There are so many colors, finishes, brands, undertones and formulas for foundations, which can be confusing for someone without a lot of makeup experience. Here is a short guide to finishes of foundation.
Finishes:
Dewy -light, shiny finish
Matte-no shine, flat
Satin– a mix between matte and dewy finishes.
Sheer– light, natural looking.
Who should wear a Dewy Foundation?
Dewy foundation is best for someone with dry skin.
Who should wear a Matte Foundation?
Anyone can wear matte foundation. People with oily skin should use matte finishes to achieve a dry, flat look. Matte is typically higher coverage, so if someone is looking to cover up acne and scarring, matte would be a great choice for them.
Who should wear a Satin Finish?
Anyone with matured skin may find that it does not accentuate fine lines and wrinkles in the skin. Anyone with oily skin who pairs this with a powder, may enjoy it. Satin finish can be worn by any skin type.
Who should wear a Sheer Finish?
Anyone can rock sheer finishes, if coverage isn’t important. Because of the sheer finish, it is also light in coverage. Dry and combination skin types may like this.
Disclaimers: the author of this post has not tried all of the foundation finishes