Finding the best foundation for oily skin and, to be specific, for any skin type is quite frustrating, especially when there are thousands of products to choose from. Moreover, skin tone often makes selection overwhelming, mainly for the people on the lightest and darkest ends of the skin color spectrum.
The struggle of finding the right undertone is real because mismatching your foundation will give your skin a mask-like look. However, perfection comes with skin looking like your natural skin. And, for this, always avoid “too” – too dark, too light, too pale, etc. Instead, swatch different foundations with different undertones to find the right pick.
Keep reading for the best process on figuring out the best foundation options for the perfect shade every time.
Identify your undertone:
Skin tone is simply the surface color of your skin that could be fair, dark, medium. The real thing is skin undertone – warm, cool and neutral. Undertones are subtle hues underneath your skin surface. Figuring out these hues will narrow things down, and after a few swatches on your skin, you can find your perfect foundation match. For example, green veins correspond to a warm undertone, bluish veins for a cool/pink undertone, and the mix of two makes a neutral undertone.
Well, it can be a confusing process because finding the exact color of your wrist veins in natural lighting isn’t easy for all. In that case, you can choose the closest option. Still confused? Go neutral, depending on your skin type and color.
Reviews & references:
Perform each foundation test yourself. But if you don’t have enough knowledge about cosmetics and their applications, then take a cue from professional makeup artists. You can also review and compare foundations to find the right match. Go to official websites of brands like Sephora you are interested in and seek their shade-matching charts or look into model references. For example, Huda Beauty’s online cosmetic store provides a color guide, shade-matching guide, and even a ‘find your shade’ quiz. This all makes finding your foundation relatively easier. For additional help, check the real-people reviews with photos on Amazon. See how your preferred shades look like in real on other people toning your skin’s undertone.
Consider the finish:
The finish of your preferred foundations plays a vital role in the decision-making process. Invest in full-coverage foundations if you face acne, discoloration, blemishes, or other skin imperfections. Now, again these are more complex shades to match. Therefore, makeup experts recommend using a sheer foundation offering a buildable finish. These products can quickly build up to a high-coverage base, allowing users more margin of error.
You can opt for a luminizing finish if your skin is dry and mature because it helps diffuse the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Oil-free liquid/powder is the best foundation for oily skin, leaving a smooth, matte finish.
Multiple spot testing:
No matter how good you match the shade, you cannot reach the optimal result unless you test shades on your face. For this, always try your shortlisted shades on different spots of your face. Select 2-3 foundations matching closest to your complexion. Swipe a small streak of each across your jawline and see which one perfectly goes with the side of your face you applied it and your neck.
The second way is to thoroughly blend all of them and check if it does not feel like you are wearing a mask. Finally, you got your perfect shade match. If you still cannot nail down the right match, test your shades on other places like cheek, forehead, and neck. In this case, experts usually go after what matches the client’s neck and forehead because that’s where the color becomes more prominent.
Pro Tip: Prepare your skin properly so that foundation sits in it properly, giving you accurate results. For example, dead skin will create a lackluster finish, creating an uneven look. Always cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize. Also, do not forget to layer on primer for a smooth finish.
Try in different lighting:
Your color-match trial may work in one sort of lightning and give you an entirely different shade in another setting. You can buy your favorite foundation from online makeup stores like ours glowqueen.pk. But if you are unsure about your selection, your nearby cosmetic store will be of great help. Ask for a sample and check in the sunlight because in-store lighting can be misguiding. See how the shade appears in the natural lighting, and make sure you are wearing foundation on clean and bare skin.
Pro Tip: It is good to take a selfie with a flash for photograph freaks because some foundations appear lighter than expected in photos.
Keep for a few hours:
Testing the foundation before you buy is mandatory. But experimenting for a few minutes may not take you to the correct conclusion. This is because foundations oxidize when applied to the face and usually change their colors when dried or set on your skin surface. In addition, your body’s pH can also affect the result. Therefore, it is advised to wear it for a few hours and see how it adjusts and reacts to your skin.
Your preferred shade should not oxidize or irritate your skin because it goes over the entire face. In addition, allergic reactions to the foundation’s formula occur immediately, while sensitivities often take longer to show up. So, better keep it on your face for a day, and it will help you pick the right product for your skin.
Final Thoughts:
You are not a celebrity makeup artist, but you can better select the right foundation shade that perfectly matches your facial skin with the pointers mentioned above. If you don’t find a close match for any reason, try mixing the best makeup products. And, again, use it for a day before finalizing the purchase.
Do not get confused by any make-up speak and try the things yourself. First, however, get a better understanding of the product under consideration, like foundation or any other skincare and beauty product. And, you will be good to go.
