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Your ultimate guide to finding the right foundation

 
Finding the right foundation is HARD. Choosing the right shade, working with your skin and figuring out how much coverage you need is a struggle, but we're here to help.
Before you find THE one for you, you have to ask yourself a few questions:
1. What type of skin do you have? (ex: oily, dry, sensitive)
2. What type of texture do you want? (liquid, matte, powder)
3. What do you need foundation for? (hide blemishes and/or redness, even skin-tone)
4. What is your skin tone?
 Once you've figured all that out, things will get *way* easier. Check out some of our faves for every skin type below:
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    IF YOU HAVE...oily and/or sensitive skin:

    Use powder foundation. Any type of liquid or cream foundation will usually make your skin even oilier (especially in warm weather) and lead to breakouts. This compact powder foundation from Neutrogena is gentle and free from harsh additives that won’t irritate your sensitive skin. Bonus: It also absorbs excess oils, perfect for oily skin.   

    Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Compact Powder Foundation, $11, ulta.com

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    IF YOU HAVE...dry skin:

    Use liquid foundation with built-in moisturizer. Covergirl’s All-Day Hydrating makeup is a winner.  

    Cover Girl Smoothers All-Day Hydrating Makeup, $9, drugstore.com

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    IF YOU HAVE...uneven skin tone:
    Try sheer foundations or tinted moisturizers, because they give subtle color coverage without caking up your face. This particular foundation is not only light and sheer, but also has SPF 20, giving you the healthy glow you need. 

    Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Broad Spectrum SPF 20, $44, sephora.com

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    IF YOU HAVE...redness, dark spots, etc.:

    Cream or matte foundations tend to have the best coverage. Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse Foundation is lightweight but high-impact, giving you a super-smooth look.

    Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse Foundation, $9, ulta.com

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    IF YOU HAVE...acne-prone skin:

    This foundation is a perfect mix of light coverage blended with acne solution, allowing you full coverage AND healing. Neutrogena Skin Clearing Liquid Makeup’s shine-free and natural coverage won’t clog your pores and lets your skin breathe throughout the day.  

    Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup, $12, ulta.com

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by Alexa Santiago | 2/1/2016
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