How to choose a foundation to suit your complexion

“Tell me, my little mirror, and tell me the whole truth, am I the sweetest, the most ruddy and whitest in the world?” - how many real modern beauties would hear an affirmative answer?

Immediately after waking up, without water procedures, a cup of invigorating coffee and applying makeup, only movie heroines glow with charm. In order for an ordinary young lady to get closer to her cherished ideal, she must at least “paint her own face.”

The key to neat makeup is uniform skin colorcreated by foundation.

How to determine facial skin tone (color type)

The cosmetics industry of the last decade has given women a lot of all kinds of products to even out their complexion. These innovative products perform many functions and meet the needs of even the most demanding girl.

However, the abundance of assortment does not help to solve the main problem: how to choose a foundation that matches your skin color.

To solve this problem, it is necessary to understand the color type, i.e. facial skin tone.

Professional makeup artists have identified three main skin types:

Pure types are defined by the following characteristics:

1. Cold - the color of the veins on the wrist is bluish or purple; skin color in natural light with a bluish tint. The preferred metal for jewelry is silver;
2. Warm — the color of the veins on the wrist is olive or khaki; skin color in natural light with a yellowish tint. The preferred metal for jewelry is gold;
3. Neutral - the color of the veins on the wrist is blue-green; skin color in natural light with a green tint in the sun. The preferred metal for jewelry is any.

In addition to the obvious types, there are mixed variants.

When choosing a foundation, the color type is not the only point you should rely on.

One of the secrets of choosing the right cream to even out the color of the skin is a clear definition of another nuance.

Depending on the reaction to the sun, the epidermis is divided into red and yellow.

If the tan goes on easily and evenly, then the woman has a yellow skin class. The red class is characterized by a sharp reaction to ultraviolet radiation, expressed by redness and a copper tint of tan.

How to choose a foundation to match your skin color: basic rules

The selection of foundation should be given special attention. Evening out the complexion and masking defects is the most important and responsible stage of makeup. If the tone is chosen correctly and the cream is applied skillfully, then minimal manipulations with the eyes and lips are most often sufficient to create a beautiful image.

Otherwise, the girl faces the problem of “aging makeup”, when the face looks much older than its real age, or with a “mask effect”, when the foundation creates a lifeless, alien cover on the face.

To find out how to choose a foundation that matches your color, you should first determine your color type and skin type in general. And based on this, listen to the advice of makeup artists.

Key recommendations on how to choose the right foundation for any skin color:

1. With skin belonging to the red type, cream options such as pink beige, apricot or copper are in harmony - those that have scarlet notes at the base.
2. For owners of the yellow type, experts insist that they choose from foundation creams in shades such as light beige, gold, walnut, and sand.
3. When going to the store for foundation, it is optimal to choose a clear sunny day so that you can evaluate the product in natural sunlight.
4. Experts recommend that, even if the room is very light, before purchasing, go outside and check the shade of the product again.
5. Foundation must be applied to well-cleansed skin, so you should not select a toner without washing your face.
6. Cosmetologists advise on the eve of a responsible choice to carry out a home exfoliation procedure, remove dead cells, apply a moisturizer, then the skin will be maximally prepared for the selection of foundation.
7. Testing cream on the wrist is the most common mistake. The color of the skin on the face and hand is significantly different. The shade of the wrist serves only as a hint in determining the color type.
8. The test product in the store should be applied to the cheek, this is the only way to assess its suitability.
9. Professional makeup artists practice using several colors of foundation in one makeup, for example, the main tone and a lighter shade in the eye area, and a darker product on the nose and along the contour of the face.

Note! To select a foundation that matches the color of problem skin, in case of significant defects on the face (acne, pimples, scars or red streaks), testing the product in the area behind the ear is possible - there the skin most closely matches the complexion.

How to do this is the second point; it is better to resort to the help of a trusted friend.

There are no fashion trends or popular shades when choosing a foundation. This the product is selected strictly based on external data, for each specific skin type.

Color palette for fair skin

Fair skin is often called porcelain for its noble pale shade, similar to the cheeks of sophisticated dolls.

A tip to help you choose a foundation that matches your skin color is to study the names of the shades. The most suitable products are labeled “light” and “transparent”.

Pale skin is characterized by some soreness and dullness, therefore Makeup artists recommend foundations with a subtle peach tint, then your facial skin will be fresher and healthier.

The main secret of how to choose the right foundation that suits a specific shade is to test three similar tones on your face and determine the one that matches your skin color.

When there is a difficulty which of two shades to give preference to, experts advise choosing the lighter one.

Those with pale skin often plan to give their faces a tan effect with foundation - this is a serious mistake that leads to unnatural makeup. The tone should be as close to natural as possible. Other cosmetics are used to obtain a tan.

Color scheme for gray, earthy skin

Industrial cities have not had a favorable environmental situation for a long time. Smoke, smog, constant stress and rare exposure to fresh air lead to the fact that even the most enviable beauties complain about a sallow complexion. This skin looks gray, tired and aged.

With careful selection of the cream, this problem can also be solved. For a fresh face cosmetologists advise using foundations with a pinkish-brown tint.

Foundation tone if skin is prone to redness

Due to the proximity of capillary vessels, even healthy epidermis, without blackheads and acne, may have a reddish tint. More often a clear red tone of the skin stands out in the nasolabial area. A good foundation can even out this deficiency and provide uniform, long-lasting beautiful makeup.

To disguise skin prone to redness, foundations with a light green tint are used. Cool shades are most acceptable.

And here pink color scheme is a clear exception from suitable foundations for this skin type.

Foundation shades for dark skin

The most suitable colors for those with dark skin are shades of chocolate or caramel.

In general, women with dark skin are naturally lucky and require minimal amounts of toner.

If the choice is between two similar shades, then in this case You should give preference to a darker cream.

How to choose foundation for evening makeup

At a festive event, when going out into social society or a romantic dinner for two, a woman wants to look especially charming. To create a charming image, you will definitely need long-lasting, carefully executed makeup.

There are a couple of nuances when choosing a foundation for an evening event:

1. For an evening party in a room with bright lighting, experts recommend applying a foundation slightly darker than your natural complexion.
2. For a candlelit dinner, it is better to use a lighter shade that can highlight your face.

When a photo shoot is planned at an evening event and you want to look beautiful both in person and in photographs, then it is extremely foundations with reflective particles should be used with caution, which stand out as white spots on the face when cameras flash.

In general, if light foundations are suitable for daytime makeup, then for an evening out it is better to use thick creams, maximally leveling the surface of the face.

Newbie mistakes when choosing foundation to match your skin color

Despite numerous recommendations from specialists, a lot of master classes from leading makeup artists, there are girls with clearly incorrect makeup. At best, the foundation does not emphasize their beauty, but more often than not it looks comical and even scary.

In order not to be considered a novice in the art of make-up, it is important to know how to choose a foundation that matches your skin color in order to avoid mistakes.

This way, you will protect yourself in advance from mocking glances because of your stupid and inappropriate makeup.

The list of common errors includes:

1. selection of tone, based only on the indicator given on the packaging;
2. using the tester on the wrist or back of the hand;
3. choosing a product in dim artificial lighting;
4. applying a shade of tinting base that is obviously darker than the main complexion in the hope of getting a tanned look;
5. using a cream that is unsuitable in its composition and density for the type of epidermis (for young, fresh skin you should not use dense, heavy tinting agents; problematic faces require more careful adjustments);
6. using one product all year round (in different seasons, the color and condition of the skin, and the level of necessary protection from the sun and bad weather change);
7. focus solely on the price of the product (when choosing a foundation, the main characteristic is the match of tones, and not the price category).

Pro tips: how to choose the right shade of foundation

Experienced makeup artists often share their secrets for choosing foundation.

Here are the most interesting and useful of them:

1. For flaky, tight skin, experts advise choosing a product with moisturizing ingredients, as well as fluids, cushions and BB creams.
2. For oily skin, foundations are selected from a range of liquid creams to create a matte effect, with the best results achieved when used together with a cream and a finishing layer of loose powder.
3. For women of decent age, only airy textures that do not emphasize facial wrinkles are suitable. When choosing a cream, pay attention to the presence of anti-aging components with a lifting effect.
4. If it is difficult to choose the appropriate foundation texture, you can choose universal water-based fluids, which, depending on the degree of application, provide either subtle or dense coverage. Such products blend well and, due to their water base, moisturize the skin.
5. In sunny weather, especially in spring and summer, the foundation must contain components that protect against ultraviolet radiation.
6. For pinpoint skin imperfections (single pimples or redness), there is no need to apply a thick product to the surface of the face. It is better to use concealers and correctors, and even out the main tone with light fluids.
7. Professionals advise not to ignore the latest development in the beauty industry - modern smart foundations that adapt to a specific skin tone.

In order to correctly choose a foundation that suits both the color and type of skin, it is worth setting aside enough time to study the store’s assortment.

This matter cannot be rushed. With the right choice of foundation, a woman can always achieve neat makeup and a spectacular, expressive appearance.

From this video you will learn how to choose a foundation that matches your skin color.

This video will tell you how to choose a foundation shade.

The basis of high-quality makeup is not only eye shadow, blush and lipstick. An even and natural complexion is very important. Various tonal products help achieve this. They are a real salvation for modern women. Properly selected concealers will help even out skin tone, get rid of age spots, hide unnecessary rashes, give your face a rested look, eliminating bruises, swelling and other consequences of stress and lack of sleep.

Types of foundation for the face

Choosing the right foundation is not an easy task. It’s worth figuring out what features you need to pay attention to.

Currently, you can find various types of concealers on sale. Understanding what end results they are suitable for and how different consistencies work with each skin type will greatly reduce your options.

There are the following types of tonal products:

1. Cream powders and mousses. These products have a dense coverage, which allows you to mask redness and smooth out skin tone. Thanks to their texture, they do not clog pores, allowing the skin to breathe. The cream powder additionally gives a matte effect that lasts for several hours. Such products are suitable for both young and mature women, with oily or combination skin. It is worth noting that young girls are advised to avoid using such products on a daily basis.
2. Classic foundation - This is a liquid product of varying consistency. Often foundation creams contain particles of powder, which allows them to cover the skin of the face with a fairly dense layer, it is better to last until the evening and give a matte finish. Classic creams allow you to hide imperfections well: dark circles under the eyes, spider veins, redness and age spots. These creams are suitable for women with normal and combination skin.

1. BB creams. They have a light texture and do not provide a dense coating, which allows the skin to breathe and are easy to apply. Although BB creams contain coloring pigments, which make it possible to hide minor skin imperfections, improve and even out the complexion, their main task is still protection from harmful solar radiation, as well as maintaining hydration. Such creams are good for regular use and for the summer. They are suitable for women with dry or normal skin. Those with oily or combination skin should not use BB creams.
2. Sticks, concealers, correctors have a very dense coating. It is better to use such products to disguise spot imperfections: under the eyes, with minor rashes and redness. They have very low consumption and are economical to use.

It is better not to use sticks for dry skin, as the product will not adhere well and over time can ruin the appearance of the face.

They should be used with caution under the eyes. To prevent overdrying of the skin, apply a layer of foundation with correctors to pre-moisturized skin, and powder on top, which gives durability and prevents the product from crumbling during the day.

We select according to skin type

Different types of foundation suit different skin types. By making the wrong choice, you can cause serious harm to your skin, which will lead to additional problems and financial costs.

When choosing a concealer, you should focus on the following recommendations:

1. For dry skin, you should choose foundations with a moisturizing effect. It is best if the product is liquid and not powdery. It will not focus on dryness and will help avoid early wrinkles. Products from the BB cream line are recommended for use specifically for dry skin. The skin will not only be moisturized, but also protected from ultraviolet radiation, which will prevent premature aging.
2. With oily skin, the face acquires a noticeable shine, which does not look very attractive. When choosing a cosmetic concealer, you should avoid creams containing various oils. It is better to choose products with a mattifying effect (or apply a light powder as a final layer - this will eliminate unattractive shine and will not clog pores).
3. For problem skin, you should select anti-allergenic creams and avoid applying products to the area under the eyes. In terms of consistency, you should give preference to denser products for maximum camouflage effect. But they should not create a film after application, otherwise clogging the pores will further aggravate the situation and increase the number of blackheads and pimples.

1. To avoid irritation of delicate skin, you should try to select products with natural ingredients. Ideally, they contain protective substances.
2. Those with mature skin are advised to pay attention to foundations with a lifting effect, anti-aging components, and containing vitamins and minerals. It is necessary that the product has a protective effect against harmful environmental influences. The main task of foundations for mature skin is to disguise wrinkles and uneven skin texture, as well as intensively nourish the facial skin.
3. Combination skin is quite common. With this type of skin, certain parts (forehead, nose, chin) have increased oil content, and in other areas the skin is dry. For this type of skin, the foundation should be creamy-powdery, contain vitamins and mandatory protection from sun rays.
4. Those with normal skin can choose any product, focusing only on the color and the desired effect.

Determining the color type

Any type of foundation has a palette of different shades. To choose the right color, it is important to know about the color type of your appearance. There are several recommendations for determining it:

1. It is better to carry out testing in a well-lit room with natural light. Light that is too bright, dim, or electric can misrepresent skin tones.
2. If your hair is dyed, it should be pulled back into a ponytail or under a scarf.
3. It is advisable to carry out the test in clothes of calm colors.
4. You can use the help of friends or relatives.

There are four appearance color types in total: “Winter”, “Spring”, “Summer” and “Autumn”. “Winter” and “Summer” refer to cold color types, “Spring” and “Autumn” – to warm ones.

Girl-"Winter" has a contrasting, catchy appearance. There are two types of skin: either light, porcelain, which easily burns in the sun, or has a dark tint, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation a uniform tan is obtained. Such girls do not have freckles. Hair black or chocolate. Eyebrows and eyelashes are similar in color to the strands. The lips of representatives of the “Winter” color type are most often not very bright.

Girl spring" light, warm and airy. The skin has cream and peach shades, the tan has a reddish tint, there is a slightly noticeable blush on the face, and there are freckles. Hair the color of wheat or chocolate. The eyes are light in color and the lips are pale pink.

Girl - "Summer""has a cold and not very expressive appearance. The skin is light or dark, with a bluish tint. Light skin of this color type is susceptible to burns. The hair is light gray, blond, and has no copper notes. Eyes predominantly have gray tints. Lips are pale.

Girl - "Autumn" has a bright appearance, often so expressive that you can do without makeup. Warm-toned skin, tan does not stick well. The hair is often curly, with a reddish tint. Representatives of this color type often have freckles all over their body. The eyes are always bright and contrasting. Lips of warm peach and pink shades.

The negative impact of the environment, constant stress and poor nutrition forces the fair sex to hide imperfections under cosmetics and spend a long time solving the problem of how to choose a foundation that matches the color of their skin. By evening out the tone, it is the first assistant in makeup. Eyeliner and mascara, exquisite lipstick on the lips, ideally shaped eyebrows will not be able to hide minor defects or a sickly complexion. Naturally healthy skin can sometimes look dull, so it also needs to be disguised with foundation cosmetics.

How to choose the right foundation for your face

Choosing the right foundation is not an easy task. Important characteristics are the shade, density and durability of the product. There is a more significant factor, depending on which they conclude whether the cream is suitable for the skin type: this is the reaction to the components of the cream. Particular attention should be paid to it by those who know about their tendency to allergies. Before buying a foundation, you need to familiarize yourself with its composition and determine whether it contains substances that are aggressive to the skin.

To identify sensitivity to ingredients, you should try a small amount of the cream, but not on your face. Select the crook of your elbow, the back of your hand, or your wrist. If there is an allergy, it will definitely manifest itself within 3-4 hours. This may include redness, a feeling of dryness, or other irritation. Such signs reflect the fact that the type of foundation you are testing, although you like it, cannot be used on the face. The best foundations are determined based on the following characteristics:

1. The manufacturer and his authority in the product market.
2. Ingredients used.
3. Composition density.
4. Shade and its correspondence to skin tone.
5. Type of packaging: aesthetically attractive or economical.
6. Best before date.

Which texture to choose?

Each skin type requires the use of certain foundations:

1. So, for masking significant areas with pigmentation, a basic cream base is suitable - it is thick in consistency, and thanks to the powder in the composition, it can hide large areas of problem skin.
2. Sometimes defects do not require the application of a continuous base, in which case a spot-on product in the form of sticks or pencils is an excellent solution. Their high density effectively masks minor defects.

1. Another type of foundation is liquid tone. The liquid texture when applied is not sufficient to hide facial imperfections. With the help of such a product they only improve the skin tone, giving it a matte appearance, or moisturize it.
2. For more durable makeup, compositions are selected in the form of creams on a compact base, which are fixed with a layer of powder. The latter can be used independently on top of both day cream and already applied foundation. Hides excess fat and evens out the shade.
3. A type of powder is a product with the addition of cream components. Any skin can be camouflaged with a quick application of cream powder using a special sponge.
4. For lighter makeup or just daily care, tinted day moisturizers have been developed. A light matte tint and softness of the skin, masking slight fatigue - all this is the effect of such a cream.

Selection of foundation based on skin type

Incorrectly selected cosmetics can harm healthy skin or worsen the situation of already problematic skin. For this reason, any type of hair needs proper care and makeup. To do this, you need products suitable for a specific skin type. Do not use a foundation that adds shine if your face is too oily or apply powder to dry skin. Such actions will not hide shortcomings, but will only highlight them.

For dry skin

When the sebaceous glands are disrupted, dry skin appears. In the future, this leads to a thinning of the protective layer of the face. The process of aging and wrinkle formation accelerates. To prevent this, dry skin types must be provided with additional hydration. Using a rich foundation helps to get protection. It has a light structure and a large amount of nutritional components and vitamins type A, E. Thanks to application in a thin layer, it remains imperceptible and perfectly smoothes out peeling.

For fatty

The previous version of the foundation is not suitable for oily skin. It needs to remove excess shine, so mattifying products are better suited. You should be careful with oily skin, the pores of which may become clogged due to the wrong foundation. Among these, the first place is occupied by compositions that have some kind of oil as an ingredient. Special wipes with a mattifying effect are popular in use: they do a good job of removing oily shine.

For combined

Here is a simple algorithm of actions:

1. Apply a small amount of foundation to the surface of the skin from the middle of the cheek to the neck, passing along the jaw line.
2. The invisible boundaries of the applied composition indicate that it suits you completely.
3. If spots appear or the foundation is difficult to blend, it is better to leave it on the store shelf.
4. Do not rush to draw a conclusion, wait 5-8 minutes until the product fully manifests itself.

According to the recommendations of experts, one should not give preference to dark shades, because they slightly increase age. For girls with different complexions, important recommendations are offered:

1. Foundation for fair skin has pinkish or neutral shades.
2. If you have a dark complexion or a dark tan, beige shades of foundation are more suitable.
3. In spring and autumn it is better to give preference to warm colors, in winter – light, and in summer – darkish.

Also read and watch a detailed review of how to choose Maybelline foundation, its types and tips for use.

Video tips: how to choose foundation color

Wrongly chosen tonal products can worsen the health of the skin of the face and deprive you of the desired beauty. Only professional makeup artists have extensive experience in selecting cosmetics. For beginners, the problem of how to choose a foundation that matches your skin color is not so easy, because people get confused when they see a wide range of products. If you are also choosing a foundation for the first time or just want to strengthen your knowledge in the field of makeup, then watching the video will be useful. It has a lot of information about choosing, testing and matching foundation to your skin type.

Read also: L'Oreal foundation - all about its types and shade palettes.

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