There’s a lot of hype circulating about natural and nude makeup looks in the makeup industry and beyond. Professionals and influencers are singing the praises of the “less is more” concept of barely-there beauty.
With ruby red lips and sky blue eye shadow in the rear view mirror, that leaves progressive makeup users wondering, why foundation?
All About Foundation
Foundation is a type of face makeup used all over the face and neck to create a solid base for the rest of your colors. This versatile product acts as a structure for your entire makeup look. The right formula can enhance natural beauty, smooth over blemishes, and give you a nice, sun-kissed glow. If you choose the wrong foundation, however, you’re likely to look like an orange, cakey mess as you layer on color, hoping to look natural and getting the exact opposite result.
Knowing a bit about foundation and its proper use will change your relationship forever, provided you have a few tips and tricks for finding and applying them to your beautiful skin. Makeup is not a one-size-fits-all deal but a chance to express your style and preferences through color and creativity. The following information will make your search a bit easier and provide you with the “foundation” for correct application and use. No matter your skin texture, tone, or skin type, a perfect match is waiting for you. Read on to see how you might take advantage of some of the best products on the market and express your unique beauty.
Why Wear Foundation?
Thanks to our awkward teenage years, many of us have a sour taste in our mouths at the memory of mismatched colors, wrong composition, and poor application. Foundations of our youth are not the blends that we have access to today. Even if your skin is flawless, without a pore in sight, there may be times when the foundation is necessary for a polished, complete makeup look.
Foundations offer various shades of coverage, from “barely there” to full range. Complex pigments and rich color create a smooth canvas as it’s spread across the face. Foundation can add a natural, beautiful finish to the skin, making it look more even and balanced. Sheer coverage provides a sun-kissed, healthy glow. At the same time, full-coverage foundations are called upon to hide blemishes, diminish the look of freckles, and deal with age spots and hyperpigmentation that can dull your complexion. Another important reason people wear foundation daily is that some products provide sun protection. Many foundations are now getting on the SPF train and offering makeup that not only conditions the skin but hydrates and provides protection from harmful UV rays with the addition of sunscreen.
Makeup As an Art Form
The foundation for activities such as photo shoots and dramatic performances is widely accepted, with models and actors lining up to use their makeup requirements as an excuse to play and be creative with makeup. Enhancing and dramatizing facial features allows you to be creative, boosting your confidence as you play up your strengths and minimize complexion weaknesses.
Blending “Au Naturale” With All Natural
With the trend of “barely there” makeup, many want to squeeze foundation out of the picture, citing that its time has passed. Foundation for hiding and maximum coverage is the wave of the past. Using products that condition the skin while providing all-over hydration and even color shows even the most foundation-resistant that their archaic beliefs about makeup need an overhaul.
Best Ways to Use Foundation
Everyone has different reasons for wanting to enhance their appearance. Some choose to experiment and play with color. Others wish to provide an even canvas to layer eye and lip colors. Some people prefer it to whisk away feelings of insecurity as they cover up unsightly blemishes and discoloration that can make them feel less confident. Regardless of your reasons for use, the foundation does have a solid footing in the makeup industry, constantly evolving and improving to meet customer needs and demands.
The Perfect Fit
Searching for the perfect foundation for your unique skin can leave you frustrated and disappointed. Many formulas, finishes, ingredients, and textures muddle the process, particularly if you don’t know enough about your skin and its needs. Knowing a bit about your skin’s unique composition and the type of product it’s begging for will help you make an educated choice when shopping for products. Here’s a quick snapshot of some options for common skin types.
Mature Skin
Consider a “less-is-more” coverage philosophy when covering mature skin with foundation. Full or medium to full coverage foundations can quickly settle into fine lines around the eyes and mouth, making you appear older. Breathable foundations with added fillers and plumpers will add critical hydration and moisture in all the right places, taking years off your aging skin as it breathes new life into your complexion.
Dry Skin
Dry skin has many of the same problems as mature skin regarding foundation coverage. Using too much product will allow the foundation to settle into every crack and seam, revealing the extent of your dry difficulties. Using a lighter range, hydrating and moisturizing formula will provide more consistent coverage without the risk of looking too heavy or cakey.
Combination Skin
Combination skin participants have an advantage when choosing a foundation. Choose between dewy or matte finishes for a unique look that you can customize. Matte foundations can absorb excess oil in the T-zone. In contrast, a hydrating foundation on the cheeks can add the element of moisture that indicates playful, youthful beauty.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin can be triggered by almost any ingredient found in makeup; products that are too heavy, artificial, or fragranced can incite an allergic reaction that makes you sorry you applied in the first place. Choose natural formulas that soothe sore skin, and use clean applicators each time you apply the product to minimize redness, irritation, and breakouts.
Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
If acne is a concern for you, choose a medium-to-full coverage foundation. As you apply, use a clean brush or sponge and apply the product in a light, dotting motion. Some more sophisticated brands contain acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid to combat future breakouts while dealing with existing issues, concealing and healing simultaneously. Oily skin begs for a matte finish, as this type of foundation finish includes oil-absorbent ingredients that will create fresh, clean skin all day.
Foundation Finishes
When it comes to choosing a foundation finish, you have several options. Some of the more common finishes include dewy, satin, and matte. All have their pros and cons, with some skin types being ideal for every kind of finish.
Dewy Finishes
A dewy finish gives you the appearance of glowing youthfulness. A dewy finish foundation allows your skin to shine, making it more luminous. Well-suited for people with dry or mature skin, it will gloss over wrinkles and dry patches, giving you the appearance of hydrated, smooth skin. Dewy glow can look wet if not applied correctly, and those with oily or combination skin should steer clear of this composition. Dewy finishes are ideal for those days when you want to embrace a natural look that doesn’t need full coverage.
Satin Finishes
Satin finishes are a combination of dewy and matte finishes. It is ideal for those that don’t want to embrace a wet look but would like subtle references to moisture. While it isn’t as flat as a matte finish, it does an excellent job blending basic coverage with highlights. Those with oily and combination skin should use satin finishes in combination with a finishing powder to soak up extra oil.
Matte Finishes
Matte finishes enhance a complexion by minimizing the look of pores and sweeping away excess oil that can compromise your made-up face. The flat foundation offers no shine and glides on dry skin, making it an ideal choice for those with oily to combination skin. Matte finishes provide full coverage all day long, making them a perfect choice when you need to look and feel your best.
Pros and Cons of a Good Matte
While each of these finishes has pros and cons, we focus on getting you more information about the best matte foundation products. Consider these characteristics as you choose the proper foundation for you.
Pros
Matte foundations offer full coverage, hiding nearly every skin imperfection and abnormality possible. They cover skin flawlessly without drawing additional attention to blemishes, evening out skin’s tone and texture. Matte foundations also help to control oil and shine for hours; many oil-free formulas contain additional SPF protection that can last up to 12 hours without needing touch-ups.
Cons
Using too much matte foundation can result in your skin looking too dry. It can also enhance wrinkles and flakiness if not correctly applied. Certain types of full coverage matte formulas feel very heavy once applied. If you aren’t sure about a particular product, ask your retailer or manufacturer for a sample of the product so you can test it on your skin before committing to a full-sized bottle.
8 Best Matte Foundations for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is tough to care for, regardless of which makeup products you choose to use. We’ve compiled a collection of the best products to cater to your delicate skin’s needs and provide you with superior color and coverage that lasts longer than you can. Choose one, choose several, and start coloring and blending to your heart’s content as you design a look that nourishes and provides superior coverage for your best look.
1. PURE 100% Powder Foundation: Matte Finish
PURE products boast flawless coverage with natural fruit pigments to nourish and protect skin from the first application. The 100% Powder Matte Finish Foundation is perfect for all skin types, hydrating and nourishing skin from the inside out. Delicious peaches and apricots effortlessly glide across the skin, and rice powder sweeps away excess oil for superior matte coverage that can last up to 24 hours with minimal touch-ups. A high-quality blend of white tea, eucalyptus, and rice powder purifies pores and helps to keep skin clean and blemish-free. PURE products are organic, cruelty-free, and vegan, ensuring you get the best bang for your buck while crafting a flawless complexion.
2. Maybelline Fit Me Matte+ Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup: Classic Ivory
For natural-looking medium coverage, choose Maybelline Fit Me Matte+ Poreless Liquid Foundation. Over 40 unique shades ensure that you’ll find a perfect fit of color and range for all of life’s activities. Sweep over skin for a smooth, poreless, matte look that works tirelessly to absorb excess oil and control shine for hours. This unique formulation of natural ingredients is ideal for normal and oily skin and is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores and contribute to unsightly breakouts.
3. L’Oréal Paris K1828700 Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation Makeup
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation is lightweight and creamy, providing full coverage that glides smoothly and effortlessly. This easy-to-apply foundation is ideal for home beauty creation or on-the-go application to hide imperfections and blemishes for up to 24 hours. Highlight, illuminate, and conceal imperfections with one single product that doubles as a moisturizer, creating the perfect matte look for all occasions. This natural, mineral-rich formula is richly pigmented for the most sensitive skin, with various shades that cater to virtually all skin tones and types.
4. Covergirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation
Covergirl makeup has a rich tradition of providing quality makeup products that cater to all. Covergirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation is the epitome of a high-quality foundation designed to bring out your most accurate skin tones. This unique formula will provide feathery, light coverage that is as comfortable as beautiful, long-wearing, transfer-resistant, and lightweight. Containing oil-absorbing powders, this foundation sweeps away excess oil and shines for a beautiful, natural, matte finish that never fails to impress.
5. Alima Pure Satin Matte Loose Mineral Powder Foundation
Mineral-rich makeup has proven to be effective at calming sensitive skin while delivering highly-pigmented color that stands the test of time. Alima Pure Satin Matte Loose Mineral Powder Foundation provides perfect, buildable coverage in over 45 shades. Its lightweight, natural formula is ideal for your everyday makeup routine. Covering all skin types and tones efficiently, its light touch and matte finish provide you with effortless coverage and the ability to mix and match shades to find the perfect color. This unique formula comprises only four natural ingredients and will not clog pores or irritate sensitive skin.
6. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation
Stay matte and shine-free for up to 16 hours with Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Cream Foundation. This silky-smooth formula glides on easily and blends like a dream, leaving you with complete coverage that addresses all skin imperfections. Medium to full coverage foundation allows you to build your customized look to achieve the perfected complexion of your dreams. Available in various shades, it will become your “go-to” for creating a polished, beautiful canvas to place your color.
7. Huda Beauty FauxFilter Luminous Matte Foundation
Huda Beauty innovators created the FauxFilter Luminous Matte Foundation intending to light up the complexion without the added distraction of oily shine. This sheer glow foundation formula applies easily to the face, spreading and blending into your skin with a buttery softness that is easy to wear day or night. Light-diffusing pigments, rich emollients, and vitamin E add a luminous glow to your skin while simultaneously giving it a matte look that is perfect for oily to combination skin. Over forty customized shades ensure you can find the color you want with a finish and overall impression that turns heads.
8. Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup
Clinique is a company that has set beauty standards for millions of other companies since its inception. Their extensive line of skincare and high-quality makeup products has attracted and retained millions of loyal customers who attest to the integrity of their offerings. Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup is yet another in a long line of innovations that create beauty and are also suitable for the skin. This oil-free formula stays matte all day, resisting sweat, absorbing shine, and controlling oil for hours. It gives you a fresh, matte, satin finish that will carry you through the most demanding day. Perfect for acne-prone skin, it has a calming effect on existing breakouts and helps to prevent future irritation. Natural botanicals and rich pigmentation give you the high-quality performance you expect from Clinique.
Matte Perfection That Delivers As Promised
Matte makeup has a unique finish that continues to deliver long after its first application. New and improved formulas, quality pigmentation, and a commitment to ongoing refinement ensure that these matte makeup foundations will only continue to get better. Find your favorites, choose your best foundation, and start creating your most beautiful self.
