💘hi everyone, hope you’re all well! alright, this is a masterpost i’ve been meaning to write for a long time now tbh, so i’m super excited i finally have the time to type it all out for u because 95% of my inbox is just questions relating to foundation. hopefully, this post can help me avoid being repetitive with my answers and it can aid anyone who has been confused by this product. 💘
disclaimer: i am not a professional makeup artist, i’m a 20 yr old who has been glued to youtube makeup tutorials, cosmetic books, and my local target makeup aisle since age 12 so everything ik is v self-taught….that being said, i won’t be able to help you solve every single problem you might be having + i’m still learning! makeup is highly individual and a huge part of the learning process is by actually getting into it, but hopefully i can share some tips that will make that process go smoother and faster for you. pls forgive the rly long post, im deathly afraid of accidentally deleting read mores i apologize.
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Common Questions/Concerns
A. a makeup product that ideally matches your skin tone as closely as possible and is applied to the entire face (and sometimes neck/body) with the purpose of imitating one’s natural skin. people can use it for a variety of reasons, but most commonly it’s used to even out your skintone and cover up things like acne, redness, hyperpigmentation, ect. it’s sometimes referred to as a “base” and acts as the “foundation” for the rest of your makeup.
A. first of all, i can’t tell someone what makeup to wear and what to skip. a lot of ppl ask me if it’s essential for a “good” makeup routine tho and honestly ofc not, everyone’s preferences are different and if you’re not interested in it then by all means ignore it. makeup is individual and should express what u wanna do with ur face not what anyone else thinks
Q. What formulas does it come in?
A. you can buy foundation in loose/pressed powder, cream/mousse, liquid, spray, stick, and serum (eyeroll bc thts just snobby liquid) formats.
Q. How much does it cost? Are high end foundations better?
A. price point really varies too. i have a $6 and a $40 foundation sitting right next to each other in my vanity rn, like you can usually find something for every budget. there is a huge misconception that a $40 product is gonna be a dream just bc you payed more for it and that’s just not true, price does not equal quality or performance for any cosmetic product.
A. every foundation has a different amount of coverage or opacity. some are very light and will only slightly even out your skin tone while leaving redness/discoloration/ect to show through a bit. lighter formulas typically look more natural and feel lighter on the skin. on the other side of the spectrum, you can have a super full coverage formula that will entirely change the way your skin looks; it’ll cover redness, hyperpigmentation, and give you that airbrushed finish. these formulas usually feel heavier on the skin and don’t look as natural. there’s no better formula, coverage preference totally depends on you.
Q. What’s a foundation “finish”?
A. a product’s finish is the way the foundation sets on your face. some settle to a matte finish, some have a dewy/glowing look, and others are in between and are supposed to be a “natural” finish. again, it’s totally preference ruled, but finishes affect how long the foundation lasts on your skin type, so it’s something worth paying attention to if you’re looking for longevity.
A. from my experience, i can feel every single type of foundation including powder formulas. idk ik some ppl out there are like “omg it feels like nothing is on ur face” and im like wow every nerve on ur face must be totally shot bc u can def feel the difference between a clean bare face and one with liquid foundation on it but anyways. it doesn’t feel gross or uncomfortable to me, but i won’t lie sometimes the best part of ur day is coming home and washing it all off. this is really individual tho, you may hate how a full coverage foundation feels or you may be fine. the way it feels on depends on a lot on you, the formula, and how long you wear it. i would say don’t go straight to full coverage if you’re new to makeup bc you’ll probably be rly uncomfortable, you gotta “break your face in” and get used to the heavy products.
A. your undertone is the underlying color(s) beneath your skin’s surface. while your skin tone can change, your undertone will always be the same. some resources say there’s more complex divisions, but the ones you hear about in the cosmetic industry are typically arranged into 3 groups; cool, neutral, and warm tones. some brands will label their undertones, while others do not; however, as you get more familiar with your skin and the makeup you use you’ll be able to tell the difference when you swatch them. finding your undertone is just as critical bc your foundation can look dull, ashy, or clearly mismatch your skin when you have the wrong tone. it usually won’t be as obvious if you are using the wrong undertone compared to an off skin tone shade (so you can work with off colors), but it’s still something you wanna pay attention to so you can achieve the best match.
Q. Why does skin type matter?
A. just like everyone has a different skin tone, we also all have different skin types and skin issues. foundations cater to these different skin concerns and types, so it’s important to understand what formulas work with your face for the best end result. skin types are separated into 4 divisions: dry, oily, combo of dry and oily, and “normal” which is a weird way to refer to a skin type imo bc what exactly is “normal” but that means u don’t rly have dry/oily skin, you’re just in-between with agreeable skin lol. just like undertone, companies don’t always label what skin type a foundation is best suited for so it’s important to research before you buy.
Q. I’m struggling to find the right shade…
A. finding the perfect shade is probably one of the hardest parts of foundation selection and some ppl never find a color that totally matches them. mixing colors can help achieve closer matches tho. although there’s been a lot of improvement happening in the cosmetic industry, especially in the past 10 years, i think it’s inappropriate to act like there’s still not a big problem when a line only carries pale and paler shades like its nothing. yellow undertones can also be more difficult to find bc a lot of popular brands were/are based around a cool toned white model. i don’t want to discourage ppl from looking into foundation tho bc there are so many amazing makeup brands that specifically cater to deeper skin tones and warm undertones. check out my tags page for more resources. this is just something to be aware of if you’re new to the makeup world and you shouldn’t necessarily feel like its your lack of knowledge/skill if you’re having trouble finding a good match.
Q. What should a “good” foundation do?
A. again this is sooo individual. i know some ppl who buy very full coverage foundations that do not last on their skin specifically for a photoshoot and then after 30 min they take the product off. i know others who wear their foundation to the gym so they want to be able to wear it for 2 hours during an intense cardio workout without it moving. everyone’s routine and preferences are different, so make a little list of what you’re looking for before you begin researching products. for example, i look for a high coverage product that covers up redness and works well for my dry skin.
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so like i said earlier, undertones are usually arranged into 3 sections: cool, warm, and neutral. i love how a chart from this article + described the divisions:
•Warm = Veins appear green or olive in natural light. Gold jewelry and earth tones work best. Skin has a slight yellow or peach appearance.
•Neutral = Veins appear blue-green in natural light. Both silver and gold jewelry work. Skin doesn’t appear either pink/blue or yellow/gold/peach.
•Cool = Veins appear blue/purple in natural light. Silver jewelry and jewel tones work best. Skin has a slight pink, red, or blue appearance.
Looking at the veins in your inner wrist can be the easiest way to find your undertone or asking for a friend/family member to give you their opinion on your undertone if you’re feeling unsure really helps.
it’s also important to remember that undertone does not equal skin tone, there can be very dark skin tones with cool undertones and very pale skin tones with warm undertones.
Here’s some visual examples
Manipulating Undertones/Shades
-i understand that sometimes you’re gonna get stuck with a foundation that has the wrong undertone/is too light or dark/ect. and altho i don’t think this a great long-term answer, you can tweak that! there are products on the market that are called pigment correctors and basically you just add them to your current foundation to help adjust the difference. this is usually only appropriate for liquid formulas tho
•mufe has a water base and an oil base • temptu has an aqua adjuster that is meant for airbrush makeup, but could be used in liquid formulas too • natural born cosmetics liquid correctors • manic panic white foundation
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after determining your undertone, you now want to figure out what your skin type is! this will help you find a product that applies smooth, looks natural, and lasts throughout your day. there are 4 basic groups: dry, oily, combo, and normal. * = types that can go along with the 4 basic groups.
Dry = face has little natural oils on the face. there are dry or flaky patches. skin can feel tight, especially after washing the face before moisturizer is applied.
Oily = shiny appearance. skin feels hydrated, but greasy. enlarged/clogged pores are common in this type. breakouts/acne are common as well.
Combo = tends to have an oilier t-zone, but dry around the edges of the face. a varied mix between dry, oily, and normal patches.
Normal = skin is hydrated and plump, but not excessively oily. skin looks vibrant and healthy.
*Sensitive = easily irritated skin. prone to rashes/stinging or bad reactions from new products.
*Acne Prone = while this type usually accompanies oily skin, any skin type can have it. acne has different severity levels and treatments can vary depending on the kind you’re affected with so do your research! + it could be a makeup/skin care product fueling your breakout, it could be genetic, it could be hormonal, or it could ve diet related. there’s a ton of reasons ppl get acne and the issue is so diverse that it makes it difficult to give a one size fits all solution. if you’re able to see one, a dermatologist can really help you narrow down what exactly causes your specific breakouts.
*Aging = fine lines and wrinkles. has a tendency to be drier so richer hydration becomes more important.
*Eczema/Psoriasis = inflammation. severe dry patches. flareups of dry, irritated rashes. imo one of the most complex skin issues to work with when you’re talking about makeup
finding a good skin care regime that works for you can take a while, you’ll try products that don’t work for you and you’ll find ones that will become a ride or die, but it’s a process that takes time. skin types are so diverse which means skin care is too, but here’s some tips that everyone should follow:
-wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.
-completely remove your makeup every night. sleeping in it is asking for breakouts, clogged pores, and dirty pillowcases.
-moisturize your face after you wash it…always…no matter what…luv urself
-exfoliate regularly. how often you do it depends on your skin sensitivity. a wet washcloth is the cheapest method and it works great.
-drink water and eat right *crowd groans*
it’s almost 2016, primer is your friend! i think ppl still see primer as like an extra moisturizer or smth, but it can also do so much more! when primers first came out a few years ago, they were basic and unexciting but now there are so many out there that are targeted towards different skin issues. using one as a base before your foundation base can resolve so many problems.
Mattifying/Shine Control Primers = applied in oily areas to act as a barrier between your natural oils and foundation so your base isn’t broken down as quickly. great for oily skin types and especially summer/humid area routines.
Smoothing/Pore Filling Primers = typically silicone type primers that fill in fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores. they smooth over texture and help create a slick base so your foundation doesn’t catch/cake. great for scarring, dry skin, large pores.
Color Correcting Primers = slightly tinted primers that help correct skin discoloration so you don’t have to use as much foundation/concealer. for instance, green primers help even out rosacea.
Hydrating/Nourishing Primers = these are probably the closest you could get to an extra moisturizer because these help plump up the skin and prepare a smooth base. some have skin care benefits too. great for dry or tired skin.
Illuminating Primers = has a sheen or shimmer tint which helps give the skin a healthy glow. nice for sallow, tired skin. oily skin types might wanna avoid this and do their highlighting in specific targeted areas to avoid looking greasy.
Priming Waters/Sprays = some ppl prefer to use a spray all over their face as a primer. great for hydration and dewyness.
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How to Match Your Foundation Shade
so once you’ve found your undertone, it’s time to look for your skin tone shade. when you’re first starting out this can be rly intimidating tbh, so here’s some techniques that i hope will give you a little more confidence while you’re standing in a sephora or your local walgreens makeup aisle.
there are two popular ways to match a shade to your body that i wanna talk about bc i think they’re the most realistic methods. the first is swiping the 3 closest shades to your skin tone down your cheek and jawline (the goal is to swipe low enough see that it matches your neck), this is great to do when you’re in a high end store because you can take advantage of the tester bottles. your perfect match should blend right into your skin.
the other method is to hold the foundation bottle up to your inner wrist and see how the colors compare, this is def not a great way to determine a match bc our wrists aren’t usually the same color as our face and packaging can hide/distort the shade’s true tone so it’s just not very accurate. despite all this, it’s frowned upon to crack open a bottle of covergirl and swipe some on your cheek while you’re in the middle of CVS, so the wrist method is preferable for drugstore shoppers. you could bring along a friend too to hold up bottles to your face and give a second opinion lol. drugstore shopping is more of a gamble, but trust your eye! if something looks a little too light or dark to you, it probably is. you know yourself better than you think so don’t second guess so much.
when in doubt, go for the lighter shade! it’s far easier to make a too light foundation shade match by using a face powder, blush, bronzer, ect. if your color is too dark, it’s gonna be obvious. if you’re 4 shades too light, you gotta try a different brand tho
shopping for a foundation shade in a sephora/ulta/department store has a lot of perks; mainly, you can swatch the shade in-store, ask for a sample so you can apply it in natural lighting + see how it wears, and test out the product before purchasing. there’s also sales ppl who can help you select a color (that’s the claim, i’m not saying it’s a foolproof method so pls do ask for help if you have the option to, but don’t depend on that for everything). also, many times brands that are carried in these stores have a wider range of shades so there’s a higher chance you’ll find a match. the obvious con is that these stores aren’t as common as a drugstore and the prices are higher. i would advise a newbie to take advantage if you live near a fancy makeup store, go in and get matched then take that sample shade home and use that color to help you find a drugstore match. unless you’re experienced in buying foundation, i would never buy a high end foundation without sampling it first! don’t waste your money! don’t forget that if you buy an off foundation color, you can return it to sephora/ulta/mac/most other department stores! they don’t like to advertise their return policies, but as long as you didn’t use the entire bottle you should be able to return within 30 days or so.
foundation shopping in the drugstore is definitely a bit annoying at first. you can’t swatch them (at least if you’re polite you can’t, ik there’s a few of u who sneak open them ur nasty, rude to ppl who need tht last remaining shade u stuck ur finger into, and probably responsible for yearly flu outbreaks), you usually can’t return open products, and the shade selections are much smaller…..but the prices are unbeatable and there’s a walgreens everywhere. it’s a myth that drugstore foundation is worse quality or will automatically break you out, that can happen with any foundation no matter how much you spend on it and there’s a lot of old pretentious cosmetic wives tales floating around out there trying to make u feel bad for not having money or smth but i’m not with it! my all time fave foundation is a $6 wet’n’wild one, if it works it works. mixing drugstore shades bc of the lack of selection is rly common so if you buy a shade that doesn’t work for you, check back before you give up and see if you can get another one from the line which will help adjust the color.
the lovely phenomenon of a foundation looking like it’s the right color when you apply it and then becoming darker after it sets is called oxidation. it often tends to happen with oily skin types, but it can be a rly annoying problem bc it can be caused by many different factors. not every foundation will do this for you, so you might have a trial and error process ahead of you if you’re dealing with the problem.
here’s some resources that explain this problem in more detail +/+/+
•make sure you’re not using old expired makeup
•try going a lighter shade or two
these are a lot of the brands i rec to ppl for foundation and i catagorized them by what i thought the brand catered to best. here’s a more complete list
Pale - Medium: hard candy • rimmel • wet’n’wild • stila • tarte • mufe • bourjois
Mixture: elf • bhcosmetics • lagirl • becca • coverfx • illamasqua • laura mercier • mufe • marc jacobs beauty • nars • sephora collection • shiseido • too faced
Medium - Dark: black opal • black radiance • iman • sleek • blackup • shanycosmetics • sheeqcosmetics • vera moore
Yellow Undertones: lorac • ex1 cosmetics • cargo cosmetics • vincent longo • vasanti • sacha cosmetics •
Sensitive Skin: 100% pure • physicians formula • bare minerals • blac minerals • pur minerals
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Hands = some ppl love it, some ppl hate it. great for dry skin or minimalist cheapos bc u don’t have to pay for a fancy tool omg and the heat from your body warms up the product which helps blend. best for liquids/creams.
Sponges = using a damp sponge to apply foundation became even more popular a few years ago when the beauty blender came out and changed everything. it’s a good method for someone with sensitive/dry skin or someone who wants a sheer natural finish. best for liquids/creams.
Airbrush = an airbrush machine is the only hands free method used to apply foundation. the product is sprayed onto the face so it’s especially nice for someone looking for a super flawless finish, someone with sensitive skin, or dry skin. works with special liquid airbrush makeup.
Flat Brushes = these brushes are great for initially applying foundation onto your face and spreading product, but less effective for blending. best for liquids/creams.
Flat Top/Blending Brushes = dense tightly packed brushes that provide fuller coverage and are perfect for blending foundation out. extremely dry folks might wanna opt for a different method as it can irritate dry patches and give a flaky finish, but i’ve found that if you’re exfoliating regularly + priming this becomes easier to manage. works with liquids/creams/powders.
Stippling Brushes = a somewhat looser flat top design that gives a really HD finish to your liquids/creams/powders. lighter coverage than a classic blending brush. best for liquids/creams
Angled Blending Brushes = these are great for blending product out in hard to reach/awkward places, the angles allow the brush to contour to your face better.
Fluffy Brushes = larger fluffy brushes give a more diffused natural finish. they are most popular for powder foundation/applying setting powders.
there are plenty of other shapes and brush designs, but the main rule of thumb is that the more dense a brush is, the more coverage and precision it will provide.
Brands: elf • real techniques • morphe • sigma • ecotools • bhcosmetics • japonesque • everyday minerals • itcosmetics • sephora collection •
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Skin Issues + Tips and Tricks
Pimples/Acne/Scarring = do not apply makeup on open sores. prime “crusty” spots with a silicone primer to smooth. pore filling primers also help fill in pitted scarring. color correct with green to diminish redness. color correct with peach-orange to correct dark blue spots. use a high coverage concealer and a small precision brush to go over each individual spot before foundation. damp sponges help avoid caking foundation and brushing away your earlier spot coverage. your fingers + body heat help blend in spot work.
Hyperpigmentation/Melasma = color correction is your new friend. use peach/orange/red tones to correct blue/purple/dark spots. your color corrector should get more pigmented the darker your skin tone is so it’ll show up for you. be careful when applying your foundation not to brush away the color correcting you just did.
Rosacea = green color correcting primers for all over redness. correcting concealers or creams for spot treatments.
Large Pores = use a pore filling primer before any other makeup. press the primer into your pores instead of rubbing in circular motions. use a dense blending brush to brush the foundation in circular motions to sweep the foundation over the pores and hide texture
Eczema/Psoriasis = look into using small amounts of facial oils along with smoothing primers. use a damp sponge to apply foundation to avoid irritating dry patches.
Beauty Marks/Freckles/Skin Tags = use your fingers around skin tags to avoid cakey patches. color correcting + high coverage concealer can cover freckles or beauty marks.
Beard Shadow = color correct with a peach corrector to correct blue tones. use a damp sponge to apply first layer of foundation. go over with a 2nd layer if needed. use high coverage concealer over sheer spots. set with a good powder. setting spray at the end.
Peach Fuzz = use an eyebrow razor to shave facial peach fuzz in a downward motion. some ppl prefer threading. removing peach fuzz gets rid of foundation clinging to small hairs and making them more obvious.
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setting your foundation is a step that can vary depending on your skin type and preference. while it’s pretty much required for oily skin types, some dry skin ppl can go without a powder all day. also, some prefer a more natural dewy finish while others like the matte look a powder gives.
Face Powder = comes in skin tone shades that correspond to your foundation shade. they are good for setting your foundation, correcting off colors, and can even provide minimal coverage used on their own like a powder foundation.
Translucent Powder = these are “clear” or colorless powders that are known to be lighter than their face powder cousins. they’re great for setting the eye area or anywhere where it could easily get cakey.
Setting Spray = a finishing spray is used as a last step to set your makeup in place. it’s v similar to a hairspray but for your face. these can be used alone or after powder to get rid of matte finishes and add some extra longevity to your makeup.
Blotting Papers = a necessity for oily skin! touchups and blotting away excess oil through the day helps keep your makeup looking and feeling fresh
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Youtube Muas = check out my muas tag for tons of recs on great artists to watch
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