Types of Foundations

In days gone by, there were bottles of liquid foundation, MaxFactor pancake makeup, and that was just about it for foundation choices. These days, along with a massive number of manufacturers, there are a good many different types of foundations. I want to give you some basic information about the different types.

Liquid foundation comes in a bottle, and is usually of a pourable consistency. You can use your fingers to smooth it on your face (a la Kevyn Aucoin), or a makeup sponge, which usually gives you a little lighter coverage. The coverage of liquid foundations can range from very light to full coverage. There are formulas for every skin type, and a lot of them contain sunscreens (VERY important feature of foundation!). Special care needs to be taken with this foundation type to blend it very well. If you see someone with a distinct line around their face, that is usually unblended liquid foundation!

My recommendation: Try Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foudation (SP40) SPF 42 * PA+++ Very Water-Resistant Sunscreen 30ml/1fl.oz.. This is a very thin viscosity foundation, a little goes a LONG way. The coverage is amazing for as lightweight a product as it is, AND to top it all off, it is very water resistant–which is a great thing for those of us in the warmer climates.
Cream Foundations can come in a jar, a tube or a compact. Generally they have pretty heavy coverage, are formulated for combination/dry skin and blend a little easier than a liquid foundation. Some of them dry to a powder finish (matte) and other leave a dewey finish, you will have to see the product packaging to know what kind of finish it has.

Two cream foundations that I have liked in the past are Borghese Molto Bella Liquid/Powder, and BeautiControl Cream to Powder (available only through BeautiControl distributors). Borghese’s product is on the thinner side while BeautiControl’s is very thick. Both of these come in compacts and are applied with a sponge, but many cream foundations work well with fingertip application.

Tinted moisturizers are a very light coverage foundation that is great for those who do not like a “made up” look, and for girls just starting out with makeup. They do little more than even out the skin tone, which is all that some lucky people need!

Honestly, I have always been a “makeup” girl, and have never tried just a tinted moisturizer, but I noticed that Proactiv has one out now, that I thought I might give a try. Anyone with experience with tinted moisturizers is invited to leave comments here on what you think about them and your recommendations! Here is a link to Proactiv (I love every product they make that I have tried so far):-Try Proactiv now - it really works! You will need to call the phone number to order the tinted moisturizer, as I do not see it on their site.

Powder / Wet-Dry Powder foundations are the most like just using pressed powder on your face, but they have something magical that make them really stay on- like a foundation, rather than a powder that will just fall away from “naked skin.” Most of these are Wet/Dry, which means you can apply them with a dampened sponge (which gives a little bit lighter coverage) or with a dry sponge. As far as I know, you must use an application sponge with all of these foundation types. I have used and loved BeautiControl’s Wet/Dry Foundation, and am currently using Shiseido’s Compact Sun Protection SPF 32. I keep that one in my purse for on the go touch ups, and use the liquid at home, this is a great, and convenient system for me!