When it comes to applying makeup, we’ve all had our ups and downs. Whether that’s dodgy eyebrow penciling, that bright blue
eyeshadow phase you went through, or the dreaded lipstick on the teeth scenario... yep, we’ve all been there. One particular makeup problem, however, seems to come up more than others—and that, my friends, is streaky foundation.
You all know the one. Where your neck and face have two (very visible) different skin tones… To help you guys out with this, we thought we would put together a handy little buying guide to ensure your liquid foundation looks flawless, always. You’re welcome.
Liquid foundation is a great way to lay a base coverage for your whole makeup look. Once applied, you can slap on your
blush,
bronzer, and highlighter over the top to create an effortless, makeup-less look… the dream, right? Many women prefer to use liquid foundations as they’re suitable for a variety of skin types. The reasoning for this is because most liquid foundations are created with an oil base which moisturizes the skin when used.
Previously, those with oily or greasy skin tended to stay away from liquid foundations as they can make this problem worse. However, recent ‘oil-free’ technologies mean that this is no longer the case. Liquid foundation also offers the user full coverage (great for hiding the occasional zit) with a matte, dewy appearance that makes your skin glow. Many women also opt for liquid foundations as they’re ideal for evening out skin tones; this is particularly beneficial if you suffer from rosacea or eczema.
When it comes to the benefits of using liquid foundation, the main one has to be the effect it has on more ‘mature’ skin. Unlike powdered foundation which can emphasize lines and wrinkles, liquid foundation fills these lines in, giving the appearance of more youthful skin (it’s great at reducing the look of pores too!). Liquid foundation is also very beneficial to those who suffer with dry or flakey skin. The product acts almost as a protective layer that retains moisture and protects the skin, with some brands offering SPF protection, as well!
Finally, selecting the right shade of liquid foundation is
very important in the buying process. Some brands will offer a wide variety of foundation colors, whereas others will simply offer light, medium, and dark. It’s crucial that you’re aware of your skin tone before making a purchase, as this will prevent the dreaded ‘two-tone-face’ look we mentioned earlier…
Price
When it comes to the cost of your new liquid foundation, this is going to depend on a variety of factors. You can expect to pay anywhere between $5 and $35 for a liquid foundation, depending on its size and features. Larger bottles of liquid foundation tend to be costlier and will fall at the higher end of the price scale. This, however, will also depend on the product’s features.
Foundations in the $20 – $35 category tend to be rich in vitamins as well as other weird and wonderful extracts such as wheat germ and fruit extracts. These features will moisturize and care for your skin, and can be part of your daily skincare routine. Many higher-end liquid foundations also contain SPF, protecting your skin from the sun whilst looking fabulous! More expensive products also tend to have a greater range of color options, with some products even changing to adapt to your skin tone.
This isn’t to say that less costly liquid foundation products ($5 – $15) don’t work as well, however; they simply don’t offer as much in terms of skincare. Cheaper liquid foundations are available on the market ($3 or less), but be aware that these products won’t offer high-quality coverage or color options, and may irritate your skin.
Features
When it comes to the features you want included in your new liquid foundation, this will depend on your own personal preferences, as well as skin type and tone. To help you choose the best liquid foundation for you, however, we’ve created a useful list of features to look out for to ensure you get the most bang for your buck!
Here are some important features to look out for:
- Long-lasting technology
- Suitable for all skin types
- Available in a variety of shades
Construction and Design
When it comes to selecting the best liquid foundation for you, we recommend selecting a product that has long-lasting technology. This means that the product will stay intact, looking flawless for around 12 – 18 hours. This means you won’t have to worry about reapplying your foundation, or about it looking patchy or streaky after several hours of use. These types of products are ideal for all-day wear and will save you some pennies in the long-run, too!
Another useful feature to have included in your new liquid foundation is suitability for all skin types. Many liquid foundations aren’t suitable for those with greasy or oily skin, as the product contains oils that can irritate the skin. These days, liquid foundations are available in an ‘oil-free’ design that’s less harmful and is suitable for those with sensitive skin. Many people also suffer with combination skin, or periods of dry and oily skin, depending on the climate or time of the month. These types of products mean you can use the same foundation no matter what your circumstances.
Finally, we recommend selecting a liquid foundation that’s available in a variety of shades or has a color-matching formula. If a liquid foundation has a color-matching formula, this means that the product matches to your skin tone once it has been applied. This will offer the user a perfect skin tone match and ensure there’s no streaky, patchy look we’re so desperately trying to avoid! If you aren’t a fan of color-match technology then, instead, look for a brand that offers a wide variety of shades; this will ensure that your foundation matches your skin tone perfectly.
Performance and Ease of Use
When it comes to caring for your new liquid foundation, there really isn’t too much to it. Many liquid foundations come in either glass or plastic bottles with pumps and lids. You’ll want to ensure the pump or lid of your product is well-secured after use to prevent a pesky foundation leakage all over your other makeup products and clothes. You’ll also want to keep your foundation in a cool, dry place as this will prevent the product from melting and leaking out of the bottle.
If you’re after a high-end product, then we recommend selecting a product that’s advertised as cruelty-free. These days, it’s becoming less and less popular for brands to test on animals, and many brands will advertise their products as ‘cruelty-free’. This will also usually mean that the brand uses more natural, good-for-you products, which is ideal for those with particularly sensitive skin or those prone to breakouts.
Fingers crossed, after reading through our buying guide you now know what type of liquid foundation is most suitable to your skin tone and which features you would like included in your new product. This will make the decision process much easier when choosing the ideal liquid foundation for you to achieve flawless-looking skin! Let’s go ahead and have a look at our top picks!
By now you should have a better feel for what type of liquid foundation you’re after and what different brands have to offer. If you aren’t particularly fond of the selected products we’ve decided to feature, then don’t worry. All the brands we’ve chosen have a huge variety of foundation collections to choose from—simply browse through their other products to find the right liquid foundation for you. All that’s left to do now is get shopping and start practicing and perfecting your new makeup look!
