Foundation can help protect the skin from environmental damage and even out skin tone.  It gives skin a flawless look and a base for color cosmetics.  So which one is right for you?  That depends on the kind of finish you want and the type of skin you have.  These are some of the  basic foundation types that are available.

1. Mineral Powder Foundation – This is best for normal to oily skin.  If you have excessively dry skin, you don’t want to use a powder foundation because it will make the dryness of your skin look worse.  Mineral powder provides the coverage of a foundation with the comfort of a silky powder.  It blends effectively and provides buildable coverage for a flawless look and makes lines, wrinkles and other imperfections seem to disappear.   This foundation should be applied with a brush specifically made for mineral powder, it should have soft bristles made out of natural hair so the foundation can be evenly distributed.

2. Liquid Foundation – This is a popular choice for many people, it is suitable for all skin types and it goes on silky smooth and evens out your skin tone.  You want to find a formula best suited to your skin type.  If your skin is normal to oily, you will want a liquid foundation that will absorb oil for at least eight hours.  For dry skin, you’ll want a formula that provides hydration and gives you long lasting even coverage.

3.  Creme-To-Powder Foundation – This is not as popular a choice as the other two but is great for people with dry skin.  It is a two-in-one product that glides on like a cream and dries to a soft, powdery, matte finish.  It provides buildable coverage, and can also be used just as a touch-up or a concealer.  If you are using it as a concealer, choose one shade lighter than your foundation.  It should also be water resistant and should have an emollient and conditioner to improve the appearance of your skin.  This foundation should be applied with a dry sponge.

4.  Tinted Moisturizer With Sunscreen -  This is a great choice for summer, or if you just can’t be bothered with foundation.  This provides three benefits in one product, sheer color , oil-free moisturization and UVA/UVB protection.  Add a little bit of bronzing powder and you’re ready for a day at the beach!