Building Your Beauty Kit: Foundation

This is probably the trickiest step in building your beauty kit because everyone is so different when it comes to skin type, pigmentation and undertone. While some brands have such a sprawling selection it can be overwhelming, others have such a limited one that it can be frustrating trying to find the right shade for you. But don’t worry! I’m here to help.

The first step is figuring out what you want from your foundation. Full coverage? Lightweight? SPF? Matte? Luminosity? There’s a lot of different options that can cater to your specific skin needs. For me personally I prefer something full coverage with a dewy finish because I have very dry skin and like to add a glow any way that I can. But maybe a matte or satin finish is more preferable for you if you have oily skin. Or maybe you really don’t like the feel of makeup but still want to have a flawless finish so something with light coverage is more your style.

Once you know what you’re looking for your foundation to do for you, the next step is to figure out what color to get, which is probably the most difficult part. This means figuring out your undertones to get an idea of whether or not you’re on the cool, neutral or warm side. If right now you’re like “…girl, what?” then I would suggest definitely going into your local Sephora to have one of their specialists color match you professionally. It’s free, quick and takes all of the pain out of picking the right foundation! They even give you great recommendations on which brands will work for your skin type the best and then grab you the right color. But if you don’t live close to one or just would prefer to figure it out yourself, there are a few quick tricks that can help you.

Cool undertones are usually pink, are complimented by silver jewelry more and belong to people with blue veins. Warm undertones are usually yellow, complimented more by gold jewelry and belong to people with green veins. But if you’re somewhere in the middle then you have neutral undertones. Here’s an article that breaks it down more in depth. I have cooler undertones so any time I’m shopping for a new foundation I’m always looking for the “C” version, like 1C1 in the Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup (my holy grail).

Once you know which color and which formula you want, then the fun begins! Below are a few of my all time favorite foundations from the low to high end:

1. COVERGIRL OUTLAST STAY FABULOUS 3 IN 1 FOUNDATION ($12)

This foundation is great if you’re looking for a full coverage drug store option that won’t immediately begin to separate or move after just a few hours. You can get a solid 6-8 hours of full coverage before it’s time to touch it up. One pump is enough for your entire face so it’s a product with great longevity. Mine is in the shade Ivory, get here.

2. L’OREAL TRUE MATCH LUMI CUSHION FOUNDATION ($17)

I love this one because it’s buildable; meaning that you can choose to have a fuller coverage look if you’d like but can also keep the coverage minimal if that’s your preference. The packaging is pretty ingenious because it really is a cute little cushion inside which means that there’s zero mess with this one. You just dab your brush in side with a light hand and you have enough product for a first layer and can always go back for more if necessary. Mine is in the shade N2, get it here.

3. TARTE BB TINTED TREATMENT 12-HOUR PRIMER ($36)

Remember when BB creams were huge? Well they’re still a great option for you ladies out there who hate the idea of a full coverage foundation or multiple products on your face. This BB cream from Tarte acts as a primer and a light foundation, plus it gives a nice matte finish. It’s perfect for the warmers months and one of my favorite options for a beach day or if I’m in a hurry in the morning. Mine is in the shade Fair, get it here.

4. ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR STAY IN PLACE MAKEUP ($38)

This is my all time favorite foundation of all time. Seriously, I can never find anything better than this formula. I’ve loved it for years and it’s because it really does stay in place for hours. I hate looking in the mirror and seeing that my foundation has started to separate (especially in my T zone), leaving me looking blotchy. Not cute. But this formula just doesn’t do that. In fact, I would even argue that it gets better over time. Like cheese. My one and only complaint? Even the lightest and coolest zone shade is still a little dark for me. But I use concealer and bronzer to make it work because it’s just that worth it. Like I said before, mine is in the shade 1C1 Cool Bone, get it here.

5. TOO FACED BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION ($39)

After all of the hype around this foundation I obviously was really excited to order it. Everything I heard is true; medium to full coverage, luminous and lightweight. It has a beautiful natural finish that really does look like skin and not just some airbrushed advertisement. I love the way this looks on my skin, the only problem? It causes me to break out. Not in a crazy, hiding in my room for weeks kind of way, but it was definitely noticeable every time I wore it. I still love it and use it from time to time, but I rotate it out pretty often. It also may just be for my skin type, so I would still recommend it and see if it works better for you. Mine is in the shade Ivory (yes I’m a ghost), get it here.

6. MAKE UP FOR EVER ULTRA HD INVISIBLE COVER STICK FOUNDATION ($43)

This is by far my favorite foundation to apply, hands down. The stick application is just so easy and so much faster than any other foundation I’ve ever used that I am constantly reaching for this one if I’m in a hurry. This one is definitely full coverage and is great for nighttime events, especially if there’s going to be flash photography. Just like the original, it’s formulated to eliminate the white cast that some foundations give you in photos. It does begin to separate after 6-8 hours but before that the coverage is beautiful. Mine is in the shade 115, get it here.

What’s your favorite foundation? Tell me in the comment below!

Xoxo,

She