Starting off: Foundation!

Hi! 

Today is Tuesday, meaning another Starting Off Project post! 

This week is all about foundation. I'm going to tell you about the main different types and their benefits, plus the products that I use and some advice and tips :)

Liquid foundation

This is probably the most popular foundation choice. It's easy, suitable for most skin types and there's always loads of different shades, coverages and brands to choose from.

For all skin types.

Powder foundation

Powder foundation can be either pressed or loose. It's dry, so isn't great for dry skin as it could make it flaky. It usually provides a more natural, matte finish. People sometimes use powder foundation on top of liquid/other to get a matte finish or to make sure the foundation underneath stays put. 

For normal, combination or oily skin types.

Cream foundation

Cream foundation is not as popular (at least not where I'm from), it is similar to liquid foundation but much thicker. It usually provides a pretty heavy, matte coverage.

For normal, combination or dry skin types. People who require heavy coverage.

Tinted moisturiser

Tinted moisturiser is a liquid, it usually provides light coverage and a dewy finish. Evens out the skin tone while still looking natural.

For normal, combination or dry skin types. Typically people whose skin needs moisturising (it says it in the title).

Mousse foundation

Mousse foundation is usually a bit more solid, and can come in a tub or a bottle. The coverage tends to be medium to heavy. 

For normal or combination skin types. 

Please note that I am most certainly not an expert on foundation and skin types! What I've said above is just what I think is best in my opinion and  from my own experience. :)

Now, time for my foundation products!

NYC Skin Matching Foundation in 685 Fair

This is my main foundation that I'll use for everyday situations where I need some coverage. It was super cheap at only £2.49 from Superdrug, and yeah it's not the best quality, but at such a cheap price I find it was really worth it. It provides me with a light to medium coverage and matches my skin perfectly (when I don't have a tan). I have combination skin and it has never made me break out or go flaky or anything. I'm currently on the search for something with a heavier coverage, but for a medium coverage foundation I think it's really good for the price! 

Application: brush or fingers

• Light to medium coverage
• Natural finish (neither dewy or matte)
• Really cheap
• Quality not the best (sometimes I need to shake it before use because it seperates)

Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser

For some reason this doesn't have a shade name on it so I don't know which one I use, but it comes in 3 shades - Fair, Natural and Beige. Whichever one I'm using is slightly darker than my skin at the moment, but because it's light coverage it just leaves my face looking more even, dewy and slightly more tan. This is also really cheap at only £1.99 from Boots. I usually either use this on it's own on days where I either don't need much coverage or if I'm just nipping into town for a bit or something. I also use this before I put on my MAC pressed powder, because it stops my forehead and nose from flaking. 

Application: brush or fingers

• Light coverage
• Dewy finish
• Really cheap
• Only 3 shades available

MAC Studio Fix in NW35

This is the best quality foundation I own (I should hope so too at £21.50), because it is a high end product. I know that if you're just starting out, most people can't really afford high end products, but I might as well include it anyway. This has really good coverage, but the best thing is that it doesn't look or feel heavy on your face. This is quite a bit darker than my skin tone now that my holiday tan has gone, so now I only ever use this on a night out when I'm wearing fake tan. 

Application: sponge (comes with one) or powder brush.

• Full coverage
• Matte finish
• Really good quality
• Quite expensive
• Pressed powders can break. See pictures below for my horrifying proof. :(

George Ultra Matte Pressed Powder

This is one of those make up items where you have no recollection of purchasing it (or is it just me who has those?). I didn't even know George did make up. Anyway, this is pretty good to be honest, it does what it says on the tin, its cheap at only £4.00, it matches my skin tone. I only ever use this to set my liquid foundation anyway. 

Application: powder brush.

• Cheap
• Matte finish
• Pressed powders can break
• Very light coverage

These are swatches of my foundation products. As you can see, the MAC powder and tinted moisturiser are slightly darker. 

My powder foundations. It making me sad just looking at the state of my MAC :(

Tips for foundation!

- When buying a foundation, try and match the foundation shade to your jawline or chest. I know its sometimes difficult to match to your jawline because of the lighting in the store casting a shadow, so chest works too. Either that or ask an assistant in the make up section to help. It's their job and they know more about foundation than me!

- Probably the second most important thing after buying the right shade, is to make sure you blend!! No one wants a line where the foundation stops, and trust me, everyone will notice. 

- Make sure your face is a clean canvas first, give it a quick wash before you apply foundation. Primers are good but not necessary, they prepare your face and ensure that your foundation stays put all day. 

- Use a good brush. I won't go too much into brushes because there is a separate post on make up tools later, but if you get a really cheap one it will probably leave you with lines all over your face. I know this from experience! I use a Real Techniques stippling brush which is really good. 

- Finishing with a powder will set the foundation and stop it falling and going onto your friends shirt when you hug them. You can buy translucent powders as well as coloured ones. 

♡

So that's it! Remember to check out all the other foundation posts by going to Steph's blog and clicking one of the other bloggers, or seach #theSOproject on twitter.

You can ask me any questions by commenting below or tweet/DM me @perpetual_style :)

Me wearing the NYC skin matching foundation! :) 

Thanks for reading!