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When it comes to your foundation, choosing the right formula can be tricky. Maybe you love the coverage of liquid but hate how it melts off, or love the matte finish of powder but wish it did more to even your complexion. There's no need to buy more than one product -- a two-way foundation can give you the best of both worlds. Pick the one that's perfect for your skin by comparing ingredients, finishes and learning the right way to apply it.
What is Two-Way?
Most foundations are available in three formulas: liquid, powder or cream. A two-way foundation means that it has two separate formulas. Most often, this means a powder that can be applied with a wet sponge like a liquid, or a cream that dries to powder when it glides onto your skin. These combinations are great for gals with skin that varies between being dry or oily depending on the season. It's also a good choice for gals who want light coverage on some days and real complexion perfection on others.
Oily Skin
If your skin is oily, use an oil-free powder foundation that can be applied wet or dry. Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist in New Jersey, told "O" magazine that girls with greasier skin should use a foundation with talc to absorb oil, leaving a matte, smooth finish. If you find water-based powder formulas to be caking on your skin, try mineral makeup -- it works well because the dry particles absorb excess moisture without over-drying.
Dry Skin
New York City makeup artist Mally Roncal recommends cream-to-powder foundation for dry skin. This formula should come in a compact and contain moisturizing ingredients such as argan or marula oils. Cream foundations on their own are good for very dry or mature skin, but they can look greasy and heavy on younger faces. Cream-to-powder foundations give good coverage and will moisturize your dry areas, but the powder finish means your skin won't look shiny or feel like a mask.
Application Tips
It's a fact that's often overlooked, but the proper application of foundation can make or break your end result. If your foundation is caking, try applying it with clean fingertips; the warmth and texture of your hands helps it blend seamlessly. If your makeup looks heavy or dull on your face, apply it with a damp sponge to lighten up coverage and let your skin shine through. Finally, if you have oily skin and not much to conceal, use your foundation in its powder form by dusting on a thin layer with a makeup brush or powder puff.
