Guest Author - Grace D. Dooley

Let's talk about the different types of foundations found on the market today. Foundation has changed with the times and offer more versatility then in days of old.

Today's foundations comes in different formulas. There are foundations now that can blend with any skin tone or color for ethnic and multi-ethnic women. Some of these foundations can be found in the main stream health and beauty isles of your neighborhood supermarket or drug store. Others are sold exclusively by a beauty consultant or beauty adviser of some sort. Fashion Fair, Avon and Mary Kay are the ones I can think of right now. But I am sure you know of more.

Tinted Moisturizers
Tinted moisturizers are just that moisturizers with the added benefit of color. It is light weight and feathery. It provides sheer coverage and a flawless look. Tinted moisturizer gives an even appearance to skin color and tone. There are no specific colors in tinted moisturizers. You have light, medium, dark and deep. Tinted moisturizers blend very easily into your natural skin color or tone.

Tinted Moisturizers are great for those who have very little flaws or blemishes. To use a tinted moisturizer will actually enhance your already flawless skin. They are also good for those who do not like the heavier foundations that provide more coverage.

Mousse
This is the newest foundation to hit the market. Mousse foundation formulas usually contain sunscreen, nutrients, moisturizer and anti-aging ingredients. Designed for normal to dry skin and it provides light to medium coverage and a matte finish. It gives a flawless and smooth look to the skin by filling fine lines and wrinkles. Hiding and correcting the signs of aging. This gives your face a softer appeal. It also comes in a variety of color tones for ethnic skin.

Mousse foundation is good for ethnic baby boomers who have some signs of aging. Ethnic women who need only minimum coverage will do good with mousse foundation also.

Liquid
Liquid foundation is probably the most popular and versatile to use among all the foundations. It comes in 2 formula's: oil based and water based. There are even waterproof/smudge proof formulas available. Oil based liquid foundation works best for dry skin and water based is good for oily skin. It comes in a bottle as a thick liquid and is easy to blend. They go on smooth providing light to medium coverage.

Liquid foundation is good for all skin types, especially women of color and multiethnic women. Depending on whether your skin is dry or oily as to which type of foundation to choose from. Plus personal preference is always the determining factor.

Cream to Powder
Cream to powder foundation is another popular foundation. It goes on as a liquid but dries to a powder matte finish. It's designed to be long lasting. They usually come in compacts like pressed powder. Cream to powder foundation are easy to blend and provides medium to full coverage. Because it goes on as a creamy liquid, it can be a little too oily for some skin types. It is not necessary to apply powder when using this type of foundation. Cream to powder foundation can be a little tricky to work with for some.

Cream to powder foundation is good for dry and normal skin. Ethnic women with combination skin can wear cream to powder foundation.

Stick
Stick foundation is a newer addition to the foundation family. It use to be only blush came as a creamy stick but the same logic was applied to making stick foundation. Being a stick makes it convenient to take along for touch ups through out the day. It blends well and quickly. It goes on creamy and dries to satiny finish providing a smooth blend for skin color and tone. Stick foundation gives a medium to full coverage.

Cream to powder foundation is good for dry and normal skin, but can be worn with other skin types. You just have to find the one that works for your skin condition.

Mineral
Mineral foundation is new to the cosmetic market. It contains minerals such as mica, titanium dioxide and zinc oxides that are healthier for your skin. One of the reason it has become popular is because of it's purity. Mineral foundation contains less ingredients then the other foundations. They are hypoallergenic and contains sunscreen making it possible for women with problem skin to use. It comes as a powder which you can use wet or dry. It blends very well and is easy to apply. Mineral foundation provide light to medium coverage.

Mineral foundation is good for all skin types and can be worn by ethnic and multiethnic women with problem skin.