Foundation is the most basic of make-up products. But in today’s maddening world of beauty, it can be quite challenging to get the right kind for your skin. With so many brands, shades, and formulas out there, how do you know what complements your complexion? Here are some basic tips to follow when buying foundation for your skin to help you out with the same. Remember, flawless skin is not a myth. You need to start with the right product

1. Understand your skin type
The first thing you need to do is classify your skin into one of three primary types: oily, dry, or neutral. If your skin is oily, a matte foundation or an oil-free liquid will help absorb excess oil and prevent patch formation. Similarly, if your skin is dry, choose a creamy foundation or a hydrating formula that can moisturize your face. A powder foundation is the most versatile. It can be applied lightly or layered heavily, depending on the type of your skin. If you have combination skin, try mixing a couple of formulas to get the right foundation.

2. What is the coverage you are looking for
Decide the extent of coverage you are looking for. Do you want to use the foundation for just dusting your face lightly, or is it going to be the base for some heavy, long-wear make-up? Are you trying to cover a few freckles? Or do you intend to completely conceal your acne-prone skin? The right shade of foundation can hide blemishes and highlight your best features, but the wrong shade will make your skin look dull and uneven.

3. Find your skin’s undertone
Your undertone and complexion are two different things. You should know the difference before trying to pick a skin foundation. Find your undertone from the color of your veins. If they are green or olive, you have a warm undertone and can get peach or yellow-based products. If they appear blue or purple, then you have cool undertones. Cool tones look best in pink-based shades. And if they are a mix of blue and green, your undertone is neutral, and these tones go well with yellow hues.

4. Use the internet to research
A tip is to research the foundation variants on offer for various skin types before buying one. Narrow down your options, but do not make your purchases online. A walk-in store where you can test the product on your skin in natural daylight is the best way to purchase this make-up essential.

5. Test your choice, but not on the wrists
If you choose to purchase it in a regular shop, take the time to test your choice. And do it on your jawline, not on your wrist or hands. Most people have different colored skin on their face, neck, hands, and body. You must see if the color you choose seamlessly blends with the skin on your face. Also, try to go near a window or a source of real sunlight in a shop. Do not try the product under harsh store lights. Try out multiple shades side by side to check which one suits your skin color the best.

6. See if the product can multi-task
Make the foundation work overtime. For example, some of them help deal with dry skin by also acting as a moisturizer. Some others can double duty as an SPF protector or acne fighter. Apart from appearing the most natural-looking on your skin, check to see if your chosen foundation is a multi-tasker.