Pick an Allure beauty fave from CVS or make the trek to the local Sephora or ULTA? Ordering online? Liquid, mousse, powder, airbrush?! How did things get so complicated? Thanks to our competitive consumer-driven market, there are perhaps too many choices, and we are here to help you–on a college budget.

To get the most out of your foundation, you need to start with a bright, er, foundation. How so?

• Diet and Exercise:
  This means incorporating more fruits and veggies into your diet, exercising, and limiting screen time. These choices can lead to a healthy glow, requiring far less of your treasured make-up. But, enough lecturing. Our busy world means sometimes kale doesn’t make it’s way into your summer internship office, and exercise looks more like walking downtown to meet your friends in 5-inch Forever 21 heels. Foundation is a great way to brighten up your skin, but it’s not magic! So, onto the next step.
• Take Care of that Skin!
  Your foundation will have longer staying power on a freshly primed face. Make sure to use an SPF-containing moisturizer beforehand, and wait at least 5 minutes to let it dry. If you have particularly oily skin or will be outside for long periods of time, you might want to add a primer to your routine. A primer will help your foundation stay in place for longer if you are being exposed to the elements!
• Foundation is Not a Mask, Ladies!
  Do not, and I repeat, do not cover your whole face with foundation. When I look back on photos from high school, I can’t believe how much make-up I was wearing sometimes! Let your face shine through, let that skin breathe! It will thank you, and so will your wallet. Focusing on “trouble” areas like an oily chin or forehead, or some discoloration will leave your skin looking polished, while retaining the bright and coveted “no make-up” look and feel.

How To Choose a Foundation You’ll Get the Most Out Of:

Trying friends’ foundations or choosing a make-up store enables you to test out your make-up before taking out your wallet. Choosing between “Nude III” and “Bisque” under the fluorescent lights of the drugstore is not always the best decision. You can spend a few dollars more and lower your regret-chances by trying out your foundation ahead of time. By asking for a sample or even wearing the foundation for a day, you can ensure your foundation holds up and looks good under natural light.

• Powder: Good choice for summer time, provides a matte finish and less likely to wear off. You can use a moist sponge to create more coverage with a powder, too.
• Liquid: A steady year-round choice, not as good for oily-skin types, but can provide comprehensive coverage. Best used with a setting powder.
• Mousse: Can provide a nice dewy-finish, and plus, it feels so nice! Just refrain from tasting.
• Airbrush: In the interest of transparency, I have never actually tried airbrush make-up. My instinct tells me that if you are young and not working under HD lighting, you can stick with the basics.

Good luck!

 

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