A foundation is a kind of cosmetic that is applied as a base for any makeup look. Foundation has been used since Ancient Egypt, dating back to over 200 B.C. Greek women use lead powder and chalk to lighten their skin tone. Nowadays, foundation is used by men and women all over the world as it has become a staple for beginners and professionals in the makeup industry. Foundation has become one of the most vital cosmetics in the makeup industry.
The foundation is used to cover blemishes and imperfections on the face or skin. It is used to even the complexion or colour of the skin and use it as a base for a makeup look. There are 7 types of foundation - Serum foundation which is made up of natural and silicon emulsions, tinted oil foundation which contains nourishing botanical oils, cream foundation which contains hydrating ingredients, powder foundation which is ideal for oily and sweat-prone skin types, liquid foundation which is the most classically formula used, whipped mousse foundation which is infused with air-based formula, and stick foundation which is the easiest foundation to apply.
1. Serum Foundation
Serum foundation is a foundation cosmetic that is made up of natural oils or silicone emulsions, which gives the user a weightless feel when applied to the skin or face. Serum foundations are easy to apply and blend, which provides many skincare benefits. If the user lives in a cold climate and has dry skin, he/she should apply a moisturizer first before putting on the serum foundation. In applying the serum foundation, start by moisturizing the skin and allow it to absorb. Then, squeeze a small amount onto the fingertip and dot it all over the cheek and face. Buff and blend the serum foundation with a makeup brush until the desired look. The serum foundation is essential to users who want a reparative and hydrating properties that help in anti-ageing. The 3 best serum foundation brands are – L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Radiant Serum Foundation, Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation, and Lancôme Skin Feels Good Hydrating Skin Tint. The prices of these serum foundations ranges from £13.00 GBP to £28.00 GBP
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Anti-ageing properties |
During cold climates, should apply moisturizer first before applying foundation |
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SPF protection is available in some serums |
Does not look great on oily skin |
2. Tinted Oil Foundation
Tinted oil foundation is a type of foundation that is applied on the face or skin to even the skin tone. It contains nourishing botanical oils which provide the users with an even and balanced complexion. The lightweight formula of the tinted oil foundation is perfect for users who don’t usually use foundations. In applying the tinted oil foundation, it is important to shake the product before use in order for the pigments and oils to blend. Then, put a small amount to the fingertips and dot it all over the face or skin. Use a brush to evenly distribute the foundation on the face. Repeat the process until the desired look is achieved. Tinted oil foundation is essential for users with very dry skin, because the oils moisturize the skin and give the skin a glowy and healthy appearance. The best brands of tinted oil foundations are– Kosas Tinted Face Oil, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, and IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full-Coverage Moisturizer. The prices of these tinted oil foundations ranges from £33.00 GBP to £46.00 GBP.
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Ideal for dry skin |
Expensive |
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Contains nourishing oils |
A little crease may occur |
3. Cream Foundation
Cream foundation is a type of foundation that is used as a base for any makeup look. Usually, these products are creams that contain more hydrating ingredients than liquids and powders. It provides great coverage and is easy to apply. Apply the cream foundation by dotting the face or skin. Make sure the face is moist before applying. Buff the face thoroughly using a brush to achieve a balanced appearance. Cream foundations are essential for dry and mature skin types as it adds a hydrating properties to make the skin glow beautifully. On the other hand, oily skins are not suitable for the cream foundation as it will crease easily. It is not suitable for humid weather. The best brands of cream foundations are– Laura Mercier Silk Crème Oil-Free Photo Edition Foundation, Dermablend Cover Crème Full Coverage Foundation, and Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation. The price of these cream foundations ranges from £32.00 GBP to £53.00 GBP.
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Contains hydrating ingredients |
Not suitable for oily skin and in humid weather |
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Great with dry and mature skin |
Prone to creasing |
4. Powder Foundation
Powder foundation is a foundation cosmetic which is used on the skin or face as a base for makeup. The powder foundation comes in powder and pressed compact versions. It is ideal for users who have oily and sweat-prone skin types. In applying the powder foundation, use a brush to press the product. Buff by using the brush to the cheek, forehead, and neck. Repeat the process and blend until the desired look is achieved. The powder foundation is very essential for acne and uneven skin types because the powder will cover up the uneven surface and conceal acne scars. It has a light coverage which means it doesn’t last very long but at the same time it is very handy, and the user can just pop it out any time of the day and retouch. The best brand of powder foundation are– Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Powder Foundation, Dior Backstage Face & Body Powder-No-Powder, and MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. The price of these powder foundations ranges from £32.00 GBP to £38.00 GBP.
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Good for oily, sweat and acne-prone skin types |
Don’t last very long |
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Handy and easy to do retouch |
Has light coverage only |
5. Liquid Foundation
Liquid foundation is a type of cosmetic foundation applied as a base for makeup. It is the most classic foundation formula used, which offers a lot of benefits. They come in liquid form and are usually medium to full coverage. If the user wants a foundation that will last and stay for a long duration, then the liquid foundation is the most ideal amongst others. The liquid foundation offers the most natural look amongst the others. It is the most versatile and can cover different levels of coverage depending on the techniques used. In applying the liquid foundation, squeeze a small amount to the back of the hand. The user can apply it by using a brush, sponge, or just the fingertips. Dab the foundation to the face and slowly blend the product until the desired look is achieved. The liquid foundation is essential for people who don’t have enough time to do some retouches because the liquid foundation can last for a longer period of time. The best liquid foundation products are– Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, and MAC Cosmetics Studio Face & Body Foundation. The prices of these liquid foundations ranges from £30.00 GBP to £40.00 GBP.
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Long-lasting foundation |
Heavy application can clog pores |
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Very versatile |
Applying the wrong formula may change the colour of skin |
6. Whipped Mousse Foundation
Whipped mousse foundation is a type of foundation that is used as a base for a makeup look. It is basically liquid makeup but infused with an air-based formula. The whipped mousse foundation is perfect for concealing fine lines, blemishes, and ageing lines. Whipped mousse foundation leaves a nice matte finish, which is why it is specifically intended for users who have very oily skin. Whipped mouse foundation prevents the pores to clog. Apply as many as little dots on the face, depending on the look that the user want to achieve. Then use a brush or sponge to buff the mousse foundation evenly to the face. Blend the foundation until the desired look is achieved. The whipped mousse foundation is essential for users who have oily skin and wants a weightless feel on the makeup. Nevertheless, they are hard to blend for beginners as it needs ample amount of practice to get the right application and achieve great results. The best whipped mousse foundation products are– Diorskin Forever Perfect Mousse Foundation, Golden Rose Mousse Foundation 03, and Lavera Natural Mousse Make-Up. The prices of these whipped mousse foundations ranges from £13.00 GBP to £50.00 GBP.
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Perfect for oily skin |
Not suitable for beginners |
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Weightless feel on the skin |
Application can be messy |
7. Stick Foundation
Stick foundation is a type of foundation applied as a base for a makeup look. It is the easiest to apply amongst the others because it comes in similar form as lipsticks. Stick foundation is the ideal product for users who want to achieve a perfect base in no time. It is travel-friendly and mess-free during application. The stick foundation can act like a concealer to build up coverage. In applying the stick foundation, just dot directly to the skin or face and blend until the desired look is achieved. The stick foundation is essential to users who are always on the go because it is very handy, fast and easy to apply. The best brands of stick foundation are– Benefit Hello Happy Air Stick Foundation, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation Stick, and Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick. The prices of these stick foundations ranges from £24.00 GBP to £62.00 GBP.
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Easy to apply |
Less hygienic because directly touches the skin while applying and may take bacteria during application |
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Mess-free when applying |
Medium coverage |
Which Type of Foundation should You Use for Your Makeup?
The type of foundation a user should use for a makeup depends on what kind of look he/she want to achieve. If the user wants a more natural and minimalist feel to his/her makeup, then the user should go for a liquid foundation. It has the most natural feel amongst all the foundations. If the user wants a shine-free matte finish because of the oily skin, then he/she should go for a whipped mousse foundation. Lastly, if the user wants dewy finish, then the liquid foundation is the right choice. The liquid foundation gives a radiant and glowy effect to the skin. Thus, liquid foundation is perfect for users who have dry skin.
What is the Easiest Foundation to Apply?
The stick foundation is the easiest foundation to apply. Its packaging is similar to lipsticks, which is very handy and can be carried around whether in a bag or in a pocket. The stick foundation is the go-to for someone who wants a fast and mess-free application. It acts as a double purpose stick because it can be used as a concealer and contour sticks. The most important aspect about the stick foundation is that it's easy to use, not messy, and saves the user's time and energy. To apply, just dot directly to the skin and buff until the desired look is achieved.
Which Type of Foundation should You Use for Your Skin Type?
There are different types of foundation for different skin types. If the user has an acne-prone skin, then the best foundation would be the powder foundation. The powder foundation will cover up the uneven surface and conceals acne scars. If the user has an ageing skin, then the best foundation for that is the serum foundation and the cream foundation. Both of these foundations contains hydrating and anti-ageing properties to help rejuvenate the skin. Furthermore, if the user has dry skin, then the best option would be the tinted oil foundation. The tinted oil foundation moisturizes the dry skin, giving it a glowy and healthy appearance. If the user has oily skin, the most ideal option would be the whipped mousse foundation. It is a liquid foundation which is infused with air-based formula which gives a matte finish, making it a perfect solution for oily skin. Lastly, for sensitive skin types, the powder foundation is the perfect fit. Powder foundations are usually made from minerals that make it suitable for sensitive and irritable skin types.
Can BB Cream be Used Instead of Foundation?
BB creams can be used as substitute for foundation only if the user has minor blemishes on the skin. Although they have the same basic functions, the BB cream can only conceal light imperfections on the skin. If the user is covering mild to heavy blemishes, then it is much more advisable to use a foundation rather than the BB cream.
