Finding the right foundation online does not have to be that difficult, but there is a lot to think about! Now I thought I would go through everything with foundation and also give tips on what you need to think about to choose the right foundation :)
I get questions about base make-up and especially foundation, many people have a hard time choosing the right shade and do not really know how to think about choosing a foundation that suits their skin tone and skin type.
And almost even more common - questions about various problems that arise with bass makeup and how to solve these.
Here is a solid post with a lot of info! :)
How do I choose the right foundation?
Apologies in advance for long post. I can write a whole BOOK about bass makeup! Really, give me a week and I will have 100,000 words haha. But - here is a table of contents so if you do not want to read the whole post, you can easily jump to the section you are curious about!
Table of contents for my foundation guide:
You can click on the links in each table of contents to jump around in the post and find what you are looking for. The post is divided into 4 main categories.
5 Questions & Answers
- What is foundation?
- Which foundation suits me?
- Mineral foundation vs liquid foundation?
- How to use foundation?
- Which foundation is best?
1. What is foundation?
Foundation är en del i bassminket som jämnar ut hudtonen med hjälp av täckande pigment. Just ordet foundation betyder grund och är alltså en grund för hela sminkningen, lite som en jämn “duk” att måla på.
Det finns otroligt många varianter på detta vilket kan göra folk förvirrade kring termen. Jag brukar för enkelhetens skull använda ordet “foundation” som samlingsnamn för alla typer av täckande produkter som man applicerar i hela ansiktet. Även färgad dagkräm, cc-cream och bb-cream. Dessa produkter är också foundations men som dessutom återfuktar huden, kan innehålla solskyddsfaktor, neutralisera rödhet o.s.v.
So there are many factors that differ from foundation to foundation. Different opaque foundation, what skin type they are adapted for, application technique (eg if it is a liquid or powder foundation) and also different finishes such as luster or matte.
2. Which foundation suits me?
Which foundation you should choose depends on what skin type you have and what you want your foundation to do for you.
Or (now I correct myself) it's more about skin condition than skin type! You may have oily skin (high sebum production in the skin) but still have dry areas as well. Then you need a foundation that fits both oily and dry skin.
It is also about your personal wishes.
- How comprehensive base do you want?
- Do you want a matte result or more luster?
- How many more products do you want to use?
Om du t.ex. använder ansiktsprimer, concealer och puder också så behöver din foundation inte “göra” lika mycket för dig. Den behöver täcka lagom och hålla hela dagen.
But if you want to use only foundation, higher requirements are set. Does it cover all the bumps you want to cover? Does it give the right finish? Does it last all day even though you skip face primer?
Choosing the right foundation for you is very important for the base make-up to last! You can have e.g. have a great face primer for oily skin, but an inappropriate foundation on top means that your primer still does not work.
You can also adjust the finish afterwards. Here I have laid a matte base that suits oily skin and finished with a lustrous highlighter. So the end result still has a radiant glow while the base holds better on my oily skin!
3. Mineral foundation vs liquid foundation?
Mineral foundation is a type of powder foundation, but instead of common powder ingredients such as rice powder, talc, etc., it is based on different minerals.
Mineral powder gives a very light and almost creamy feeling on the skin even though it is a powder foundation. However, in most cases it will be quite dull, but spray a fixing mist and put on some highlighter so you can get a lot of glow anyway if you want! :)
If you choose a mineral foundation or liquid is a matter of taste, some prefer mineral foundation while others prefer liquid foundation.
Benefits of mineral foundation:
- Quick to apply
- You can vary the coverage ratio. For example. Apply thinly all over the face and then dab more on areas where you want more opaque foundation.
- You do not need to fix with powder afterwards (as many cream foundations need if they are to last all day)
- Bra foundation för känslig hy. Det är få som reagerar på mineralfoundation (beroende på övriga ingredienser). Har du känslig hy så ska du dock kolla ingredienslistan så att inte Bismuth står högt upp (om det står under “may contain” så brukar det inte vara någon fara). Bismuth på svenska är Vismut. Bismuth är inte farligt på något vis, men molekylen är lite taggig vilket kan irritera huden. OBS ska inte blandas ihop med “Bismuth oxychloride”Which is a mineral salt that is often added to give light-reflecting properties. Bismuth oxychloride does not irritate the skin.
- Suitable for all skin types / skin conditions. The only disadvantage of mineral foundation in my opinion is that people with dry areas need to moisturize the skin properly before and feel free to use a primer as well. Mineral foundation straight on dry / not moisturized skin does not adhere as well.
- Mineral foundations usually provide a sun-protective effect (around spf15-spf20) because the minerals Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide provide a sun-protective effect.
The benefits of mineral foundation are thus many - but many still prefer the application of liquid foundations. And that liquid foundations are available in so many more variants!
Here I have mineral foundation on one half and am completely unmade up on the other half.
4. How to use foundation?
It is not only important to choose the right foundation for you, but also to apply it in a good way to get a nice and durable result!
Apply foundation:
- Feel free to let your moisturizer sink in properly before you put on make-up. The skin does not have to be completely dry, but if you have a clear layer of moisturizer then so be it can it affects the performance and durability of your foundation.
- Apply your face primer - if you use one. In most cases, you can apply the foundation immediately afterwards, without the primer having to dry in between.
- Mineral Foundation: Använd gärna en kompakt med mjuk borste och buffra in i huden. Viktigt att inte bara “svepa på” pudret på huden, utan jobba in den. Förslagsvis Buffing Borsten i Flawless Base Set (adlink) from Real Techniques.
- Thick liquid / cream foundations: Feel free to use a compact brush or sponge so that you can work the foundation into the skin. For example Complexion Blender Brush (adlink) from Real Techniques who received incredible (!) reviews on Lyko! This type of foundation can have poorer durability if you apply a thick layer on just the surface of the skin without working it in.
- Thin / light foundations and gel foundations: Light formulations often sink into the skin better and you can use a less compact foundation brush or your fingers. A too compact and large brush can absorb a lot of product if you have a thin formulation, which means that you waste a lot of foundation as most of it gets stuck inside the brush. If you use a sponge, you can advantageously moisten it before, so that it does not absorb an unnecessary amount of product. Suggest the flat brush out Flawless Base Set (adlink) from Real Techniques :)
Whether the fingers are good or not to apply with depends a bit on your foundation and is a matter of taste.
Personally, I think that foundations where you can build up the coverage rate work better with a tool instead of your fingers. But as I said - it's a matter of taste!
5. Which foundation is best?
Ibland får jag frågan “which is the world's best foundation?“. Men den bästa foundation är den som löser det problem du tycker att du har samt ger dig den täckning du är ute efter.
What is available, however, are foundations that suit a larger number of people! Like for example. has all these properties:
- Works on oily skin while not highlighting dry areas.
- Provides adequate coverage that many people enjoy - just to supplement with concealer in areas that need more coverage.
- Easy to apply, whether you are a beginner or a professional
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Does not wrinkle
- You can vary the final finish - apply powder for matte results or supplement with highlighter for glow!
So you have a better chance of choosing the right foundation if you buy one that has many good properties at once.
I have two recommendations that fit the above criteria:
First out is Pixi H2O Skintint (adlink)
Water-based foundation with gel formula that sinks into the skin and gives a moisturized finish. Holds well in wrinkles all day and even though it is not for oily skin, it also holds well on oily skin provided that you supplement with a good loose powder on top. It is a light-covering foundation that gives a big difference in skin tone, it is enough to just need a little concealer in certain areas.
Sometimes I get the question about a good waterproof foundation, Pixi H2O Skintint is not said to be waterproof but on the other hand water resistant and withstands moisture and sweat very well without letting go of the skin!
Fireplace: The only thing I noticed with the Pixi H2O Skintint is that it can get good primers for oily skin to be less effective. If I apply primer on half / half the face and then Pixi H2O Skintint, I see no difference in the gloss during the day. But if I put half / half with mineral foundation on top, you can see how much difference the primer makes.
Alternatively: glo Skin Beauty Pressed Base (adlink)
I have used different mineral foundations to and from since I went to high school and this one I still have to say is the best! It is a pressed powder which simplifies the application (loose powder in a jar is more messy and tends to fly around = a lot of wastage). It is very comprehensive, which means that you need a very small amount, which gives you a more natural result. If you do not have oily skin, you do not need powder over either. In other words, very fast-applied!
9 tips, use & choose the right foundation
- Choose the right primer for your foundation
- Do you have to have pillows on the foundation?
- Select coverage ratio
- Choose the right foundation shade
- Choose the right undertone for your foundation
- Which foundation is suitable for oily and / or dry skin?
- Foundation for mature skin (or rather wrinkles and lines)
- Foundation for sensitive skin
- Environmentally friendly foundation
1. Choose the right primer for your foundation
I have dedicated this entire post to choosing the right foundation but honestly it is the combination of all products together that is of utmost importance! :)
Common example: You love luster and buy both primer and foundation that give glow. But your foundation is very creamy and must be fixed with a lot of powder to last. Your entire base make-up then becomes quite dull and the whole point with an expensive glow primer and glow foundation disappears.
Then rather choose a primer based on skin condition instead of how you want the end result of your base make-up to look. Do you need extra hydration during mineral foundation? Pore filling? Exhausting?
2. Do you have to have pillows on the foundation?
No, not all liquid foundations need to be fixed with powder, but many foundations fold in under the eyes and from the nose to the mouth pores if you do not fix with powder. Apply a thin layer of powder on at least these areas, I would recommend. Some feel that it is enough to fix with fixing mist / setting spray instead of powder.
If you have oily skin, it is more important to have a primer and foundation that manages the oiliness, rather than what finish they have (but should of course give a nice and natural result!). Because you should still finish with an absorbent loose powder for the makeup to last all day = the finish will still be relatively matte :) Some glow can shine through anyway if you use a good powder, but better to focus on a durable base and finish with highlighter for to get good glow instead.
If you have dry areas, you can use powder over anyway, provided it is a good powder. There are silky powders that do not emphasize dryness, as long as you apply with a good brush and not too much :)
Here e.g. do you see how a matte result quickly gets a radiant glow with a few quick brush strokes with highlighter :)
3. Select coverage
Choosing the right foundation is very much about being happy with the coverage rate!
I usually recommend choosing the coverage rate based on what you want in largest the part of the face if you want as natural a result as possible.
Then you can supplement with concealer and / or products that neutralize redness in the areas that need it. Instead of a full-coverage foundation for the entire face.
Här kan man lätt titta på förebilden och tänka “välj en heltäckande foundation” men se så stor skillnad det blir i hela ansiktet av att enbart applicera concealer! Då räcker en lätt täckande foundation som komplement :)
4. Choose the right foundation shade
“Vilken nyans ska jag ha?” Är en fråga jag svarar på OFTA! :)
If you are going to buy foundation online:
The website Findation.com är ett bra verktyg för att välja rätt foundation! Inte alltid 100% korrekt eftersom alla nyanser inte är exakt samma från märke till märke, men man får ett hum! Där kan man jämföra t.ex. “jag har nyans X av märke Y, vilken nyans ska jag då ha av märke Z?
Man kommer också långt genom att läsa om nyanserna, tycker i alla fall jag. Det kan ofta vara mer givande än att se swatchbilder eftersom färger skiljer sig från skärm till skärm. T.ex. “passar dig med ljus hudton med kall underton” är mer pricksäkert än att du själv ska avgöra vilken av bilderna som har kall underton.
If you are going to test foundation:
Test where you should have the foundation - in the face. If you test the shade on the hand, it can be very misleading.
But compare against the skin tone in the décolleté / shoulders, I usually recommend! :) If you e.g. has a darker skin tone on the upper body than on the face and matches the foundation with your skin tone on the face, then it will still look like you have the wrong shade on your foundation.
Be careful not to match the skin tone of your neck, it is more often lighter than both the face and the décolleté. If you get a clear difference between the face and the neck, it is better to make up the foundation a little on the neck as well, or alternatively supplement with bronzer on the neck.
If you choose between two shades:
Will your skin tone soon change due to season / climate? For example, in March, it may be better to choose the slightly darker tone, otherwise you risk it being too light in a month or so anyway. And vice versa in winter.
If you do not need to think about the climate, I usually recommend the lighter shade if you still use a lot of contouring, bronzer, etc. in your other basic routine, then it can be nice to have a little lighter in the middle of the face :) And vice versa, choose the darker of the two if you do not use so much else on the face that gives color. You can put a little make-up on the neck to avoid a big contrast.
A very old picture of me haha, but it was appropriate for the post :)
5. Choose the right undertone for your foundation
Cold undertone are skin tones that go more to pink and blue-purple than yellow. Here it is even more important to look at the cleavage than to look at the face, redness in the face is common and does not mean that you should have a cold foundation :)
Neutral undertone then one is neither hot nor cold.
Warm undertone I usually divide into two different groups: Some are more yellow and olive (more to yellow-green than orange-yellow) while others rather have a warm honey tone.
On light-covering foundations, undertones are less important. Then you go by how dark / light skin tone you have. These foundations usually do not have a whole lot of shades because your own skin tone shines through = you get the right undertone anyway.
On foundations with a higher degree of coverage, however, it is important to choose the right undertone. It is usually clearer if a person has the wrong undertone than if the shade is too dark or too light.
In this picture I think you see quite clearly what I mean not to be fooled by the redness of the face. If you compare with my tone on the nose, you would not have chosen an equally yellow foundation shade, but against the neck and décolleté, a yellow undertone will be great!
6. Which foundation is suitable for oily and / or dry skin?
The most important thing to keep in mind to choose the right foundation for your skin type is to think about: are you dry or oily or both?
Foundation for oily skin
Mineralfoundation är ett bättre för oljig hy om man jämför med “fel” flytande foundation. En flytande foundation som inte passar oljig hy kan bli katastrof – huden blir snabbt blank och kladdig och sminket kommer släppa under dagen eftersom oljan löser upp ditt bassmink.
I personally think, however, that one really good liquid foundation suits oily skin better! You just have to find the right one :) A water-based liquid foundation is better than mineral foundation according to my tests!
This is because mineral foundation is dull but not necessarily particularly dull / absorbent during the day - as a good loose powder is. I prefer to instead have a very absorbent loose powder and apply it on top of a liquid foundation - because I can then apply a larger amount without getting a dry result. The loose powder adheres better to a liquid foundation simply!
Oil-free foundation is often in demand by people with oily skin, but in my opinion it is not mainly about the lack of oil - I e.g. use skin care with thin oils that sink well into the skin before I put on makeup. But with that said, water-based foundations still keep the skin oil-free longer compared to silicone-based or oil-based foundations :)
The model is with water-based foundation and after pictures are after powder :) The pores look smaller after powder!
Foundation for dry skin
A moisturizing foundation is nice, no matter what skin type you have! However, it is not a must, focus above all on a moisturizing day cream that suits you. Then whether your foundation is moisturizing or not it is rather a bonus.
What is important, however, is that the foundation should not emphasize dry, crunchy parts. Those who do and do not often require tests rather than relying on the product description. Is there anything I learned after being a beauty writer since 2010 is that you can not blindly trust the product descriptions, haha!
Here e.g. is an image taken the same day. I had been on a sun holiday and had very dry skin (that was a long time ago, before I understood the importance of sun protection and hydration when bathing all day in salt water). One image is a moisturizing cream foundation and the other is a mineral foundation (in powder form), both applied to moisturized skin but without primer underneath.
Now you THINK I wrote wrong, that the dry image is mineral foundation, but it is not! The dry result is from the liquid foundation that was developed for dry skin.
What do I want to say with this then? :) Well, if your foundation is water-based, oil-based, silicone-based or a powder foundation does not matter. Read reviews (or test yourself if you have the opportunity) to know if the foundation you are considering is good even on dry areas.
Foundation for combination skin / combined skin (both dry and oily)
Having clear sebum production (tallow / oil) is very common! But very many of these also have (sometimes or always) dry skin condition. For example. oily T-zone and dry cheeks, or that you have itchy skin in the same areas where the skin also becomes shiny during the day.
The most important thing then is to use products that suit the oiliness, to get a sustainable base make-up. But at the same time do not emphasize dry parts.
Not simply choosing the right foundation then! But my product suggestions further down in the post also fit mixed skin, so read on :)
That the foundation should suit oiliness / dryness is the most important thing in my opinion. But there are other skin conditions to include in the calculations as well:
7. Foundation for mature skin (or rather wrinkles and lines)
Jag brukar sällan ge tips för bara “mogen hy” för alla över en viss ålder har inte automatiskt samma hudtyp och hudtillstånd. Dessutom kan många yngre också ha rynkor och linjer i ansiktet, jag t.ex. har alltid haft väldigt tydliga nasolabialveck (linjen från näsvingen till mungipan) och måste alltid ha bassmink som håller bra i rynkor. Annars blir den linjen jättedjup!
The best foundation for wrinkles is one that is light and sinks into the skin, instead of lying as a layer on the outside. Alternatively, you work it into the skin very well! If you have a thick layer of cream on the surface of the skin, it will most likely settle in wrinkles / lines / creases during the day.
Here I made up Miska's mother with the foundation Pixi H2O Skintint! :)
8. Foundation for sensitive skin
Det allra viktigaste är att undvika doftsatt smink. Jag skriver bara “doftsatt” för det handlar inte solely about perfume, but also natural essential oils that are added to give fragrance.
A fragrance-free / fragrance-free foundation can have a more synthetic smell and no, it does not feel as nice during application. But if you have sensitive skin, it's worth it! :)
9. Environmentally friendly foundation
Many equate synthetic with bad for the environment. That is true in some cases, but far from always!
From an environmental perspective and a societal perspective, it is in many cases better with natural and organic! But even there you can not put an equal sign, there are synthetic ingredients that in some cases are better alternatives.
For example. natural mica vs synthetic mica used as shimmer in makeup. Natural mica is linked to child labor and it is difficult for companies today to guarantee that their natural mica is not contaminated with mica from mines with child labor. Synthetic mica is not at all bad for the environment (especially a better alternative than plastic glitter) and is produced in a safe way.
It was just an example to show that this is a very complex area and you can not draw e.g. all mica over a comb. It is important that the company / brand really cares about the environment and societal issues and makes the right choice - because it is too difficult (in many cases impossible) for the consumer to draw conclusions based on an ingredient list :)
My recommendation here is to only buy makeup and skin care from companies that you trust and that seem to have decent values!
Common problems with foundation
- Foundation oxidizes
- Foundation crackles / cracks
- Foundation settles in the pores
- My foundation does not stick
- Foundation lays down in lines
- Kakigt makeup, e.g. on the nose and under the eyes
- Choose the right foundation that is light enough
- Choose the right foundation that is dark enough
The all, all however, the most common questions are not about what coverage to have, how to apply foundation or which foundation suits my skin type. Without experiencing various problems with your base make-up / base makeup which in turn depends on your foundation!
1. Foundation oxidizes
What does it mean that foundation oxidizes? It is said that foundation oxidizes because the effect is that it darkens over time. In the same way that apples become dark when exposed to oxygen. But when it comes to foundation, oxygen is not the problem!
But it is very typical when I think you have managed to choose the right foundation - but then it gets too dark on the skin during the day!
Why does foundation oxidize? The first thing to distinguish is that a liquid foundation often has a lighter shade before it dries. The light is refracted differently when the formulation is wet. When you test the right shade, it is therefore good to let the foundation dry before you decide if it is right for you.
However, the fact that the foundation darkens during the day is usually due to oil. In the same way that you get a dark spot on the shirt if you spill a drop of oil, so can the pigments in your foundation darken the oil. It may be that you use a lot of oil in your skin care, but also due to oily skin - that the oily sebum that the skin produces during the day causes your foundation to darken.
It is not as common but it also happens that powder oxidizes! If you have a fairly oily base and powder, then the powder will be dark (not the foundation). Or if you have oily skin and powder the oily surface during the day, then the powder can also become dark.
What do you do to prevent foundation from oxidizing? If you do not have oily skin but still have this problem, you can try to reduce oils in your skin care. Otherwise, there is not much you can do yourself other than buy products that do not oxidize. There is! Read reviews before you buy if it does not already say in the product description that the product should not oxidize.
No charming picture of me because I did not photograph it to publish haha! Disaster. But it struck me now that I had a picture in the phone of an oxidizing powder and had to put it in and show :) Both powders (have one powder on one half and another on the other half) should be completely transparent and both it is also IF you do not apply on top of a greasy foundation - because then it becomes one powder like this much darker!
2. Foundation crackles / cracks
The fact that the foundation settles unevenly during the day is also due to the oily oil in the skin (also called sebum / sebum). The oil dissolves the make-up and makes it glide around the skin and can almost be felt as if it is running off.
Many people who do not have oily skin themselves often tell me (who has oily skin) that it is so nice with glow and luster, they also want oily skin! But the fact is that it is not the glossy surface that is the biggest problem - without making the makeup last all day.
It is actually a common problem even though you do not have Giantoily hy :) More people would realize that their base make-up does not last if they used products for oily and combination skin. You may not be bothered by the oiliness or even reflect on it at all, but you still experience the problems with the base makeup that the oil causes.
3. Foundation settles in the pores
The fact that the foundation settles in the pores can be due to two different things.
- Testa att applicera på ett annorlunda sätt. Vissa foundation behöver jobbas in i huden istället för att bara “svepas på” för att lägga sig finare i porerna.
- If that does not work then maybe you should try another foundation. If you have large pores, some foundations can settle as small dots in the pores. A pore-filling primer can help in some cases, but most often it is only because the foundation is not suitable for people with large pores.
A good pore-filling primer (fills out pores) is Pixi Flawless & Poreless Primer (adlink).
4. My foundation does not stick
If you have not moisturized the skin properly, you may find that mineral foundation does not stick to the skin. Dry to dry does not adhere so well, quite simply.
Vad gäller flytande foundation så kan det tvärtom vara din återfuktning som gör att foundationen inte fäster! Ibland kan dina fuktkrämer och din foundation krocka med varandra, så att det känns som att foundationen bara “glider runt” på huden när du applicerar den.
Try adjusting your skincare routine. Maybe you can skip the serum in the morning and use it only in the evening? Use a smaller amount of your moisturizer? You can also let the moisturizer sink in for a while before putting on make-up and then dab with a piece of toilet paper to get rid of the excess.
Det är åtminstone väldigt ovanligt att foundation inte fäster p.g.a. att den är “dålig” utan det beror på andra omständigheter. Om du inte köpt en av jättedålig kvalité vill säga :)
5. Foundation lays down in lines
Very, very common !!
Why does foundation line up? Because you have a large amount of creamy product on your skin.
How do you get the foundation not to line up? There are two things to keep in mind:
- Fixera med puder. En vanlig fråga är “måste jag använda puder på min foundation?” och svaret är nej, alla foundations behöver inte pudras för att hålla. MEN just i vecken under ögonen osv så rör sig huden mycket när vi skattar och pratar under dagen så blir det väldigt stor påfrestning, huden runt dessa linjer och veck gnuggas mot varandra. Du får ett mycket mer hållbart resultat om du fixerar din foundation (och concealer om du använder det också) med puder. Ett tunt lager räcker.
- Use less product! I REALLY want to strike a blow for this tip. A thick layer of makeup will most likely settle in wrinkles and lines during the day. Use a very small amount of a concealer with a high degree of coverage rather than a larger amount of a less opaque concealer. Always work with thin layers of cream products.
A tip is to lighten up under the eyes with a matte light highlighter, instead of a thick layer of concealer. To have smaller layers of creamy product in areas with a lot of lines.
In this picture I have no concealer at all, but have a thin layer of opaque foundation and have lit up with a matte light highlighter under the eyes.
6. Kakigt makeup, e.g. on the nose and under the eyes
The reason why your makeup gets cakey is either because you apply too much, because your products do not fit together or because there is simply too much coverage and matte finish at the same time.
It is not about choosing the right foundation but (usually) due to too thick and unnatural layer simply :)
Näsan är det “känsligaste” områden eftersom det är precis i mitten av ansiktet. Ser näsan inte naturlig ut så känns hela bassminket inte bra ut heller. Att få sminket att lägga sig fint på näsan handlar mycket om appliceringsteknik, ha inte för mycket på borsten utan jobba med tunna lager och jobba in produkten mycket. Det är lätt hänt att man applicerar för stort lager runt näsvingarna och det kan snabbt ge en kaxig finish.
The area under the eyes often becomes cakey for the reason that you apply too much makeup. Many people want a high degree of coverage under the eyes due to dark circles, bags, blueness, etc. A lot of concealer that then needs to be fixed with a lot of powder. But the skin is so thin under the eyes that a thick layer of makeup quickly looks unnatural.
The most important tip is to use a concealer with a high degree of coverage, so you can apply a small amount instead of a thick layer. You can also finish with an illuminating matte highlighter to brighten up the darkness, instead of working up 100% coverage. The darkness can often be due to the fact that there is a natural shadow in the bag / depth under the eyes and not that the skin tone is darker and needs to be covered. It disappears by brightening up, not applying more concealer.
Here you see lightening under the eyes with light highlighter (matte) instead of concealer.
Du behöver inte vara rädd för puder sålänge du använder ett lätt och silkeslent sådant, samt även där jobbar med tunna lager. Ett bra puder ser inte “pudrigt” ut utan kan i många fall snarare blurra huden och ge ett ännu slätare resultat på både porer och linjer!
So: Work with thin layers and good products so you avoid cakey results.
7. Choose the right foundation that is light enough
Many brands sell only the most common shades, unfortunately! Light shades sell well but the really light pale ones are not as common. My tips above (Pixi H2O Skintint and glo Skin Beauty Pressed Base) has shades that suit even the lightest skin tones.
Pixi H2O Skintint's most common light shade is Nude, but is available in three lighter shades: Cream, Fair and Porcelain.
glo Skin Beauty's most common light shade is Golden Light. Natural light (which is even lighter) is also relatively common as well. But there is also an even brighter one - Natural fair!
8. Choose the right foundation that is dark enough
Brands are starting to get better at this (which pleases me!) But there is still a long way to go. When I started using Pixi H2O Skintint, there were only the shades Cream, Nude and Warm, where Warm is also a light shade. So light that those who used Nude before the summer had to change foundation after the summer because even Warm became too light when they were tanned.
At the time of writing Pixi H2O Skintint 11 shades that are darker are Warm and a total of 19 shades in the range. This is very much considering that the foundation is semi-covering and the undertone plays less of a role.
glo Skin Beauty have always been good at dark shades and have always had many to choose from. At the time of writing, they have 9 shades in different undertones in the range medium-dark.
A common misconception is that budget brands cannot afford to have many shades in their range. But it is more about how much money you have in the company when you start, not what price you have for the products. Many new brands have to start with fewer shades because you have to order so many of each shade.
What do I use for base makeup?
My skin type is oily with quite visible pores. Sensitive to the extent that the skin easily feels tight, I need to moisturize it properly. And has some redness around the nose and always some blemishes, but in large parts fairly even skin tone.
I usually use:
- Pixi Flawless & Poreless Primer (adlink)
- Pixi H2O skintint (adlink)
- glo Skin Beauty Under Eye Concealer (adlink)
- Paese Bamboo Silk Powder (adlink)
Hope my post on foundation has helped you so you know how to choose the right foundation for you! It can be a little harder to find the right foundation online, but most are also available in stores such as Kicks / Åhlens so you can go and try it out. If any questions or concerns arise, please leave a comment below.
Also read my other posts:
Most popular makeup brands with foundation:
Loreal, The ordinary, Bare minerals, Lumene, Max factor, Kicks, Fit me, Milani, Clinique, Sensai, Isadora, Lancome, Maybelline, Dior, Nyx, Nars, Clarins, Mac, Estee lauder, Dream urban, Anastasia, Ysl, Idun minerals, Urban decay, Smashbox, Dr hauschka, Armani, Make up store, Too faced, Tarte, Shiseido, It cosmetics, Chanel, Lily lolo, Wet n wild, La girl, Tikei mineral, Elf, Maria åkerberg, Bobbi brown, Rimmel, Makeup revolution, Kat von D, La mer, Vichy, Yves Rocher, HM, Beauty UK, The Body Shop, Exuviance, Dermacol, Zuii.
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