Beauty 101: Great Foundations for Every Skin Type

Wearing foundation can be a very scary thing, especially when your not sure where to start! With so many different kinds of foundation available on the market,  I can definitely understand why it may be confusing to figure out which foundation you should buy.

Here are some suggestions of great foundation options to try based on your individual skin type.

Normal

Having normal skin doesn't mean that your skin is perfect, but it IS pretty close to it! Since you don't have to worry about any scarring, excess oil, or dryness, you may want to opt for a lighter coverage foundation.  BB Creams and other tinted moisturizers are perfect for those with normal skin who only need to even out the skin tone.

(Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream- $9, Revlon ColorStay- $12, Urban Decay Naked Skin- $40)

Oily

If your skin is prone getting excessively shiny by lunch time, you definitely want to make sure that your using an oil-free formula foundation. In addition you may want to choose a matte finish to help keep your complexion clear and smooth out throughout the day. Try to stick with a lightweight medium coverage foundation, as heavier formulas may clog up pores causing even more oil production and actually worsening the issue. Another technique that is useful when it comes to dealing with oily skin is setting your foundation with a powder to further reduce shine.

          (Maybelline Fit Me- $8, L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte- $13, Kat Von D Lock It- $35, Makeup Forever HD- $43)

Dry

Moisture is the key to wearing foundation with dry skin. Try to incorporate lots of moisture into your application routine by properly moisturizing your face before applying foundation. To avoid cake-y, flake-y, and un-even application it's best to go for a moisturizing formula with a dewey finish, or a luminous foundation to give you that extra glow. It is recommended to avoid powder foundation as liquid and creams will be your best options.

(Black Opal True Color Creme- $9, Revlon Colorstay- $12, Nars Sheer Glow- $45)

Combination

Combination skin is one of the trickiest skin types to have, it is also one of the most common. Unfortunately the combination skin war is a war of two battles, some areas tend to produce excess oil while other areas on the face can become dry and flake-y. For this reason it's best to make sure that the entire face is fully moisturized before applying an oil-free formula foundation.

(Revlon ColorStay- $12, Makeup Forever HD- $43, Bobbi Brown Long Wear- $48)

Acne Prone

Acne prone skin is a headache to deal with because not only is it prone to breakouts, but it usually comes with enlarged pores and excessive oil.  This type of skin is also prone to scarring, so a medium to full coverage formula going to be your best option for a more flawless look. You also may want to consider opting for a "natural" or "mineral" infused foundation to help you heal while you conceal.

(Elf Acne Fighting- $6, Bare Minerals Original- $29, Estee Lauder DoubleWear- $38)

Sensitive

Sensitive skin is often easily irritated and prone to itching, burning, and redness. Any type of product that you use with this skin type requires extra care. Just like when your handling your skin, you want to make sure that your using makeup products that are gentle and natural. Be mindful of the ingredients as to avoid any allergens. There are a lot of foundation brands that are formulated specifically for those more sensitive skin types. Depending on the severity you may need to consider a medicated option.

(Neutrogena Healthy Skin- $13, Bare Minerals Original- $29, Cover FX Natural- $40)

Mature 

As we begin to get older, our skin becomes more prone to drying out easily and forming fine lines. Light, moisture rich, dewey, and luminous foundations work best for this skin type. You want to stay away from matte and heavier, full coverage foundations because they will flatten the face too much and bring unwanted attention to the imperfections in the skin. The main objective is to balance out the complexion, brighten, and reflect light to lift the skin.

(L'Oreal True Match Lumi- $11, Estee Lauder Double Wear Light- $38, Nars Sheer Glow- $45)

It is possible that your skin could fall under more than one of the categories above. I definitely recommend that you try out a few different foundations to figure out which ones suit best for you.

P.s....

Want to try the high end foundations for FREE? Sephora gives out free samples of any of the foundations in the store. Just request them from one of the store associates. Thank me later :)