So what foundation is good for me?

One of the most frustrating parts about makeup is finding the right foundation for your skin type and tone. There are a variety on the market, from drug store brands to high end. With some patience on your part, you will find one that is perfect for you.

One thing I always tell people is that it is not necessary to spend a lot of money on makeup, HOWEVER....I will say that the best foundations are always on the pricier side. This is really up to you and your means. If you have the money to spend on a really good foundation, then I say spend it. Your face is the first thing people see when they meet you, and you don't want to have a shiny greasy looking face when they see you. I will point out a few foundations that are drug store and are pretty good, but keep in mind that these foundations are dupes for other more expensive ones.


Okay so lets talk about skin types. There are generally three main skin types: Oily, Dry, and combination. Oily skin types get greasy in many areas but mainly the t-zone, which is forehead, cheeks and nose area. Dry skin needs moisture as it will tend to have dry patches throughout the face. Combination skin leans more on the oily side, however it may have some dry areas. There is also normal skin, which has no oiliness or dryness, however this skin type is not very common (and if you have it it means you are a godess in which case any foundation would work on you.)

Let's start with Oily skin. Oily skin gets a bad rap, but if you find the right foundation it can be less of a pain to deal with. You want to get foundation that says matte, or if you are on the less oily side, semi-matte. Anything that says "dewy" you must run away from immediately. Also never buy a foundation that is oil-based, rather choose one that it water or gel based. Although it is a good idea for your foundation to have spf to protect your skin, skip those types when taking pictures as spf reflects light and can make your skin look like a disco ball.

One foundation I can really recommend for oily skin types is Lancome's TEINT IDOLE FRESH WEAR ($32). It boasts a "makeup formula that provides 18-hours of shine-free wear." I would say that the shine free aspect of 18 hrs is not true, but maybe 10 hours which is a lot longer than most foundations. It is a medium coverage and has many yellow based colors.

Another one would be Revlon's colorstay foundation for oily skin types ($12.99). This is full coverage foundation, so you have to work with it quickly to spread it evenly on the face. This foundation stays on forever and does a nice job of cutting down the shine. Of course as with any foundation you want to set this with a powder.

Last one I want to bring up is MAC studio fix fluid which is oil controlling and VERY long wearing ($26.50). This is a full coverage foundation so a little goes a long way.

Last notes: Rimmel makes a foundation that is called Stay Matte. I have heard good things about this foundation, however I have not personally tried it. Another note is about Bare Essentials. Although powder can be used to combat oil, I cannot deal with the hassle of tapping out powder and it getting everywhere so I cannot personally recommend this foundation. Also if you want to get real fancy, Makeup Forever sells a matte foundation that is spectacular (Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation), that is if you want to drop $34 on it.

Moving on...


Dry skin types need to stay away from Matte foundations, as they will enhance the dry patches of your skin. Always use an oil-based moisturizer before putting on foundation. If you like a fresh glowing look, go for dewy foundations.

I'm going to start with the most expensive option, NARS sheer glow foundation ($42). Although this is a very expensive foundation, it will leave your skin looking absolutely beautiful. Again if you have the cash I suggest you try it out.

A new one that just came out an has gotten many good reviews is L'Oreals Magic Smooth Souffle Foundation ($14.99). The texture is a moouse which would probably react well with drier skin types.

Last notes: Brands to check out for this skin type is Dior and Channel if you have mucho dinero, and Revlon (colorstay for dry skin types is also good, as well as photo ready)


And Finally combination. My favorite on right now is Bobbi Browns natural finish long lasting foundation which is semi-matte ($45). It is a medium coverage, and keeps the skin looking fresh instead of dull.

Another good one would be Lorac's Natural Performance foundation ($36). Build-able coverage and right in the middle for oil coverage and moisture.

Last notes: Combination skin really depends on how oily your skin is to your dry areas. A good idea would be to use a matte primer on areas where you have the most oil (No.7 makes a good one sold at Target). Again Colorstay is a good option, as well as MAC's studio fix fluid.



Well there you have it. I recommend going to Macys or Dillards and trying the different counters. Have the sales person apply it to half your face, then take a mirror and look at it in natural sunlight, as the lights in the store tend to distort what the foundation really looks like.


Hope this helped :)