Guide to choosing the right foundation for your skin

Unlike lipstick, eye shadow, or blush, you cannot choose foundation based on your own style and preferences. The most suitable foundation will be the perfect match for your skin type, skin problems, and skin color. In the following article, COLORKEY will guide you on how to choose foundation for your skin, follow along!

1. Instructions for choosing the right foundation for your skin type

Each type of foundation has its own ingredients list in addition to color. Therefore, when choosing foundation for each skin type, you need to pay attention to the following points:

1.1. Choose foundation for normal skin

Normal skin is a skin type that does not have any problems, is suitable for most cosmetics and does not require too much attention when caring for it. Therefore, choosing a foundation for normal skin, the most important thing is to match the skin color. In addition, you can use a foundation with a suitable liquid or thick texture based on the weather conditions.

1.2. Choosing foundation for oily skin

For those with oily skin, the best foundation should not contain oil-based ingredients, and should be oil-controlling, waterproof, and sweat-proof. The best product texture is a thin, light liquid cream.

The right foundation will help cover problems like oil, acne or pores, giving you smooth and even skin tone, especially without making your skin more oily or clogging pores.

1.3. Choosing foundation for combination skin

Combination skin with two types of oily combination and dry combination also needs its own priorities:

• For dry combination skin: Choose creams that can increase skin moisture.
• For combination skin: Foundation should have a light texture, not cause oiliness, have the most natural coverage but still help you hide skin imperfections.

1.4. Choosing foundation for sensitive skin

This is the skin that needs to be careful in choosing both care and makeup products. To minimize redness and irritation, you should note:

• Eliminates irritating ingredients such as drying alcohol, fragrances or colorants.
• Prioritize natural extracts that help soothe the skin such as aloe vera, oatmeal, green tea, etc.
• Make friends with foundation that has a texture that is not too thick, absorbs quickly, and does not cause stuffiness or discomfort.

With the above criteria, foundation for sensitive skin may not have optimal coverage but still helps the skin look more natural and fresh.

Test foundation on your neck or arm to make an informed decision.

2. 3-step guide to determining the most suitable foundation

After choosing the right foundation for your skin type, the next thing you need to consider is the foundation tone. To determine whether the foundation really suits your skin tone, we recommend you follow these three steps:

Step 1: Determine skin tone

You can tell your skin tone by looking at the veins on your wrist:

• Green veins: Your skin is warm-toned.
• Blue or purple veins: Your skin is cool-toned.
• If your skin is naturally pink or has yellow undertones, your skin tone is neutral-toned.

For the above skin tones, experts share that the suitable foundation is:

• How to choose foundation for cool skin tones: Foundation is usually pale pink, beige or light brown.
• How to choose foundation for neutral skin: Foundation should have yellow or peach undertones.
• How to choose foundation for warm skin tones: Suitable foundation will have a dark yellow, honey or beige color.

Step 2: Test foundation on skin

The above studies cannot be completely correct because each skin type is different. The best way to choose foundation according to your skin tone is to try it on your own skin.

In good lighting conditions, test the foundation on your neck or arm and observe. Note that do not apply directly to the face because the facial skin is exposed to many external environmental factors and may give inaccurate results. Doing so is also to avoid skin irritation.

Step 3: Observe the changes

Leave the foundation on for about 20 to 25 minutes. If the color of the foundation almost matches your skin tone and you can't see clearly where the foundation was applied, this proves that the product you chose is suitable.

If not, you can still use foundation that is closest to your skin tone because skin tone can still change with weather and humidity.

3. Tips to help you have a perfect foundation

After guiding you on how to choose the right foundation for your skin, we would like to emphasize to you some notes during the process of using foundation:

• Only use foundation when your skin has been well cared for. If you have dry skin, pay attention to the moisturizing step before. On the contrary, if your skin is often oily, seek the help of oil-controlling products after applying foundation.
• The first time you apply foundation, you should start from the chin, cheeks, then the nose and forehead. This action not only keeps the face brighter and slimmer, but also helps you promptly adjust the foundation tone if it does not match your skin tone. For the most natural foundation, use a brush or sponge and blend gently.
• Do not apply too much cream on the nose and forehead areas (T-zone) to avoid the foundation becoming patchy and discolored because this skin area is often oily.
• Use a brush with finer bristles and blend foundation around the eye area to avoid fine lines.
• If you want to skip the primer step to make your skin more airy and comfortable, you can use sunscreen instead.
• Remove makeup thoroughly to avoid dirt and sebum buildup that clogs pores and causes acne.