How To Choose A Foundation
Quick answer: To choose a foundation, decide how much coverage you want, which finish suits your skin and whether you prefer a liquid or a powder, then match the shade to your jawline in natural light. Thin Lizzy has three main options: Flawless Complexion Liquid Foundation for buildable, fuller coverage, Airbrushed Silk Foundation for a dewy, second-skin glow, and Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation for a quick, soft powder finish.
Foundation is one of the trickiest makeup products to buy. Mascara suits almost everyone, but foundation has to match your skin tone, your skin type and the look you like, and what worked for you ten years ago may not work now. The goal is always the same: skin that looks like your skin, only more even. This guide explains the choices that matter and which Thin Lizzy foundation fits each one.
The Three Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- How much coverage do you want? Light coverage evens out tone and lets freckles show through. Medium to full coverage helps hide the look of redness, age spots and pigmentation.
- Which finish suits your skin? A soft, natural or luminous finish flatters dry and mature skin. A more powdery finish suits skin that gets shiny through the day.
- Liquid or powder? Liquids blend easily over dry patches and can be built up. Powders are quick, travel well and are handy for touch-ups.
Once you know your answers, the choice narrows quickly. Most people only need one everyday foundation, plus something lighter or heavier for special occasions.
Choosing a Foundation for Your Skin Type
- Dry or mature skin: look for a hydrating, flexible liquid that won't cling to dry patches or settle into fine lines. Moisturise first and apply thin layers.
- Oily or combination skin: choose a lightweight formula that sets to a soft finish, or a mineral powder, and keep extra powder for the T-zone.
- Sensitive skin: a short ingredient list can help. Mineral powders without added perfume are a popular choice. Always patch test something new.
- Normal skin: you have the most freedom, so choose by coverage and finish.
Liquid vs Powder Foundation: Which Is Better?
Neither is better overall; they suit different needs. Liquid foundation gives a smooth, flexible finish that moves with your skin, which is why it's often the first choice for drier and mature skin. Powder foundation, especially mineral powder, is quick to apply, feels very light and is easy to carry for touch-ups, so it suits oilier skin and busy mornings. Many women wear a liquid most days and keep a pressed powder in their handbag.
Which Thin Lizzy Foundation Is Right for You?
1. Flawless Complexion Liquid Foundation
Best for: buildable, fuller coverage over redness, age spots and uneven tone.
A liquid-to-powder formula that helps blur the look of fine lines, minimises the appearance of pores and evens out skin tone. It feels soft and weightless and gives a dewy, flawless-looking finish that lasts. A small amount gives good coverage, and you can build it where you need more.
- Liquid-to-powder formula
- Feels soft and weightless
- Buildable, long-lasting finish
- 33 shades, with a Colour Match chart
2. Airbrushed Silk Foundation
Best for: everyday wear and anyone who wants skin that looks like skin.
A silky, dewy foundation that glides on like a second skin and blends seamlessly. It visibly smooths skin and blurs the look of imperfections for a lit-from-within glow. Wear one thin layer for a natural look, or build it up for more coverage.
- Luxurious silky texture
- Visibly smooths and blurs
- Seamless, buildable coverage
- 12 shades
3. Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation
Best for: busy mornings, a simple routine and touch-ups on the go.
A mineral powder foundation made from a handful of simple ingredients, with no perfumes, preservatives or parabens. It buffs on seamlessly and leaves skin looking soft, luminous and airbrushed. Wear it on its own, or press a little over liquid foundation where you need extra coverage.
- Pressed mineral powder, easy to carry
- No perfumes, preservatives or parabens
- Luminous, buildable coverage
- 8 shades
How to Find Your Foundation Shade
Most foundation regrets come from the shade, not the formula. Your face is often a little lighter or more flushed than your neck, so match to the jawline, where face and neck meet.
- Check your undertone: look at the veins on your inner wrist in daylight. Greenish suggests warm, bluish suggests cool, and a mix suggests neutral.
- Use the Colour Match chart: compare your skin with the Thin Lizzy shade chart in natural light, not under bathroom lights.
- Swatch on the jawline: apply a stripe from your cheek down onto your jaw. The right shade disappears.
- When in doubt, go slightly warmer: a shade that's too pink or too light can make mature skin look grey.
- Re-check from time to time: skin tone can shift over the years, so it's worth checking your match again.
How to Apply Foundation So It Looks Natural
- Prep: cleanse and moisturise, then give your moisturiser a minute to sink in. In the morning, wear a separate sunscreen under your makeup.
- Start small: a pea-sized amount of liquid is enough for most faces. You can always add more.
- Work from the centre out: dot foundation on the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin, then blend outwards towards the hairline and jaw.
- Use the right tool: a soft brush, a damp sponge or clean fingertips for liquid, and a soft, dense brush for mineral powder.
- Build only where you need it: add a second thin layer over redness or age spots instead of a thick layer everywhere.
- Set lightly: dust powder only where you get shiny, usually the T-zone.
For more detail, see our guides to foundation for mature skin, choosing foundation for oily skin and the best foundation for dry, aged skin.
What Customers Say
"Absolutely love this product, you truly don’t have to use much for full coverage & it lasts all day/night."
Mechael B., verified customer (Flawless Complexion)
"This is a good foundation for mature skin. Goes on easily and doesn't look like a mask."
Bernadette S., Thin Lizzy customer (Airbrushed Silk)
"I have been using this foundation for years. Very light on the skin and great colour match."
Sue S., verified customer (Pressed Mineral)
Read all Flawless Complexion Liquid Foundation reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
What foundation is best for my skin type?
Dry and mature skin usually suits a hydrating liquid with a soft, luminous finish. Oily and combination skin often prefers a lightweight formula that sets to a soft finish, or a mineral powder. Normal skin can choose by coverage and finish.
How do I know if my foundation is the wrong shade?
If you can see a line at your jaw, or your face looks grey, orange or pink next to your neck, the shade or undertone is off. Check again in natural light.
Should I choose light or full coverage?
Choose by how much you want to hide. Light coverage evens out tone, while a buildable formula lets you add more over redness or age spots without a heavy layer everywhere.
How do I find my Thin Lizzy shade?
Use our Colour Match tool to find your shade. If it's not quite right, our Colour Swap Guarantee has you covered.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy foundation in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
Choosing a foundation gets much easier once you know the coverage, finish and texture you want. Match the shade to your jawline in daylight, apply thin layers and build only where you need it, and your skin will look like you, only more even.
