So here are some tips to help you choose the right foundation shade and how to use it.

Choose the right foundation shade

Some people tell you that the way to choose the shade of your foundation is to compare it to the back of your hand or the inside of your arm. Why? It's going on your face, not your arm! You want to find a foundation that will exactly blend into your skin. So whenever you buy a new foundation, try out the color on your jawline or along your neck. Then look at the colors in both a natural light and the artificial light in the store. Some stores will let you return opened makeup if it's the wrong color or you don't like it, so take advantage of this!

If you're having a hard time finding the right foundation shade, try going to a department store and having a pro find it for you. Or you can try out L'Oreal's True Match line of foundation, powder, and blush, if you don't want to drop a ton of money on department store brands. True Match has different colors and shades with different undertones, so that you can perfectly match your foundation and your skin whether you have warm, cool, or neutral tones to it.

Match your foundation to your skin type

Just as important as matching colors is matching the right foundation to your type of skin. Do you have extra dry skin? Then you are going to want to look into creamier foundations. And a number of foundations come with moisturizers, so that you can constantly be giving your skin the hydration that it needs.
Chances are that you have problems fighting oil. Everyone does! Not only can you apply an oil-control to your t-zone before you put on your foundation, but you can buy oil-free foundations that will help you control that shine. Also, if you have issues with acne and breakouts, Neutrogena actually has a foundation that has acne medication in it. So you can stop worrying about your foundation causing all of those nasty zits!
Also think about whether or not you want long-lasting make up, if you want something that will hide blemishes, or if you have combination skin and you need something that can both moisturize and blot up that excess oil. Also, look for sensitive brands if you have extra sensitive skin.

It's time for a flawless face

Now that you have the perfect foundation, it's time to put it on. Some makeup artists say that fingers are the only way to go, while others say that using a foundation brush is the best way to blend and get a natural finish.
You can choose whether or not you want foundation just in your blotchy areas or if you want it all over your face. Don't use a whole lot; a little goes a long way. Applying with a brush will help you blend it into your skin. If you are using concealer, mix it into your foundation before you apply so that you will have an all-in-one mixture.
If you want, you can finish your face off with powder. But don't use too much! It is actually really easy to make your powder look like cake. Instead, just loosely brush powder over your t-zone with a large brush for a nice translucent look. And don't forget to match your skin tone! Yellow powder works great for all skin tones, or you can choose translucent.