Foundation

How to Find Your Foundation Match

Foundation is less about masking the skin and more about finding the right balance of shade, finish, and coverage. At ARC, the foundation edit spans NARS, Huda Beauty, TirTir, Fenty Beauty, and Chanel, with formulas ranging from radiant and skin-like to soft matte and full coverage.

Finding the Right Shade and Formula

A good foundation match should disappear into the skin rather than sit obviously on top of it. Testing along the jawline usually gives the most accurate match, especially in natural light, as the shade should blend seamlessly between the face and neck. Undertone also matters just as much as depth, with warm, cool, olive, and neutral tones affecting how natural a foundation looks once applied. Matte formulas like NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation and Huda Beauty Easy Blur Foundation create a more shine-controlled finish, while NARS Light Reflecting Foundation and TirTir Mask Fit Red Cushion lean fresher and more luminous.

Coverage Levels Explained

Sheer and light coverage even out the complexion while still allowing natural skin to show through. Medium coverage creates a more polished effect, while full coverage gives a more perfected finish. Applying foundation in thin layers from the centre of the face outward usually creates the most natural-looking result, with brushes, fingers, or sponges each creating slightly different finishes.​ at ARC.