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Picking the wrong makeup foundation is one of the most common mistakes women make. For some odd reason, choosing the right foundation seems to be a step that most women simply just get wrong - sometimes horribly wrong. Few things are more unattractive than a beautiful woman whose face is an entirely different shade of color than her neck, or whose face is covered in foundation so thick that she looks like a wax figurine. Today's foundation is about coverage that looks natural. It's about having skin that looks healthy and that radiates a glow. Foundations are supposed to give you a smooth finished look, not make you look as if you're wearing a mask. So, if you don’t want to look like a Halloween leftover, you have to know how to pick the right makeup foundation.
The first step to achieving a successful makeup application begins by using the right type of foundation. To pick out a foundation, you must find one that perfectly matches the color of your skin, or comes as close as possible. The foundation has to be the perfect color in order for it to blend smoothly and evenly into your skin. You do not want it leaving a noticeable line of demarcation between your jaw line and neck. If the foundation stands out and does not blend seamlessly with your skin, then you do not have the right kind of foundation. For an example of a bad foundation choice, see Leighton Meester at right - her face looks way too pale in contrast with her neck and body. You will know you have chosen the best foundation when you find that the shade virtually disappears on your face. (See our related article How to Properly Apply Makeup Foundation).
When deciding on the right color of foundation for your skin put a dab of the product just above your jaw line or draw a stripe along your jaw line and then blend it in using your fingertips. The correct color should disappear into your skin, blending seamlessly. You can also test the foundation on your neck since the neck is where your foundation will meet your natural skin color. A very common mistake is to test the foundation on the back of your hand, rather than your neck or face. Since you won't be wearing your foundation on the back of your hand, why test it there? Besides, the color of your hands and face are miles apart, so be sure you test the foundation on your face or neck and definitely not on the back of your hands. 
Pink Skin Tone: If you are very fair skinned and your skin burns easily and either tans minimally or not at all, then you most likely have pink, bluish-red, ruddy, rosy, or porcelain undertones.
Yellow Skin Tone: Most Caucasian, Asian and Light Mixed Race women have yellow undertone skin. If you are Caucasian and unsure about your skin tone, you are most likely yellow.
Olive Skine Tone: If you are Mediterranean, Latino, a Fair-skinned African American, or Dark Mixed Race, then you likely have olive undertones.
Brown Skin Tone: If you are Darker-skinned African American, deep complexioned Indian or any other dark skin color, then you likely have brown undertones.
Other simple methods for determining your skin tone:
How to Determine Your Skin Type
After figuring out your skin tone, you will next want to figure out your skin type since there are different formulas for different types of skin. So, do you have normal skin, oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, or sensitive skin?
Foundations for Skin Types
Choosing Foundation Color
After deciding your skin type the next important aspect of choosing the foundation is the color. There are three basic foundation color groups: Ivory, Beige or Tan and Natural or Neutral.
There are several shades available in each color group (e.g., pink, yellow, olive, brown) for the different skin tones. Since most skin colors have either a yellow tone or a pink tone to them, choose accordingly. Most of the time, a foundation with a yellow undertone is best, unless you have the fairest of skin tones. In general, the darker the skin, the darker the shade of yellow it will have.
Why is a foundation with a yellow undertone usually best?
Since foundation is meant to provide a neutral canvas on which to apply your makeup, not add to/change the color of your face, you want to use foundation to help even out your facial complexion and neutralize whatever overtones are present in your skin; thus matching your skin’s natural undertone. The best way to do this is to use a neutral to slightly yellow toned foundation. Why use a foundation with a slightly yellow undertone? Because skin color almost always has a yellow undertone since that is what the natural color of melanin (the pigment that gives your skin its natural color) tends to be. As a result, yellow-based foundations look more natural on most skin types; from fair complexions to the darkest colored skin. Pink may be great for your cheeks and lips, but it doesn't make for the most natural-looking face. Remember, foundation is not meant to be used to change the color of your face; it should blend into your skin, making your other make-up appear more natural.
For the most part, regardless of your race, nationality, or age, the type of foundation you use should be some shade of neutral ivory, neutral beige, tan, dark brown, bronze brown, or ebony, with a slight undertone of yellow but without any obvious orange, pink, rose, green, ash, or blue. Adding those shades to a foundation is never flattering and can look obvious and a bit contrived.
After color, there are two more things that you should be interested in when choosing a foundation: texture and product benefits.
Types of Foundation Texture
A foundation’s texture is going to be more important to you than you might think. It will affect the way the foundation feels on your skin and it will determine how much coverage you are going to get. It is also important to remember that certain foundations are more suitable for different times of the day. For example, if you are on your way to the gym and simply want to cover the redness around the nose, chin or mouth, you should choose an oil-free tinted moisturizer. If, however, you are going to an important event and you want to achieve a polished look, you should wear a foundation that offers more coverage.
Product Benefits
Trust me when I tell you that it is worth the time it takes to find the right foundation. By starting with the right "base”, you will make the rest of your make-up look even better. Even women with the smoothest skin should consider using some type of foundation since it gives your other makeup products something to stick to. Also, many of today's foundations serve double or even triple duty: they offer a bit of coverage, moisturize and even contain sunscreen. Foundations come with alpha-hydroxy acids, SPF, moisturizers and copper. Foundation today even serves as a bridge between skin care and cosmetics. Since foundation is on your face throughout the day, it allows the perfect opportunity to treat your particular skin problem.
Selecting the Right Makeup Foundation for Your Environment
It is important that the type of foundation you pick is one that is good for your skin and meets your needs. Consider your environment for a moment. Similar to lip balm on a harsh winter day, the right foundation can act as a protective coating to help save your skin from the tough elements you face in your daily life. Sun, wind, cold weather, and other environmental components can damage your skin, but a good foundation can easily aid in preventing such damage.
Not surprisingly then, your environment can play a large part in the selection of the right foundation. For instance, do you work in an office where the air-conditioning dries out your skin, or does your job require you to get sweaty rushing around on your feet all day? If you work in an environment that dries out your skin, choose a moisturizing foundation. If you are a person who works outside or enjoys the outdoors, choose a foundation that contains SPF plus moisturizer. If you live or work in hot, humid conditions that causes you to sweat a lot, you should use a foundation that is water proof as well as sweat proof.
As you can see, you have a lot of things to consider when learning how to pick the right makeup foundation. When it comes to choosing the correct foundation for yourself, trying it on and making sure it matches your face and neck color perfectly (especially in daylight) is the best way to ensure that you select a foundation that looks natural. If your foundation leaves a noticeable “tidemark” line between your jaw line and neck, you have not chosen the correct foundation and need to select another product. Remember, you want your skin to look like you are not even wearing any foundation, not like you’ve just applied a paint primer. Although it may take some time for you to find the foundation that is perfect for you, once you have you will be happy you did.
If you have any makeup foundation tips or tricks please share them in our forum! If you liked this article and found it useful and informative please share it:
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