Skin Foundation: Makeup Options for Your Skin Type

Is your current foundation not performing well? Is your new mineral foundation frustrating you? Do you want more or less coverage than your current foundation provides? Do you use foundation in a bottle from a common drugstore line that smells... well... noxious? You have so many options you don't even know about, babes! Read through this straightforward guide and find the foundation that works for your skin -- not against your skin! After all, it's called foundation because it's the most important part of makeup. If you have the first step wrong, all the subsequent steps just aren't going to work.

Mineral Foundations

Right now, mineral foundations are huge! You can't go to the mall without passing by at least one kiosk selling some obscure brand of "all natural crushed minerals" from some exotic land.

Mineral foundations are not the panacea (the be-all, end-all solution) they claim, however. If you have dry patches, mineral foundations will highlight the flaky areas and be your worst enemy. Alternatively, if your skin gets oily throughout the day, the minerals will start swimming in oil -- and that just looks gross. Mineral foundation will also turn into rivers of muddy sweat if you exert yourself, for example by playing soccer in the hot sun.

But mineral foundations aren't all bad. Because they have smaller ingredient lists than other types of foundations, they're great for people who want to limit their exposure to chemicals or who have extremely sensitive skin. They're also great for people who suffer from rosacea, since many of them contain a healing mineral called zinc oxide. And almost all of them have SPF.

Best for -- rosacea sufferers, sensitive skin, skin that isn't too oily or too dry.
Drugstore option: jane Be Pure Mineral Foundation.
Designer option: Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics.

Tinted Moisturizers

Tinted moisturizers don't provide a lot of coverage. Therefore, these foundations are best for people who don't have a lot of flaws they want to cover up. Avoid if you have extremely oily skin, because you don't want to put more moisture on top of oil.

Best for -- people with porcelain faces, teenage girls with clear skin.
Drugstore option: Wet'N'Wild ultimate sheer tinted moisturizer.
Designer option: Stila sheer tinted moisturizer.

Liquid or Cream to Powder Foundations

These foundations provide a little less coverage than liquid foundation (you know, the kind in the bottle) but way more than tinted moisturizers. You apply them with a damp sponge. As the name implies, they go on wet and set to a powder. Their finish is often more matte, but they are not considered matte foundations.

Liquid- or cream-to-powder foundations are best for those with normal to oily skin. They do a pretty good job of coverage blemishes and discoloration, and may cover light scarring. They're not recommended for those with dry skin, as the formula will cause dry patches to stand out.

Best for -- normal to oily skin, people who want to skip the powder step of their makeup routine.
Drugstore option: Prestige cream-to-powder makeup.
Designer option: Smashbox conversion cream-to-powder foundation.

Cake and Stick Foundations

Cake and stick foundations provide more coverage than liquid- or cream-to-powder foundations. And because they cover more, they often double as concealers. They're great for people who have mild to moderate scars or discoloration. They'll also cover acne really well, but because acne is three dimensional it won't be completely invisible, just less noticeable.

Cake and stick foundations are usually too emollient for those who have really oily skin. They can also aggravate acne problems, since the binders that hold the makeup in a solid form can clog pores.

Best for -- normal to dry skin that needs mild to moderate coverage; people who want a concealer and foundation in one.
Drugstore option: Iman second to none stick foundation.
Designer option: Shiseido "the makeup" stick foundation.

Oil Free Foundations

Oil-free foundations are great for individuals with oily skin, since they will not add to the oil problem. They offer coverage about the same as traditional liquid makeup. They're also great for people who want to wear a moisturizer under their makeup, instead of using a moisturizing makeup.

Oil-free foundations are not recommended for people with dry skin. Sometimes they're too drying for people with normal skin. If you want acne or scar coverage, you'll need a separate concealer.

Best for -- oily skin, acne prone skin.
Drugstore option: Tropez oil free foundation.
Designer option: NARS oil free foundation.

Traditional Liquid Makeup

This is often the first type of makeup bought by young girls. It doesn't have good coverage, but it covers more than tinted moisturizer. It doesn't provide any real benefits for oily or dry skin. Don't get me wrong -- it's not bad. It's just mediocre. Yes, I know that a lot of my readers wear this type of makeup, and I'll probably have a lot of comments questioning my sanity. I beg you -- read the other types and try a new foundation. I bet you'll find a better fit!

Best for -- normal skin that needs some coverage.
Drugstore option: Covergirl trublend liquid foundation.
Designer option: Clinique soft finish makeup.

Oil-Based Foundations

There aren't many of these on the market. Oil-based foundations are made with oil (I know this sounds obvious, I'm sorry). This type of foundation is best for people with really dry skin, or people with moderate to severe wrinkles. The oil will moisturize the skin, and the foundation won't be as likely to soak into fine lines. This also leaves a nice, natural-looking glow, since it never quite sets.

Oil-based foundations are not for people with normal skin, people with oily skin, or people who are prone to acne.

Best for -- really dry skin, individuals whose wrinkles look worse in almost any kind of foundation.
Drugstore option: Oil of Olay All Day Moisture Foundation.
Designer option: Alexandra de Markoff Countess Isserlyn Cream Makeup

Semi-Matte Foundations

Semi-matte foundations set with very little glow. They offer about the same coverage as liquid-to-powder foundations. You'll have to apply and blend them quickly, as they set as soon as they dry. They're a little tougher to remove than most foundations; you will need a wash cloth or a good makeup remover. Semi-matte foundations are great for those who have oily skin, oily skin with acne, individuals who sweat a bit, or individuals who really don't want any sort of shine on their face. Some individuals don't need powder on top of this foundation, while others do.

Semi-matte foundations are not for people with really dry skin, or for people with rosacea, as the extra tugging-and-pulling with a wash cloth will aggravate redness.

Best for -- oily skin, oily skin with acne, sweaty faces.
Drugstore option: None at this time.
Designer option: Estee Lauder Equalizer Smart Makeup.

Matte Foundations

Matte foundations are not for the faint of heart, because of their nature. It will set fast, and if you aren't careful you will look like you are wearing a mask. Matte foundations will highlight any dry areas on your face without exception. This type of foundation really takes a lot of effort to remove. You will need a wash cloth AND makeup remover! The good news is, they provide as much coverage as possible. You will not need a concealer.

Does your face produce so much oil that your foundation is literally sliding off by lunch? Do you have so much face sweat (whether by exertion or nerves) that you don't even bother to wear makeup anymore? Do you want a face that has absolutely no shine? Then a matte-foundation may be just the thing you seek.

Do not use a matte foundation if: you have rosacea, you have any amount of dry skin, you don't like full coverage, you want a glow to your face, you're afraid of lines of demarcation, or you're too lazy to wash off all the makeup.

Best for -- really oily skin, sweaty skin, athletes.
Drugstore option: Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation.
Designer option: Guerlaine Matte Foundation.

Summary

See, that wasn't so bad! You at least have a few ideas about what to look for next time you go to the store. Feel free to print this out and take it with you. Happy shopping!