Want to find the perfect foundation? Determine your skin tone, get to know your skin type and find the right make-up.
With the range of foundations on the market, it's not easy to find the right make-up. What coverage do I want, what finish and what is my skin tone anyway? Learn all about it here.
Understand your skin type
First things first: Do you actually know what skin type you have? The selection of the perfect foundation is based on that. Here, you can determine your skin type.
Dry skin
Characteristics:
- Appears brittle and flaky
- Prone to burning or itching quickly
- Tends to redness
- Low elasticity
Ideal foundation:
- Moisturizing
- SPF 10-30
- High-quality oil as an ingredient
- Cream, liquid, stick, or mousse product
Products for dry skin
Oily skin
Characteristics:
- Oily film on the skin
- Enlarged pores
- Prone to blemishes
Ideal foundation:
- Mattifying
- Oil-free
- Soothing and refreshing ingredients
- Powder products and oil-free consistencies
Products for oily skin
Normal skin
Characteristics:
- Appears delicate and fine-pored
- Rosy complexion
- Well-circulated and elastic
Ideal foundation:
- Protective
- Moisturizing
- All formulations are suitable
Products for normal skin
Mature skin
Characteristics:
- Low elasticity
- Lines, wrinkles, or pigmentation spots present
- Tends to be dry
Ideal foundation
- Moisturizing
- High sun protection factor
- Balancing shades against pigmentation spots
- Cream, liquid, stick, or mousse products
Products for mature skin
Determine skin tone
Another important basis for perfect foundation is the skin tone. Your skin either has a golden or rosy undertone – the wrong shade can look applied and unnatural. Here's how to determine your skin undertone:
Makeup with a golden undertone
If you have golden-brown, dark brown, or black hair and your eyes are brown or green, then you most likely have a golden undertone. Your skin has a slightly yellowish sheen and tends to tan relatively quickly? The veins on your wrist appear more greenish?
Then you should opt for a foundation with a golden undertone, often labeled as "amber," "honey," "sand," "ivory," "desert," or "golden."
Foundations with a rosy undertone
Light to medium brown or blonde and reddish hair, along with gray or blue eyes and a pale complexion, indicate a rosy undertone. If your wrist veins also shimmer bluish-violet, you definitely need a cool undertone in the foundation.
Rosy-toned foundations are named, for example, "cool," "beige," "rose," "bisque," or "neutral."
Estée Lauder Double Wear for every skin tone
Finding a brand or product line with various shades isn't always easy. However, Estée Lauder Double Wear shades make this possible:
The numerology of foundation shades
It's important to interpret the numbers of different foundations correctly:
In general, the lower the number, the lighter the foundation. For instance, fair skin types typically need a number from 1-2, medium ones need 3-5, and darker skin types require a foundation labeled 5 or higher.
Note: Depending on the brand, the numbers may vary. Yet, the principle of the higher the number, the darker the foundation applies to most brands.
Two foundations for seasonal nuance
Now that you know which makeup color suits your skin, remember that our skin tone changes constantly with the seasons and sunlight. We recommend purchasing your favorite foundation in two different shades. This way, you can mix the colors individually.
What coverage do you want?
Depending on your skin's needs and the desired end result, there are different coverage levels in foundation.
Foundation with full coverage
Completely covers the skin. Particularly suitable for evening or stage makeup, tattoos, pigmentation spots, or very blemished skin.
Foundation with medium coverage
Covers blemishes but allows the skin tone to show through. Ideal for everyday work.
Foundation with light coverage
Covers light blemishes and gives a fresh complexion. Ideal for leisure time, clear skin, and a quick makeup look.
The perfect preparation for a flawless finish
A beautiful foundation can only work perfectly on flawless skin. So, a good base is essential.
Start with a moisturizing face cream suitable for your skin type. Then refine the complexion with an appropriate primer.
Use the right tools
Conclusion: How to find the right foundation
- Understand your skin type; the selection of the foundation is based on that.
- Determine your skin tone and ideally mix two shades.
- Depending on your desired finish, whether a nude look, normal finish, or strong coverage, use a different product.
- The appropriate primer makes the foundation even more flawless.
- The right tools, such as the makeup sponge, provide a perfect finish.
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