Shopping for foundation used to be simple, didn’t it? You’d choose a foundation in your shade (or maybe not exactly your right shade!) with a setting powder laid over the top and you’d then wear said routine without much more thought for many years to come. However, in recent years skin has grown in popularity, as social media and selfies have, like you wouldn’t believe and customers are now *obsessed* with their complexion and routines. The level of choice available on the market is overwhelming at times – maybe there are just too many choices! There are tinted sunscreens, BB, CC, liquid, cushion, spray, stick, pressed powder and loose powder foundations to decide from and that isn’t even taking into consideration the ever-growing shade ranges that brands now kindly offer us. But, it doesn’t need to be confusing... let us simplify things so that you can work out exactly what you need for your next shopping spree.

1. Tinted Moisturiser

Tinted moisturisers are the lightest bases of them all. It does what it says on the bottle- it is a moisturiser with a tint! So, not only do you get a hint of colour but you also benefit from some much needed extra moisture and hydration into your skin. It is the perfect choice for those of us that want absolutely minimal coverage but still want *something* on their skin. Applying it couldn’t be simpler because you use it just like you would a moisturiser. Use it in place of your usual moisturiser or if you are on the drier side, you can apply it on top of your usual moisturiser! We really enjoy using sustainable brand MZ Skin’s Tint & Protect SPF 30 which easily adjusts to your skin tone but also gives so much more leaving the skin GLOWING!

2. BB Cream

BB Creams are a step up from a tinted moisturiser usually offering sheer to medium coverage depending on the product and generally have a dewy finish. Sometimes, they are referred to as blemish balms and these bb creams help to treat and cover blemish-prone skin types but more often than not, they are known as beauty balms. They are like a multi-vitamin for your complexion offering a cocktail of goodness including sunscreen, hydration, and a tint. Jane Iredale Glow Time BB Cream SPF 25 is our favourite for its all-natural minerals which adapt to your skin tone leaving the complexion brighter.

3. CC Cream

Just like BB Creams, CC Creams similarly help to tackle a variety of skin care concerns. However, the key difference between the two products is that CC Creams colour-correct the complexion making them the perfect antidote for skin prone to redness and discolouration such as suffers of rosacea, pigmentation, acne, and sensitivity or those merely wishing for a more uniform, but natural, base. CLINICCARE Derma Corrective CC Cream SPF 50++ fits the bill perfectly being suitable for sensitive skins whilst also providing an additional lifting and tightening effect.

4. Powder Foundation

Renowned for being used by only oily skin types, powder foundations are actually great for anyone wanting a shine-free, matte finish or those that can’t stand the feeling of a classic ‘liquid foundation’ on their skin. Powder foundation formulas have come a long way nowadays and even the driest of skin types can use them as ingredients such as talc have been removed and replaced for much more superior counterparts. A great one to explore is Colorescience Natural Finish Pressed Foundation SPF 20.

5. Liquid Foundation

The classic base that we all know, love and have most probably experimented with at some point! Available in almost every texture, coverage and finish that you can possibly imagine, it is no wonder that it is the most popular formula to date worldwide. As opposed to tinted moisturisers, BB, and CC Creams, foundations tend to hold the most longevity overall so if it is extended, all day wear that you are after then this is the one for you. But also, if you are not sure what you want exactly, then this is a great place to start. Learn what you do or don’t like and go from there. delilah Alibi The Perfect Cover Fluid Foundation ticks all the right boxes for us- offering a buildable, utterly weightless, matte finish that will last you all day long (well, up to 24 hours to be precise). Do you like to touch up your foundation during the day? Well, introducing....

 

6. Cushion Foundation

A new-ish trend to the beauty world, in recent years, that was born from the ever growing trend of K-Beauty. The cushion is drenched in your chosen formula making it the perfect hybrid if you enjoy a liquid foundation but also prefer to touch up your make up through the day with ease- think of it like a portable liquid foundation! They typically offer a sheer to medium, but buildable, coverage with a dewy finish. Heliocare 360 Color Cushion Compact SPF 50+ offers all the advanced benefits that all Heliocare 360 products do with the extra advantage of colour coverage.