Have you found that perfect foundation that matches flawlessly with your skin tone and type? If not, do not allow yourself to settle for something less than the best. Your skin and your beauty deserves better.

Beauty experts believe that the trick to finding that perfect foundation is to try it on in the natural daylight; reason being that everything is crystal clear when the sun is up and you can spot the wrong shade right at the spot. Blending is the key they say however, not if you’ve picked out the wrong colour. Our advice is never to rely on the lighting in your favourite makeup outlet or even a departmental store.

You need your foundation to give a smooth, full coverage on the centre of your face. But even more importantly, your foundation must match the skin tone of your body. After all, you don’t want to go out with a two-toned look that is horribly laughable, do you? If not, make sure that the tone of your neck and the rest of your body matches the shade you have picked out. The best way to test a foundation is to apply it over your neck and your jawline. That way, you can really see its effect against the undertone and decide if it flatters your skin or not.

Identifying an undertone is not as easy as it sounds. But it is essential to understand your skin undertones, if you want to get that perfectly flawless foundation.

Cool and blue: Try looking for the colour of the veins on the inside of your wrist. Do you have blue and purple veins sprouting under your skin? You have cool and blue undertones. You can also tell that your undertones are cool if you look better in silver than in gold. One out in sun, you tend to turn pink and are prone to sunburn.

Neutral and green: You don’t have any veins showing up on your skin but they seem to be slightly blue-greenish. You cannot tell for sure if the colour of your veins is blue or distinctly green. Your complexion isn’t too fair or too dark, but when you step out in the sun, it tends to turn olive in colour.

Warm and yellow: Your veins look slightly green and your skin turns yellowish when you step out in the sun. Your skin gives out a yellow glow with peachy undertones. Gold jewellery is your best bet. Out in the sun, you tend to get a beautiful tan rather than the pink skin.

If you’re looking for a foundation to give your skin heavy coverage, stop right there! For coverage, you should look for a concealer instead. You see, your foundation should be light and breathable. If it locks up all your pores, your face will turn into a fondant cake.

Each skin type, be it oily, dry or super sensitive, has its own needs. Your skin requires a formula that is made to beautify that particular skin type.

Oily Skin:  You need something that is light and free of all traces of oil. Your ideal choice is going for matte so that it doesn’t shine on your face and invite sweat.

Combination Skin: Your best bet will be the semi-matte foundation as it keeps your skin hydrated and gives it a smooth finish.

Normal Skin: Blessed are the women who don’t have to worry about a plethora of problems while choosing their foundation. You must opt for the satin foundation which will give your skin a smooth, velvety finish while keeping it moist and fresh.

Dry Skin:  Your foundation goal is to find that formula that will moisturize and hydrate your skin.

Sensitive Skin: If you have a highly sensitive skin, your struggle is real because there is no one solution or formula. You need to put yourself out there and find the perfect one. Only be sure to steer clear of irritants and heavy formulas that give a thick coverage. Mineral powder is ideal for such skin.

The Elusive Natural Look: Do you want to exude an aura of confident, poised woman by opting for a natural look? Sheer foundation is the way to go!

At the end of the day, when you walk out after paying the cashier with your new foundation safely lying in your handbag, you want something that will give your skin a fresh look all day long. You do not want a foundation that harms your skin, or clogs your pores to deny your skin cells much needed oxygen. Choose wisely, and remember, your skin deserves the best.