How To Shop For Skin Foundation

Out of all the skin care products available, it is often said that skin foundation is one of the hardest to shop for.

Not only do you need to select the right colour for your skin, but you also need to select a foundation that works with your skin type.

Getting the right foundation isn’t something you are likely to do with the first foundation you buy, as it takes most people many months of experimentation before they finally find that perfect product.

What Is The Ideal Foundation For Your Face?

The perfect foundation is one that uses a colour which matches your skin tone. Generally skin tones tend to have either a pinkish or a yellowish undertone.

So if you have had a hard time matching your foundation to your skin tone in the past, then it is likely you are using a pink undertone when you need a yellow undertone and vice versa.

However the best way to select the right foundation is usually by asking someone who specialises in this area, such as a sales consultant.

They likely see many different faces throughout the day, and so should be able to give you good advice on selecting a product that will work with your skin type and skin tone.

But for now, let’s have a look at some other tips which should help you to make an educated purchase the next time you shop for foundation.

Tips On Shopping For Skin Foundation

A good place to start shopping for foundation is your local department store, as this way you will be able to try it on and see immediately what colour works best for you.

You can also get feedback from the sales consultant, and probably lots of helpful advice.

Skin Foundation & Lighting Conditions

When you find a colour that looks good on you indoors, it is always a good idea to see how it looks under different types of light.

Take a mirror with you and see how your skin looks under artificial light and in sunlight. An ideal foundation should look similar regardless of the light you are under.

Test Foundation On Skin You Can See

If you are testing a foundation in store, make sure the sales rep puts it on the front of your cheek rather than on the sides or jaw where you can’t see it.

Also, don’t test foundation on your hand or neck. Test it where you will be using it.

Get Samples Of Your Skin Care Products

Before making a commitment to buy a product outright, it is a good idea to get some samples so that you can test it for a few days.

Sometimes you may react badly to a skin care product, and this is something you will be able to easily identify if you have a sample.

Get A Skin Foundation That Works All Day Long

You only need one foundation that you will use for both the day and evening, and you only need one colour - the one that matches your skin.

The only exception to this is if you want to use a lighter foundation during the winter and a heavier foundation during the summer.

Shop In A Good Mood

One of the worst times you can go shopping for any skin care product is when you are in a bad mood because you will think everything looks horrible on you. So go shopping in a good mood!

Purchase A Brand That Works For Your Skin

Just because you use brand x to cleanse, tone, and moisturise doesn’t necessarily mean they are going to have the best foundation for your skin.

Choose a brand that works well for you, and not just because you are using it already or because your friends are using it.

Skin Foundation Should Last A Long Time

A regular bottle of foundation should last you for around six months, so if you are buying foundation more often than this then you are probably using too much.

The only exception to this is if you have acne skin, in which case you can expect to replace it roughly every three to four months to prevent it from becoming contaminated by acne bacteria.

When Using A Self Tanner

If you use a tanning lotion on your face make sure you have it on before you shop for foundation, otherwise you are likely to pick up the wrong product which won’t work with your skin type.

Skin Foundation For Dark Skin

If you have dark skin be very fussy about the foundation you choose, and make sure that it suits your skin type. Something which just looks ok is the wrong product for you.