Style - How to choose the best coverage for your skin

Kymarly Booth, Gleaner Writer

It's every woman's dream - having that one product that will get her 100 per cent coverage throughout the day. The one product that is quick, non-greasy and SPF approved.  But why is having perfect coverage a big deal? The truth lies with the need to constantly take care of one's skin.

Coverage is that foundation or powder that covers fine lines, redness and evens out two-toned skin. Anyone can go into a make-up store, pick up a bottle or two of coverage (closer to their shade), and live happily ever after, but that's not the case for the rest of us. That foundation's shade may turn out to be too bright or too dull, virtually covering nothing.

Not everyone is an expert at choosing foundations/powders for their face, getting caught with a friend's recommendation which might not be ideal.

But no worries - let's get to the meat of the matter.

When choosing coverage for your face, a few things are of major importance: non-greasy (whether it is oil based) texture, the tint, and SPF approval.

The necessity of SPF is that it measures the effectiveness of sunscreen, essential for Caribbean women. But what if the foundation has all the above but is not SPF approved? In that case, it is OK to purchase. Not having SPF does not mean the product isn't good, so you can go ahead and purchase it.

Who ever said coverage should be two tones lighter than your complexion? The truth is, your concealer is to be one or two tones lighter than your complexion (depending on your complexion), covering those fine lines and dark circles around the eyes.

Find the perfect match

Your foundation needs to match your skin perfectly at all times, to ensure a natural look. Always test the make-up on your cheek, not the back of your hand, as they are two different shades, especially if you have two-toned or multi-toned skin.

For everyday wear, try using powder rather than heavy-stick foundation, unless you work in the office for the entire day. If your job is on the road 24/7, try Bare Minerals Matte or I.d. The loose, intense powder, a blend of natural ingredients, gives complete coverage for most complexions - with darker, medium and golden shades.

For lighter tones, NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, or a combination of MAC's moisturiser and MUFE's HD Foundation provides an almost perfect finish.

Drug store make-up has some pretty useful foundations. L'Oreal Paris True Match is an excellent pick. It's not greasy, very smooth and extremely light. It is a super blended foundation that matches your complexion close to perfection. Revlon Color-stay Mineral Foundation is also light and lasts up to 16 hours; try, also, Maybelline Super-stay foundation (coca 120 for darker shades, true beige 90 for medium and natural beige 40 for light tones).

Next week, we'll talk about how best to apply your coverage.