New approaches to building an impeccable foundation for your beauty looks

by Hanan Haddad

True to its name, foundation provides just that, the foundation to the building blocks of your makeup look. Be it an elaborate cut-crease for a special event or an everyday work look, we are constantly striving to achieve that perfect canvas.

Complexion products have come a long way from the good old days of Estée Lauder Double Wear and heavy bases that mask rather than perfect. Today, there are so many bases to choose from in countless forms, from liquids to cushions. More importantly, foundation has become a powerful indicator of the future of cosmetics. More than ever, representation in cosmetics is being emphasised and it’s about time.

No beauty company, indie nor conglomerate, can get away with a complexion release that consists of a mere 5 to 12 shades, mostly focusing on a spectrum of light to medium skin tones. Fenty Beauty made history by debuting their Pro Filt’r foundation with a library of 50 shades. Beyond the sheer number of shades, celebrity CEO Rihanna placed emphasis on the subtle undertones within people of colour, showing that brands now have to pay attention

Along with this renaissance in foundation colours, a similar phenomenon has been mirrored in terms of the formulas and finishes. Brands have started distancing themselves from traditional, heavy liquids and innovated new textures such as gels, balms and creams that are designed to melt into the skin and camouflage imperfections in the most natural manner.

The reawakening of complexion products, though much needed, can prove to be a challenge for consumers who might find the extensive options and ranges available today overwhelming. So if you’re thinking of finding a new foundation to fall in love with, here are some key things to keep in mind.

Skin Type & Finish

The days of dry and cakey makeup are long gone. The trends in complexion has wavered back and forth from matte to ultra-glossy, but disregard the finish you desire and instead, hone in on what your skin needs.

Those who have oily skin will usually reach for the flattest, mattest offerings but contrary to popular belief, it might be a better idea to opt for a foundation that gives a satin finish. If you’re worried about longevity, there are other ways to improve it such as primers or powdering at targeted areas. This results in a more naturally-perfected appearance, keeping the dimensions of the face alive.

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Back in the day, anyone with dry skin had to be content with tinted moisturiser as traditional liquid foundations can exacerbate dry patches and make the skin appear more aged. Now, you can opt for a more dewy formula, though be careful not to apply too much as more emollient formulas have the tendency to transfer and move around. Look out for nourishing oils and glycerin in the ingredients list.

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Textures & Coverage

Technology in cosmetics have come such a long way with new formulations being introduced to the market almost every year. Hence, it’s important to keep this in mind the next time you go beauty shopping.

Is this foundation for every day? What is your preferred application method? What kind of coverage are you looking for? Note that foundation is meant to simply even out the complexion and not completely get rid of all imperfections on the skin. Concealers do that job for us.

Cushion foundations would be the best format for people who are on-the-go whereas gel foundations might be just right for those who want to slap on their base in the morning, without any fear of streaking and patchiness. Stick foundations are also ideal for jet-setters who don’t want to worry about airport guidelines and are often good for most skin types. There are so many foundation formulas outside the traditional liquid format so think of your lifestyle and what would best suit it.

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Colour & Undertones

With the overwhelming number of shades available today, picking one can be a challenge. Observe your undertones, for instance, Asians tend to lean more yellow while people of Latin lineage have olive and warm undertones.

Most companies will indicate this. Take for example, Urban Decay and their Stay Naked Foundation range. ‘N’ stands for neutral, ‘C’ for cool and ‘Y’ for yellow. Use these indicators to get in the ballpark of what your shade might be and then swatch them in the store to find the right one.

Most importantly, your foundation should match your neck. If you are still unsure, opt for a lighter coverage foundation as it allows more room for error.

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Have you tried any of the above recommendations? Tell us your thoughts on them, we’d like to hear from you! If you have other suggestions and recommendations, do let us know in the comment box below! x #TeamPage5