Find the right foundation for your skin

Ask 10 women which foundation they use and you are likely to get 10 different answers. With at least hundreds of foundations to choose from, shopping can be frustrating. Foundation formulas are also geared toward specific skin types, which is yet another reason it’s important to be educated about your skin. I asked my friend Kevin James Bennett, an Emmy Award-winning makeup artist and creative director of MADE NYCBennett, for some inside scoop on makeup.Q. What’s your favorite foundation?

Skin type plays a big role in choosing a foundation. But whether you have oily, blemished or mature skin, I recommend a silicone-based formula because it rides on the surface of the skin, and won’t absorb or accentuate less-than-perfect texture, lines or wrinkles. All skin types can try Becca Stick Foundation, which offers full coverage in 30 (yes, 30!) shades, so there’s something for everyone. My budget-minded favorite is Mehron Celebre Pro-HD because it’s inexpensive for a high-quality, full-coverage cream makeup. For normal to dry skin, I love Face Atelier Ultra Foundation because it has a silicone-based primer built in.Q. Do you prefer liquid foundation or powder?
I shy away from powder foundations. Even though they might be easy to use and offer better portability, a good liquid foundation will always look more like skin and won’t accentuate fine lines and surface texture.Q. Should we apply with sponges, fingers or brushes?
For sanitary reasons and better application, I prefer sponges and brushes. I prefer to dab foundation (with a cotton swab) onto areas that need coverage and then blend with a clean, synthetic foundation brush or a non-latex sponge. Using a swab prevents contaminating foundation with bacteria, and wastes a lot less than applying directly to a sponge or makeup brush.Q. What do you recommend for covering tattoos or other skin imperfections like bruises, vitiligo, melisma and port wine stains?
My go-to foundation for super-high coverage is CoverFX Total Coverage Cream Foundation SPF 30, and it comes in 32 shades. Q. Is there anything that truly masks dark undereye circles?
Check out Keromask Masking Cream by Kristy Cosmetics and Amazing Cosmetics’ Amazing Concealer. (The key to the best concealer result is to start with only a little cream, and blend, blend, blend!)Q. Any foundation tips if you’re going to be taking a lot of pictures?
Make sure all edges are blended properly (there’s nothing worse than see a line of demarcation where foundation ends and your skin begins). Carry blotting papers to freshen foundation. They remove excess oil, leave no residue and won’t disturb your makeup. (Powdering to reduce shine will result in a cakey-looking mess after repeated applications.)Q. Do HD foundations work?
Some do and some don’t. Certain companies use the HD (high definition) name as a marketing ploy because it’s a big buzzword. Others create formulations specifically made to comply with HD format media. If you can see foundation texture after application, it’s not genuinely HD compliant. An HD camera can see up to six times closer than the human eye, so if you can see foundation on the skin, the camera definitely will.Q. How can you find a great makeup artist?
When you see someone with a fantastic makeup application at a party or event, ask who did it. If you’re shopping for an artist and have only seen pictures of their work, be sure to ask for a few references (and consider scheduling a test-run before your big event).
Dr. Leslie Baumann is a board-certified dermatologist and the CEO of the Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute in Miami Beach.