How To Choose Foundation Shade For Indian Skin

We all dream of achieving a flawless complexion, this absolute make-up grail. Very clearly, it is on the foundation that we must bet. Well chosen, it will turn your skin into an Instagram filter. But then how to choose foundation shade for Indian skin?

Discover our guide to foundation: how to choose it, how to apply it, how to prepare your skin, how to perfect your complexion.

Check compact powders for acne prone skin.

The perfect foundation, the base of everything!

We can never tell you enough: successful makeup is above all a perfect complexion! But what is the key to a perfect complexion? A foundation adapts to your complexion and your skin type, applied correctly of course.

Indeed, it is difficult to ignore the foundation when you put on makeup: it unifies, smoothens, illuminates, embellishes… In short, prepare your skin as an artist would prepare his canvas (we are not talking about “make up artist” for nothing!).

How to properly cleanse/prepare your face before foundation?

Before discussing makeup itself, let’s start by going over the basics. A perfect complexion is certainly the right foundation, but it is also clean and hydrated skin. Also, every morning before starting your make-up, take the time to take care of your skin.

Start by cleaning: use a product adapted to your skin type and cool water (or downright cold if you have the courage) which will wake up your features and close your pores. And closed pores, we love that for a flawless complexion. Pat yourself dry by gently patting a towel over your face.

Apply Serum: Once clear and fresh, apply your serum (if you’re using any) and your day cream (you really should be using some if you haven’t already!). Let it all soak in before moving on.

Last preparation step, optional but recommended if you want perfect makeup that lasts all day, apply a foundation. Also called “Primer”, the foundation helps blur imperfections, erase pores and create a protective film on your skin.

Start Your Complexion Makeup With Concealer: The False Good Idea

You might think that applying your concealer before your foundation is a good idea since it makes it easier to blend it out. But nay! You don’t start your complexion makeup with concealer.

The concealer is used to hide what it is placed on (dark circles and imperfections therefore), it must be applied after the foundation, which is “just” used to unify and beautify the skin. If you put it on before the foundation, the concealer will lose its usefulness: bad idea then.

How to choose the right foundation for your skin type

The right foundation is the one that suits your skin. We do not choose the same texture or the same composition if we have dry, oily, sensitive, mature skin, etc. Here are some tips for choosing the right foundation for your skin type.

1. Moisturizing foundation for dry skin

If your skin tends to be dry, you know how difficult it can be to choose your foundation: irritation, redness, even the famous cakey effect in the worst case! Fortunately, it is quite easy to find a good dry skin foundation on the market today, as long as you know what to look for.

The dry skin foundation is enriched with moisturizing active ingredients. It beautifies the face while moisturizing it. Choose a fluid foundation with a creamy texture, and avoid mousse or compact textures that will shamelessly dry out your skin.

If ever your skin is sensitive, do not hesitate to opt for an organic foundation or a suitable brand such as Vichy, Clarins or Clinique for example. You can also choose a good mineral foundation.

2. Water-based foundation for combination skin

Both dry and oily in the T zone, combination skin can be a challenge in the quest for the perfect complexion. Know that water-based foundation is the best ally for combination skin. It will give you a mattifying effect without making the dry areas of your face thirsty, so the perfect combo. Prefer a fluid foundation, brighter than thicker textures, and which will be perfect for a very trendy glowy complexion.

3. Powder or liquid foundation for oily skin

Oily skin is often prone to imperfections and shine, so choose a covering and mattifying foundation that will easily camouflage these small flaws. The right foundation for oily skin can be a powder foundation, as long as it’s applied lightly. Indeed, the compact foundation can quickly give an ungraceful “plaster” effect, so be careful.

A liquid formula can also work as a foundation for oily skin, provided it is mattifying and covering enough.

4. Coverage foundation: for skin with imperfections

When you have skin prone to imperfections (acne, couperose, scars, etc.), choosing the right foundation is crucial for successful makeup. In the event of skin lesions such as pimples or irritations, it is better to opt for a “medical” make-up brand, sold in pharmacies and drugstores. These products also contain antibacterial, healing, soothing active ingredients… which will treat your skin in addition to making it up, especially if you have acne-prone skin.

On the texture side, you will have the choice between mineral, liquid or cream foundation, to choose according to your skin type. Then know that coverage is not synonymous with thickness. A good covering foundation is simply more pigmented than a classic formula. No need to add more.

5. Non-comedogenic foundation for acne-prone skin

If you have acne-prone skin, consider a non-comedogenic foundation. These foundations are made to avoid clogging pores, and therefore avoid generating new pimples. Choose a full-coverage foundation to effectively camouflage your skin flaws. Do not hesitate to set your sights on a mineral foundation that will absorb excess sebum throughout the day.

6. Mature skin: Which foundation does not mark wrinkles?

For mature skin, choose a liquid foundation, which smoothes, nourishes and illuminates the complexion without marking wrinkles. Avoid powder foundation, however, which tends to lodge in wrinkles. Do not hesitate to opt for a fluid foundation enriched with anti-aging active ingredients, you will kill two birds with one stone and we do not want to bring out this frown line!

7. Fragrance-free foundation: for allergies

In case of ultra-sensitive to allergic skin, you will have to choose your makeup in pharmacy, and especially opt for a foundation without perfume. Synthetic fragrances are responsible for most allergic reactions to cosmetics, so look to a natural foundation.

8. Organic foundation: for those looking for real products

Organic cosmetics have developed well recently, and it is quite easy to find a quality organic foundation. Organic or not, you still have to choose the right shade and texture for your skin type!

9. Mineral foundation: for whom? why?

The mineral foundation is a small cosmetic miracle. It is suitable for both dry and oily skin, and is a good ally for a flawless complexion. Its composition helps absorb excess sebum on oily skin, for a guaranteed shine-free complexion. It is also a good foundation for dry or sensitive skin since its components do not penetrate the skin, so they do not generate any reaction. In addition, its texture is creamy and moisturizing, which makes it very comfortable.

However, its application requires a little practice: presented in loose powder, you have to practice to achieve the perfect application…

Apply your foundation with a brush, blender, fingers?

There is no real rule in this area, as long as you master your tool. The foundation brush allows you to blend the material well, which gives a rather natural complexion. The blender (the foundation sponge) is effective and fast, but unhygienic. It also tends to waste the product since it absorbs it. The fingers allow you to feel the material well and to warm it up when applying it, but you have to take the time to blend everything well.

Brush technique 

1. Apply the foundation in dots on the different parts of the face
2. Distribute and smooth the foundation with the brush

Sponge technique 

1. Place a dab of foundation on the back of the hand
2. Heat the foundation on the hand with the sponge
3. Smooth the entire face from the inside out

Finger technique 

1. Place a dab of foundation on the back of the hand
2. Heat the foundation on the hand with the finger
3. Apply the foundation in small touches on the face
4. Manually smooth outward, top to bottom

How to properly apply your foundation: the technique, the steps

A well-applied foundation is a properly blended foundation that does not make a demarcation. To achieve this result, you start by placing the material on the back of your hand, from where you then take it.

We first apply the foundation in the central area of the face (nose, forehead, chin), then we stretch it outwards. This gesture makes it possible to obtain a uniform result and, normally, quite fine. Remember to stretch your foundation on your neck, impasse prohibited!

How to apply foundation – the correct way

• Always test a foundation before buying it, on the upper jaw of the face in daylight (and not on the wrists).
• Apply your foundation after thoroughly cleansing your skin.
• Exfoliate your face regularly to refine skin texture and eliminate dead cells.
• Apply a moisturizer as a base to increase the hold of the foundation.
• Apply foundation from the center of the face outwards.
• Blend the lines of foundation at the hairline and at the junction of the neck to unify the whole.
• Apply the blush while smiling to straighten the cheekbones.

How to choose your foundation for successful contouring?

You will first have to choose the texture of your foundation: creamy or powder. The stick foundation, creamy, gives a more charged result than the powder. The latter is therefore more suitable for daily contouring.

Then choose the right shades for you: a dark one to dig in and a lighter one to illuminate. Although different from your natural skin tone, the lighter and darker shades should not stray too far from it, at the risk of having a rendering very far from natural.

The right gestures to finalize your complexion makeup

Once the application of your foundation with a sponge, fingers or liquid foundation brush has been perfectly done, you only have a few more steps to perform for a perfect complexion. We tell you everything.

i) Powder

The powder allows you to set your foundation for the day, and to finish giving the desired appearance (glowy or matte, as desired). It arises by tapping gently, with a brush or puff, but always with a light hand.

ii) Blush

The blush is essential to finish giving you a healthy glow. The shade must be fresh and adapted to your complexion. Apply it with a blush brush on the cheekbones. Ideal when you want to wear makeup with freckles!

iii) Highlighter and illuminator

In small touches where you want to capture the light, the highlighter gives you a beautiful glowy effect. Be careful not to add too much!

iv) Makeup fixer

Finish your make-up with a veil of fixing spray, and you’re ready.

It is difficult to classify the best foundations of the moment as it is all a matter of taste and skin type. We tried anyway and here is our opinion on the foundation brands of the moment.

In summary: How to choose foundation shade for Indian skin and achieve a flawless complexion:

• Choosing a foundation based on your skin type is the most important thing.
• Properly prepare your skin before makeup.
• Use a light hand when applying and blend the material well.
• Do not neglect the other makeup steps for a perfect complexion!
• Mineral foundation can be a good option if you like a powder texture.