Notes on Finding a Foundation

Last week after a trip to Sephora, I felt confident enough to make the switch from Bare Minerals to Cover FX, especially since I was colour matched much more closely than before. The only catch was that after trying out a few different shades with the help of a consultant at Sephora, the colour we decided on was sold out. (The consultant knew it was sold out and thus hesitated to try let me try it out, but found that it was the closest match). After checking Sephora online, it was also all sold out so I came very nearly close to ordering it directly from the Cover FX website, except that there was a fear that it wouldn't arrive in time. So I called another Sephora location and asked my BF if he could take me there which he did.

Upon arriving I wanted to be very sure that the foundation I was getting was going to properly match. After all, when you have to buy a new foundation and a new definition powder, you need to be sure that it's the right colour. With the help of another consultant we determined that the original B0 (Brown Sugar) was in fact a bit too dark and that I could switch to M80 (Deep Mocha) and it would match just fine. It looked good in the store without looking too cakey, ashy, or incredibly obvious so I went with it. 

I've been using it for a few days now and I'm very happy with it's overall performance. I know that I've already mentioned this before in my initial review but I definitely want to touch on some important points about this process of choosing a new foundation, which took about a week.

1. Getting a consultation or getting help from associates/consultants is very useful, especially if you have an uneven skin tone. Do not be afraid to ask and do not be afraid to speak up your mind. If you don't like something, even if you can't articulate why, don't be swayed. Try it out for a bit but be sure to stand your ground if you don't like it.
2. That being said, don't be afraid to get another opinion. Don't be afraid to go back another day. It's good to check things out one day, but then with a fresh face, go back another day to make sure what you're getting or what you like the day before works.
3. What is especially important to note when you're getting help, watch those sponges that they use on you. Each day that I got help with foundation the consultant/associate used the same sponge, which is fine if you're testing one or two foundations. This is not helpful if you're testing 3+ different types or colours of foundation. Be very careful about the colour you tested in store versus the colour you are actually buying.
• Example: The day I went into Sephora we tried out liquid foundations from MUFE and Cover FX powders -- we tried about 6 different types without ever changing sponges so of course, the perfect colour I got toward the end wasn't a colour that existed.
4. It is incredibly helpful if you get a knowledgeable person who can narrow down the vast array of various makeup brands that there are. But you need to know your basics so that they know how to help you.
• What kind of skin do you have? Is it oily, dry, normal, or combination?
• What kind of coverage are you looking for? Do you want sheer, medium, or full coverage?
• What kind of finish do you want? 
• You do not need to know your exact skintone (as in, how does your skin translate to one of the colours they offer) and your undertones, since they will be able to help you with that.
5. Don't fret if you don't find what you're looking for the first time. Try other brands, go to different counters, or go to a different consultant. Don't be afraid to ask for help and don't be afraid to say, "I don't know what I'm doing with this particular thing (whether it's foundation, blush, eyeliner, etc.)."