Presented by JCPenney
This guide is designed to help you choose and apply foundation effectively. Whether you're building a full-glam look or keeping it minimal, understanding your skin type, undertone, and product options will help you achieve a smooth, natural finish.
What Is Foundation?
Foundation is a cosmetic product used to even out skin tone, conceal imperfections, and create a base for other makeup. It comes in various formats—liquid, powder, stick, and tinted moisturizer—each offering different coverage levels and finishes.
Step 1: Understand Your Skin Type
Selecting the right foundation starts with identifying your skin type:
Oily Skin:
Choose oil-free, matte-finish formulas to reduce shine.
Dry Skin:
Use hydrating, luminous foundations to prevent flaking.
Combination Skin:
Opt for buildable formulas and set with powder in oily areas.
Sensitive Skin:
Look for fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested products.
Also consider your preferred finish—matte, dewy, or natural.
Step 2: Identify Your Undertone
Your undertone affects how foundation shades appear on your skin:
• Warm Undertones: Golden, peachy, or yellow hues. Gold jewelry complements your skin.
• Cool Undertones: Pink, red, or bluish hues. Silver jewelry suits you best.
• Neutral Undertones: A mix of warm and cool. Both gold and silver jewelry work well.
• Cool Undertones: Pink, red, or bluish hues. Silver jewelry suits you best.
• Neutral Undertones: A mix of warm and cool. Both gold and silver jewelry work well.
Tip: Check your wrist veins:
• Greenish veins = warm
• Bluish/purple veins = cool
• Hard to tell = neutral
Step 3: Find Your Shade
To find the right shade:
• In-store: Test foundation along your jawline for the most accurate match.
• Online: checkout this shade finder.
Step 4: Choose the Right Formula
Each foundation type offers unique benefits. Here’s a breakdown with top-rated options available at JCPenney:
Liquid Foundation
• Best For: All skin types
• Coverage: Sheer to full • Finish: Natural, matte, or radiant • Application: Brush, sponge, or fingers
Top Picks:
Shades by Shan The Foundation
Lightweight, buildable coverage tailored for every skin tone with a seamless finish
UOMA Beauty Say What? Foundation
Buildable full coverage in 51 groundbreaking shades with a vibrant-matte finish
KimChi Chic Beauty A Really Good Foundation
Lightweight, buildable coverage with a natural finish
Too Faced Born This Way Natural Foundation
Medium-to-full coverage with a skin-like finish
Smashbox Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation
Hydrating with adaptogens and hyaluronic acid
Powder Foundation
• Best For: Oily or combination skin • Coverage: Buildable • Finish: Matte or luminous • Application: Brush or sponge
Top Picks:
Top Picks:
bareMinerals Original Talc-Free Pressed Powder Foundation SPF 15
Breathable, skin-improving formula with mineral SPF
Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Foundation
Triple-milled for a smooth finish, enriched with antioxidants
Mirabella Pure Press Invincible For All
Mineral pressed powder foundation infused with natural vitamins, minerals, and hyaluronic acid that provides a buildable coverage and matte finish
Stick Foundation
• Best For: Quick application, travel, touch-ups• Coverage: Buildable • Finish: Natural to semi-matte• Application: Directly on skin, blend with brush or sponge
Top Picks:
Top Picks:
BLK/OPL True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15
Full coverage with added sun protection
Cheekbone Beauty Sustain Complexion Pencil
Clean beauty option with a creamy texture
Tinted Moisturizer
• Best For: Dry, sensitive, or mature skin; light coverage• Coverage: Sheer to light • Finish: Dewy, natural• Application: Fingers or sponge
Top Picks:
Top Picks:
Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25
Primer-infused, hydrating formula with buildable coverage
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
3-in-1 moisturizer, tint, and SPF with hyaluronic acid
RMS Beauty SuperTint SPF 50
Lightweight, breathable coverage with mineral SPF and adaptogenic botanicals
Step 5: Application Tools & Techniques
Choose your tool based on the finish and coverage you want:
Brush (Sigma, Eco Tools, Real Techniques):
Provides polished, full coverage. Clean weekly.
Sponge (Real Techniques, beautyBlender, Japonesque):
Use damp for a seamless, natural finish.
