Foundation is the mother-ship of your makeup. When it’s wrong—you’re wrong. And not even the most dazzling smokey eye, skillfully applied winged eye-liner or perfect statement pout can turn that ship around.
So, for this most crucial part of your makeup, how can you choose the right foundation?
Time and Preparation
Firstly, this is an exercise that needs time. Fronting up to a counter on your lunch-break wearing a face full of makeup to purchase a new foundie in 5 minutes, is perilous. That laissez faire attitude is sure to get you the dreaded Mismatched Face to Body. Set aside some time to shop for the best foundation for you.
Try Before You Buy
You must try it on your FACE. It may be tempting to drop into Priceline and have a little swatch-party on the back of your hand. However, the skin in this area is very different from your face. Straight on the dial is the best way. To really nail it, the foundie in question must be applied to a clean face. Most makeup houses also have skincare, so the counter person should be more than happy to clean off your makeup. I’m also a big advocate of applying foundie to at least half of your visage. Doing a little token stroke on the cheek or neck is not going to cut it.
Lighting
So, you’re in David Jones with half your face made up, but how’s that department store lighting?
I used to work the counters in my time, and from experience, it’s an uphill battle to get your colour right in that lighting. I used to drag my customer to the middle of Pitt St. mall, mirror in hand to really get the dealio. Natural light is your friend. It tells no lies. If in doubt, get a sample to take home. Then you can test drive it and really see how it wears.
Match the foundation…Where?
The assumption is to match the foundation to your face (it makes sense) but to really avoid Mismatched Face to Body, try using your décolletage as a guide. By correctly colour-matching to this area, you will be complete and not just a made up head on a body. (I’m sure you are a whole fabulous person, but you know what I’m saying.)
Ask the right questions
Have a good hard look at yourself and ask the question: Do I look better with this foundation? Or do I look like I could be performing on stage in Les Miserables? Have I aged? The purpose of foundation is to even out your skin-tone, cover flaws, and improve your skin texture. So if it’s not 1. the right colour 2. the right texture and 3. making you look better—move right on.
Now, if your skin is in bad nick (dehydrated and unloved), buying a foundation to turn you into a 25-year-old coquette is quite the ask. Good, daily skincare is the first step in ensuring the foundation you choose will enhance your skin.
Tip: Dry and mature visages—avoid powder-based or matte foundations. Choose creamy liquid formulas that add lustre to the skin. Oily faces—avoid dewy bases (your natural oils will do that for you) and opt for more matte, long-wear textures.
Play the Field
Remember: the quest for the perfect foundation is an undertaking that really continues for most of your adult life. When I hear: ‘But I’ve been wearing Estee Lauder Double Wear for years’ I think—it’s HIGH time to move on.
You haven’t brought property with this foundation. You are not bound in a monogamous relationship— live a little and try something new.
You may think that you’ve found the one, but I assure you, there is always something better around the corner (yes, we are still talking about foundation).
Mwah. x