Foundation is the base to any make up look so you need to get it right. No one wants to turn up to their Christmas party looking like an oompa loompa or deathly pale. Female First guide you through the steps to choose the perfect foundation to match your skin tone.

Know Your Skin Type

Like with all beauty routines it's important to be in tune with your skin type and know which products work best for you. If you have oily skin an oil based foundation will make you more shiny than the star on top of the Christmas tree or if you're prone to spots you're going to want something with good coverage.
Check out

Female First's: Skin Type Guide

to find out what type you are.

What Do You Want?

You need to decide what you want from your foundation. Do you want to simply create and even skin tone or are you looking to hide blemishes? Do you just want to slap it on in two minutes or do you have the time for an expert finish? The level of coverage and amount of effort you want to put in determines what type of foundation you should go for.
Here is a run-down of the main types of foundation available and what sort of usage they are best for:

Oil Based Liquid

These are type that feel the most greasy to touch and are usually the most shiny. They offer the most coverage and are used a lot in stage make up so your skin looks great on camera.
However the oil can sometimes react with the pigment in your skin and make you look slightly orange if you don't choose the right colour tone.
The shiny nature of this type also means you will need to apply a matt powder over the top and keep dusting shiny areas regularly.
Oil based liquids are most suitable for dry or ageing skin because they keep the skin moisturised and also provide good coverage without clinging to dry patches and fine lines.

Oil-free Liquid

The colour pigment is suspended in water rather than oil so these are less greasy. A lot also contain a powder element that leaves a matt finish and prevents shiny patches.
These are great for oily skin as the matt finish means that excess oil is soaked up throughout the day leaving a flawless finish.

Cream Compacts

These are great for the girl on the go. They are oil based creams that come in a handy compact that is easy to apply anywhere. Usually applied with a sponge cream compacts are great for a flawless look.
The coverage isn't always very good but this is great for those without too many blemishes who just want to even out skin tone. If just the right amount is used the skin can look naturally flawless.
These types are best for combination skin because they are oil based to moisturise dry cheeks but will dry matt on shiny t-zones. Ageing and dry skin will usually find the coverage isn't good enough and may notice patches as the day goes on.

Tinted Moisturisers

These are fab for those whose only skin downfall is dryness. If you are lucky enough to be spot free but still suffer from dry patches a tinted moisturiser is all you need. Similarly if you just want to add a bit of colour to pale skin or even out skin tone then a simple layer of tinted moisturiser and a dusting of blusher will give you a glowing natural look.

Try Before You Buy

The only way to find the perfect foundation is to test it out. Don't be afraid to make the most of the shop's tester bottles- that's what they are there for. “When you go to buy a foundation make sure you get a bit of daylight away from the counter in the shop. Don't look at it under fluorescent light because it always looks really different. Also make sure that you match the skin tone exactly with the foundation.” make up artist to the stars, Gary Cockerill.
You want to aim to match your new foundation with your natural skin tone. If you want your skin to look darker or more tanned then build up colour with blusher and bronzer.
Also try asking a beauty counter assistant for advice. But beware they are usually there to try and sell a particular brand so don't just take their word for it.
Seek advice from friends too. They will be able to reccomend the make up they have tried and at least you know their opinion is honest.

Let us know what are your favourite foundations by leaving a comment below........

Tilly Harris- Female First