by Janet Dunn

Created on: May 09, 2011   Last Updated: May 10, 2011

Shopping for the right makeup can be very time consuming for most women.  Makeup comes in a variety of shades and formulas of liquid, crème or powder.  You will need to be aware of your specific skin type and color palette when choosing your shade.

Keep in mind when choosing your makeup you will also need to use the right moisturizer under it.  Makeup alone will not do the trick.  You have to prep the skin with a morning routine as well as a good nighttime ritual too.

To find your foundation shade, start by identifying your undertone. This is the underlying color of your skin and it is usually described as being a subtle pink which has a rosy or bluish look, or a warm tone which is usually an olive complexion or golden tone.  You will need to know this in order to choose the perfect makeup foundation for your skin type.  To find your undertone place a sheet of white paper against your face.  You will see your color in contrast to the whiteness of the paper.  Do this in good lighting. Standing next to a window will do the job.  (If you look better in white than in cream colors, then your skin tone is a cool with a pink undertone.)

You will also need to determine whether your skin is oily, dry or a combination and if your skin is light, medium or dark.  After making these assessments you will be able to find the right foundation. This information along with your hair color is used to determine your eye makeup coloring as well.

Keep in mind that some of the beige foundations on a pink undertone will make your skin appear even more pink, so be very careful when choosing your foundation.  The best way to do this is go to a makeup professional at one of the larger department stores and have her color match you.  She will do this by applying at least three different colors along your lower jaw line.  Some say that on the inside of the wrist can also be used to match but I have more luck using the bend of my elbow or jaw line.  If you’re still not sure don’t be afraid to ask for a small sample.  She will provide you with a sample of enough foundation to last you about a week.  This way you can be sure of the perfect effect you are looking for.

As you age trying to find the right foundation for your skin tone can be an exhausting search, especially as the hormonal levels begin to change.  One day your makeup is working for you and then the next you realize that you need to change to something more beneficial for your skin. As the skin matures it loses its intensity, firmness and may appear splotchy.  Choosing the right foundation will address these issues and even out your skin tone. There are several makeup lines that cater to the older woman, among them are Estee Lauder and Lancôme.   For the younger women, Clinique and Sephora are very popular choices.  These cosmetic lines offer products that are especially formulated for specific skin types.   

When you have on the right shade of foundation you and everyone else will know it because it makes you “feel like a woman”.   

Further readings and resources: 

http://www.esteelauder.com/index.tmpl

http://www.lancome-usa.com/special-offers/special_of fers,default,sc.html?cm_mmc=LabeliumSearch-_-GoogleB rand-_-Brand-_-lamcome

http://www.clinique.com/index.tmpl?ngextredir=1&cm_mmc=Google-_-ECOMM-TM-Brand-Exact-_-Site-_-cliniq uecom

 http://www.sephora.com/

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