Buying a foundation is probably one of the most difficult thing when it comes to make up. Choosing the right shade is essential to achieve a natural look and make sure you won´t look as you have a mask on. Also, it is important to choose the right formulation that suits your skin type for best results.

While buying a foundation in store is possibly the best thing you can do, as you get to try it on before you purchase it, there are a few tricks and guidelines to help you buy the best pick even online.

Here is our guide.

1. FORMULATION BASED ON YOUR SKIN TYPE

The first thing you should look for is the right formulation. A foundation is a beauty product which, exactly as a moisturizer, a serum or a toner, contains specific ingredients which do or don´t suit your skin type.

Even if no one really falls into one category and skin types are just a general guideline which does not always tell much, it is still helpful to know what is the main characteristic of your skin, how it looks like and what issues/concerns you may have.

Try to pay attention to how your skin feels and looks like during the day: does it get oily? Does it look dry? Are there any areas which tend to get red or sensitive? Is it itchy? Does it pull on some areas? What kind of reactions do you usually get from skincare products?

Looking at your current skincare regime, if you have found a good one for you, will tell you a lot about it already.

You want to make sure the foundation you are going to choose does not contain specific ingredients that may be too aggressive for your skin but does instead contain good ones which will be beneficial.

Nowdays you can find so many different foundations specifically formulated for sensitive skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin and so on.

2. TYPE OF FOUNDATION

There are so many different types of foundation on the market, one can get so overwhelmed. Which one should you pick? Which one suits your skin best?

Here is our list of the most common foundation types and their features.

Liquid

This type of foundation can be good for all skin types, especially dry or sensitive ones. They can be water-based or oil-based and act respectively to suit combination/oily skins as well as dry/normal skin types. The coverage can vary depending on which one you choose, they can be lightweight or full coverage, liquid foundations are usually very buildable and allow you to achieve the desired look. They are best applied with a Foundation Brush or a Makeup Blender.

Cream and serum foundations belong to the liquid category and they can have a richer (cream) or a lightweight (serum) consistency. Serum ones are perfect for natural looks, as they tend to be light and breathable.

ILIA, True Skin Serum Foundation (56€)

Powder

Powder foundations are best for combination/oily skin, as they tend to absorb excess oil for a shine-free look. They are not the best for mature skin, as the powders may sit on any lines or wrinkles making them visible. They can be loose or pressed (this last one perfect for touch-ups on-the-go) and are best applied with a specific brush.

100% PURE Fruit Pigmented Powder Foundation (49€)

Stick

These foundations usually have a creamy, thick consistency which can suit all skin types but it is best for normal to dry ones. They can be easily blended with a brush or a makeup blender and are perfect to cover imperfections.

Tinted Moisturizer

This is a skincare and makeup product in one. Tinted moisturizer tend to be lighter than a normal foundation, let your skin breath more while acting as a skincare treatment to nourish, replenish, brighten, purify your skin. Perfect base for summer or for anyone looking for a sheer, very natural look. Best if applied with fingers or a brush.

100% PURE Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer (50€)

BB Cream and CC Cream

A BB Cream is a "Beauty Balm" or "Blemish Balm". They are lightweight, often creamy, and act as a moisturizer providing just a bit of color. They are perfect for all skin types but especially oily/acne-prone ones.

A CC Cream is a color corrector which is perfect for dry and mature skin types as they usually contain hydrating, nourishing and anti-ageing ingredients. Same as BB creams, they are lighter that a proper foundation and provide just a touch of color to even out complexion.

3. COVERAGE

Another aspect to consider is the kind of result you are looking for and your preferences in terms of coverage. This does not really depend on your skin type (although we understand that problematic skin types or acne-prone ones may tend to prefer full coverage foundations), but really the type of look you want to achieve. Lightweight formulas are perfect for natural looking results and full coverage ones tend to be more visible but will cover all your imperfections.

4. SHADE

And here comes the tricky part: how do you find your shade?

Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this question but just some advices on how you can narrow down the options. Most people can have more than one shade, which tend to vary during the year anyway, depending on whether you have a tan or not.

Look at your skin under natural light

The first thing you should do is looking at your skin under natural light. Go outside and look at your arms, your neck, decollete and face. Often times we have slightly different shades on our neck than on our face, so the key is to choose a foundation which will even this out. Look at your arms to try understand which is your undertone. There is the "Vein Trick" which could help you out, although sometimes it can be difficult to tell:

- if your veins are looking more on the greeny side, then your undertone is probably a warm one, so yellow/gold/olive.

- if your veins are more on the blue side, then your undertone is probably a cool one

Keep in mind that this is just a general guide, which will not apply to everybody: some people have neutral undertones so they can actually be ok with warm as well as cool shades.

When you apply foundation to test the shade out, always go under your chin and apply it on the first part of your neck. This way you will be able to tell if it truly matches.

ASK FOR HELP

When you have tried several foundations out and understood which is your undertone and the shade which usually suits you best, you will be able to shop online with confidence. If in doubts, ask the staff to help you!

Realness of Beauty is always ready to assist you and aswer all your questions related to finding the best foundation for you!

Now you know the most important aspects to consider when buying a foundation and this should help you with your next vegan purchase.

Let us know in the comments if you have special tricks you use when it comes to finding the perfect shade.