Choosing the Right Foundation for Your Skin Type.
Foundation might as well be called the 8th wonder of the world. It is, without a doubt, the most important tool in your make up arsenal, because it is the only one that can give you the flawless, perfect skin that every woman dreams of.
So, why does a product that is capable of doing so much cause so many women a great deal of stress? Because when it comes to skin, all women are not created equal. And with thousands of shades and hundreds of brands on the market, it’s no wonder that choosing the right foundation can cause major headaches.
Over your lifetime, you will use a hundred times more foundation than you will any other color product. And many (if not most) of them, will leave you unhappy. Why? You are not choosing the appropriate texture for your skin type. Today, we are going to end that. By assessing your skin, we will find the foundation that is most appropriate for you.
STEP 1. Recognizing Your Skin Type…
Read the five descriptions below to determine which type of skin you have. Take note that your skin type can change with the seasons as well as with age.
Your skin is normal if the…
- Complexion is even
- Surface is neither too oily nor too dry
- Pores are small in size
- Face is supple with few lines, creases and wrinkles
- Face has few breakouts
Your skin is oily if the…
- Face has all over shine
- Shine happens quickly
- Pores are large and/or open
- Face suffers from frequent blemishes (blackheads and/or whiteheads)
- Face has minimal lines and wrinkles
Your skin is combination if the…
- T-zone is oily
- Skin on the cheeks is normal to dry
- Skin suffers from breakouts on chin, nose, cheeks or forehead
- Pores on the chin and cheeks are enlarged
Your skin is dry if the…
- Pores are undetectable
- Face looks and feels dry and tight
- Complexion has a ruddy appearance
- Cheeks and/or chin are flaky and dry
- Face has lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth
Your skin is Sensitive if the…
- Face has blotchy patches (dry or red)
- Face has Rosacea
- Skin is delicate or thin
- Face has sensitivity to products (burning or flushing)
Now that you know your skin type, it is very important to choose a formulation that will meet your specific needs. For example, if your skin is dry and you have been using a foundation with no moisture, you will not get the flawless skin you desire. All you will do is further dehydrate your skin, accentuate the dryness and showcase the fine lines. By choosing a formulation designed to complement your skin type, your face will look supple, youthful and healthy.
STEP 2: Choosing your proper formulation…
There are 5 main textures of foundation. Each one is specially formulated to meet the needs of specific skin types.
1. Cream Foundation is ideal for: Normal, combination and dry skin. It is especially well suited for women with uneven pigmentation, or those requiring a heavier coverage.
Coverage: Medium to full.
Finish: Dewy.
What it does: Covers and conceals discolorations and imperfections on the skin providing a flawless finish.
Application: Use a make up sponge or a foundation brush.
2. Liquid Foundation is ideal for: All Skin types. It is especially well suited for dry or mature skin.
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Dewy, satin or matte depending on the formulation.
What it does: Evens out the skin tone by smoothing out any unevenness. It also provides added moisture to the skin.
Application: Use a make up sponge or a foundation brush.
3. Pressed powder foundation is ideal for: Oily skin
Coverage: Light to medium.
Finish: Matte.
What it does: Evens out the skin tone, hides imperfections and absorbs excess oil.
Application: Use a powder brush. The denser the bristles, the more product will be deposited on the skin.
4. 
Mineral foundation is ideal for: All skin types (except oily). It is especially well suited for those with sensitive skin or rosacea.
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Matte.
What it does: Evens out the skin tone, moisturizes, protects and absorbs excess oil.
Application: Use a kabuki brush to buff it on.
5. Tinted Moisturizer is ideal for: Normal and dry skin. It is especially well suited for those who need extra hydration and just a touch of color to pull everything together.
Coverage: Sheer to light.
What it does: Lightly evens out the skin tone, while giving a true “no make up” look.
Application: Use a foundation brush.
Whatever your skin type, you have a variety of choices. Pick the one that is best for you and start reaping the benefits today.
My favorite foundations and a note to those women with sensitive skin or rosacea:
Sensitivity can occur in any skin type. After you diagnose which skin type is yours, be sure to choose your foundation from a line that is hypoallergenic, moisturizing, fragrance free, paraben free, and loaded with gentle sunscreens. For my
sensitive clients (and for all my clients actually), I rely 100% on Cover FX and Jane Iredale. Every formulation in both lines is tailor made to meet the needs of women with sensitive skin (as well as women with any other skin type). I am a big believer that products should not just cover, they should heal, protect and over time make the skin 
healthier. That is why I adore and recommend those two lines whole-heartedly. You can find Cover FX at select Sephora stores or www.sephora.com and Jane Iredale at www.beauty.com. If cream is your texture of choice, I also highly recommend Make-up Designory Cream Foundation (www.mudshop.com). It glides on like a dream. Add a touch of your favorite moisturizer and it will mimic a liquid foundation. Add a bit more moisturizer, and it becomes an amazing tinted moisturizer. Trust me, it is bliss.
I know a lot of ladies out there are afraid of foundation. Whether your fear comes from products not looking right on you, or the women around you, I implore you to give foundation a second chance. Once you find the texture most appropriate for your skin (as well as the color, which we will address in the future) you will not be able to imagine how you lived without it. With the right texture (and shade) even maximum coverage will melt effortlessly into your skin.
Skin is everything my dears, and a flawless complexion will never go out of style. This guide should take the mystery out of choosing the formulation that is right for you. Get out there and make yourself even more beautiful.
Posted by: | February 18th, 2009 | Tags: celebrity make-up artist, combination skin, complexion, Cover FX, Cream Foundation, dry skin, Foundation, Jane Iredale, Liquid foundation, Make Up Designory, Make-up How to's, make-up tips, mineral foundation, MUD, Nathan Johnson, normal skin, oily Skin, powder foundation, rosacea, sensitive skin, skin types, Tinted Moisturizer | 33 Comments » 
February 18th, 2009 at 10:21 am
The article is very informative. I love trying new things but it gets pretty costly after a while. The information you provided will assist me in making the proper foundation purchases. Thanks!
February 18th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I love the way you break it down by skin type and then the coverage. Very informative. Thanks Nathan!
February 18th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
The article was easy to read and understand and I found it to be very informative. I like that he broke it down and explained what works best for each skin type.
February 18th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Another fantastic article. I have never really cared for foundation because it never looked right on me….makes sense now, I was wearing pressed powder and I have dry skin, silly me! Thanks for opening my eyes. When will you write a book so I can have you with me all the time?
February 18th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I had no idea that there was so much to it!thanks for the clarification, now when i go buy fondation i know what to look for!! =)
February 18th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
NAILED IT! I am so trying that!
February 19th, 2009 at 4:59 am
mmmmm great coverage on the coverage!!! thx for the recommendations i’m always looking for a better foundation.
February 19th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Thanks Nathan for the great advice yet again. I have always been a powder girl but have recently thought about going with a liquid or cream so this has really helped. How about doing an article on concealar? That is one of my biggest problems, I have dark under eye circles and could really use some advice.
February 19th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I’m a mature woman who over the years has learned about skin types and tried many different products. I do very little now, but after reading Nathan’s article feel that urge to try again. What about a demo video?
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:15 am
Thanks Nate! I thought I knew my skin type, but when I get to the store I am never sure what to buy. The article was very informative.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:05 am
Thanks for another great article! You have saved me hours of wandering around Sephora, confused about what I should use and how to apply!
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 am
Great tips! I’m not big on foundation, mostly only use it for an evening look, but I wear concealor all the time. Can you give advice on finding the right color and application for it? Do you have to wear foundation to blend it? My choices always seem to be too light, so I get a reverse raccoon effect.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
Great article! I sent it to all of my girlfriends to read!
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:42 am
I really enjoyed reading your article! Great advice about choosing the right foundation texture and colour.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Fantastic article Nathan, I’ve always been intimidated by foundation but you’ve converted me!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Hi Nathan,
Great article. You are truly a foundation artist – thank you for sharing such wonderful tips and products. We need more women (who are truly not created equal – love that line)to understand their skin and know that flawless looking skin is only a foundation away!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Great tips! I’m one of those people that’s afraid of foundation so I enjoyed learning something.
Thanks!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Love this! I was secretly hoping you would write a whole article on foundation soon.
thanks for such fantastic tips and so much detail. going to share with our readers right now!
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I love you……………Mom
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I appreciate the article – especially since I have such sensitive skin and have been unsure what would be best for my skin type in terms of foundation. I have actually avoided it until now. Thanks RWH!
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 pm
You are so good,you. What do you think of Studio Fix by MAC and what isn’t a chemical sunscreen?
February 25th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
[...] NYC Fashion Week for Fall/Winter has just wrapped up – the closing party is tonight – says Nathan Johnson , Project Runway makeup artist, who is doing makeup for special guest Cyndi Lauper and I’m [...]
February 27th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Nathan
Thank you for the help.
February 27th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Nathan your a wonder- always dead on with your advice. I Love your articles, can’t wait for the next one. Love me xoxo
March 12th, 2009 at 3:41 am
Hello. Great job. This is a great story. Thanks!
March 15th, 2009 at 12:46 am
Thanks for the in depth discussion of foundation. I will have to experiment some with different types since my skin seems to go from dry to combination.
I use these brushes: http://www.salonhive.com/23-pc-black-handle-makeup-brush-set-w-pouch-ts-202.html
They are so soft, and I love the pouch that keeps them organized and clean. They make my make up application a breeze!
June 25th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
This website was superb! I never could figure out what kind of skin I had or what to use when I did find out. I always thought I had an oily complexion, but, thanks to your website, I have a combination complexion. I look forward to shopping and purchasing the correct products for my face! Thanks so much for this excellent website!!!
January 17th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
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November 30th, 2011 at 11:28 am
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December 9th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Generally I do not learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great post.
December 21st, 2011 at 2:07 am
After years of being a makeup artist. The rule stands true. There are no rules to makeup, only rules of thumb. Nothing called “too anything”.I disagree with telling anyone how to wear their foundation/blush/powder/eyeliner/eyeshadow. Makeup is subjective. Everyone has their own makeup style. Many light people tend to go light/lighter or mix it with a luminzer to make themselves brighter/radiant/porcelin like. A great example of this would be dita von teese, who even stays out the sun to maintain her light skintone and wears light foundation. Others prefer to be dark/darker and darken in the sun or use bronzer all over their skintone. Different people have different preferences. If I spelled “Horse” “Howrse” than there is no “ifs” “and” or “buts” because grammar isnt subjective. What is wrong is wrong!However. Makeup is subjective. I hate nude lips. Does that mean its right to say “dont wear nude lips” ? No.
I might not like it but someone else might. There is no rule to makeup. Thats the beauty of being a makeup artist. There are soo many different styles.
I hate bronzer. But maybe there is someone who loves that deep bronzed look. I cant go to them and say “dont go soo deep in the bronzer” and say its “constructive”. There are soo many different styles.who is anyone to tell someone theyre wearing a too light or too dark foundation, because there is no such thing. Nicole and Sam from pixiwoo(huge makeupartists in Britain) sometimes wear paler or darker foundation and it looks gorgeous! as long as people blend it to the neck its fine….some people prefer to look bright and radiant.
You will personally know for yourself! this is 100% common sense and good judgement. IF YOU PERSONALLY DONT THINK IT SUITS YOU AND YOU DONT FEEL CONFIDENT IN IT! than go buy something else.Big thanks to the site owner for letting readers get their point across
December 25th, 2011 at 8:50 am
I have what i think is combination skin. It certainly fits your discription however, whatever foundation i use causes my skin to flake or peel around my eyebrows, bridge of my nose and chin. What could cause this? I feel i have an oily T zone yet foundation makes it look do dry and dull. If i use a moisturising foundation it does not stay in place. Any advice would be gratefully recieved. x
February 24th, 2012 at 12:49 am
I just love Cricut Craftroom. It’s made my life easier.