Finding the right foundation can often be a daunting task. With so many brands and varieties available—liquid, powder, cream-to-powder, mousse, BB cream, CC cream—it can be hard to find the right one for you, especially when you don’t know where to start. We chatted with Loida Adam, Beauty Boutique manager at Bayview Village Shoppers Drug Mart, on how to find the right foundation for you and your skin type so you can navigate the beauty aisles just a little bit easier.
Identify your skin type
Before you even start choosing a foundation, you need to identify your skin type and concerns. Adam explains, “Assessing skin type is the first place I start—I don’t want to give someone with oily skin a really luminous foundation that is going to make them even shinier.” Adam recommends liquid foundations over mousse and cream-to-powder foundations, even for those with oilier skin, as there are a lot of options out there that help to mattify skin, while concealing any blemishes that pop up.
Pick your potion
Once you’ve established your skin type, the next step is to find something that works for you.
Dry Skin: For those with dry skin who don’t have a lot of blemishes to conceal, but just need some hydration and moderate coverage, Adam recommends both Lancé´me Teint Idole Ultra 24H ($53) and Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche é‰clat ($62), which both provide “a very fluid and light texture that gives a luminous glow with a very lightweight formula and is something that will even out your skin tone.”
Oily/Combination Skin: Both the Dior Diorskin Star Foundation ($50) and Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Oily/Combination Skin ($20) are real winners: “the Dior foundation is a bit mattifying but doesn’t look caked-on, which is something really great for people struggling with oily or combination skin. The Revlon foundation (designed specifically for oily/combination skin) offers medium-to-full coverage for those will blemishes.”
Normal Skin: For those with relatively normal skin, you have a few more options when it comes to foundation texture, such as going for a mousse, cream-to-powder (though you need to keep the sponge clean—we’ll get to that) or a BB or CC cream formula, especially if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop when it comes to your makeup regimen. When it comes to setting your look, Adam recommends the Cover FX Matte Setting Powder ($32), which is mineral-based and is great to nix any shine in those humid summer months.
Apply and clean appropriately
When it comes to applying foundation, many people are divided between using their fingers or a makeup brush and it usually comes down to personal preference. For Adam, she recommends using a foundation brush (the Lise Watier Foundation Brush, Cover FX Liquid Foundation Brush or The Body Shop Foundation Brush are all great options) for one simple reason: “In my experience, I’ve found that when you apply liquid foundation with your fingers, it just doesn’t last as long as the natural oils on your hand break it down faster. When you use a foundation brush, it lasts all day.” But when you start using a foundation brush (or any makeup brushes for that matter), you need to be diligent about cleaning them regularly, especially if you’re of the oily/combination skin variety. Regular brush cleaning is nothing new to us, but Adam is a huge proponent of brush hygiene and recommends cleaning your brushes every week and suggests keeping a few foundation brushes in rotation so you can allow for dry time. Her pro tip for cleaning them? “I use baby shampoo to clean my brushes because it’s really gentle,” which will keep your brushes long lasting. It may be difficult to get into the habit of cleaning your brushes this frequently, but Adam assures us, “once you do, you’ll notice the difference in your skin.” Sold.
