The Look with Antoinette Bekos: How to choose the best foundation for your skin type

Ace your base – it’s the key to cohesive makeup application. Get this right and you are halfway there. In this debut The Look column, follow the steps to personalised perfection.

Acne-prone skin

You’ll tend to like medium to full coverage to cover up any concerns and blend out any uneven tone.

Try: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation; Make Up Forever Ultra HD Foundation.

Ageing skin

Heavy or powder-based foundations can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, so opt for a light coverage liquid or tinted moisturiser. After, a setting spray will avoid the cakey look of a powder.

Try: Yves Saint Laurent Le Touche Eclat Foundation; MAC Lightful C Tinted Cream SPF 30 with Radiance Booster.

Dry skin

A light veil of a hydrating foundation is ideal for quenching dry skin. Use fingers to apply the product and press into the skin for better and longer-lasting coverage.

Try: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation; Nars Sheer Glow Foundation.

Oily skin

Choose medium to full coverage to dull shine. When applying the product use a brush, because fingers on this skin type can sometimes transfer oil.

Try: Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation; Becca Ultimate Coverage Foundation.

Combination skin

Choose whether you want to be more dewy or more matte. If you opt for a dewy foundation, control shine where required, such as on the T-zone, with powder. Cheeks are usually more naturally matte, so there is no need to add powder to that area.

Try: Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup; Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation (pictured left).

Sensitive skin

Steer away from heavily fragranced foundations, or formulas with alcohol and essential oils, as these can cause a flare-up. Those with sensitive skin will like an oil-free foundation; it’s also wise to select a lighter textured or mineral product.

Try: MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF Foundation; Bare Minerals Bare Skin Foundation; the range from Adorn Cosmetics

Next, perfect your shade:

1. Identify undertones – are you warm or cool? If you typically favour silver jewellery, your undertone is likely warm. If you gravitate towards gold, you probably have a cool undertone. And if you can wear either, you have a neutral undertone.
2. Test the shade on your face along the jawline, never on the back of your hand. Check in daylight and not under store lights.
3. Always ask for testers and try at home for a few days before you buy. Sometimes you need to mix two colours to get the right shade.
4. Dilute heavy foundations with moisturiser or luminous creams to wear during the day.

In my makeup bag..with Natalie Abbott, star of Muriel’s Wedding The Musical.

Covergirl LashBlast Clump Crusher mascara

“People always comment on my lashes, expecting I’m going to say a high-end brand and are pleasantly surprised. It has a nice brush that gives my stubborn lashes a lift.”