so many choices!

[#1]

Hey everybody! There is so many choices when it comes to foundation now a days. I know you need to shades, one for summer, and one for winter. But should I get two shades of power foundation and liquid foundation and bb cream and tinted moisturizer and mineral foundation. I feel like they all have different purposes. Also I have been thinking about concealer and foundation couldnt you just dab extra foundation under the eyes and on blemishes, whats the point of concealer if you can just double up. I guess i am just a little confused. Thanks in advance!

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Hi Puekam.  It depends on how much your skin tone changes throughout the year.  I don't tan so I use the same color year round, whereas others may even use more than two shades to keep up with their changing color.  The most important thing is that your makeup matches your skin. Concealer is an as needed product, so if your foundation is doing the trick you may not need it.  Sometimes I get very dark circles and if I put on enough foundation to cover them I'd have a cakey mess, while the concealer covers in one or two layers, but on good days I skip the concealer. If you have a good enough match in concealer, apply your foundation/BB cream/tinted moisturizer first and use the concealer as a touch up.

[#3]

Hi!  Those are great questions.  Everything really comes down to your skin type and desired coverage level.  First, prep your skin with a moisturizer and primer that suit your skin type.  Now the tricky part:

Oily skin: Powder foundations or oil-controlling liquid foundations, looks best with a matte finish

Normal skin: Any type of foundation, any finish

Combo skin: powder foundations or combo/oil controlling liquid foundations, best with a matte or satin finish

Dry skin: liquid foundations, best with a satin or dewy finish

You can always add a setting powder on top of any liquid foundation to either reduce any shine or add more coverage.  Now, the coverage level:

Full coverage: typically thick liquid foundations-if you have a lot of acne scars, blemishes, or skin pigmentation, this is good for you.  (some powders claim to be full coverage, but I find them to look cakey)

Medium coverage: powder and liquid, also many BB creams-a little bit more natural looking, but still gives coverage-this is for skin with not as many blemishes, although still has some things that need to be covered.

Sheer coverage: typically tinted moisturizer-this is for pretty clear, good skin that just needs a little tint to even it out.  It gives the most natural result, and looks just like your skin.

So pick your skin type, desired coverage level, and start your search!  If you want some personal recommendations, make another post with your skin type, coverage level, and we'll help you out.  For your question about using foundation as concealer, many times people actually do that, except for when you use a tinted moisturizer, or something that doesn't have enough pigment to work as a concealer.  However, even if you are using a foundation with pigment, I prefer to use a separate concealer because it is specifically made for the undereye area, so I find that it lasts longer.

Hope this helps!