For someone who has been using liquid foundation their entire life, I'm a little bias when it comes to this topic. As I look through some of my old pictures on social media, one thing comes to mind, "I wish I had set this with some powder". I look so shiny in all my pics, mostly because I love natural dewy make up. At first this was the trend, glowing dewy skin achieved easily with a tinted moisturizer like the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. I still love using this for every day, but thanks to the popularity of selfies and social media, women everywhere are changing their make up to what will photograph well as opposed to what looks better in person.
Consider your skin tone of course. Sometimes it's just something you are used to. For dry skin, powder foundation just looks heavy and shows lines. If you really want a powdery look, make sure you are exfoliating and hydrating your skin with a moisturizer and by drinking plenty of water. Speaking of selfies, take one. Wait about an hour after you have worn your make up, since make up usually adjusts slowly according to your skin. Then check to see if your face is shiny or looks too matte. I have noticed that sometimes when I wear a liquid foundation my skin almost "eats" my makeup. It looks flawless at home and then I look in the mirror a few hours later and I look shiny again. If I was asked years ago to choose, I would have said liquid foundation all the way, but now I like them to wear them together. A foundation as a base and then a powder over it. As far as a compact foundation, it's almost like a blend of both. I do love those for touch ups, but overall I feel like it's too thick for me. The perfect foundation is like a pair of jeans, you really have to try samples of a few to see what works best for you and your skin.
Liquid foundations are available for oily skin too. Along with an oil-free primer this can look just as great as a powder but as a general rule, people with oily skin tones should go for the powder foundations. There are different types of powders depending on coverage. A very popular one is the MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation; this is a favorite among women of all ages and comes in numerous shades.
If you have sensitive skin like me, mineral powder is a better option. I easily turn red or start breaking out from many products, When I tried mineral powders, I felt like it was gentler and didn't feel as heavy as a regular powder foundation. However, I have to admit that the coverage is not as heavy. Last night I was testing out some face oils and had to rush out for dinner. I usually put on liquid foundation but my face was so oily from all the hydrating products I used, so I decided to give this powder foundation look a shot. To my surprise it really soaked up all the oil and just made my skin look flawless. It also was so much easier to take off. Usually, I feel like foundation seeps into my pores and as much as I wash my face, there is always some make up lingering on my skin. Chantecaille Protection Naturelle Powder SPF 46 is a super light mineral powder and comes with a brush that makes it so easy for touch ups. I also love the Cle de Peau Translucent Loose Powder because it comes with this puff that I use to press in the product. This is great if you have large pores around the nose area and it's sheer, so it works with any skin tone.
Don't be overwhelmed with the options. Explain your skin concerns to your beauty consultant because most brands break down their clients into different groups. Go to the counter knowing your skin tone, Oily, Dry or Combination. A good way to figure this out is when you come out of the shower. Does your skin feel tight? Then most likely you are on the drier side. Most of the time if you have oily skin, you'll know it just by looking in the mirror when you wake up. Make sure your products aren't making your skin super dry, or oily either.
As far as coverage, you also need to know if you want a Light, Medium or Full coverage. Medium is usually the safest way to go. What type of finish do you want? Dewy, Satin, Matte? If you don't know the answers it's ok to experiment. Once you have found what you love, finding the right shade is the next challenge. Ask questions. Find out if it lasts all day, especially if you have an event. Overall, try to find something that is almost custom made for all your needs. Good Luck!
Aline Agopian
