Foundation is the hardest of makeup for us Latinas to match perfectly. Most of us go through at least 10 bottles of foundation (maybe even more) before finding one that perfectly matches our skin tone. So many foundation formulas out there look either too dark or too light for us tan chicas! So I had a chat with celebrity makeup artist and Neutrogena Hispanic Beauty Ambassador Elizabeth Ulloa on how to find the perfect foundation match. Check out a few of her amazing tips below to guarantee you a flawless finish every time. Happy blending!
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1. Find your foundation type: Before picking out a foundation shade, Ulloa suggests finding the right formula for your skin type. For oily skin she recommends using an oil-free foundation, a moisturizing one if your skin is dry, and a cream-to-powder formula if you have combination skin. "Sometimes, especially with us Latinas with medium or dark skin, our skin can get very oily and it can make your foundation appear darker," Ulloa says. "Try an oil-free formula in a shade lighter so it doesn't turn dark on you. I like Neutrogena Shine Control Oil-Free Foundation ($14)."
2. Figure out your undertones: Knowing your undertones (the subtle tint of color underneath your skin) is essential when it comes to finding your perfect foundation match. Ulloa has a super simple trick she uses to help determine what your undertones are: "Wear a white T-shirt and look in the mirror. You'll notice right away if your skin is more on the warm (yellow) or cool (red) side," she says. "Foundations that are more yellow-based tend to work best on medium and dark skin tones."
3. Test it out: The truth is you can't figure out what foundation is for you without testing it out first. Ulloa says to grab three different bottles that look closest to your skin tone and test them on your jaw line. "Make sure that the color blends with your neck," she says. "If one is too light or too dark, the one in between is your color." If you're buying foundation at a drugstore, try bringing a foundation that you already own from home that matches your skin. Hold it up against the other three shades and chose the one that's the closest match. Believe me, I used to do this all the time it really works!
4. If you still can't find your perfect match: Stuck between two shades? Ulloa suggests going for the shade that's a little lighter versus the one that's a little darker. "Once the foundation sits in your skin it's going to go darker, especially on us Latinas because we have thicker skin."
5. Own more than one shade: "I recommend having 3 different foundation shades. One for winter, summer, and in between," says Ulloa. Makes perfect sense, our skin tone does change with the different seasons.
6. Know how to apply: According to Ulloa, there's no "right" way to apply foundation. You can use a brush, a sponge, or even your fingers. But she has the perfect trick for a flawless complexion: "I take a regular foundation sponge and wet it a little just so that it's damp, then go over with foundation. It blends so nicely and becomes like second skin."
Image via Mariela Rosario
