Beauty Clinic: I need a new foundation for autumn
Q. After putting BB creams on my face all summer, I’m beginning to think about choosing a new foundation for the autumn and winter. Trouble is I find it very difficult to get the right shade for my mixed race skin. Is there a good place to start?
A. The good news is that, within the recent past, there’s been a huge expansion in the shades available from very fair to very dark.
One tip, however: choosing foundation is not something to do in a hurry. We always suggest going to a big store – ie not trying to shop online – and asking the help of the consultant for a few brands.
One thing we always suggest is to take a hand mirror with you when you shop. Ask the consultant to apply a couple of shade options above your (clean) jawline then go and find daylight – most beauty halls just don't have good enough natural lighting and we have bought quite expensive foundations which turned out to be just the wrong shade, despite both ourselves and the consultants being sure it was perfect.
If you want light coverage, Fenty Beauty (Rihanna’s cosmetic range) is a good place to start. Currently there are two options, Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation and Pro Filt’r Hydrating Foundation, both in 50 shades, £27. Might be an idea to apply a primer first with these as some reviewers said they had to touch up after four hours; the matching Hydrating Primer is £24. Try Fenty Beauty products at selected Boots, Sephora and Harvey Nichols stores nationwide. Find your nearest Fenty Beauty counter here.
Selfridges London just launched Zoeva Authentik Skin Foundation in 44 shades, each £23.35. Greek-born Zoe Boikou, founder of Zoeva, is passionate about inclusivity for women of all ethnicities – thus the number of shades with different undertones. This luminous finish, medium coverage, long last foundation is excellent. Find the range at Selfridges Manchester Trafford Centre from 16th September and at Birmingham by the end of the month.
Zoe knows first hand about the power of make up to support women dealing with hardship and difficult circumstances by strengthening their self-esteem. Her mother lived with domestic abuse but, no matter what, always applied her make up; Zoe particularly remembers her black eyeliner and blue eye shadow. Zoe’s determination to liberate her mother and sister and give them a better life propelled her to set up her business – it’s an extraordinary story. Visit zoevacosmetics.co.uk for more information about the brand and the range of products.
For lovers of clean, green beauty products, Nude by Nature Luminous Sheer Liquid Foundation/£25, gives light to medium coverage and a lovely dewy finish; ten shades with three that might suit you (Latte, Brunette and Café). And this best-selling range from Australia is chockfull of natural ingredients.
Continuing in the natural sector, bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF15 has over ten shades for darker complexions. Some people love buffing on mineral powder, others find it a faff so bareMinerals brought out Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick in 19 shades (brilliant for touching up and also as a concealer), and also barePro Performance Wear Liquid Foundation SPF20 in 35 shades. Again, please do find a counter near you and get professionally shade matched; you should get helpful tips on application too.
Lastly, we can’t leave out M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 Foundation/£27, is an oil-controlling formula with medium to full coverage and it comes in an awesome 67 shades with over 20 of those for dark skins. Find stores near you here.
Photo by Neal Kharawala on Unsplash
