Foundation is one of the most important layers when it comes to applying makeup. But with so many shades, types, and different methods of applying the product, it can get really confusing to pick out foundation for different skin types. Factors like finish, texture, formula (synthetic or organic), and extent of coverage are extremely important and cannot be ignored. Here are a few essential points to consider while comparing these top-branded products available online.

Find the right shade
Foundation may be one of the most basic products that you’ll use for daily makeup. But there are hundreds of shades available to choose from, so the question remains, where to begin? You need to test shades that are closest to your natural skin color and narrow down a few options based on the results. M.A.C studio radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation is one of the popular branded products available in 30 different light, medium, and dark shades. The water-based foundation provides a lasting finish and does not wear off with sweat.

Undertone skin color makes a difference
The undertone is basically the underlying shade of the skin, classified into different categories for picking the right shade of makeup. For warm (yellow or golden) skin undertones, Make Up For Ever, Bobbi Brown, Estée Lauder, Clinique Beyond Perfecting, M.A.C Studio Cosmetics, and Giorgio Armani Power Fabric rank among the top brands and products. Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection, Urban Decay All Nighter, Fenty Beauty Pro Filter, Charlotte Tilbury, and Maybelline Fit Me rank among the top foundations for cool or pale (pink or red) skin tones. These brands also feature a variety of foundation products for olive and neutral skin tones.

Know how much to apply
Knowing the difference between full coverage foundation and light to medium coverage foundation will make a lot of difference while applying makeup. With full coverage, you won’t need frequent touchups during the day. But with light to medium coverage, you can always build on the foundation layer and perfect your makeup to get the desired look. The NARS Pro Radiant Tinted, One/Size, Kosas Tinted, Nyx Professional Makeup, Fenty Beauty, and Em Cosmetics rank among some of the best brands for light and medium tone coverage. Use full coverage only if you are a hundred percent sure about needing it and not being in the sun for the day. Otherwise, it can look caked up.

Pay close attention to your skin type
If you have dry skin, it’s best to apply a dewy or water-based foundation. But for oily skin, experts generally recommend using a matte finish foundation for better and even results. The Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum, NARS Natural Radiant Longwear, NUDESTIX Tinted Cover, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, Kosas Tinted Face Oil, and Laura Mercier Silk Crème rank among the top branded foundations for dry skin. It Cosmetics Bye Bye, Chanel Ultra Le Tient Velvet, Cover FX Natural Finish, Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder, Clinique Acne Solutions, and L’Oréal Paris’s Infallible Pro-Matte foundations are the best matte-based makeup products you can buy.

Rihanna’s cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty offers an inclusive range of 50 foundation shades. These foundations give medium to full coverage and are made with an oil-free formula resistant to humidity. Apart from Fenty Beauty’s website, retailers like Sephora USA offer these shades. You may even like Sephora’s 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation, offering medium coverage and a natural finish.