How to Select the Right Foundation 101

Ladies…..I am here to help (c) Bari. Tired of seeing your zebra-striped, thickly caked, and uneven skin? Tired of seeing your face show up 2 shades lighter in photos?

So am I.

P.O.S.H. is here to give you an overview on how to select the appropriate foundation which is your shade and the right concealer. We will break down application and products in later articles.

Here is a tutorial about how to select the perfect foundation shade.

Before buying a foundation make sure to sample the product first to ensure that the color is right for your skin. Test the foundation on the inside of your wrist as this area is generally closest in color to your face.

A guide for selecting foundation for African American skin of whatever shade:

1. Very dark skin - use one with a bluish undertone
2. Medium brown skin – one with a reddish-yellow tone should work well
3. Light skin – use a foundation with a golden/yellow bas

Most Black women have two skin tones, so have two foundations handy, one for the lighter areas and one for the darker areas, and blend them so as to achieve a natural look.

1. Select the Appropriate Color - Guess what, your face does not stay the same color year round. When you are out and about in the summer time, your face gets darker (Shocker right?) So, in the winter time, you will need a different (lighter) color foundation to cover your now pale skin.

When choosing a foundation shade, bring a small hand mirror with you to the store. Dab a few shades on the cheek, wrist, or along the jawline near the chin wait a few seconds to see if it changes color and walk outside to the natural daylight to see it’s true color. The best shade will blend into your skin and disappear. If it doesn’t look too light, dark

2. Select the aprorpriate coverage – Foundation comes in light coverage all the way to full coverage.   The importance is knowing when to use the right coverage ( Again….another topic for another day).  However, many Black women have oily skin and liquid foundation works best for coverage and matching purposes.  I am all about using makeup brushes and not sponges when applying makeup. You wouldn’t sponge paint your walls, you would use a brush, right? Well the same principle applies to your face.

For you M.A.C. users, I know you love your Studio Tec (full coverage); however, this makeup was made for THE CAMERA, not everyday wear. Thick coverage should only be used at night, to cover horrendous pimples, or if you are appearing under the bright lights of Oprah’s show. If these options do not apply to you, back away from the compact with your sponge up. And if you MUST wear it….please switch to the Studio Tec liquid and use a foundation brush to apply (Our next tutorial if you don’t know how)

Light coverage should be used during the day. The goal of daytime makeup is to look like you are not wearing any makeup at all.

3. Select a Concealer
Concealers can be used to correct, camouflage and lighten imperfections, blemishes, and undereye circles. Using too light of a concealer will give you owl eyes. Concealer should NOT be used over your foundation!!!  This will leave your skin with blotchy football player lines and patches on your face. 

To cover blemishes using a brush, stroke a little concealer and no-color powder onto the brush and then apply to the blemish. It will stay better.
To cover tattoos or bruises use an orange under toned concealer that has good pigmentation then apply a stick or cream foundation with good coverage and match,

ALWAYS set your foundation and concealer with powder. Otherwise the foundation will not last through the day, blush will be blotchy, and eye shadows will crease.

Here is to not looking like Casper this Winter!!

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