How to narrow down the choice between liquid and powder foundation
If you’ve ever walked into a makeup store and felt overwhelmed by the array of products, you’re not alone. Many people can feel at a loss for what to purchase when they enter a cosmetics aisle not only because of the amount of beauty products, but also because of the different types of individual products. When it comes to choosing the best foundation, this is often the case.
Foundation comes in a range of types, including varying coverage levels and a choice between liquid foundation and powder textures. In the liquid vs powder foundation battle, there really is no best choice for everybody. Rather, depending on what you’re looking for from a foundation, what works best for you might be different than what works best for your coworkers, friends, or family.
The first step is choosing the best foundation for your skin is learning everything you can. Here, the benefits of liquid and powder foundations will be discussed in detail so that you can be sure you know all you need to know about foundations before purchasing one for your skin.
The Benefits of Liquid Foundation
Liquid foundations generally provide better coverage than powder foundations, and they also come in a larger variety of shades. If you find that you’re not able to match your skin tone with a powder foundation, switching over to the liquid foundation section can be a smart move.
Liquid foundations are easier to apply and blend, making them a great choice for those who are just beginning with makeup. They also moisturize the skin, helping to hydrate it throughout the day. Liquid foundations are wonderful at creating a luminous finish because of their natural shine properties.
If you find that you’re wanting to conceal fine lines, large pores, and breakouts, liquid foundations are the way to go because of their better coverage options. Liquid foundations can be applied in layers to help provide a more opaque coverage if need be.
The Disadvantages of Liquid Foundation
When it comes to disadvantages, even some of the best liquid foundations have them. Though they can make your skin look luminous, they can also create a shiny look when the skin starts to perspire. For those with oily skin, this can be a large detriment in using liquid foundations.
Liquid foundations can also leave a cake-like aesthetic on your skin if you don’t choose the proper type of foundation for your skin’s oil and dryness levels. Additionally, while liquid foundation provides better coverage, moisture accumulated from sweat and oil throughout the day can end up accumulating in fine lines, actually making them more noticeable.
Finally, one of the biggest concerns for most people is that liquid foundation can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts. For this reason, many people with heavy blemishes will avoid using liquid foundations when possible.
The Benefits of Powder Foundation
Simply put, powder foundation often leads to a more natural look because of its sheer coverage. That being said, if you’re looking for heavy coverage, full-coverage powder foundations can be more difficult to find, though they do exist.
Powder foundations are usually applied with a makeup brush, and they work particularly well with oily skin because powder foundation works wonders in absorbing oil. Additionally, powder foundations generally contain fewer preservatives in their ingredients lists than liquid foundations, making them a healthier option for skin.
Sweat and oil production usually don’t affect powder foundation because of its absorption properties, and because powder foundation is so easy to apply, it can be reapplied throughout the day with little to no hassle.
The Disadvantages of Powder Foundation
Because powder foundation is looser in form, it can get messy and leave behind unwanted bits of powder on your clothes when you’re applying it. Furthermore, sometimes using a brush to apply powder foundation can be tricky for beginners, and when powder foundation isn’t applied correctly, it can leave behind a blotchy-looking finish.
Powder foundations are less smooth than liquid foundations, making them more susceptible to settling into fine lines, especially when applied by beginners. Since coverage is less than with a liquid foundation, it can be more difficult to hide scarring and other imperfections of the skin with powder foundations.
Finally, though powder foundation can be applied in layers, it has to be done carefully and in light layers to ensure that it will stay in place and not simply be moved around by the applicator brush. This can be a time-consuming process that takes some getting used to for those new to makeup application.
Resources— How Stuff Works, Makeup, Splendry
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