How To Pick The Perfect Foundation

Picking the perfect foundation for your skin can be daunting. Here's how to go about it while shopping in a department store. Remember, you always want to test before you buy. This is why it's best to get your foundations from department stores rather than from the makeup aisle at your local pharmacy or grocery store.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

1. Consider your skin type. Before you pick the right shade, you need to find out the right formulation for your skin. Are you oily? Dry? Combination?
2. Pick the right formula. If you're oily, look for words like 'oil-free' or 'oil-control' on the bottle. Got dry skin? Go for moisturizing foundations with 'hydrating' or 'moisture-rich' wording on the bottle. For combo skin, determine if you're more oily or dry and go from there. Cream-to-powder bases work great for combo skin.
3. Show up to the makeup counter with a clean, fresh face. It's OK to wear eye makeup or lipstick, even moisturizer on your face, but you don't want to show up already wearing foundation.
4. Select a few colors that seem close to your natural skin tone. Go for the yellow-based foundations, which look most natural on all skin tones. However, if you're very fair, try a pink, cooler shade.
5. Apply a couple dots of each color on areas of your jawline (the inner wrist or hand aren't the best spots, contrary to popular belief).
6. Take a good, long look -- near a window. Ask to borrow a hand mirror and stand near a doorway, or step outside, to see which foundation looks best in the natural light. The right shade is one that you can't see because it blends in so well. If you are purchasing from a drugstore, take a couple bottles to a doorway, hold them up to your neck and see which one matches the best.
7. Once you've bought the foundation, take it home and try it out. If you don't like it you can return it. If you're buying from a drugstore, purchase from one with a liberal return policy (like Rite Aid).

Tips:

1. Try the color out on your jawline, not your wrist or hand
2. Remember to stand in a doorway or outside to see if the color matches
3. A foundation with sunscreen is a safe bet, but you will still need to wear sunscreen under your foundation. Also considering skipping foundation & opting for a tinted moisturizer instead.
4. Believe it or not, today foundation is totally optional. It's healthier for your skin NOT to wear foundation daily. If you have blemishes or pimples, try strategically placed concealer instead. Or just wear the foundation on the parts that need it most, likely around your nose & eyes & on your chin. Just make sure to blend properly.
5. Go for different looks for evening and day. A light foundation is perfect for work or weekend. While a sexy shimmer is great for evening.

source from http://beauty.about.com