Discover which foundation is right for you

Wearing the wrong shade or type of foundation for your skin is one of biggest beauty blunders you can make. Two shades too dark can leave you looking tan-tastic, two shades too light and you could end up looking washed out. And, when you do manage to choose the right shade for your skin tone, you've then got to battle the liquid, powder or mousse dilemma, and that's all before you've even thought about how to apply it! Take the stress out of perfecting your flawless base with our expert advice… 

Which shade?

Rushing at the beauty counter is a sure-fire way of committing serious crimes against your skin. Your foundation is literally that, and if you get it wrong, anything else that you apply to your face won't sit right either.

"The right foundation should make you look like you're not wearing any at all," says makeup artist Bobbi Brown. "You know you've found the right shade when it disappears into your skin."

But how do you choose the right shade? Bobbi recommends matching your foundation to the skin on the side of your face, where you will actually be wearing it - not the back of your hand or down your neck, which can have very different skin tones. "Find one that blends exactly into your skin, so it makes it look smooth and flawless," she says.

As a final check, head outside with a pocket mirror to make sure the foundation has sunk in and matches your natural skin tone. Artificial store lighting can be a menace when you're trying to find your exact match. You should also keep in mind that foundations with yellow undertones, rather than pink, look more natural on all skin tones.

How do I apply it?

Depending on what type of coverage you're looking for, the application of your foundation generally comes down to personal preference. But according to Samira, one thing is crucial: "Before applying your foundation, make sure you cleanse, tone and moisturise your skin," she says. Giving your foundation a well-moisturised base to sit on is key to creating a flawless look.

For mousse and liquid foundations, both Samira and Bobbi agree that fingers are your best tool. And, they say, warm fingers and foundations at room temperature penetrate the skin more deeply and blend more easily.

"Apply your foundation in dots around your nose, cheekbones, forehead, chin and eyelids, and blend from the centre of your face outward," says Samira. "Make sure you blend well, especially along your hair and jawline to avoid that mask-like appearance."

Powder foundations are best applied with a sponge or brush. Again, depending on whether you want light or full coverage, you can use your sponge dry or wet, or use your brush to build up layers of powder, which will ensure you get maximum coverage for longer.

Which formula?

Once you've got the shade sorted, it's time to consider which formula is better suited to your skin type and how much coverage you need from your foundation. If you're blessed with a normal skin type, you can opt for any formula, but if you have oily, dry or combination skin, then your options will be more limited.

"Powder foundation is good for combination or oily skin," says Samira Olfat, makeup artist for Max Factor. "It provides good coverage, is light, and doesn't clog pores, which allows your skin to breathe." She recommends building up powder foundation in layers using a brush if you're looking for full coverage. For oily skin, stick to formulas that are oil-free, whether it's powder, liquid or cream. Combination skin types should also think about adapting the foundation formula to the season: Bobbi suggests opting for oil-free formulas in summer and a foundation with moisturising qualities in winter.

If you have dry skin, stay away from oil-free foundations. Whether you use a stick, liquid or cream, ensure it's oil-based, otherwise your skin will look dehydrated. Bobbi also recommends avoiding cream-to-powder formulas, which can leave skin looking chalky and feeling even drier. For older skin, Samira says mousse foundations are the best option as they are great for covering up fine lines.