It is not an easy task to choose the right foundation. There are many important factors you should consider:

- the texture

- the level of coverage (consistency)

- the colour

The first thing that you should do before you go to the beauty counter to buy a foundation is to consider the needs of your complexion. There are many important factors to think about - if your complexion is greasy or rather dry, if you suffer from pimples, wrinkles, large pores or discoloration. It is crucial to determine your skin type so that you can choose the right consistency of the foundation. In terms of foundation's colour ideally it should match the tone of your complexion. In case you cannot find the perfect match do go for a shade that is half a tone to a tone lighter. Do not be tempted to buy a foundation darker than your skin tone. If you were born with a porcelain skin do not pretend to be an olive skin Spaniard. It will make you look older than you actually are. Another important thing to consider is if your complexion tone is warm (yellowish), cold (pinkish) or neutral. If you are in doubt check the colour of the vain on your wrist. If it's greenish then your complexion is warm, if it's bluish then your complexion type is cold, if you have a hard time deciding then most probably it's neutral.

In terms of texture if your skin is dry you should go for a thicker consistency to shield your skin from the environment and to keep it supple and moisturised. Oily skin will be happier with an oil-free foundation to stop the pores from clogging and avoid unattractive shiny look. Regardless of your skin type it is always a good idea to go for a foundation with SPF to prevent the photo aging of your skin.

The coverage is another important characteristic of the foundation. Heavier foundations are better used in the winter time while during the warmer humid months you would usually go for a lighter option. It also depends on your skin type, the condition of your skin, whether you have any blemishes to hide or you just want to even out the skin tone. You can apply the foundation to the whole face or only to specific parts of your face. You are the boss.

Types of foundations

Depending on your skin needs and required coverage you can choose between:

- tinted moisturiser

It's the lightest option, offering the least (light to medium) coverage. It is suitable for rather good, clear complexion that needs only evening out the skin tone. It looks very fresh and natural and it's a multi-purpose product that combines the benefits of a moisturiser with a light coverage foundation.

Tinted moisturizers

 1. Vichy -  Lumineuse (Sheer Radiance Tinted Moisturiser) contains vitamin A and pro-vitamin B5

2. Stila – Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturiser with SPF30, is oil-free, contains silk amino acids

3. Lancome – Aqua Fusion with SPF15, moisturizes, contains zinc, calcium and manganese

4. BeneFit – You Rebel Lite with SPF15, aloe vera and alantoin

-  liquid/ cream/ mousse foundation

It's the most popular and the most widely used type of foundation usually offering medium to full coverage. It's available in numerous shades and textures - from very liquid and oil-free to very thick paste. It even comes in a form of a mousse.

Different types of fluids will suit various skin needs. They can mattify, moisturise, illuminate, rejuvenate, minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles or even tighten or plump up the skin.

Liquid foundations are particularly recommended for women suffering from wrinkles and enlarged pores because the liquid form of the product masks well the uneven skin texture.

Liquid/ cream/ mousse foundation

1. L’Oreal – Matte Cashmere a foundation and a finishing powder in one

2. BarryM – Foundation Crème is enriched with moisturizers and vitamins

3. Estee Lauder – Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup with SPF10

4. Maybelline – Dream Matte Mousse is available in 15 shades

5. Clarins – Instant Smooth Foundation

- stick foundation

This foundation is usually pretty thick and combines the benefits of foundation and concealer. It gives you good - medium to full coverage. Stick foundations can sometimes contain illuminating particles, these tend to have less pigment hence they offer less coverage. You apply the product straight onto your skin and smooth the product on your skin with your fingers.

Stick foundations

1. BeneFit – Play Sticks is available in 9 shades, contains green tea and chamomile

2. Bobbi Brown – Foundation Stick offers adjustable coverage for all skin types except very oily

3. Stila – Perfecting Foundation offers semi-matte finish for all skin types

4. Max Factor – Panstik gives maximum coverage

5. Laura Mercier – Stick Foundation contains SPF15, contains antioxidants, moisturizers and is oil-free

- compact foundation

This product offers the best (even full) coverage. It has thick, dense consistency and can be applied either dry or wet. You would normally use a foundation sponge to apply it, pressing the sponge onto your skin.

Compact foundations

1. The Body Shop – Flawless Skin Protecting Foundation with SPF25, enriched with baoab oil, moisturizers and vitamins

2. Chanel – Teint Innocence with SPF10, offers adjustable coverage, hydrates, protects with vitamin A

3. Dior – Diorskin Forever Compact with SPF25, it moisturises, offers full coverage and is waterproof

4. Rimmel – Stay Matte Compact Powder Foundation offers matte finish and a good coverage

- mineral foundation (usually loose, sometimes pressed)

It looks just like a powder but it offers you great coverage. You can easily control the amount of the product applied to your skin and therefore the level of coverage. This type of foundation is in my opinion the most universal as it lets you achieve the coverage you want and because it is suitable even for very sensitive skin. It is particularly beneficial to oily skin as it keeps your skin matte for a long time and for blemished skin as it usually contains skin clearing zinc oxide. Good mineral foundations would normally contain no more than 10 ingredients, the best only about 5. They do not contain any artificial dyes, conservatives or oils. Most mineral foundations will have a natural SFF filter titanium dioxide, its level ranges between 10 and 25.

Some companies offer liquid mineral foundation. These may be more suitable for dry or wrinkled skins.

Mineral foundations

1. L’Oreal Paris – True Match Minerals SPF15

2. LilyLolo – Mineral Foundation

3. Clinique – Almost Powder Makeup SPF15

4. Max Factor – Natural Minerals

5. Bare Escentuals – i.d. bareMinerals Loose Foundation SPF15

How to apply foundation

You can apply the foundation:

- with your fingers

This technique enables you to warm the product in your hands before you put in onto your skin therefore it is easier to blend the product.

- with a foundation sponge

This method lets you control easily the amount of foundation that is applied to the skin. The sponge is particularly useful when it comes to blending the makeup and removing excess of the product from the skin. The downside of this method is that you end up using much more foundation than when using the other ways of application as the sponge soaks up the product. This technique is therefore much less product efficient than the others.

- with a foundation brush

This technique is commonly used by the makeup artists. The brush let's you apply a very thin layer of foundation over the skin. It also minimises the risk of smudges and uneven coverage.

The foundation brushes are made of synthetic hair which is very delicate to the skin and more importantly can be washed very often which makes the brushes very hygienic.

- with a kabuki brush

This method can only be used to apply dry mineral foundations (they are usually in a loose powder form, sometimes are sold in the form of a pressed powder). You simply dip the brush into the foundation and apply it onto your skin with a small circular motion.

Kabuki brushes are usually made of natural short, thick and dense hair.

All women regardless of their age and the size of their wallet want to have a beautiful complexion. A foundation would certainly not replace a sound beauty regime but can make you feel more comfortable in your skin.  I hope my advice will help you find the most suitable foundation for your skin. I also encourage you to share your opinions on the foundations you have used here .