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Foundation for Different Skin Types

Foundation isn't for everyone because some women are lucky enough to have flawless skin. Foundation is also something that many women only use on special occasions because it feels like a chore to put what seems like pounds of product on your face every day. But this certainly isn't to say that foundation doesn't have its place in the makeup world. Foundations are made to act as a foundation to build-up your makeup, and if you're someone who feels insecure about redness, uneven skin tone, acne scars or dull skin tone, you may find that makeup foundation gives you a little less to worry about.

To liven up your skin's color, you can use foundation to brighten your face and create a radiant glow. You can also add a small amount of luminizer to foundation before applying it to your face. The luminizer will create a subtle glow all over your skin, and can also present the illusion of you being more awake!

With the threat of skin cancer, it's no wonder why cosmetic companies are putting SPF in nearly every product, including makeup foundation. If your daily moisturizer doesn't provide any sun protection, then rely on your foundation to take care of you while under the sun. But also note that it has been a misconception for many years that putting makeup on instantly guards your skin against the sun's harmful rays. Even still, if your makeup contains no SPF, you're just as vulnerable with it on as you are with it off.

Foundation Formula Types

Foundation Formulas

Skin types vary from person to person, and finding the right formula can be tricky – especially if your skin changes with the seasons!

  • Dry skin requires more moisture than oily or normal skin, so reach for a cream, liquid or mousse formula of makeup foundation.
  • If you have oily skin, you should choose a mineral powder foundation or liquid foundation in combination with a setting powder over top;
  • normal skin types can use nearly any formula of foundation.

Companies are making it even easier for us to find the perfect foundation for our skin type by printing directly on the bottles which skin type the foundation is intended for.

Use Foundation as Concealer

Not all foundations are able to cover acne scars completely, but most can camouflage them with the help of concealer or tinted foundation makeup primer.

If you're fresh out of concealer here is what you do:

  1. Apply your foundation per usual using your preferred method.
  2. Then use a small amount of your foundation as if it were a concealer, and dot it onto the areas you wish to conceal.
  3. Wait a few seconds to let the foundation dry a little before blending it out. And be gentle so as to not wipe away the foundation you've already applied.
  4. Finish the application by using a pressed or loose powder on any areas you've concealed, and again, be gentle with the powder because you don't want to move the foundation off of the areas you're trying to cover up. Use a big fluffy brush or a makeup pad to gently press the powder onto the concealed areas.
  5. Then continue adding the powder to the rest of your face to help foundation last longer.

Hide your Age

Keep your youthful appearance by using foundation makeup! It's no secret that we sometimes age a little faster than we want, and with age spots or pesky pores, you can seem older than you are. Foundation can mask the age spots, leaving you with an even color, and it can also minimize pores as well.

Better yet, cosmetic companies are identifying women's needs by offering foundations and concealers with extra moisturizers, and anti-aging ingredients built right into the products. Revlon Age Defying Foundation and Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Foundation (and concealer) are a couple of these products.

When to Apply

For the most rewarding foundation application, apply your makeup after you've cleansed, exfoliated, toned, moisturized and primed your face. All of these steps are important so that you're not applying makeup foundation onto dirt, debris, oils, dead skin or bacteria; these unpleasantries cause skin irritations like clogged pores that lead to pimples.

Not using proper skincare can also leave you with blotchy foundation, and can even make you look worse than when you started! It's also important not to use foundation to make yourself appear tan because you'll look unnatural.

Liquid Type

This product is easy to apply, and nearly every cosmetic company offers a unique formula that's popular with almost all skin types. Furthermore, liquid foundation gives your skin fairly good coverage so performance isn't an issue.

There are oil free liquid foundations available, making it a great formula for all skin types!

Sheer Liquid Type

This offers more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, but if you have a lot of areas that need to be covered, then you'll require more concealer. The reason why is because sheer liquid foundation doesn't quite cover imperfections as well as you'd like.

Cream Type

Cream foundations are usually only used for special occasions because the consistency is thicker than that of liquid foundations. Cream foundation gives your skin significantly more coverage, but with its heavy and oily formula, it is best to limit this product's wear.

Those with very dry skin may be able to wear cream foundations more, but exercise caution when doing so.

Cream-to-Powder Compact Foundation

If you're busy and on-the-go, a cream-to-powder foundation compact may be what you're looking for. You'll get medium coverage with cream-to-powder compact foundation, which is decent; however, oily skin should steer clear of this formulation because it could be too greasy for your already slick skin! If you have dry skin, using a cream-to-powder foundation could leave your skin looking dry.

Oil Free Foundation

Oily skin is compatible with oil free foundations, and this product covers blemishes well. You won't have to worry about clogging pores with oil free foundations as much as a foundation that does contain oil. Just be sure to blend your foundation out well and down your neck slightly to avoid looking like you have a mask on!

Looking at things from a broad perspective, finding the right foundation for your specific skins is sometimes a trial-and-error process. But when you do find the perfect foundation, it can do wonders for your look.

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