The primary yet significant way to start makeup is by making your skin even and pleasing. Using the proper Foundation for your skin is a considerable task. As the name suggests, foundations are the core part of makeup. You can look flawlessly beautiful or ruin your look by not choosing the right foundations for your skin.
The skin type, texture, formula, and number of foundations are many. Many people get confused between the liquid Foundation, BB cream, and CC cream.
Are they the same thing?
What is a liquid foundation?
Which formula is better for which skin type?
You need not worry anymore! Because we have got you covered.
After reading this, you will not only understand the significant difference but also, you will be able to buy the proper Foundation for yourself. So, let’s get started!
What Is the Foundation?
Foundation is a primary makeup product applied to the skin to create an even, flawless complexion. It is also used to change the natural skin tone and create another look. But remember, every skin tone is perfect in its way.
The purpose of applying Foundation is to make your skin texture better. To make smooth, acne or blemishes-free skin. Because when we do makeup, the skin should be prepared well and should be of the same color.
Blemishes do not cover all of them by themselves, except that you use a full-coverage foundation. Concealer is used to protect all dark spots, redness, and scars. Therefore, Foundation and concealer go hand in hand.
Foundations serve the other products to work better. For instance, a blush-on or highlighter’s look is enhanced when applied on a foundation base.
Foundations also function as a moisturizer, sunblock, or color corrector. It is not only used all over the face but also, it is applied to the body. The Foundation laid to the body is known as body painting.
How Is the Foundation Made?
· History of Makeup Foundation
To know how a foundation is made, we need to know the history of the women’s makeup foundations. To enhance the face complexion, ancient Egyptians used Foundation. They used chalk and white lead powder to lighten the skin tone. Because at that time, having pale skin was considered a fashion statement. Romans, Greek, and Egypt women as well as men used to lighten their skin tone using chalk, lead powder, and creams. In ancient times, People prepared the cream from animal fat, starch, and tin oxide (an inorganic compound).
Throughout the Middle Ages to the 6th century and 17th-century, the lead powder was used as the core ingredient to make the skin pale and light. Other components were added, like vinegar with lead-based makeup. This combination was a toxic mixture that caused many deaths.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, wearing makeup by actors or actresses was considered suitable. Other women were great with wearing no makeup. Then in the late 19th century, the mixture was prepared as the foundation makeup. They mixed zinc oxide, mercury, lead, nitrate of silver, and acids.
· Makeup Foundation Formulation in the Modern Era
In the modern era, foundations are made according to the texture, formulas, coverage, and how they will be applied. Different ingredients are added to other types. Because according to the skin type and coverage requirements for the customers have to be fulfilled. Therefore, there are various formulas to make a makeup foundation.
The moisturizing base of the foundations is made with water, oil, or wax, and then they are combined well enough with the talc. Adding talc into this mixture allows the Foundation to evenly distribute onto the skin and provide a smooth and flawless look.
Also, other pigments are included in the Foundation, which allows it to match finely with the skin tone. Usually, pigments such as iron oxide are added. Other ingredients boost the foundation base as per the skin type. Other elements like jojoba oil are added for dry skin, and salicylic acid is added for acne-prone skin.
Let’s find out more about the foundations. How many types of foundations are there? How does the Foundation have to be applied to the skin? Like BB, CC, and EE creams, are there other foundation types similar to them?
Foundation Types According to Texture
As mentioned earlier, the Foundation is made according to skin type. Let’s dig down more into the kinds of foundations according to the texture.
· Liquid Foundation
Liquid foundations are the most demanding and popular foundations. As the name suggests, the liquid Foundation has a liquid formula. The obsession with liquid Foundation for makeup newbies is incredible because it can be applied evenly and nicely covers the overall face and neck.
It is available in oil-based and water-based formulas. People with dry skin use liquid foundations, but it caters to all skin types.
· Serum Foundation
Serum foundations have not gained much popularity compared to other foundations. Still, they are good and have excellent coverage and texture. It is suitable for those with oily skin. Due to the silicone-based formula, the serum foundation is watery and thin. This feature allows it to spread evenly. But the drawback of this Foundation is that it doesn’t last long.
· Cream Foundation
Cream foundations are life saviors for people with dry skin. It is a long-lasting foundation with an HD formula. HD formula is the one that keeps the skin hydrated, and therefore, the Foundation stays longer for up to 10 hours. Also, if you have dry skin, we recommend you moisturize your skin before applying a foundation.
· Foundation Balm
Have you ever heard of a foundation balm? It is another foundation type: a combo of cream and powder foundation. It provides a semi-matte finish to the skin.
It is a lightweight foundation. It applies smoothly to the skin. You won’t be feeling any heaviness on the skin after applying foundation balm on the skin.
· Mousse Foundation
Mousse foundation is a lightweight formulation. This makeup foundation is also known as the whipped Foundation. The microbubbles formulation in the mousse foundation makes it a light-wearing foundation.
It is suitable for all skin types. Mousse foundations work best compared to the cream foundation to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. But it doesn’t last long as the cream foundation stays longer than 10 hours.
· Stick Foundation
It would be best to have a stick foundation when you do not want to compromise on the coverage. The best part about the stick foundation is that it does not require additional concealer due to its high coverage. It makes the skin flawlessly beautiful in no time. It is easily blendable.
· Powder Foundation
People with oily skin use powder foundation. Powder foundation has talc in it, which allows the excess oil to be soaked quickly by the Foundation. So, you can enjoy your oil-free skin in no time. But those who have dry skin should avoid using powder foundations as it will make the skin more dehydrated, flaky, and patchy.
Foundation Types According to Formula
With the seasonal changes, you need to change your foundations too. Therefore, foundations are made with different formulations for different skin types.
· Water-Based Foundations
Water-based foundations are great when you want light coverage. It provides a natural finish to your face and body. The water-based Foundation works best in your daily routine makeup rituals.
As it helps to hydrate the skin, people with skin that quickly gets oily throughout the day and their face looks shiny with excessive oil should use a water-based foundation. It is super blendable as it melts quickly into the skin and provides a dewy finish.
· Oil-Based Foundations
The oil-based Foundation’s consistency is thicker compared to the water-based Foundation. You need to properly apply this Foundation to get a smoother and more natural look. It takes longer to penetrate the skin, but it stays on the skin for a more extended period.
You might feel heavy or greasy by using an oil-based foundation. You can use an oil-based foundation on oily skins because it will provide them a glowing look, but it is your choice what you want to choose.
However, we suggest you not use an oil-based product with oily skin. It can enhance your breakouts by mixing the product’s oil with the natural oil in your skin.
· Silicone-Based Foundations
Silicon-based foundations are made with silicon properties in them. Like they have a built-in primer in them. It controls the shine on the skin and helps mattify the skin. Also, these foundations are waterproof, which makes them the best Foundation in summers. It spreads evenly on the skin and thus, prevents moisture from escaping the skin.
Is Foundation and BB Cream the Same? What about CC, DD, and EE Cream?
BB cream has ended the monopoly that the Foundation had over the years. BB cream seems much similar to the Foundation. What is the difference between these two?
It can be understood when we first know about the new replacement or the parallel bases that a foundation has. Let’s know about them.
What Is a BB Cream?
BB cream is short for Beauty Balm and also for Blemish Balm. It is named beauty balm because with providing coverage to the skin. It is also a skincare product. A BB cream is an all-rounder that is fit for all things.
It provides finishes from medium coverage to a natural finish look. The ingredients like SPF in the product cover the skin’s redness and make the skin look smooth and even.
· Benefits of BB cream
BB cream is designed to have an all-in-one product. You can feel light and healthy skin. The BB cream formulation includes antioxidants like vitamins A, C & E, which protect your skin from damage and improve your appearance.
It hydrates the skin and enhances its brightness. BB cream means you don’t need moisturizer, primer, SPF, foundation, or concealer because you will find them all in this product.
What Is a CC Cream?
CC is short for Color-Correcting. The manufacturers of the CC cream claim that, with the all-in-one benefit, there is another benefit that comes with the CC cream: color correction. CC cream hides the dull, sallow, red, and tired skin appearance.
· Benefits of CC Cream
CC cream benefits those skins with patched areas, discoloration, dark spots, and other imperfections. It evenly targets those areas and makes them look smooth. Active SPF formula protects your skin from sun damage. Also, it has anti-aging properties, including vitamin C, peptides, and antioxidants.
CC cream nourishes, protects, improves, and corrects skin tone. But there is also a thing about the CC cream: it is not enough for the UV rays if you are exposed to the sun for a longer time.
What Is DD Cream?
DD cream is short for Daily Defense or Dynamic-all-in-one. DD creams combine BB and CC creams but with other color-correcting particles. However, they are not available widely.
· Benefits of DD Cream
It minimizes the imperfections and fine lines that appear on the skin. DD creams have sheer coverage which evenly distributes over the skin. It protects your skin from pollution because of the ingredients added to it. It results in glowing and healthier skin.
What Is an EE Cream?
EE stands for Extra Exfoliation. This cream clears the dead skin cells while moisturizing them gently.
EE cream is not like BB, CC, or DD cream. They provide coverage to the skin, whereas an EE cream is a skincare product alone.
· Benefits of EE Cream
Gently smooths the skin by removing dead skin cells and making the skin fresh and clean. This product is designed to add to your cleansing products that gently and smoothly cleanse your skin.
How Is BB Cream Different from the Foundation?
BB cream and Foundation vary in coverage, skincare, skin tones, and SPF.
· Coverage
Foundation provides more coverage than BB cream. BB cream doesn’t cover significant scars and blemishes.
· Skincare
BB creams are built to take good care of skin. It hydrates, improves skin tone, reduces wrinkles, and protects your skin. At the same time, the Foundation doesn’t have such properties.
· Skin tones
Foundations come in various colors, whereas BB creams have a specific range like fair, medium, and dark.
· SPF
BB creams have SPF in them, while foundations do not have one.
Level of Foundation Coverage
Until now, you have discovered the foundations’ types and the Foundation’s formulation. Now is when you should be aware of a foundation’s coverage. There are four types of levels of foundation coverage.
· Sheer Coverage
Sheer coverage foundations are the perfect choice for the one who wants to improve skin tone. Their main aim is to enhance their skin color because this Foundation doesn’t hide scars or imperfections.
· Medium Coverage
The medium Foundation covers or conceals the imperfections to an extent. It provides coverage that is almost like natural skin.
· Full Coverage
Full coverage foundations are best for those who want to hide scars, blemishes, and other imperfections. This Foundation is a miracle because it can conceal dark spots like tattoos.
· Buildable Coverage
You can layer this buildable coverage foundation onto the skin according to your desire. Suppose there’s an area where you want to apply more Foundation for reasons like acne scars, blemishes, or dark spots. In that case, a buildable foundation is ideal for this purpose.
When and How to Apply Foundation
Step 1: Wash Your Face
Cleaning your face before applying anything is a must. Make sure to cleanse and moisturize your skin first.
Step 2: Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays. But make sure you use sunscreen with SPF 30. It is a defense against harmful rays and provides a shield.
Step 3: Apply Primer
Primer is an essential part as it provides a flawless look. It allows Foundation and makeup to stay in their places.
Step 4: Use a Color Corrector
Color corrector is helpful to hide the dark areas on the face, like dark circles, spots, and acne scars. It provides excellent coverage for dullness, redness, and hyperpigmentation.
Step 5: Apply Foundation
Foundation must be applied little on the chin, cheeks, eyes, nose, forehead, and neck. Don’t apply too much at first. But first, blend the Foundation evenly on the problematic areas and see which site needs more coverage.
Remember to dab the Foundation on the skin instead of rubbing it. You can use a brush, sponge, and fingers to blend the Foundation evenly and have a perfect look.
Step 6: Use Concealer
Even after applying Foundation, the pimples and other imperfections don’t hide. Put on a small concealer on the areas you should highlight, like the nose and cheekbone, and blend it nicely with the help of fingers or brush. While selecting a concealer, make sure you choose two shades lighter than your Foundation.
Step 7: Use Setting Powder/Spray
The last step for applying Foundation is spraying, setting spray, or setting powder on the face. It helps to keep the Foundation staying for a more extended period.
If you choose to put spray on the face, tap off the extra powder from the brush. Make sure to apply too much powder on your face as it can make it cakey.
How to Achieve Different Foundation Finishes
To achieve different types of finishes, you need to know about the following three foundation finishes.
· Natural Finish
A natural finish is most like with the natural look of your skin. It doesn’t provide a matte or dewy finish. Instead, this is a perfect one to use in your daily routine.
· Matte Finish
Matte finish foundation works best in summers when people with oily skin get scars and excess oil on their faces. This Foundation helps to get a shine-free look.
· Dewy finish
A dewy finish provides a radiant look by giving a glowing shine to the face. It is the best choice for those with dry skin.
Conclusion
The foundations are made with deep research according to the skin type, skin texture, and the formulations with which you can get your desired coverage. How to apply to the Foundation is also essential. So, keep these stated things in mind. And remember to follow the instructions and tips provided above. Enjoy your makeup rituals, and have a great day!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Does Foundation Separate on Your Face?
It is a foundation that is used on dry skin. There is no way to integrate it with the skin. The powder stays on the texture or pores of the skin. Dehydrated skin or Foundation applied to the dry skin causes the makeup to become dry patches.
What the manufacturer can do is they can choose a powder with smaller particles and grease with a more substantial powder dispersion.
What consumers can do is keep the skin as moist as possible. Before applying makeup, moisturize the skin and apply toner as well.
2. Why Does the Foundation Turn Dark after Application?
The skin secretes oil, a chemical reaction known as oxidation. After some time, the powder and oil emerge together. At this time, the makeup effect is not compliant. The concealer and whitening function of the liquid Foundation is broken and oxidized in the air. Choose the proper Foundation while purchasing your Foundation according to your skin type.
3. How Long Does a Foundation Last after Opening?
It is ideal to use it up within 6-12 months. The water and nutrients in the liquid Foundation are easy to breed bacteria. An expired liquid foundation is prone to bacterial infection and inflammation. Therefore, it is better to use a foundation within a year. Otherwise, use the expiry on the bottle of the Foundation for the product’s expiry.
4. Does a Nourishing Foundation Nourish the Skin?
Liquid Foundation is not a skincare product. Although adding antioxidant, moisturizing, calming, and anti-allergic ingredients can nourish the skin, only adding sufficient active ingredients can play a role in sustaining the skin. The Foundation itself is not a nourishing or skincare product.
5. Will Long-Term Use of Foundation Damage My Skin?
With the development of technology and the substitution of skincare ingredients, the damage to the skin is significantly reduced. We can’t say 100% that no damage occurred but removing makeup is the main culprit in causing skin damage.
In addition to eliminating liquid Foundation, it also removes normal sebum. Makeup remover products are the easiest way to damage the skin.
6. Can I Add Essential Oils to the Foundation?
When applying makeup, it’s okay to squeeze some liquid foundation and mix it with essential oils, but you can’t add it to the bottle. You can’t mix it well, which will affect the product’s stability.
Home blenders are not enough to blend the Foundation right. We need professionals to do the task. So, you can take a tiny amount of oil and Foundation in your hand palm and mix it well using your fingers.
7. Can Different Brands of Liquid Foundation be Mixed?
You can adjust the color, but the effect cannot be guaranteed. There is no way to integrate water-based, oil-based, silicone-based, and Foundation. You can mix the different shades to make a new shade matching your skin. But you can’t mix foundations with different formulations together.