The most important part of your make-up is not the perfect, pointed brows, or the expert contouring; the most essential point on any make-up routine is your base AKA foundation. Get it right, and you get the flawless finish. Stumble on some common foundation pitfalls, and you can put all your handy make-up work to waste. 

From getting that tangerine skin, to dealing with patchy parts, here are five common foundation problems -- and how you can actually fix them! 

#1: Your Foundation Makes Your Skin Darker 

If you notice your face shade getting darker a few hours after applying your foundation, the product you’re using might not fare well with the pH levels on your face.

Some skin types are more acidic than most. Foundation oxidation - like what happens to apples when exposed to open air - is a natural effect, and choosing a foundation fit for your skin’s acidity can prevent you from looking dark - or worse - orangey. 

Before spending money on a foundation, try it on your face first, walk around for a few hours, and check how the product reacts to your skin’s pH levels. If the foundation does not match well with your pH levels, choose a shade that’s one or two shades lighter than your original choice. 

If you’re shopping online, try ordering some sample kits to see if your foundation of choice works and matches with your skin well. 

If throwing out a new bottle of foundation does not sit well with you, try applying a primer to prevent your skin’s acidity from messing with the foundation formula! 

 

This nutrient-rich Certified Organic primer is enriched with clinically proven active Kangaroo Paw Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil and other skin-caring ingredients to help boost hydration in the skin, creating the appearance of firmer, smoother skin.

#2: Your Foundation Separates On Your Skin

When after a while your foundation starts to clump up, it can be because the ingredients of your foundation don’t match the surface of your skin. 

For example, water and oil always repel against each other. If you use a water-based foundation on an oily face, there’s a high chance that the ingredients would get clumped up. The best way to avoid seeing clumps of foundation on your skin, is to first check how it reacts to your skin after a few minutes. 

If you have an active worklife which requires you to be always on the move, consider that too when choosing a foundation. When you’re prone to sweating, an oil-based foundation can end up getting all clumpy. 

Using a primer that fits your foundation’s base also works. For example, you can use a silicone-based primer with a silicone-based foundation. Requires a bit of detective-work to decipher an ingredients list, but pays off.

 

Formulated with rejuvenating, smoothing, and refreshing rose water, the moisturising formula prevents shine and provides a smooth and flawless finish while protecting skin from environmental pollutants, leaving it fresh, soft, and ready for makeup. 

#3 Your Foundation Transfers Easily

Frequently seeing marks of foundation on our sleeves can mean the foundation you’re using can’t effectively provide coverage for your skin. One of the major factors that contribute to foundation transfers is the product’s compatibility with other skincare ingredients. 

Some skincare products cause the weakening of the emulsifying agents in foundations. If you’re using a face serum that’s heavy on the oils, skip on the water-based foundation. If you’re wearing a water-based sunscreen, allow it to dry first before you apply any concealing cosmetic. 

Foundation that transfers typically happen to oily skin types. If your skin is on the oily side, consider using a mattifying foundation, and a setting spray. Keep your foundation intact with the help of a setting powder! 

 

Infused with a blend of matte spherical soft-focus powders, emulsifying active as well as shine-control agents and perfects the skin for a flawless shine-free look that lasts all day.

#4 Your Foundation Feels - and Looks - a Bit Off

Two factors when choosing the right shade - depth of shade and undertone. We can usually tell our shade depth, but undertones can be trickier. This can happen to all skin types. 

There’s already a “hint” of color underneath our skin - and choosing a foundation that complements this shade can make our skin look fresher, clearer, and more flawless. 

To check for your undertone, take cue from your veins on your wrist. If your veins look blue, you have a cool undertone. If they look greenish, your undertone is warm. If you’re lucky, you can have a mix of both. 

For warm undertones, choose warmer shades (those with hints of yellow/orange). If you’re rocking the cooler undertone, look for foundations with a *slightly* pink hue on the bottle. 

 

Blurs the line between foundation and moisturiser by hydrating and nourishing the skin, whilst at the same time providing a flawless and radiant finish that lasts all day.

 

#5 Your Foundation Latches Onto Dry Patches

Foundation patching usually happens to dry and mature skin. Ensure your skin routine has enough moisture to prevent dry patches from appearing, plus use a hydrating primer before applying your makeup. Also look for foundations with hydrating formulas to keep the patched up, cracked skin look at bay. 

 

A weightless, ultra-fluid serum foundation that is as light and beneficial as a breath of fresh air for an enhanced complexion with sheer correction. Infused with hydrating oils that evaporate fast. 

 

Blending healing hydration and luminous color, this treatment refines the look of skin, smoothing imperfections while enhancing skin’s natural beauty.

No more frustrating foundation problems! With the right foundation for your skin type, undertone, and acidity - and a little help from extra products -  you can get the exact coverage promised by your foundation of choice. 

To know more about your skin type, check out our skin quiz here.