FOUNDATION

Important steps to a flawless canvas for makeup

What is foundation?

Think of it as real-life Photoshop. The hallmark of a good foundation choice is when you can barely see it but people keep asking you whether you’ve just come back from that 10-day yoga retreat.

The science behind foundation has progressed in leaps and bounds. Gone are the days of cakey face paint that smells like the inside of your grandmother’s handbag. Formulas have become increasingly refined, and skincare ingredients are being added – most foundations can now moisturise and protect as well.

To find the perfect foundation for you, there are a couple of key terms that can help. ‘Coverage’ refers to the amount of pigment in the formula, with higher-coverage foundations being better for covering blemishes and inconsistent colouring. ‘Finish’ is the way the product looks on your skin – look for buzz words like ‘dewy’, ‘natural’ or ‘matte’.

Foundations come in powder, liquid and cream forms. My recommendation is to stay away from powder foundations unless you’re willing to spend money: the more affordable ones can be drying, which may accentuate wrinkles. If you struggle with oiliness, use a translucent setting powder on top of your foundation – MAC does a great one.

Liquid and cream foundations have a couple of different basic formulas. The most popular are either oil- or water-based. There’s not much to choose between them in terms of efficacy: your choice should be based on what you want out of your foundation. Waterbased foundations offer sheer coverage, are good for both dry and acne-prone skin types, and are a reliable choice for your day-to-day routine. Oil-based formulations are your more traditional foundations, with buildable, long-lasting coverage. If you opt for an oilbased foundation, it’s best to use an oil-based primer (and vice versa) to avoid any potential clumpy disasters.