Foundation has come a long way since our mom's day, when choices were limited and most foundations were thick, unmanageable creams. But with progress in science and in packaging, makeup is available in all types of ingredients and delivery systems. You might think that application isn't important, but it's vital. Thicker, drier makeup covers more, but it's harder to blend. With light makeup, blending is easy, but it's harder to conceal skin's imperfections.
Foundations should do more than even out skin tones and conceal blemishes; it should also actually help your skin to be dewier, stronger and healthier. Here we rundown several types of makeup foundations.
Tinted Moisturizer
If you don’t need a lot of coverage but do want something to even out your skin tone and relieve dry skin, tinted moisturizer may provide you with just what you need. Tinted moisturizer is perfect for softening and protecting the skin while adding a hint of foundation color. This makeup is also ideal because you don't have to put on moisturizer and then foundation: it's a one-step process.
Mousse or Whipped Foundation
Mousse or whipped foundation is easier to apply in thin layers than liquid makeup, so you have more control. Mousse makeup is liquid makeup with air whipped in, making it lighter and smoother. It comes in a spray or aerosol-type can, like whipped cream. It costs more than other cosmetics because you're paying for the added air and specialized packaging, but if you've ever spread whipped butter on a hot piece of toast, you know the difference is vast. Whipped foundation is good for all skin types, but it's especially nice for those with dry or aging skin because of its tendency to go on smoothly instead of caking up in facial lines.
Liquid Foundation
Many women like liquid foundation best because it applies so smoothly and is easily found at your local drugstore. You can enhance the smoothness by putting it on with a slightly damp makeup sponge. Liquid makeup is good around the eyes, where you may want a bit more coverage; you can put it on with a small lip brush for the best control.
You'll often see liquid makeup in waterproof or smudgeproof or even 24 hour versions. But these specialized cremes contain oils and waxy ingredients, causing some sensitive wearers slight skin irritation. If you start having problems with breakouts when wearing waterproof makeup, switch to a non-waterproof type and see if it helps. With more people becoming aware of the importance of skin care to their overall health, companies are creating foundations made with organic ingredients such as essential oils, vegetable oils and minerals instead of chemical dyes.
Cream-to-Powder Foundation
One of the most interesting and popular foundation options is cream-to-powder foundation, made by companies of good reputation, like L'Oreal. It goes on as a liquid, but dries to a powder finish that minimizes oil and lasts all day. You'll find cream to powder makeup in compacts that look like powder (which may make you wonder why it isn't called powder to cream to powder makeup), or in tubes or bottles. The big draw is its easy application and the fact that you don't have to put on powder for full coverage.
Concealer
Concealer is thickened, even tinted to correct color for particular areas—undereye smudges, pimples or redness, for example. It's thick and comes in compacts or cover sticks. Makeup artist Bobbi Brown suggests applying concealer before foundation for perfect coverage.
Minerals
Minerals are the latest thing in makeup. Their popularity has come about in part due to the fact that the foundation has very few ingredients, and those being inert minerals, tend to be perfect for people with allergies or sensitive skin. Brush on minerals with a big, puffy brush, building up layers of nearly-invisible powder. Advertised as a "soft-focus" look, mineral makeup has been compared with the airbrush in creating a flawless appearance.
