By Debbie Jean - Creator of www.realwomenmakeup.com

Matching a suitable foundation

The most important aspect about choosing the right foundation for your big day is selecting a formula that matches your skin type. If you have an oily skin, choose an oil-free formula. If you have a dry skin to normal skin type, choose either an oil-free or moisture-rich foundation. For a dry skin apply a generous amount of moisturiser before you apply your foundation - especially if you have chosen to wear an oil-free formula. Visit a professional make-up counter and ask their artist to match up a few formulas to your colour and type. Ask for a few samples and test the different formulas at home in daylight. This way you can test each formula on your skin and decide on one that feels suitable.

Hot tips

• Make sure you test each formula a few weeks before your wedding date, just in case you have an allergic reaction to one of the formulas
• When you have decided on your favorite formula, make sure the shade actually matches your skin colour. If not go back to the cosmetic counter and get more samples to test, until you match the right colour in your favorite formula
• Avoid pink toned foundations, concealers and powders, opt for yellow toned products that look natural on your skin. For white skin, aim for shades that are not to light or to pink, on cappuccino skin tones look for shades that are not to orange or pink. On black skin also steer away from orange shades - if the shade looks dull or grey on your skin, it is too light
• If you book a make-up artist to apply your make-up, make sure you are happy with the look and feel of the foundation at your make-up trial. Leave the foundation on your skin for the day to assess how it lasts and if you have any reaction to the formula. If you are not going to have a make-up trial, consider asking your make-up artist to use your own foundation on the day of your wedding (if you are going to switch to a professional foundation formula that is) 

Common complaints

The most common complaint amongst light-skinned brides is the fact that their face looks white in their wedding photos. There are 3 reasons for this:

• The camera flash can create this effect
• The foundation colour might be too light or too pink
• Many brides tan their body before the wedding and not their face.  In this case, you will need to use a foundation that matches your body and chest area rather than your face – this will create a flow in colour from you face down to your neck and chest area
• If you are going to have a spray tan, it would be a good idea to double-check that your foundation shade still matches your skin tone before the big day.       

Apply a loose powder over your foundation to ensure a lasting finish. Your powder should match your skin tone and not change the colour of the foundation. It is just as important to test various powder colours as it is to test foundation colours.

Good luck with your wedding preparations!