try taking the foundation close to a window and see if it matches your skin tone,” he says. “In a department store, try placing three swipes of close matches to your jawline or the inner part of your forearm. Then step out of the store into natural light. The shade closest to your skin tone should be your match.”

With these expert tips, you’ll be able to easily select the right foundation for your skin type and tone — and get the flawless, even finish you’re after.