Are you looking for the right foundation for your skin tone and type? Read these 10 tips from Prescriptives Beauty Genius Erica Bishop on how to get it.
If you’re going to spend money on one makeup product for your skin, I would say you should go for foundation over anything else. The right foundation can be a serious game-changer – it will smooth out your skin, fix an uneven complexion, and hide blemishes. The wrong foundation, on other hand, can be a makeup disaster. If the color you choose doesn’t go with your skin tone, it will look all wrong, and the makeup becomes super obvious. The best foundations are the ones that look completely natural.
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect liquid foundation for a long time now. Well, basically for forever, since I’ve never found one I really like. I have combination skin, meaning it’s both dry and oily, and I’m also very prone to annoying breakouts. This makes it difficult to find makeup products that work with my sensitive skin. Most liquid foundations I’ve found end up looking too cakey, too oily, or they just give me pimples. And the only time I’ve ever found a store employee who has really helped me was in Bare Escentuals, where I bought my favorite powder mineral foundation.
So naturally, I was thrilled when I was presented with the opportunity to not only try out Prescriptives Custom Blend but also to speak to a foundation expert who would answer all of my questions. Prescriptives Custom Blend is a service that connects you with a makeup expert who figures out the perfect foundation formula for your skin tone and type – then creates a custom foundation recipe just for you.
Custom Blend is awesome for a few reasons. One, it’s great because it recognizes that everyone has a unique skin tone and type that can’t always be mimicked in the foundations you find on store shelves. This means that your foundation is one-of-a-kind. Two, the Custom Blend appointment is done online, meaning you don’t even have to leave your bedroom in order to find the perfect makeup. It’s easy to sign up, and the appointment only lasts about 15 minutes. It couldn’t be more convenient.
Here’s how it went for me: I registered on the Prescriptives site, then snapped a selfie wearing no makeup, in natural lighting. I made an appointment with an expert, uploaded my picture, and video-chatted with her for about 15 minutes. I only answered a handful of easy questions, she looked my face through the images, and I got to tell her exactly what I was looking for in a foundation. She put everything together, and about a week later, I received my custom liquid foundation. And guys – I honestly love it. It feels so light like I”m barely wearing any makeup at all. It matches my skin tone so well, and so far I haven’t experienced any breakouts. It also came with a tiny travel size, which is perfect for vacations. I’m hooked!
While I would recommend Custom Blend to anyone, I would have to say that the only downside is that it’s a little pricey. However, if you’re really committed to finding a great foundation that works for you, it’s totally worth it. I know that I personally would definitely do this service again once I’m done with my foundation.
Want more tips on finding the right foundation? I spoke with Prescriptives Beauty Genius Erica Bishop to get some advice. Check out what she had to say:
What is the easiest way to find the right foundation for your skin tone?
Always have an expert help you. It is so hard to pick out a foundation inside a store with questionable lighting, especially when you can’t test the foundation out on your face – the best way to find the right shade for your skin tone is to do a match test on your face. Prescriptives.com gives you the option to upload a photo of yourself to find the right shade.
I see a lot of advice on matching foundation to your undertones. But… how do you figure out what your undertones are?
Again, let an expert help you. Most women are either “warm” or “cool,” but there are some who are “neutral.” Figuring out your undertones is very important to Prescriptives. Our Custom Blend Foundation is made specifically for you so that it perfectly matches your undertones.
Are different kinds of foundations better for different types of skin? If so, which type of foundation should you use for oily skin? For dry skin?
Yes. Generally, women with oily skin prefer a matte finish with oil-control capabilities, like Prescriptives Virtual Matte Oil-Control Makeup. Women with dry skin need moisture throughout the day, so they should choose a foundation with moisturizing capabilities, like Prescriptives Flawless Makeup.
What’s the best kind of foundation for the summertime?
It depends on the type of coverage you like from your foundation. Sheer coverage foundations, tinted moisturizers, BB creams, and CC creams are great options for summertime, but make sure you are using a moisturizer that offers at least SPF15 underneath the foundation. Also, be sure the foundation is good for your skin type. Prescriptives Traceless Skin Responsive Tint is great for summer because it’s super sheer, gives light coverage, and looks natural in any light!
Should you buy a different color foundation if you know you’re going to get tan throughout the summer?
I always recommend having two foundations – one for summer and one for winter. Even if you don’t get a lot of sun, your skin will look and feel different during the summer months. Most customers prefer lighter coverage with a formula that’s a touch darker.
Can foundation cover sunburn at all? Or should you not use it if you are sunburned on your face?
Try something like a tinted moisturizer in lieu of a foundation. Once you start peeling, though, steer clear of foundations and make sure you are using a soothing moisturizer. I also always recommend a visit with a dermatologist.
What are some basic foundation rules you think everyone should know?
Three rules:
1. Know your skin type – Is your skin oily, dry, normal, or dehydrated?
2. Know what kind of coverage you like and need – e.g. you only have a few blemishes that need coverage, therefore you don’t need full coverage foundation everywhere. Just use concealer.
3. Your foundation should be seamless – you don’t see where it starts or ends. This is definitely the most difficult part of the process. That’s why Prescriptives Custom Blend is so remarkable.
How can you tell if you’re wearing the wrong kind of foundation?
Foundation should look and feel like your skin – it should be totally natural-looking. You know you are wearing the wrong foundation if you can see where it doesn’t blend into the neck – the dreaded jawline line!
Could you share your best, most important foundation tip?
Of course! Always apply foundation with a foundation brush or blending sponge. Never use your fingers to apply foundation, because they add oil to your foundation and you won’t get a consistent blend all over. To get ultra-sheer coverage, try dampening your sponge or brush with water before you apply the product.
What is one thing you should never do with your foundation?
Never wear an expired foundation. Over time, the foundation loses its skincare benefits and can change color.
So, I think we’re all as close to foundation experts as we can be now! I strongly encourage you to use Prescriptives Custom Blend service… or just head to the store to use this awesome advice. Good luck!
Which of these tips did you find the most helpful? Have you ever used Prescriptives Custom Blend? What did you think? Tell me in the comments!
How To Save Money On Foundation While Making Your Skin Look Airbrushed
I’m a foundation-aholic. There, I said it. My general makeup strategy is to almost completely remove all the natural color variation in my face with foundation, then add blush and bronzer to put some color back in. I’m well aware that there’s something messed up about that, but I’m not here to do an evaluation of the psychology behind makeup application and the absurd standards of beauty that have been set for women. (Not at this moment, at least. Maybe tomorrow.)
(Related: The Best Foundations That Will Give You A Flawless Complexion)
The amount of money I spent on foundation is distressing, to say the least. It’s one of those” well; I have to” beauty purchases that I hate making the most. Buying cool new eyeshadow palettes, a particularly intense liquid eyeliner, or a bright new lipstick are fun purchases—you get to experiment with something new, and of course, there is the potential for compliments. Foundation is not fun nor compliment-worthy, and it always runs out way too fast. That’s why I’m a little bit distressed that I only recently learned this ridiculously simple trick.
(Related: The 10 Beauty Brands That Offer The Widest Range of Foundation Colors)
Unfortunately, I can’t remember which of YouTube’s millions of beauty bloggers taught me this one, but I am forever indebted to her. She said that she always wets her foundation brush a little bit before applying her liquid foundation. Let me tell you; this is a stroke of genius. That way, it goes on ever-so-slightly thinner, and you get more coverage out of a smaller amount. Particularly if you use a thick, full-coverage liquid foundation like I do (Make Up For Ever’s Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation), this is an amazing trick that actually enhances the look. You still get the coverage you want, but the wet brush helps it blend more seamlessly.
Have you all been applying foundation with a wet brush for years, and I’m just behind the times? (Possible.) If not, give it a try and let me know what you think!
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
