Hello everyone!  This is the first official posting of “Topic of the Week Tuesdays”!  The topic for this weeks is  “Finding Your Foundation Shade”.  I don’t know about you guys, but finding my perfect foundation shade has been one of the biggest challenges of life for me when I started learning makeup at Clinique Cosmetics It seems there are as many shades and types of foundations to choose from as there are stars in the sky.  When you do find the correct shade for your skin type and tone there is the type of application as well as the tool used for application to agonize over.  But, agonize no longer!  I have a few tips that will help you to choose your perfect shade and it’s application.

To start with, make sure you know your “skin type”.  This is it’s “condition” which means whether it is oily, dry, sensitive, or “t-zoned” (combination) skin.  Then, know what your skin “tone” is.  This is the color of your skin such as fair, medium, or dark.  Also take into consideration whether you are warm (red-toned), neutral, or cool (blue-toned).  If you go to a department store, the cosmetic counter consultant will be able to help you with this.  NEVER swatch foundation samples/colors on to the back of your hand.  The skin on your face is completely different than the skin on the back of your hand.  Also, if the skin on your face is different than the skin on your neck, match your foundation shade on your neck to your face so that the foundation color matches the rest of your body.  You don’t want to have the dreaded”mask face”.

When going to choose foundations it is also good to know what type of coverage you are looking for.  This means sheer, medium, or full coverage (the amount of “covering” of your face you want to do).  Then choose the type of application tool you will use such as fingers, beauty sponge, flat top kabuki brush, or flat foundation brush.  A damp beauty sponge will provide sheer natural coverage while a flat foundation brush will provide fuller (heavier) coverage.  Foundations will also be labeled as to their coverage.

Now, when going to choose a foundation color for yourself, go to the chosen place wearing no makeup; only a clean moisturized face.  Department stores aren’t the most “foundation-trying friendly” (because of the lighting) so if you choose to go to one, make sure you can go into natural light afterwards to look at your foundation shade in it’s best light.  Natural lighting is best.  Then, find the shade you think would fit your best color and choose one color right next to it that is lighter than your chosen shade, and one that is darker than your shade to have a total of three colors to try.  After that, place three swatches of the foundation shades next to each other on the side of your face just above the jaw bone.  Slowly smear each shade on to your face next to each other and whichever one seems to disappear into your skin is the correct foundation color for you!

Phew!  I know this seems like a lot, and it is, but knowing these steps ahead of time will put you ahead of the game in finding the right shade and type of foundation for yourself.  Happy foundation hunting!!