Tips For Choosing The Perfect Foundation Shade with Chantelle

I will be the first to admit, matching foundation is an art form. Sugar Lips Make-up Artist, Chantelle, helped me choose the right color and the right product with a few simple questions. Here are three professional tips to help narrow down your search.

I have made many attempts to color match my foundation myself at it was not a success so I called Chantelle and she recommended that I go to Nordstrom and get some healthy samples.

1. Find the right undertone:

• Look at your forearm, neck and chest area. You should be golden or rosy. Choose a shade that has your undertone and that matches your neck.
• You shouldn't have to blend your foundation to your neck. You might look a little light but remember you just took ALL the color from your face, you're a blank canvas! You’ll put the color back into the face with blush and bronzer.

2. Know your skin type.

• You're primarily normal, dry or oily when it comes to foundation. If you have combo skin choose the skin type that your face mostly features.
• Normal: No dry spots and not excessively oily. T-zone oiliness is normal.
  
  1. Choose a light-weight moisturizer. Use a primer with or without SPF. 
  2. Tinted moisturizers, Creams, Liquids and Powders all work well with this skin type.

• Dry: Face feels very tight without moisturizer. There might be dry patches on face. Dry skin might show texture.
  
  1. Use a creamy moisturizer and primer with SPF. (Primers with SPF are more moisturizing to the face)
  2. Tinted moisturizers, Creams and Liquids work well with this skin type.

• Oily: Chin, Cheeks and forehead gets shiny through the day.
  
  1. Choose an Oil Controlling Moisturizer. Use a primer with no SPF; primers with SPF are heavier than those without resulting in an oily feel to the face.
  2. Choose a cream to powder foundation or a powder foundation. Always have blot powder or film close at hand.

3. How much coverage?

• Light coverage: Still able to clearly see freckles, moles, scars and pimples through makeup. Light coverage will only "blur" the skin.
• Medium coverage: Freckles, moles, scars and pimples will blend into the skin. You will slightly see your natural skin through the makeup.
• Full coverage: Freckles, moles, scars and pimples will be fully concealed. No natural skin will be seen through the makeup.   

Try before you buy....
I feel this is the most important because you're able to see how the foundation wears throughout the day. I usually try 2 or 3, this way I can see what color and finish: (matte, satin 'mimic's skins natural look', or dewy) look the best from the start of my day to finish. 

She had recommended two products:

Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Radiance Foundation
It is a creme to powder finish that feels similar to the smashbox Photo Finish Primer. (Left)

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
This is what I am currently using and I love it. The coverage is perfect to cover blemishes without looking cakey. It is light and lasts all day. (Right)