SHOPPING FOR FOUNDATION
Shopping for foundation is definitely a mighty task and I literally have no idea how people can do it online. Those websites that colour match you don’t work for me so I personally think if you can, get to a counter!
Going to a beauty counter though is not as easy as it probably should be. I often come away from the experience angry, frustrated, disappointed or confused. After years and years of shopping the counters (I literally used to spend my school lunch break in Selfridges) I feel like I’ve learnt how to and how not to shop the counters, so here are my top tips!
Samples
It’s no secret that beauty counters don’t hand out samples freely and most the time I don’t blame them. I know the miniature samples cost a ridiculous amount to produce and are usually saved for gift with purchase or special events but I personally believe that it won’t hurt a brand to give away one pump of foundation from one of the testers on display, so this is how I go about it. I take a little pot with me and keep it in my handbag when approaching a counter. I speak to someone working at the counter about my interest in the specific foundation and let them colour match me themselves. I think it’s really important (of course) to be really polite and show genuine interest in the product so they don’t think you’re a freebie grabber. After being colour matched and finding the right shade I often ask if it would be possible for me to take just one pump (I’m not asking for a week’s supply) of the foundation in my little pot so I can try it myself at home. I think it’s really important to try it out in your own environment, with your own brushes or hands. I also like to wear a foundation around for the day before deciding on whether to purchase it. I think if you’re friendly, polite and come across as a genuine customer who will return if you like it, then they can’t and probably won’t say no. Do not march up to a counter holding a pot and say “can I have a sample to take home?”… it won’t work.
Colour matching
If time isn’t on your hand, you don’t own a pot or you want to buy your foundation then and there I think it’s important you’re patient and try these tips. When you sit down to get colour matched tell the sales assistant about your skin tone. I always say to them “I’m paler than people think” because people always match me to darker shades because of my dark features when in fact I actually have quite fair skin. You know your skin without makeup, so don’t be afraid to tell them about it. Then let them try some shades on you or if you’re in a drugstore you can do it yourself. I always swatch the shades on my jaw line, blending from my chin/jaw down to the side of my neck. I think this is the best way to see if it matches your natural skin, because a lot of the time your face can look darker than your neck. This is just the way that works best for me! I often swatch foundations on the back of my hand to get a feel for the texture but don’t use your hand to colour match as it’s always much darker than your face. Once the foundation is applied the most important step is to go outside. The lighting in beauty halls is incredibly false and you want your makeup to look natural in daylight so you need to look at it close up, in a mirror, in the daylight. I know it’s tempting to say “yes I want it”, but go take a walk outside and see how it settles on your skin. If I’m trying out a foundation at home I will always ask someone who knows me well, like my mum, what they think of it because they will immediately be able to tell if you look like your usual self. If a foundation isn’t quite right for me my mum will usually pick up on it looking dry around my nose or being too heavy all over.
Have confidence
Just remember that you’re the customer and you have the money so don’t feel pressured into buying something right now or even buying it at all. You have all the time in the world to think about it and a good foundation is an investment so make sure you pick the right one that you’ll be happy with. Shopping should be fun and not rushed so do your research first and although advice from beauty counters can be amazing, take it with a pinch of salt and trust your own knowledge too.
I hope this helps and if you’re still reading this after 750 words, give yourself a pat on the back from me!
I hope this helps and if you’re still reading this after 750 words, give yourself a pat on the back from me!
