How To Find The Perfect Foundation For Your Skin Type

At Glossy HQ, we’re all about sharing our top tips and our beauty recommendations… it’s pretty much a daily occurrence! And this week’s topic of conversation; foundations!

So, for the lowdown on all things foundations and how to find the right one for you, listen up.

When chosen and applied correctly, base makeup leaves your skin looking flawless, smooth and free of imperfections. But, not only do you need to find the right shade of foundation, but you also need to choose the right formula for your skin’s needs too.

And here’s how…

Why Is It Important To Match Your Foundation To Your Skin Type?

Matching a foundation to your skin type is so important in achieving the perfect base, which is – sorry for the pun – the foundation of your makeup look. And having the perfect base can give you confidence and make you feel like the best version of yourself.

It can also help minimise pores, cover blemishes and even out skin tone. However, if it doesn’t match your skin type, it may slip and slide around your face, emphasise fine lines or pores and not be an effective base for any additional make-up products you may apply on top.

We all have different skin types and not every foundation works for every face. Some Glossies out there have oily skin, while some have dry or combination skin. Therefore, we’re delving into which formulas you should be looking for for your particular skin type and what brands offer the foundations you may need.

Best Foundations For Oily Skin

My fellow oily skin Glossies unite! If you’re like me and have an oily complexion, then the best foundations that work for us are oil-free, liquid formulas. When shopping for foundations, reach for a matte finish or mattifying one – potentially with medium to full coverage too.

Avoid a powder foundation though, as it will cling to your pores. Instead use a pressed powder with a matte finish to set your concealer and foundation, after application.

Top tip: Apply foundation using a beauty sponge or make-up brush instead of your fingers, as these may transfer extra oil to your face.

Also, try to avoid words like glowy. Dewy skin might be sought after by some, but for those with oily skin, it may be best to avoid this look. As, after an hour or so, our natural oils will come into play and wreak havoc with any glowy foundation.

Top tip: Before applying your foundation, prepare your skin with a primer – preferably a mattifying one. This will help absorb excess sebum (oil created by your skin’s glands) so that your base will be smooth and matte and ready for a streak-free foundation application.

Three Foundations Perfect for Oily Skin

Got oily skin? These foundations would be a good match for you!

1. Lottie London Full Coverage Matte Foundation Stick

Glossies, this creamy foundation is a bargain! For under £4, you get a blendable, buildable, natural-looking formula that, on application, glides effortlessly across your face. And, with its matte finish, it’s perfect for oily complexions. I love the ingredients in this foundation – moisturising vitamins C and E – which you’ll find in all your favourite skincare items too.

2. L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24hr Matte Cover Foundation

Looking for a matte, oil-free finish for up to 24 hours? Look no further than this £5 wonder by L’Oréal! This is one of my favourite foundations to apply. It melts onto your skin and glides smoothly over your face for effortless, even coverage. This foundation prevents ‘shine’ by absorbing all the undesirable oil on your complexion. With added SPF 18 too, as well as being sweat, heat and water-resistant, this foundation is perfect for spring and the warmer weather to come.

3. Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless Foundation

Maybelline has created a perfect, lightweight foundation for under £6! Marvellously matte, the end result is a shine-free, oil-free complexion with minimised pores. Even better Glossies, there are 40 shades to choose from. So you’ll be able to find your perfect shade regardless of your skin tone.

Best Foundations For Dry Skin

If you’ve got dry skin, when shopping for base products you need to search for liquid foundations that feature the words hydrating, glowing or dewy. Why? Because the creamy texture of these will give you extra moisture your skin craves.

Top tip: After you’ve applied your foundation, don’t cake on the powder, this can enhance your dry skin. Instead, use a lightweight finishing powder on any areas you need to set.

You should also look to avoid the words ‘Matte Finish’. This might be needed for some, but not for you. These formulas don’t contain enough hydrating, moisturising ingredients that your complexion requires. You can feed your skin with these ingredients by starting with a hydrating primer. This will allow for a seamless application of your foundation. As your dry skin will be smooth and moisturised.

Top tip: You can feed your skin with moisture by starting with a hydrating primer. This will allow for a seamless application of your foundation as your dry skin will be smooth and moisturised.

Three Foundations Perfect for Dry Skin

Is your skin dry and dull? These three foundations are an ideal match…

1. L’Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation with SPF and Hyaluronic Acid

If you’re into your skincare, you’ll know hyaluronic acid is quintessential in any hydrating product – including this L’Oréal Liquid Foundation. Infused with this skin-quenching ingredient, the creamy formula melts onto the skin, harnessing its skin-perfecting pigments to leave you with a natural, long-lasting finish. With a diverse shade range too, any Glossy will find their ‘True Match’.

2. Barry M Cosmetics Fresh Face Foundation

As Brits, we love to support our homegrown beauty brands. Barry M is loved by so many and so is one of the brand’s newest foundations. This lightweight marvel that’s under £8 gives you the dewy look you crave. Skincare meets makeup, this foundation is infused with our favourite hyaluronic acid and with vitamin C. So, no not only will you be hit with extreme hydration, but you will also be left with a bright, healthy glow too.

3. Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation with Hydrating Serum

Yes, you read that right… With hydrating serum. Purposely designed for those who want poreless, flawless skin, this foundation needs to be in your makeup bag! The innovative formula is what makes this foundation unique. At first, it has an airy feel of a mousse, but when you start to blend out it feels more like a liquid foundation. If you want a more sheer look then apply one coat but, if you’re looking for more medium coverage, build this up with another layer.

Best Foundations For Combination Skin

Firstly, what is combination skin? Well, it’s a mix of the two skin types already mentioned – it’s when your complexion is both dry in some places and oily in others.

Sound familiar? If so, when shopping for foundations you’ll want to look for liquid foundations. Because powders can accentuate your dry areas and clog up oily sections of your skin. I recommend finding a buildable formula too. This way you can choose how much coverage – how many layers of foundation – each separate part of your face requires, all depending on how dry or oily they are.

Top tip: Play around with your foundation and figure out what works for you. You may have an oily forehead but your cheeks may not be, which means you may want to use a couple of different options at once. See what lasts better and looks better on you – and don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time. It’s all about trial and error!

If you want to tackle your oily skin issues, look out for ingredients like salicylic acid, as this will tackle excess oil. Or, if you suffer more with your dry areas, as mentioned, look out for ingredients like hyaluronic acid as this will give you a boost of hydration.

Top tip: Before applying foundation, you’ll want to create a smooth base. For combination skin, gel primers work well as they don’t leave your face feeling too greasy and are super lightweight.

Three Foundations Perfect for Combination Skin

Combination skin? These foundations would be ideal for your skin type!

1. Max Factor Miracle Touch Second Skin

Breathable and lightweight are two things you want from a foundation if you’ve got combination skin – and Max Factor has brought both! This buildable foundation is enriched with nourishing coconut milk, so expect a soft, smooth supple base! SPF20 also protects your skin from UV rays and environmental aggressors.

2. NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop 24 Hour Foundation

Again, you read that right. 24-hour wear! Exactly what you want when you have troublesome combination skin. This NYX foundation is comfortable and weightless with the added benefit of being waterproof too. This special formula also controls shine in oily areas whilst simultaneously smoothing out dry spots.

3. EX1 Cosmetics Invisiwear Liquid Foundation

With combination skin, you always want to opt for a blendable, buildable foundation. And this EX1 option ticks all those boxes. As well as being formulated with light diffusers to unify skin tone, it also masks any blemishes for a flawless finish. It’s sure to leave your complexion looking gorgeously radiant without highlighting any oily areas as well.

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Sophie Page

Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

You know how people say putting on your favourite clothes can instantly boost or change your mood? Well that's how I feel when I put on my favourite makeup. Makeup isn't to cover up, it's to show off our personality - and I love how everyone does their makeup in their own unique way! I never leave the house without a tinted lip balm in hand, and just like everyone right now, I love a good dupe!