Bridal Beauty Basics: Your Guide to Foundation and Coverage

By  | 

Foundation is an important part of bridal makeup. If you are having a makeup artist/beautician come over to help you on your wedding day, make sure you choose your colours and brands beforehand. It is also important to know about the different types of makeup available today. In this guide, we will discuss some of the basics factors that go in choosing the coverage and type of foundation.

Types of Foundations

1)      Mineral Makeup: Mineral makeup is a rage these days. Not only are there many reputed brands of mineral makeup, dermatologists are specifically recommending them for their flawless coverage and lack of allergic reactions even on most sensitive skins.  (This is due to absence of perfumes, dyes and other ingredients that harm the skin). Mineral foundations help conceal, correct and cover known skin discolorations without clogging up pores. This allows the skin to breathe while providing long lasting flawless coverage. Many brands are also known to include SPF in their products for sun protection.

2)      Tinted– Tinted makeup and foundations are perfect for enhancing tanned skin and adding a kiss of moisture.

3)      Liquid Foundation– The biggest advantage of liquid foundation is their coverage and the range of finishes available including satin, dewy etc.

4)       Crème-to-Powder– These generally give a matte coverage and a dry heavy look. Recommended for brides with less-than-perfect skin which needs a lot of help.

select the right foundation for your wedding day

Tips to choose the right shade of foundation

The key to choosing the correct foundation for the best coverage is to take a look at your skin undertones. Here are basic guidelines for choosing the right shade:

  • Fair to Light with Pink undertones– Brides with tendency to burn very easily in the sun usually have pink or porcelain undertones. Choose mineral foundation with Light to Medium coverage in the fair category. If opting for tinted, liquid or crème-to-powder foundation, choose porcelain shades.
  • Medium to Tan with Yellow Undertones-Choose a mineral foundation in the medium range. For tinted foundation or pressed or crème powders, choose golden, medium, Fawn, chestnut or beige shades.
  • Tan to Dark with rose brown or olive tones– Go in for warm tan, almond, or walnut shades in foundations. For rich brown or ebony undertones, choose deep, toffee or espresso shades.

selecting the right foundation type

Some More Dos and Don’ts regarding Foundation and Coverage

bridal makeup basics: foundation shade and coverage

  •  Do use a good quality brush to apply the foundation.
  • Do not use a foundation that changes your basic skin colour. Rather, the product should work for your skin by taking care of spots and discolorations.
  • Do choose the foundation by viewing it in natural light. Start by applying a test amount on the cheek or jaw line and blend in. Repeat with a variety of shades and compare them in a well lit room. The best shade is the one that ‘seems to melt in your skin’.
  • Do not choose a shade that gives an illusion of tan.
  • Don’t try to ‘warm up or cool off’ your skin by trying to blend yellow based foundations for pink undertones and pink based foundations for tan undertones.
  • Do keep in mind that there is no ‘one shade fits all’ when it comes to foundations.
  • Do take into account the weather, humidity, sun exposure etc as these factors can all change your skin tone as well as the makeup you choose.

Images via: Dhanika Choksi Photography and Nidhi Kashyap Photography

Back to Advice