No matter whether you have cosmetology training or not, finding the perfect foundation for your face (or someone else’s face) is always tough. We’ve all seen the three worst foundation offenses:

1.    Foundation that is way too dark for a woman’s face and creates the dreaded “line” at her jaw.
2.    Foundation that is way too light for a woman’s face, and reflects like the moon in flash photos.
3.    Foundation that doesn’t have the desired effect of smoothing skin, and rather clings to every imperfection.

So here’s the thing. I personally believe that the majority of women don’t need to wear foundation. I think that a tinted moisturizer with SPF smoothed over the whole face, followed by a light bronzer dusted over the cheeks and forehead is the most natural and flattering.

However.

Especially when women get their makeup professionally done, we feel like we need the whole shebang. So how to make sure that the foundation you’re putting on is going to look the best all day long, in all kinds of light?

If this is a professional makeup job, be sure to schedule a practice session before a big event. If you’re just looking for the right shade for day-to-day, don’t be afraid to shop around. It’s okay not to buy from a salesperson right away. Better yet, visit a store like Sephora – they will give you samples in little pots that you can take home and try for a couple of days.

A few easy tips:

•    Make sure you test the foundation on the whole face. While the jaw line is the most accurate skin color, many     women’s’ faces have a natural flush that doesn’t occur there.
•    Walk around! Check out the color in natural light, bathroom light … and take a picture … with the flash on.
•    Keep in mind: if your complexion tends to be oily, your makeup is going to darken within minutes when it mixes with this oil.