This is a sponsored guest post. 
Identify your type.
Your skin type, that is. Skin can be dry, dry-combination, oily, oily-combination, acne-prone, even sensitive. Know yourself—it’s the first step to every purchase. Dry skin will benefit the most from liquid or stick foundations that provide hydration and go on creamy. Oily skin will benefit from a foundation that offers a decent amount of oil and shine control, so go with a powder formula to keep your skin from looking like a frying pan. If you happen to be lucky enough to have normal skin that doesn’t require much fussing over, then just pick whichever foundation you enjoy the most. Sensitive skin will want to steer clear of anything that might potentially irritate it, so avoid fragrances and preservatives when choosing your foundation.
Narrow down your needs.
There’s a foundation for just about every need you can think of. If you’d like your foundation to last all day with minimal need for reapplication, seek a long-wearing formula that adheres to the skin. There are foundations formulated with salicylic acid that perform double duties like fighting acne and evening out your skin tone. If you tend to spend a lot of time out in the sun, look for a foundation that also contains SPF, which adds to the protection given by your sunscreen. There’s even foundation formulated with anti-aging ingredients. Do you need your foundation to provide sheer coverage, or full? For a flawless finish, it’s important to know these things as well. Would you like your foundation to go on creamy but dry down powdery? Son & Park’s Air Chou Foundation does just that, melting when it meets the skin and finishing matte, smooth and silky.
Take note of your temperature.
Foundations will often come in warm, cool, or neutral shades, and the undertone of your skin dictates which category you should pick from. Checking your undertone is pretty easy. Here’s how it’s done: see the veins under your wrists and take note of their color. If they’re an olive or greenish color, this means that your skin undertone is warm. Blue or purple indicates that you have a cool undertone. If they’re blue-green, it means your undertone is neutral. If you’re having trouble determining the color, don’t be afraid to ask help from a professional. Just approach a beauty consultant at your favorite makeup counter to help you find your perfect match.
Swatch all your options.
Finding the perfect foundation can also be a matter of persistence; that is, not giving up until you get just the right one. This means visiting several counters and never just taking someone’s word for it. Remember to swatch foundations as much as possible before giving in to the sales talk. Certain places offer samples of products, and it’ll do you well to hoard and try out as many of those as you can get your hands on. When swatching a foundation in-store, apply along your jawline, as this helps you take the color of your neck into account. It’s also in your best interest to step out of the store and see how the foundation wears in natural light. The right shade is the one that disappears into your skin.
