Foundation offers more than coverage. With added skin health benefits, you’ll be more than just a pretty face.
We all know makeup is a girl’s best friend for highlighting our best features and detracting from all manner of skin sins – from breakouts to late nights. But these days we expect our beauty with a side serve of benefits: makeup that’s actually good for our skin.
A good foundation is arguably the most crucial product in your makeup bag. Today’s foundation formulas are smooth as silk, helping to even out skin tone, add radiance and hydration and, in some cases, UV protection. Think less “cover-up” and more “skincare”.
In fact, many foundations are now formulated with the same anti-ageing ingredients that you find in moisturisers. Try a foundation enriched with vitamins and antioxidants to help nurture and protect skin from damaging free radicals.
When it comes to application, the most important thing to remember is you want your skin to look like skin. It should look clean and fresh, not like you’re wearing lots of product. If your foundation changes the colour of your face, it’s not the right shade. Let. It. Go.
For the most natural look, choose a yellow-toned foundation that’s the same colour as your skin. To test, swatch foundation along your jaw line and also on your forehead and check your reflection in natural light. Avoid pinky-beige toned foundation, which can age you and make you look like you’re wearing a mask.
Bases loaded
Foundations and concealers have found a new life as formulations that contain clinical skincare ingredients. They now go beyond the single added benefit of containing an SPF to fuse treatment technology within each cosmetic product, such as formulations to improve dark circles and puffiness, while incorporating ingredients to improve the skin’s appearance over time. Some foundations promote collagen production and help fight signs of ageing, while others are enriched with vitamins and antioxidants to repair, protect and perfect skin.
Age related
The past decade has seen a blooming market for anti-ageing cosmetics, appealing to our desire to stay as youthful looking as possible for our age. Products include any number of active ingredients, including retinol, peptides and other anti-ageing ingredients that stimulate collagen production. Anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing makeup products have been shown to improve skin’s elasticity and reduce some signs of ageing.
Sun protection
In response to concerns over the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, cosmetics manufacturers have long been including sun protection to their product lines. With moisturisers and foundations now including an SPF of 15, 30 and even 50, we’re provided with extra protection from the sun. Of course, we should still apply a traditional sunscreen product in addition for maximum protection.
Au naturel
Gentle makeup offers fragrance-free products and hypoallergenic products for sensitive souls. Such formulations avoid harmful chemicals and preservatives and may include organic ingredients. The theory behind natural makeup is that since it’s created from natural ingredients, such as plants, the resulting product will be much more gentle on the skin.
Foundation types
Oil-Free, Matte-Finish Liquid Foundations
This type of foundation is great for acne and breakout-prone skin and oily skin in general. Look out for lightweight texture, easily blendable formulations and with a buildable coverage. If you find you’re looking more flat than matte, try an oil-free primer under the foundation to add some sheen.
Long-Wearing, Matte-Finish Liquid Foundations
These offer excellent long-lasting coverage but be warned: you need to work fast as most set in place super-fast. Great for oily skin and those of us who live in humid climes. Another word to the wise: while these liquid foundations will give a “just applied” all-day finish, they will also exacerbate any dryness so ensure you use a lightweight serum or moisturiser to properly prep your canvas.
Anti-ageing/Moisturising Liquid Foundations
A hydrating foundation is key to looking youthful because it addresses fine lines, sagging skin and uneven skin tone all at the same time. Try a creamy formula with a satin or satin-matte finish because it will glide over, rather than settle into facial lines. And stay away from a heavy foundation; it will simply accumulate in your lines and make them more noticeable. Ideal for normal to dry skin.
Top tip!
For some added luminescence at night, try mixing your foundation with a primer
Sheer Foundations/Tinted Moisturisers
If you’re blessed with clear skin and don’t need significant coverage, sheer foundation should be your go-to foundation. These add a touch of colour to even skin tone, moisturiser for a smooth sheen and most are also equipped with the number-one anti-ageing ingredient: sunscreen.
Pressed Powder Foundations
These offer more coverage and staying power than regular pressed powders. Look for a silky finish and one that’s easy to blend. Most offer light to medium coverage and work best on normal to slightly dry or slightly oily skin types. If you want more coverage, building too much powder on your skin can look thick and overdone.
Cream-to-Powder Compact Foundations
These are a hybrid of pressed-powder and a creamy liquid foundation. They are creamy on first application but once blended leave a slightly matte, powdery finish. Coverage is buildable, from sheer to full and is best for normal to slightly oily or slightly dry skin. Great for touch-ups on the run and minimal fuss.
Stick Foundations
There aren’t many stick foundations out there, probably because of their reputation as being too thick and waxy in texture and not the best for acneic skin. But I think this is a shame as the good ones in this category offer a silky smooth and soft matte finish while giving supreme coverage. Not to mention the fact it can double up as a concealer and is amazingly portable. Best for normal skin.
