The first step is finding a product that is right for your individual skin type. A tinted moisturizer or BB Cream doesn’t offer as much coverage as a foundation, but only choose a heavier foundation if your skin truly warrants it. If your skin is oily or the weather near you is particularly hot and humid, a mineral foundation is your best bet.
Matching a Shade to Your Skin Tone
A good trick for finding the right shade of foundation is to match it to your chest—especially if you’re good at protecting your face and neck with SPF. You can also test a color on the back of your hand and then walk outside if you don’t trust the lighting. Either way, leave it on for a few minutes to see how it changes as it is absorbed into your skin. Also, don’t be afraid to mix colors. I use two different foundation colors for summer and winter (depending how much sun I’ve gotten), and mix them together in between those two seasons.