Expert Beauty Tips

Should I change my foundation for the Autumn/Winter Season?

Skin tone

We may wish we were still in Ibiza listening to Blue Marlin radio but with Summer firmly behind us, any colour we may have had from the Summer sun is probably fading away. A light tan makes the yellow tones in the skin stand out slightly more, so as the tan fades you may need to go up to a lighter shade of foundation to avoid looking too ‘orange’ or ‘muddy’.

To find the right shade for you, the key thing to remember is it will be tricky to choose the perfect shade for you inside a shop. Try a little foundation on your jawline, then always go and stand outside in natural daylight and look at the shade in a mirror, even if you feel a little silly standing there on the high street! If the foundation shade is ‘standing proud’ then maybe it isn’t the right shade for you.

One other element of your skin shade to consider is whether there is any disconnect between your facial shade and your neck and décolleté. If you’ve been diligent with the factor 50 all year round, your face may be paler than your neck and throat, so make sure you are checking both areas. Avoid choosing too pale a shade, as this can make you looked washed out in cool Winter light, whereas a warmer shade can help to give you a little more vitality.

Skin texture

Central heating, biting winds and damp weather can play havoc with skin texture, and can cause dryness, cracked lips and red noses (oh the glamour!). If you are experiencing flushed skin, then a dot of ReCover Correct & Conceal Red blended over the area will neutralise redness and give an even skin tone.

When the weather gets colder, the first thing to do is make sure your skincare is up to the job, as makeup will only ever look as good as the skin it is on. Consider a night cream if you aren’t already using one, or change your day cream to a more nourishing formula. In addition, remember to up your water intake to hydrate the skin from the inside out.

Foundation textures for Autumn Winter tend to be a medium coverage, and a more creamy consistency than a sheer Summer foundation. Look for hydrating properties and comforting textures that won't feel dry on your skin. We like Chanel Vitalumiere in a colder climate because it feels comfortable on skin and looks luminous.

Be sparing in your use of powder if you are in a centrally heated house or office as you may find your skin looks dry if you use too much powder. A finely milled setting powder is a really good investment to ensure your look stays natural; try By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder which is very good.

Top tips

• If you are bringing out your foundation from last Winter, then make sure you look at it carefully before applying. On the back you’ll see a Period After Opening symbol which is an open jar with the number of months you can safely use the product before it goes off. If it smells ‘off’ or has separated then it is time to bin it.
• If you are buying a new foundation we recommend you go shopping with bare skin. If you’ve prepped your skin with moisturiser and don’t have other base products on, you will get a truer effect of the colour when you try different foundation shades. Brands don’t often have samples of all shades of foundation but if you ask, they may be able to put a little in a pot for you to take home and try. 
• If you want to use your current foundation but create a different effect, you can add a couple of drops of a tint such as Rose Gold Elixir which gives a lovely illuminating, glowy look.