How to pick the right foundation for your skin online

For all makeup girlies, foundation is a must-have product in their kit. Even for newbies who are just starting to experiment with makeup, this is the first product they purchase.

But choosing the right foundation is no cakewalk, especially in the era of online shopping. You don’t have anyone guiding you with the right shade or coverage, and while surfing through many beauty portals alone, you often make the wrong choice.

You must be aware that foundation sets the base for your makeup, and no one wishes for their face to look strikingly different from the rest of their body. So, here’s your expert-approved guide on how to choose the right foundation online.

But should you even make an online purchase?

“I do feel that buying foundation online is great for experts, but not for somebody who does not have much information. I know people who ended up with the wrong shades,” makeup artist Chandni Singh tells India Today.

Even Dr Niti Gaur, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Citrine Clinic, Gurugram, shares that it is always recommended to buy the foundation in a store after testing it on your skin. However, if you are purchasing it online, getting sample sizes or testers is recommended before investing in a full-sized product.

Meanwhile, digital creator Hitika Sachdev, who has 238K followers on Instagram, feels that buying a foundation online can be convenient. Well, we all love convenience, don’t we?

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Buying the right foundation online is convenient but difficult (Photo: Getty Images)

Know your skin type

“Knowing your skin type is the key,” says Sachdev. If you have oily skin, go for oil-free or matte foundations. Those with dry skin should look for hydrating or dewy formulas, and people with combination skin benefit from versatile formulas.

Further, explaining how to figure out your skin type, Chandni Singh shares, “If you wake up feeling parched and your skin is tearing apart, that means you are completely dry. For combination skin, usually, when you wake up in the morning, you’ll find a lot of shine deposits, particularly on your T zone (forehead, bridge of the nose, sides of the nose, upper lip, and chin) but the rest of your face will feel stretched and parched. I feel that in India, maximum people do have combination skin.”

“People with oily skin are prone to excessive oil and sebum release all over their face. This could also extend all the way to the cheekbones,” she adds.

The MUA adds that picking a foundation according to your skin type is of utmost importance. If dry skin people use a matte foundation, the application is going to look very patchy and cakey.

“A foundation isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. Apart from skin type, there may be other concerns like dullness, dehydration, breakouts, and sensitivity. So, make sure that the foundation fits as closely to your needs as possible,” adds Dr Gaur.

Figuring out skin tone

Dr Gaur mentions that choosing the right foundation for Indian skin can be a bit tricky as our skin tones and undertones can vary from light to deep.

“One method of determining your skin tone is by applying foundation. If the foundation disappears on your skin, then that specific shade is your skin tone. It could vary from light to medium, medium to dark, or dark to rich,” the doctor adds.

While you can’t apply and check the foundation in the digital world, online portals do have the tech to show how the product would look on your skin.

You must note that your skin tone can keep changing depending on the weather, location, and exposure to the sun. However, your undertone will stay constant and never change.

Choosing foundation according to your skin tone is vital (Photo: Getty Images)

Undertone matters

Undertones can be warm (yellow, peach, or golden), cool (pink or blue), or neutral (a mix of warm and cool). Determining whether you have a warm, cool, or neutral undertone is the key to picking the best foundation colour to match your skin, to avoid looking unnaturally orange or pink.

Further, Chandni Singh explains that the best way to figure out your undertone is to look at the veins on your wrist.

• If you have all blue veins, you have a cool undertone
• If you have only green veins, you have a warm or olive undertone
• If you have a mix of blue on green, you have a neutral undertone

Another way to figure it out is that for people with warmer undertones, gold looks good on them, and for people with cool undertones, silver and white tones look good on them. For neutral undertones, both gold and silver should be very complimenting.

Let’s talk coverage

Once you have figured out your skin type, tone, and undertone, it is important to choose the coverage of the foundation.

“Choosing the right coverage depends on your preference and skin concerns. Light coverage is good for a natural look, while full coverage is great for hiding blemishes. Medium coverage is a versatile option,” says Hitika Sachdev.

• Light coverage: Tinted moisturisers or BB creams
• Medium coverage: Liquid foundations or skin tints
• Full coverage: Cream or stick foundations

If you are looking to use the product on different occasions, you can choose a foundation with buildable coverage.

Further, Dr Gaur explains that choosing the right formula is also important. “Picking between liquid, powder, or cream-based foundations depends on your complexion, but liquid or creams are usually sufficient unless you are looking for a matte finish,” she says.

• The doctor adds that powder foundations can work for oily complexions, but should be avoided by dry skin people. They are recommended in dry and cool climates, as powder turns darker when it gets wet.
• When it comes to liquid and cream foundations, oil-free formulas are great for sensitive, breakout-prone skin.
• If you have combination or dry skin, oil in your foundation is recommended for its moisturising and anti-ageing benefits.

You can choose the coverage of the product according to your requirement (Photo: Getty Images)

What about those with sensitive skin?

“Sensitive skin people while doing their makeup should opt for brands that give vegan options, are organic, and don’t have chemicals,” suggests Chandni Singh.

Adding to this, Hitika Sachdev says, “For those with sensitive skin, go for foundations labelled hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid or chamomile, which are gentle on the skin.”

Now, here are some tips from the experts

• Before making an investment, do a lot of research and take cues from beauty influencers who have a similar skin tone. 
• When selecting a particular brand, check reviews and swatches on YouTube or beauty forums.
• Make sure to check the ingredients of the foundation you are purchasing.
• If you are unsure of the shade, buy a sample-sized product.
• Foundation application also matters, so pick the right tool along with your foundation.

What if you choose the wrong shade?

If you purchase a darker shade, according to Chandni Singh, add a blue pigment to it as it will neutralise it and take away the orange-ness. You can also add a few drops of white pigment to correct the shade.

On the other hand, Hitika Sachdev suggests that a darker shade of foundation can be used for contouring. If you have purchased a lighter shade, mix it with a darker foundation or use it as a highlighter.

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