HOW TO CHOOSE A FOUNDATION!

For my first post I thought I would talk about something that is close to my heart, foundation, and how to choose the perfect one. The number of ladies (and men) I see with the wrong shade, undertone, foundation that is cakey, too shiny, obvious foundation lines; I've seen it all! So here is Matthew's tried and tested way of choosing your perfect foundation:

Step One:

The first step in finding your perfect foundation is to understand your own skin, your skins and your needs and wants. You need to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have dry, oily, combination or normal skin?
• What kind of finish do I want? (Matte, Velvet/Semi-Matte, Natural, Dewy)
• What kind of coverage do I want?
• What kind of primer will I use?
• What kind of undertone am I? (Pink, Yellow, Olive, Neutral)

Once you understand what you want it makes finding your perfect foundation so much easier.

Step Two:

Once you have an idea of what you want you need to research, research, research. I cannot stress this enough. Read up blog posts about various foundations, ask peoples opinions of them, watch your favourite YouTubers and find out what foundation they are using. Make a list of foundations that you want to try; this will ensure you don't get talked into trying a lot of unnecessary products.

Step Three:

GO TRY THEM OUT!!! With your list and knowledge in hand go to your favourite store and go wild. Go around the counters asking if you can try the particular foundation you want and if you can get a tester, if you can't then move on. Explain to them that you are on your search to find your perfect foundation, nearly all counters are more than happy to help you and don't mind you going from counter to counter AS LONG AS YOU AREN'T JUST STOCKING UP ON SAMPLES SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY FOUNDATION!!! (That's a no-no). 

When you are being colour tested in store take along a small mirror or compact and go outside and see the colour in natural lighting to see if it is a true match. The job of foundation is to even out skin tone, not to make your face look like a mask and a different colour to your neck, body, arms ect. The best place to test the colour of foundation is just at the end of the jaw by the ear. Place a stripe going straight down and the colour that blends in the most is the one you should try. The reason we try it here is because if you try it from say your chin under to your neck that part of your neck is actually the lightest part of your face (unless you self tan) and you will most likely end up with a foundation that is too light. To make a long story short try as much as possible to match your foundation to your neck and body.

If you self-tan then your face will be a heck of a lot lighter than your face so you will find you have to go for quite a dark foundation. You don't want a white face and a tan body!!

Step Four:

The fourth and final step is to take your foundation samples home and try them out. Try them out using the products and way you usually do at home, this way you will easily be able to find the foundation that you like the most. 

Test out its:

• Wear (How long it lasts)
• Coverage
• Buildability (does it go cakey if you add too many layers)
• Do you go shiny over time?
• Does it cling to dry patches

By following these four simple steps you will find getting your new HG foundation a much less daunting task.

X's and O's

Matthew