Once you have decided on the right formula of foundation, you need to find the right shade. The correct shade will disappear on the skin.
Make sure the foundation is yellow-based. Everyone has yellow undertones in their skin. Pink – based foundations look like a mask on most people. Only 1 percent need a pink tone: those who sunburn even in the shade. Foundation should not change the color of the face but simply even out the tone.
Test several shades of foundation on the side of your face, between the nose and the side of the cheek. Make a stripe of foundation in the preferred formula from cheek to jawline, gently blending into the skin. Also test a shade lighter and a shade darker for comparison. The correct shade will disappear.
Double-check the selected color on forehead. Sometimes women have darker skin on the forehead, and the foundation shade that matches here will work better for the whole face.
Always test foundation in natural light. Walk to a window or doorway to check the match. The swatch that disappears into the skin is the right shade. Do not test foundation on the hand or arm, as the face is rarely the same color as the rest of the body.
If your skin tone gets darker in the summer or on a vacation, you may need to adjust the foundation tone. Keep a deeper shade of foundation on hand to accommodate changes in skin tone. It can be blended with your regular foundation if you are between shades or used alone when skin is darkest.
Oily skin sometimes turns foundation darker. Check and adjust accordingly.
Stick foundation that is a shade or two lighter than the skin tone can be used for light under-eye coverage instead of concealer.
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For those with combination skin, foundations are now available with both silica beads, which soak up oil, and lecithin, which hydrates skin. Moisturizers and oil-control lotions can be applied to parts of the face that need it to counterbalance the foundation choice.
The right tools help you apply foundation quickly and easily, with great-looking results. Sponges, also called makeup wedges, are used with foundation. Makeup can be applied directly to the sponge or face and gently blended into the skin. Some prefer to use a foundation brush. The synthetic bristles of this brush type can be used with all foundation formulas for a smooth and even application. Fingers are the best tool for warming and blending makeup into the skin.
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While sponges are a convenient and sanitary way to apply makeup, they cant replicate the direct control and warmth of using the fingers and hands. You can use the hands to warm a product before application. Foundation, concealer, lip color, and even pencils spread more easily on the skin if they are at body temperature. Use the fingers to apply makeup for complete control over placement of the product. Always thoroughly clean the hands and nails before applying makeup.
To see the true effect of the foundation, let it settle for a few minutes. Then blend or layer in more foundation in spots where it is needed.