Now that you guys have a better understanding of the different kinds of foundations, I will now focus on how to choose the right foundation based on your skin type.

If you have:

Dry skin – Look for something that is hydrating. Liquid and cream foundations are your best bet.

Normal Skin – Anything will work for you.

Combination Skin – Liquid, cream, cream to powder foundations will all work.

Oily/Acne-prone Skin – Look for something that is water-based or oil-free. Liquid, powder and mineral foundations would be a good choice.

Sensitive Skin – Avoid anything heavily scented. Try a liquid, cream or mineral foundation.

Mature Skin – Look for something that is moisturizing or contains light-reflecting properties. Liquid and cream foundations should work best for you.

Below is a little chart that I made. Those marked with a X means it is a good match.

Now that you have narrowed down the right kind of foundation, it is time to pick the right shade.

* One of the biggest mistakes people make is testing the foundation on the back of their hands. The color of your hand bears no resemblance to your skin tone on the face. Hence, you should test along the jawline. Apply 3 different shades of the foundation along your jawline, blend onto the neck. You have got a good match if the color disappears completely onto your skin. Make sure you check under natural daylight.

* Another mistake people make is picking a foundation that is too light or too pink. Make sure you pick a color that is as close to your skin tone as possible. If you have to pick between a lighter or darker color, err on the dark side.

Note: All the above suggestions are based solely on personal experiences. Different people have different skin types, so what works on other people may not necessarily work for you. Sometimes it does take trial and error to find the perfect foundation but if you keep trying out different things, you will get a better idea of what works for you.