The foundation of any great makeup look is, quite literally, your foundation, otherwise known as your makeup base! Makeup bases not only create a flawless canvas on which to apply the rest of your makeup but will also help conceal blemishes, reduce redness and enhance the longevity of your makeup, therefore finding the right one for your specific skin type can be game-changing!
Whether you prefer a natural look or like to go full coverage, keep reading as we reveal the makeup bases you need to try. No matter what your skin type we promise we have something for you!
Often referred to as a primer, foundation, BB or CC Cream, and available in a variety of different formulations from liquid to matte, sheer to powder, your makeup base is an essential product in your makeup routine that prepares your skin for the application of your other cosmetics. It dramatically improves your skin tone, creates a smooth, even surface, enhances the longevity of your makeup, and can address specific skin concerns such as dryness, oiliness, redness and fine lines.
Whether you choose a primer, foundation, or a multitasking BB/CC cream, selecting the right base for your skin type and concerns can make all the difference in how your makeup looks and feels.
From mineral to traditional formulations, BBs to CCs, matte foundation to tinted moisturiser, oil-free to liquid, powder to stick and more, there really is a makeup base out there for every skin type and need, but with so many options on the market, it’s not always easy knowing which is likely the best for you! Choosing the right makeup base can make a significant difference in your overall look and skin health. Whether you have oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin here’s a guide to help you find the best solution for your skin type.
Skin type or condition: Oily to combination skin
Characteristics: Prone to shine, enlarged pores, and frequent breakouts.
Best solution:
Matt Foundations - Opt for oil-free, matte foundations that control shine and provide a long-lasting finish. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, which can help keep acne at bay.
Powder Foundations - These are excellent for absorbing excess oil and giving a matte finish. They’re lightweight and easy to touch up throughout the day.
Try:
ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation – this product is an ELES best-seller and cult favourite for a reason. It offers full coverage with a soft, smooth matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours. It’s perfect for those with oily or combination skin looking for a long-lasting, shine-free look.
Skin type or condition: Rosacea
Characterises: Prone to facial redness, bumps and blemishes
Best solution:
CC Creams – opt for makeup products that are specifically formulated to calm redness and soothe skin. CC Creams are designed to help correct skin discolouration. They contain pigments that can help neutralize redness creating a more even skin tone and reducing the appearance of rosacea.
Try:
Phytomer CC Crème – Skin Perfecting Cream - This lightweight, oil-free colour correcting cream with broad spectrum protection (essential as sun exposure can aggravate rosacea) perfectly counteracts redness, so well so that you can get away without wearing any other makeup! Did I mention it’s formulated with skin soothing, nourishing and brightening ingredients too.
Skin type or condition: Dry Skin
Characterises: Flaky, rough patches, and a tight feeling.
Best Solution:
Tinted Moisturisers – Choose lightweight liquid foundations or tinted creams with hydrating properties. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which help to moisturise and plump the skin.
BB Creams - Otherwise known as a Beauty Balm, BB creams are multitasking products that combine skincare benefits with light coverage. They are great for everyday wear, offering hydration, sun protection and natural, sheer coverage.
Try:
ELES Mineral Sheer Tint – For those with dry skin this tinted moisturiser is a dream come true! It provides a radiant, dewy finish that hydrates and brightens your complexion. The buildable coverage ensures you can achieve anything from a natural look to a more polished finish.
ELES Blue Light Radiant BB Cream - This outstanding BB Cream might be classed as makeup, but it’s packed with a powerhouse of nourishing skincare goodies including peptides, vitamin c, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin e!
Multi-tasking it protects, primes, tints, nourishes, evens out skin tone and helps to strengthen skin and its game-changing formula shields skin from not only from damaged UV rays but blue light from our devices too!
Not just another BB Cream, this BB Cream will improve your skin’s elasticity while softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and will leave skin with a long-lasting radiant glow every time you apply. It’s brilliant!
Skin type or condition: Sensitive skin
Characterises: Prone to irritability, redness and allergic reactions
Best solution:
Mineral Powder: Look for makeup products that are specifically designed for sensitive skin and do not contain fragrances, preservatives or harsh chemicals. Mineral makeup is best!
Try:
ELES Mineral Powder Foundation - Formulated with skin loving ingredients and no chemical nasties, this mineral powder is highly compatible with common skin sensitivities. Lightweight and soft it easily adjusts from sheer to richer, more opaque coverage while effectively camouflaging any imperfections. The coverage also lasts longer that other foundations and feels lighter, like you aren’t wearing a makeup base at all! It also allows skin to breath freely so no clogging pores and aggravating irritated skin and helps to heal the skin as you wear it!
To learn more about the best makeup tips for sensitive skin, click here.
Skin type or condition: Blemished skin
Characterises: Prone to blackheads, acne, sun spots, pimples
Best solution:
Mineral Foundations: Opt for mineral foundations formulated with skin loving ingredients that will not only camouflage imperfections but help to calm and heal skin.
Try:
ELES Mineral Veil Cream to Powder Foundation. Impeccably crafted to transform you skin into a flawless canvas, this innovative formula rich in antioxidants and firming and soothing ingredients, is your secret weapon against imperfections. Its luxurious creamy texture glides on effortlessly, camouflaging blemishes, evening out skin tone and masking minor flaws with precision. Packed with a powerhouse of pigments, this foundation creates a second skin effect without the weight, offering air-like coverage.
Skin type or condition: Mature skin
Characterises: Dullness, fine lines and wrinkles
Best solution:
Makeup primer: A primer can work wonders for mature skin by filling in fine lines and wrinkles, blurring imperfections, and ensuring longer-lasting makeup. In fact I’d safely save it will become your secret weapon when it comes to prepping mature skin for makeup. Look for a silicone-based primer that offers a smoothing effect without clogging pores. Apply it evenly to your face after moisturizing, focusing on areas prone to fine lines, such as around the eyes and mouth.
Try:
ELES Retexture Crème Face Primer. It hydrates, soothes, calms and plumps skin with Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Chamomile Extract, Witch Hazel & Marigold.
Additional application tips for all skin types
Use the right tools: Applying foundation with a brush, sponge, or clean fingers can affect the finish. Experiment to find what works best for your skin type and the product you’re using.
Set your makeup: For long-lasting wear, set your foundation with a translucent powder or a setting spray tailored to your skin type.
Whether you prefer a natural look or like to go full coverage, keep reading as we reveal the makeup bases you need to try. No matter what your skin type we promise we have something for you!
Firstly why do you need a makeup base
Often referred to as a primer, foundation, BB or CC Cream, and available in a variety of different formulations from liquid to matte, sheer to powder, your makeup base is an essential product in your makeup routine that prepares your skin for the application of your other cosmetics. It dramatically improves your skin tone, creates a smooth, even surface, enhances the longevity of your makeup, and can address specific skin concerns such as dryness, oiliness, redness and fine lines.
Whether you choose a primer, foundation, or a multitasking BB/CC cream, selecting the right base for your skin type and concerns can make all the difference in how your makeup looks and feels.
The perfect makeup base for you
From mineral to traditional formulations, BBs to CCs, matte foundation to tinted moisturiser, oil-free to liquid, powder to stick and more, there really is a makeup base out there for every skin type and need, but with so many options on the market, it’s not always easy knowing which is likely the best for you! Choosing the right makeup base can make a significant difference in your overall look and skin health. Whether you have oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin here’s a guide to help you find the best solution for your skin type.
Skin type or condition: Oily to combination skin
Characteristics: Prone to shine, enlarged pores, and frequent breakouts.
Best solution:
Matt Foundations - Opt for oil-free, matte foundations that control shine and provide a long-lasting finish. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, which can help keep acne at bay.
Powder Foundations - These are excellent for absorbing excess oil and giving a matte finish. They’re lightweight and easy to touch up throughout the day.
Try:
ELES Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation – this product is an ELES best-seller and cult favourite for a reason. It offers full coverage with a soft, smooth matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours. It’s perfect for those with oily or combination skin looking for a long-lasting, shine-free look.
Skin type or condition: Rosacea
Characterises: Prone to facial redness, bumps and blemishes
Best solution:
CC Creams – opt for makeup products that are specifically formulated to calm redness and soothe skin. CC Creams are designed to help correct skin discolouration. They contain pigments that can help neutralize redness creating a more even skin tone and reducing the appearance of rosacea.
Try:
Phytomer CC Crème – Skin Perfecting Cream - This lightweight, oil-free colour correcting cream with broad spectrum protection (essential as sun exposure can aggravate rosacea) perfectly counteracts redness, so well so that you can get away without wearing any other makeup! Did I mention it’s formulated with skin soothing, nourishing and brightening ingredients too.
Skin type or condition: Dry Skin
Characterises: Flaky, rough patches, and a tight feeling.
Best Solution:
Tinted Moisturisers – Choose lightweight liquid foundations or tinted creams with hydrating properties. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which help to moisturise and plump the skin.
BB Creams - Otherwise known as a Beauty Balm, BB creams are multitasking products that combine skincare benefits with light coverage. They are great for everyday wear, offering hydration, sun protection and natural, sheer coverage.
Try:
ELES Mineral Sheer Tint – For those with dry skin this tinted moisturiser is a dream come true! It provides a radiant, dewy finish that hydrates and brightens your complexion. The buildable coverage ensures you can achieve anything from a natural look to a more polished finish.
ELES Blue Light Radiant BB Cream - This outstanding BB Cream might be classed as makeup, but it’s packed with a powerhouse of nourishing skincare goodies including peptides, vitamin c, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin e!
Multi-tasking it protects, primes, tints, nourishes, evens out skin tone and helps to strengthen skin and its game-changing formula shields skin from not only from damaged UV rays but blue light from our devices too!
Not just another BB Cream, this BB Cream will improve your skin’s elasticity while softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and will leave skin with a long-lasting radiant glow every time you apply. It’s brilliant!
Skin type or condition: Sensitive skin
Characterises: Prone to irritability, redness and allergic reactions
Best solution:
Mineral Powder: Look for makeup products that are specifically designed for sensitive skin and do not contain fragrances, preservatives or harsh chemicals. Mineral makeup is best!
Try:
ELES Mineral Powder Foundation - Formulated with skin loving ingredients and no chemical nasties, this mineral powder is highly compatible with common skin sensitivities. Lightweight and soft it easily adjusts from sheer to richer, more opaque coverage while effectively camouflaging any imperfections. The coverage also lasts longer that other foundations and feels lighter, like you aren’t wearing a makeup base at all! It also allows skin to breath freely so no clogging pores and aggravating irritated skin and helps to heal the skin as you wear it!
To learn more about the best makeup tips for sensitive skin, click here.
Skin type or condition: Blemished skin
Characterises: Prone to blackheads, acne, sun spots, pimples
Best solution:
Mineral Foundations: Opt for mineral foundations formulated with skin loving ingredients that will not only camouflage imperfections but help to calm and heal skin.
Try:
ELES Mineral Veil Cream to Powder Foundation. Impeccably crafted to transform you skin into a flawless canvas, this innovative formula rich in antioxidants and firming and soothing ingredients, is your secret weapon against imperfections. Its luxurious creamy texture glides on effortlessly, camouflaging blemishes, evening out skin tone and masking minor flaws with precision. Packed with a powerhouse of pigments, this foundation creates a second skin effect without the weight, offering air-like coverage.
Skin type or condition: Mature skin
Characterises: Dullness, fine lines and wrinkles
Best solution:
Makeup primer: A primer can work wonders for mature skin by filling in fine lines and wrinkles, blurring imperfections, and ensuring longer-lasting makeup. In fact I’d safely save it will become your secret weapon when it comes to prepping mature skin for makeup. Look for a silicone-based primer that offers a smoothing effect without clogging pores. Apply it evenly to your face after moisturizing, focusing on areas prone to fine lines, such as around the eyes and mouth.
Try:
ELES Retexture Crème Face Primer. It hydrates, soothes, calms and plumps skin with Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Chamomile Extract, Witch Hazel & Marigold.
Additional application tips for all skin types
Use the right tools: Applying foundation with a brush, sponge, or clean fingers can affect the finish. Experiment to find what works best for your skin type and the product you’re using.
Set your makeup: For long-lasting wear, set your foundation with a translucent powder or a setting spray tailored to your skin type.