What Foundation Type is Right For You?

Before makeup primers evolved into what they’ve become today, it was very important to figure out which foundation type is right for your skin type. Even if you are not using the ideal foundation type for your skin, a good primer could help it last longer. You can read more about primers in my previous article HERE, but because we obviously crave perfection, I am going to teach you how to pick which foundation is actually your perfect match.

The range in today’s foundations offer you every option in every type so the first thing we’re going to determine is what type of coverage you are looking for. Foundation is meant to be an improved version of of your own skin. Some people want it to be very lightweight and natural. If you don’t wear much makeup, or don’t want it to be obvious you are wearing makeup, Sheer coverage is the coverage for you. Others, like myself, want it to be medium coverage. I wear medium coverage because I have no blemishes to hide, but I wear so much dramatic makeup on the rest of my face, I need my foundation to make me photoshopped IRL look. Then there are people who prefer full coverage. If you have any birthmarks, scarring, acne, or just prefer a heavy makeup look, this is the way to go.

Now that you’ve determined whether you prefer a Sheer, Medium, or Full coverage foundation, it’s time to find out what type of finish you prefer. I mentioned above that today’s foundations are so evolved that instead of only having one option for your skin type, you now have a plethora. The most common foundation finishes are Matte, Dewy, and Natural/Satin.

Matte Finish

A matte finish will give you a nice flat, shine free finish. Matte finishes are good if you have acne prone/oily skin as it can mask it and absorb some of the oiliness. Most formulas are oil free for this reason. Matte finish foundations can be drying and may accentuate and stick to any dry patches on your face. Matte foundations are typically long lasting and set rather quickly. Another issue with matte finish foundations is they tend to draw attention to wrinkles so if you have mature skin, avoid this finish.

Dewy Finish

A dewy finish is great if you want to have a glowing, luminous look. This finish is popular because it is associated with youth and being natural looking. This look is for dry-normal skin. I do not recommend this finish if you have oily skin unless you use a really good oil absorbing/mattifying primer, as your entire face could just come across as oily. This is a good finish if you really want that fresh faced look.

Natural/Satin Finish

This finish, obviously, is extremely natural looking. It mimics the real finish of your skin. It is a mixture of matte and dewy. It is not totally shine free and perfect, and not totally glowing either. If you are a foundation newbie this is the finish for you. Every skin type can use this foundation finish.

Alright steps ⅔ are finished. You now know what type of coverage you are looking for and what finish you want. The last step is knowing what kind of foundation is best for you. We are going to go over Liquid, Powder, Cream, and BB/CC Creams. When foundation shopping, you can see on the bottle what type of coverage it offers, what finish it is, and obviously what type it is.

Liquid Foundations

Liquid foundations are foundations that come in liquid form. Duh. These are an extremely popular foundation type to use because of its convenience. With liquid foundations there is a wide range of color options. It is easily applied and blended so it’s great for beginners as well. Liquid foundations have some moisturizing benefits as well so if you have dry skin this could be the foundation for you. It comes in Cream, Oil, and Water based formulas. Typically liquid foundation would not be ideal for oily skin, but with proper primer and a matte finish, you shouldn’t have any issues.

Powder Foundations

Powder foundations are typically more sheer to medium coverage, but are buildable so you can achieve full coverage from it as well. Powder foundations can come in both pressed powder and mineral powder formulas. Powder foundation is ideal for oily skin as it contains adhesion ingredients to stick to the skin and absorbs excess oils. This foundation type can stick to and accentuate any dry patches on your face, so make sure you exfoliate and moisturize before applying this foundation.

Cream Foundations

Cream foundations have the best coverage. Creams have the best coverage because it has the heaviest base. Cream foundations are great for dry skin as it contains moisturizing agents. You will find cream foundations in either cream stick form or in glass jar type containers. This is not a natural makeup look foundation. This is a heavy full coverage foundation. This foundation is great for hiding acne, scars, birthmarks, and any discolorations.

BB Creams

BB Creams are independent and different from cream foundations. A BB cream is like a tinted moisturizer. It is a very lightweight formula. The BB in BB Creams actually stands for Beauty Balm. Many BB Creams also contain SPF and is extremely moisturizing.

CC Creams

CC Creams are also independent from cream foundations. CC Creams are very similar to BB Creams but instead the CC means Color Correcting. These are also lightweight tinted moisturizers, but these have color neutralizing abilities. These are great if you have any discoloration or even redness.

Now that you got the overview on Foundation Coverages, Finishes, and Types go confidently to the foundations on your next trip to buy makeup. If you’ve been having any issues with your current foundation, hopefully this article cleared some things up for you. I hope you found this article helpful. Don’t forget to subscribe and comment below. You can also share this with your friends and family (or anyone else who needs foundation help.) I have been trying a new thing with designing blog elements for my articles. Let me know if you like them in the comments. Stay Golden.