5 Expert Tips On Choosing The Right Foundation Shade And Formula
Selecting the right foundation can be daunting, especially when there are so many versions out there. According to makeup artists, choosing the right foundation starts with knowing your skin type and concerns, preferred finish and coverage level. Some of our top picks include the lightweight, buildable Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, the hydrating Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint and the mattifying Bare Minerals Barepro Powder Foundation.
Choosing the right foundation starts with understanding your skin type and concerns.
This process often involves trial and error, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different options, as you may prefer one formula for everyday and another for special occasions. To help guide you, we consulted with deputy editor Jane Sung as well as industry experts about determining your undertone and correct shade, along with their favorite formulas that provide even, lasting coverage. Here’s our comprehensive guide to shopping foundations, along with some of our top product picks in various categories.
Tip 1: Identify Your Skin Type And Concerns
Understanding your skin type is the first step in finding a product that meets your needs, says Jessica Ross, a makeup artist and vice president of education at It Cosmetics. Whether you’re dealing with redness, acne scarring or dry skin, the right foundation that’s infused with targeted skincare ingredients can help address these concerns. A product that includes SPF is an added bonus, too. “Everyone is exposed to UVA and UVB rays and ultimately needs added protection from it,” says Ross.
Tayaba Jafri, a makeup artist and global beauty director at Laura Mercier, recommends a cream formulation if you have dry or mature skin because it tends to be more hydrating. And powder foundations are great for oil control.
Tip 2: Choose Your Preferred Coverage
The level of coverage you choose largely depends on personal preference. Skin tints and tinted moisturizers tend to give sheer coverage. Medium coverage still allows freckles and beauty marks to peek through and can be layered for extra coverage. Full-coverage foundation works well for anyone wanting to cover up hyperpigmentation, blemishes, redness and more. If you purchase a full-coverage foundation but want lighter coverage at times, blending it with your fingertips (instead of using a foundation brush) can sheer it out for lighter, more natural-looking results.
Tip 3: Decide On Your Ideal Finish
Foundations are typically divided into matte, satin or natural and dewy finishes. Like coverage, the right finish for you is based on personal preference. Ross says matte finishes tend to look more polished and are great when you’re looking for a product to give you long-lasting coverage, which you can also set with powder or a setting spray. People with oily complexions may also prefer matte coverage. If you have dry or mature skin, a satin or dewy foundation may be your preference. Choosing the right finish might involve some trial and error, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different formulas.
Tip 4: Find Your Undertone
Skin tone is your skin’s surface color, and it can change with sun exposure. Your undertone, however, is permanent. “It’s the color your skin tone casts,” says Allen. There are three main undertone types: warm, neutral or cool. Cool undertones have blue, pink and red hues, while warm undertones give off yellow, peach or golden hues. Neutral undertones have a mix of both warm and cool hues. “Getting the undertone right is so important because when you step into natural light wearing the wrong one, your foundation stands out and appears too yellow or red,” says Allen.
Here are a few ways you can determine what your undertone is:
- Use white paper: Allen suggests holding a white piece of paper next to your face in natural light. If your skin appears pink in comparison, you’re cool-toned. If your skin looks more yellow, she says your undertone is warm.
- See how your skin reacts to the sun: Elyse Reneau, makeup artist and executive director of global beauty at Too Faced, says the sun is a good indicator of your undertone. “If you are someone who goes in the sun and instantly burns, you have a cool undertone,” she says. “If you tan easily, you have a warm undertone. And if you burn easily, but it turns to tan, you’re likely neutral.”
- Check the color of your veins: When in doubt, study the veins around your face. “If your veins appear blue, your undertone is cool,” says Allen. Veins that look green indicate a warm undertone. And if you can’t figure out if what you’re looking at is blue or green, chances are you have a neutral undertone.
Tip 5: Determine Your Shade
When it comes to finding the right shade for you, don’t just focus on your face. Look at your neck, chest, shoulders and face holistically, says Jafri. This is a key tip because your face is generally lighter or darker than the rest of your body. To find your match, select three shades that are closest to your skin tone and test them right along where your jawline meets your neck. “The one that disappears the most is the best shade for you,” she says.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written dozens of beauty and grooming stories. These include topics like the best foundations for mature skin, best foundations for combination skin and more.
- The author of this piece, Tina Chadha, is a regular beauty writer with over a decade of experience covering beauty, fashion and design.
- This story was assigned and produced by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads the beauty and grooming category and has 15-plus years of lifestyle editorial experience.
- Chadha also gathered key insight and guidance from several industry experts: Brandy Allen, a celebrity makeup artist; Jessica Ross, makeup artist and vice president of education at It Cosmetics; Tayaba Jafri, makeup artist and global beauty director at Laura Mercier; and Elyse Reneau, makeup artist and executive director of global beauty at Too Faced.