All the tips and tricks you need to ace your base
WORDS: JESS BEECH. PHOTOS (MAIN POSED BY MODEL): GETTY
1Know your skin type
Different skin types have different needs when it comes to foundation. For example, if your skin is dry you’ll want a lightweight formula that glides over flaky patches – we like Morphe Lightform Extended Hydration Foundation, £18, uk.morphe.com. If you’re prone to oil, you’ll need something with staying power, such as Maybelline Super Stay 24H Skin Tint, £13.99, Boots.
2Consider your undertones
Finding the right shade of foundation is not just about the colour of your skin, but its undertones too. These can be warm, cool or neutral. Hold a piece of gold jewellery close to your face, then a piece of silver. If the gold makes your skin look healthy and radiant, it’s warm, if silver does the trick, it’s cool. Can’t see a difference? It’s neutral. Brands like Fenty and NYX let you shop by both shade and undertone, for an exact match.
3 Prep and prime
Get the most from your foundation by laying the groundwork with good skincare. Cleanse daily, exfoliate regularly and moisturise twice a day. A primer can help improve the wear of your foundation too. Try E.l.f. Power Grip Primer, £10, Superdrug, for extra staying power, L’Oréal Prime Lab 24H Pore Minimizer Primer, £11.99, Boots,to smooth pores and Milk Makeup Cloud Glow Priming Foam, £25, sephora.co.uk, for added radiance.
4 Try in-store
Buying foundation in a shop lets you see the shade up close, feel the texture and ask the on-counter make-up artists for advice. Remember though that the lighting in-store is designed to drive purchases, making things look brighter. If you can, pop outside to check your shade match in natural light before committing. The best place to swatch is along your jawline rather than on your hands or neck.
5 Use a reliable online service
If you know your shade but want to try a different brand or formula, input your existing match at findation.com to check out alternatives. Or try
Dcypher My Custom Foundation, £42, dcypher.me, to create a base from scratch. Choose coverage level and finish, state your skin type, and the AI technology analyses your skin tone to create a bespoke formula.
6 Take a tester home
Some foundation formulas oxidise when they come into contact with air. This makes them darker and a less perfect match than you’d expected. Ideally, you want to try a new foundation for a full day before investing, and b
