How To Match The Right Foundation In 5 Steps

With a lot of our summer, winter escapes unfortunately cancelled this year, we’re all probably a little paler than what we’d like to be coming into Spring. Which means, if you’re anything like us, our usual go-to foundations, sadly aren’t hitting the mark and we’re struggling to match the perfect colour.

So with the help of Natalie Papadopoulos, our founder and in-house expert, we’re going take you through the steps to match the right foundation, road testing some new products to transition us through the seasons (you can shop her picks down below), because let’s be real - we always need more than one. For when we’re tan, when it’s starting to fade, not to mention if it's for daytime vs nighttime.

What to look for when matching a new foundation

When matching a new foundation, there are a few key things you need to look for, these include:

Consistency - Does it have a matte or glossy finish? Is it thin and watery or thick?

How it blends & sits on your natural skin - Does it blend quite naturally along your neckline? How does it sit on your natural skin?

Colour tone - Does it have warm or cool undertones? How does it sit against your natural skin tone?

How it wears throughout the day - As you go about your everyday activities, how does it wear? Does it fade quite quickly or does it stay all day? Typically you can judge a foundation after an hour of wear.

Although a lot of foundations carry a number of claims, after you actually wear them throughout the day, they can sometimes have a different effect. Especially at this time of the year, coming out of the cooler months, when our skin can be quite dry and flaky.

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• How hard is it to match the right foundation! If you’re anything like me and a little fairer than what you’d usually like to be at this time of year, I’ve been struggling to match the perfect foundation... I’m the kind of person who needs one for every occasion - from when I’m tan, when it’s starting to fade and when I’m fairer, not to mention a daytime vs nighttime.. When I travel my makeup bag is literally one of my heaviest items! 🙈 To find one that will transition me through to summer, I recently trialled a few new products (all available at @sephoraaus listed below), and have broken down the process to 5 easy steps for you to follow when choosing your own! I hope this helps 😘 Nat x @Diormakeup Forever Foundation @Fentybeauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation @ITcosmeticsau Your Skin But Better cc+ Cream Oil-Free Matte @Beccacosmetics Ultimate Coverage 24hr Foundation

A post shared by The Parlour Room™ (@theparlourclovelly) on Sep 7, 2020 at 1:20am PDT

5 Steps To Match The Right Foundation

1. Ask for recommendations and read the reviews

Do your due diligence and ask around first. One that comes recommended is easier than picking from the shelf. Ask what others are wearing and why they like it? Reviews are a great way to gather some background intel.

2. Visit the makeup stores

Go into the makeup stores and test the foundations. Try them on the back of your hand, noting coverage and consistency. If you’re ever stuck or confused, ask the staff in-store, they’re usually really helpful and can answer any questions.

3. Test on your jawline and nose/lip line

If you like the coverage and consistency, the next step is to test a little bit along your jawline or the area around your nose/lip line. Here you want to see how it blends and sits on the skin, matching your natural skin tone.

4. Ask for a sample

Before you make any purchases, always ask for a sample. This way you can see how it wears throughout the day. How long does it last before it starts to fade? Does it separate or crack after a few hours? Does it change colour? Sometimes they can throw either more yellow or pink shades.

5. Shop around and buy!

If you’re happy with all of the above, shop around for the best deal. Some online stores often throw in free product samples and other retailers may have a sale.