Know your skin type: Before picking the right shade for your skin, find your skin type — normal, oily, dry or combination.
Right formula: If you have oily skin, look for the words ‘oil-free’ or ‘oil-control’ on the bottle. Similarly, dry skin type should look
for ‘hydrating’ or ‘moisture-rich’ and combination skin should go for cream to powder bases.
Compare correctly: Test the foundation by applying some right below your jaw line. If it is the correct tone, it will look invisible right away. Often, women make the mistake of testing the foundation on the back of their hand or their cheeks; both are darker than the face and will not offer the right comparison.
Let there be light: Make sure there is plenty of light in the area where you test the foundation, so that you can see the right shade.
Be clear on where you’ll use it: Are you buying it for work or parties? Or one that works everywhere? Foundations offer coverage from sheer to heavy, and finishes that range from satin to matte.