Last updated on February 17th, 2022 at 09:40 pm
Finding the right foundation shade is hard enough, let alone the right foundation formula, finish and coverage! Knowing your skin type will be the first place to start when picking out the right foundation for you.
It’s important to make sure you’re using the right shade of foundation too. If the color is wrong, it won’t matter as much if the finish looks good! Learn how to find the right shade for you!
Another thing to remember when it comes to foundation, if your skin needs help, your foundation isn’t going to look as good either. Start from the ground up with your skincare routine, and it will improve how your makeup looks too!
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Jump to:
- Formula Types
- Finishes
- Coverage
- How to Apply Foundation
- Foundations by Formula, Finish and Coverage
- Jen’s Favorite Foundations
- Dianne’s Favorite Foundations
Foundation Formula Types
Powder
Powder foundations, if used alone, work well for oily skin types with few fine lines. Most powder foundations will be matte finishes, and light to medium coverage.
Keep a powder foundation compact in your purse for touch ups throughout the day, or use a powder foundation to set a liquid or stick formula for extra coverage.
Stick
Stick foundations are great for travel since they’re compact and not as messy as other formulas.
Formulas are usually neutral or matte finishes, but because it’s easier to place product just where you want it, the coverage can be anywhere between light and full. The formula is thicker than a liquid, so if you want a lighter finish, use less product than you think you need.
Liquid/Cream
Liquid and cream foundations are the most versatile when it comes to finishes and coverage.
Tinted moisturizers, BB and CC creams can all fall into this category too, with all their different variations. Tinted moisturizers will give you a dewy look, with minimal coverage. BB and CC creams will increase in coverage, and some even contain sunscreen.
Liquid foundations will look the most skin-like, regardless of the finish, and will give you even coverages over your entire face.
Cream foundations will give more medium to high coverage and a dewy/radiant to natural finish.
Foundation Finishes
Dewy/Radiant
Dewy and radiant finishes will be hydrating, lightweight, and make your skin look glowing. And at times, super glowing. If you have naturally oily skin, this might not be the look you’re going for.
If you want a more radiant finish, but not an all-out glow, try a satin foundation.
Natural
Natural finishes can work for pretty much any skin type, and are relatively soft, lightweight and breathable. But they can also be built up where you may need a little more coverage.
This formula will look the most skin-like and even out your complexion.
Matte
Matte foundations will give a shine-free finish
Between natural and matte finishes you’ll also find semi-matte. The finish won’t be as flat as a true matte, and gives a little luminosity.
Coverage
Foundation will fall into one of three categories – light, medium and heavy.
Tinted moisturizers will fall into the light coverage category, Use a lighter coverage product if you just want to lightly even out your complexion, and aren’t concerned with covering up blemishes or other imperfections.
Medium coverage foundations will give you the best of both worlds – the option to mix it with a moisturizer for light coverage, or layer up the product for more. These foundations will do a good job of covering up what you want covered, but also not look like you’re wearing a ton of makeup.
Heavy coverage foundations have more of a time and a place if you’re not as much of a makeup aficionado. If they’re not applied properly, your foundation can look heavy, cakey and like you’re wearing a mask. That’s not what we’re going for!
How to Apply Foundation
For everyday use, a thick, heavy foundation isn’t necessary.
Before starting your foundation, make sure you’ve finished your skincare, including sunscreen! Let your skincare sink into your skin for a little bit before applying primer and then starting your foundation!
There’s multiple tools you can use to apply your foundation – my two favorites are a sponge and a brush. You can also use your fingers, but you may still need to use a sponge or brush to make sure there aren’t any streaks and you’ve got an even layer of product.
If you want to use a sponge, make sure you wet it first, that’s how it works best! Fully saturate it in water, and give it a good squeeze before using it.
Depending on how wet your makeup sponge is, it’s going to absorb some of the foundation while you’re applying. But because the sponge is damp it’s going to help blend seamlessly.
Prefer a brush? Look for one with synthetic bristles that won’t absorb your foundation if it’s a liquid, cream or stick formula. Natural bristle brushes are best for powder formulas, because they’ll absorb liquid formulas.
Start with a little bit of product and place a couple dots on the middle of your face, and less product near the outer edges of your face.
Starting in the middle of your face, begin pushing/bouncing the product into your skin. Dragging the foundation or rubbing in circles is going to look streaky and give you uneven coverage.
And blend, blend, blend! It’s ok if it takes a little while, you want your foundation to look as natural as possible!
If there’s any areas you want a little more coverage, add a little bit at a time and continue to blend!
Going with a powder foundation? Use a big fluffy brush for light coverage, or use a puff (that may have come in your compact), for medium to heavy coverage.
Foundations by Formula, Finish and Coverage
Powder
Radiant | Medium
Matte | Light
Matte | Medium
Matte | Full
Natural | Medium
Stick
Matte | Medium
Matte | Full
Natural | Medium
Liquid & Cream
Radiant | Light
Radiant | Medium
Radiant | Full
Matte | Light
Matte | Medium
Matte | Full
Natural | Light
Natural | Medium
Natural | Full
Jen’s Favorite Foundations:
My current favorite is the Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Stick Foundation. The color is a great match for my skin tone, and gives great coverage! I used the liquid version of this foundation, and although it smelled a bit weird, it looked so great!
Other cream foundations in the rotation include the e.l.f Cosmetics CC cream and IT Cosmetics CC Cream.
I’m also a big fan of the L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation. I definitely don’t wear my makeup for 24 hours straight, but it looks gorgeous!
Dianne’s Favorite Foundations:
This is one category where I haven’t changed my “main” foundation in years. I have a lot of redness in my face and I had been searching for a foundation that would last all day without the redness showing through. For me, that’s Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation. I love the coverage and it stays on all day.
On a day-to-day basis, I apply it with a foundation brush (I like the Estée Lauder foundation brush) but for special events when I want a more flawless look, I do use the Beauty Blender and usually use a primer with it as well. (Check out our recent post on primers HERE). It’s amazing what a difference the Beauty Blender makes. I almost always get compliments on my skin when I use the it, especially when I’ve used a primer as well.
I do like to have a lighter foundation look, although I still need a heavier coverage for the redness. I’ve tried lighter foundations but after a couple of hours, the look starts to fade. That said, I found a brand new product that I am in love with – it’s It Cosmetics CC Cream. It goes on smoothly and feels light, yet it has great coverage with SPF 50. I can see this being my “go-to” foundation for the summer. With the great coverage and SPF, it’s a win-win!
