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Beauty

25th Jul 2012

Buying Foundation? You Might Just Want to Read This First

Foundation is probably the most important makeup product you buy so make sure you take the time to find out what type suits your skin. 

Rebecca McKnight

Foundation is exactly that; it is the makeup product around which your look is built and for that reason is very important.

The fact that it can also have a profound effect on the condition of your skin means that you ought to be careful about what type of foundation you decide to use.

To get you started we have drawn up a rough guide of the five most common types of foundation:

  1. Tinted Moisturizer – The first step on the foundation ladder for most women is the tinted moisturizer. This is because it is great for injecting a bit of colour onto your cheeks but doesn’t offer a huge amount of coverage. Tinted moisturizer suits all skin types because it’s not all that heavy and takes to the skin very easily. Although it is probably for those who want a more natural finish to their makeup.
  2. Liquid Foundation – Out of all the types of foundations that are available nowadays the liquid option is the most widely used. There are oil and water-based foundations as well as pink and yellow tints along with all the different shades. As a general rule, oily skin requires an oil-free foundation while dry skin should avoid these. There are also liquid foundations for combination skin.
  3. Powder Foundation – Powder foundation is perfect if you like having a matte finish to your skin. Because it’s a powder it soaks up any excess moisture on the skin and doesn’t contain water. Thus it is the ideal foundation for oily or sensitive skin. Powder foundations are quick and easy to apply. In the long run they will also save you money because you won’t have to buy a separate face powder.
  4. Mousse Foundation – Although they are more expensive, mousse foundations are good for all skin types. Not only do they glide over the skin nicely but they are also relatively light. Mousse foundations, like powder, give you a matte finish which means they are good for oily skin. However they are known to be good for dry skin too.  
  5. Mineral Foundation – Rising in popularity, mineral foundations use very few ingredients or preservatives and are thus gentle on the skin. They are probably best-suited to for sensitive and oily skin types because they will not clog your pores like other heavier foundations. In saying that mineral foundations are known for giving good coverage.

As well as the type of foundation it is also vital that you go for a makeup shade that suits your natural skin tone.

Aside from that, finding the right one essentially comes down to trial and error. But with this guide you might just get there a bit quicker. 

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