How to Find the Right Type of Foundation

Let’s be honest here: When it comes to foundation, we spend so much time trying to find the perfect shade to match our skin tones and undertones. We forget to consider important things like finish, formula and coverage, and which types of foundation are best for our skin’s actual needs. Since foundation is, well, the foundation of any great makeup look, it can be no easy task to pinpoint which product is perfect for you. Whilst it can take some serious trial and error to find the best foundation type for you, we’ve narrowed down the options to make the process easier. From light to full-coverage foundation, powder to liquid foundation, and matte to dewy finish foundation—the possibilities are endless! Lucky for you, we’re here to help you find your perfect match.

How to Choose Your Foundation Type

The first point to consider when choosing a foundation is your skin type. This means you’ll need to identify the texture, appearance and overall condition of your skin, rather than your skin tone.

If you have dry skin, you’ll want to use a moisturising liquid foundation. The Infallible 32hr Freshwear Foundation is formulated with hyaluronic fresh complex, to help your skin retain water and give you a hydrated, flawless appearance.

For those of you with oily skin, we suggest using a matte or powder foundation. The Infallible 24hr Matte Cover Foundation is formulated with an ultra-blurring serum and highly mattifying powders. Its air-light texture will keep excess oil under control and give you a natural, healthy complexion.

Is your skin partially dry, but also partially oily? This means you have combination skin, and you’ll need to use a foundation with a buildable formula, like the Infallible 24hr Liquid Foundation mentioned above. It’s one of our favourites! You can apply more of this foundation on areas that tend to be oily, and less product on areas that are dry and irritated. It also has properties that benefit both oily and dry skin—sounds like a match to us!

If your skin is quite sensitive, then you should use an oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic foundation—meaning one that won’t clog your pores. The True Match Liquid Foundation is super blendable and oil-free, perfectly matching the colour and texture of your skin.

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How to Choose Your Foundation Finish

Next up: determine your finish preference. This will help you to find the right type of foundation, depending if you’re most comfortable with a glowy complexion, or if matte finish is right for you. Your skin type can also influence what type of finish best suits your skin.

If you have dry skin, then use a glowy foundation with a dewy finish. This will help add a luminous radiance to dull, dry skin.

For oily skin, you’ll want to opt for a matte finish foundation, like the Infallible 24hr Matte Cover Foundation we raved about above. This product will counteract any shine and give you a smooth, skin-like finish that won’t cake, flake or fade.

Combination skin will require a foundation with a demi-matte finish, as this will give your complexion a more natural finish. Cream foundation and lightweight formulas are guaranteed to be your best friend! We love our iconic True Match Liquid Foundation, which gives a natural finish that blends with the texture of your skin.

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How to Choose Your Foundation Coverage

Last but not least, you’ll want to find the correct level of foundation coverage. Your skin type and concerns will likely influence which level of coverage you’ll need.

For dry skin, we recommend using a foundation with light coverage—like the Skin Paradise Tinted Water Cream, our reliable, hydrating tinted moisturiser that we can’t stop talking about. Foundation can easily stick to dry patches and emphasise flaky skin (that’s a no from us!), but this can easily be avoided by opting for a lightweight foundation with a boost of hydration.

Oily skin will require a matte finish foundation—it’s as simple as that. Oils can often lead to unwanted breakouts and red spots, which will require extra coverage to conceal. Oily skin can also cause foundation to fade prematurely! A product like a powder will give you long-lasting, full matte coverage without weighing down your skin. It’s also fade-resistant and transfer-resistant, giving you a perfect complexion all day long.

If you have combination skin, a medium-coverage foundation is the way to go. You’ll end up with a smooth, flawless appearance, without the dramas of having to deal with foundation that’s clinging to dry spots or sliding off oily areas.

Now that you know how to find the right type of foundation for all your skin’s needs, you can move on to colour matching. Check out our guide on How To Find Your Perfect Foundation Shade! 

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