How to Choose the Right Foundation for Your Skin Type

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Choosing the right foundation is key to complexion perfection and will be an absolute game-changer for your makeup routine. But there are so many options out there which can make it feel completely overwhelming! You need to choose a formula that complements your skin type for a flawless, natural finish. In this guide, I’ll help you identify the best foundation for your skin’s needs.

Step 1: Identify Your Skin Type

Skin Type guide
Skin Type guide

How to choose the right foundation

It’s important to understand your skin type when understanding how to choose the right foundation:

Skin Types and Skin Conditions are two different things and it is important to understand that. Knowing what Skin Type you are will help you greatly when buying your skincare and makeup.

Normal Skin

The skin looks healthy clear and fresh. A normal skin type is neither oily or dry and is usually free from congestion and blemishes.

Dry Skin

This skin can thin and fine and is lacking in sebum and is prone to premature wrinkling. The skin will feel tight after washing and may have dry, flaky patches.

Oily Skin

The skin looks shiny and can be slightly sallow-looking from the excess sebum that is produced. Enlarged pores can be visible and skin could be prone to clogged pores. Oily skin tends to age slower, the excess sebum can help lubricate the skin through the ageing process.

Combination Skin

The skin has areas of dry, greasy and normal skin. Usually the forehead, nose and chin (T-Zone) are oily, leaving dryer areas around the eyes and cheeks.

Sensitive Skin

The skin is often dry, delicate and reddens very easily. Hereditary factors may be the cause of sensitivity as well as environmental or topical use of products.

Mature Skin

Mature skin refers to skin that shows signs of ageing which can include wrinkles, fine lines, and a lack of firmness. You may find that skin is dryer and needs a bit more hydration.

For more help with identifying your skin type, read: How to Work Out Your Skin Type – The Ultimate Guide & What Products You Need.

Step 2: Choose the Right Formula

Once you have identified your skin type, how to choose the right foundation comes down to finding formulations that best match it.

Foundation Formulas for Normal Skin

You have the flexibility to choose from a variety of finishes, from matte to dewy. This one is simple, so it’s just up to you to choose the finish you want.

My favourite foundations for a dewy finish are NARS Light Reflecting Foundation and Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30.

For a more matte look, I love e.l.f. Cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation and Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation.

Foundation Formulas for Dry Skin

How to choose the right foundation for dry skin
How to choose the right foundation for dry skin

Choose hydrating, dewy-finish foundations with ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Here’s are some of my favourite foundations for dry skin:

  • Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
  • Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care and Glow Foundation
  • NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
  • Cle de Peau Radiant Cream Foundation
  • Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation SPF 30
  • Maybelline Superstay 24Hr Skin Tint + Vitamin C
  • Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint
  • Estee Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Makeup
  • Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation

Foundation Formulas for Oily Skin

How to choose the right foundation for oily skin
How to choose the right foundation for oily skin

Opt for oil-free, mattifying foundations such as powder or long-wear liquid formulas. Here are some of my favourite options for oily skin:

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation
  • IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream Natural Matte SPF40
  • ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
  • Sisley Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation
  • NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation Review 
  • bareMinerals BarePro 24HR Wear Skin-Perfecting Matte Liquid Foundation​ Mineral SPF 20
  • Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
  • Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation

Foundation Formulas for Combination Skin

How to choose the right foundation for combination skin
How to choose the right foundation for combination skin

Choose lightweight, buildable foundations to balance different areas of the face. I have combination skin and these are my favourites:

  • Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
  • e.l.f. Cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation
  • Sisley Phyto-Teint Nude Foundation
  • Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Foundation
  • Guerlain Terracotta Le Teint Glow Healthy Glow Foundation
  • Tom Ford Traceless Soft Matte Foundation

Foundation Formulas for Sensitive Skin

How to choose the right foundation for sensitive skin
How to choose the right foundation for sensitive skin

Choose fragrance-free, non-comedogenic foundations with soothing ingredients:

  • ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF30
  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation
  • Dr Jart+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 50
  • Kosas Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
  • It Cosmetics CC Cream 
  • Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint
  • NARS Light Reflecting Foundation

Foundation Formulas for Mature Skin

How to choose the right foundation for mature skin
How to choose the right foundation for mature skin

For my mature skin, I love hydrating, blurring formulas that deliver skincare ingredients, while softening the look of lines and wrinkles:

  • NARS Light Reflecting Foundation
  • Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation
  • Cle de Peau Radiant Cream Foundation
  • Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint
  • La Mer Radiant Skin Tint 
  • Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care and Glow Foundation
  • Dr Sam’s Flawless Gossamer Tint SPF 50
  • Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer
  • Revlon Illuminance™ Serum Tint 
  • delilah Wake Up Radiant Skin Tint
  • ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF30
  • Sisley Phyto Hydra Teint Beautifying Tinted Moisturizer

Step 3: Find Your Perfect Shade

Choose the right foundation for your skin tone and type
Choose the right foundation for your skin tone and type

Once you have picked your formula, choosing a shade is the last step in how to choose the right foundation for you.

Here are my top tips:

  • Test foundation on your jawline in natural light.
  • Determine your undertone (cool, warm, or neutral) to find the most flattering shade
  • Consider seasonal changes as your skin tone may shift slightly between summer and winter

A lot of getting the right shade is trial and error, and in every blog post I have shared with you in this round up, there will be a range of different shade swatches for you to check out.

Step 4: Application Tips for a Flawless Finish

Personally, I love to use a brush to apply and blend my foundation and my favourite is the one I made for my brand, the REESON No. 1 Brush.

My best tip is to have one brush to apply and then another clean brush to buff away excess product. This technique means you will never look cakey and you will achieve the most flawless and natural looking result.

Check out this video to demonstrate:

I hope you found this guide on How to Choose the Right Foundation for Your Skin Type helpful. Please always let me know if you need any recommendations.

Dyson Supersonic r Hair dryer Review

Hair

25 Apr 2025 (Updated: 26 Apr 2025)

*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links, these help Ree with running costs of the blog

dyson logo

Priced at

Dyson Supersonic r Hair dryer Review

As someone who has tried her fair share of hair tools over the years, I can confidently say that Dyson has always caught my attention, especially as I am a huge fan of the Airwrap, my go to if I want hair compliments! So I was super excited to test out the new Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Dyson Supersonic r?

What is Dyson Supersonic r Hair dryer?
What is Dyson Supersonic r Hair dryer?

The Dyson Supersonic r is Dyson’s most powerful, yet lightest hair dryer so far. It is 30% smaller and 20% lighter than the original Supersonic hair dryer and has been engineered to dry hair super fast with smooth and shiny results.

  • Precision drying for a smoother finish
  • More shine
  • No heat damage
  • Maintains scalp moisture
  • Reduces static to reduce frizz by up to 46% and control flyaways using negatively charged ions
  • Includes five intelligent attachments preset by experts to the right temperature and airflow
  • RFID chips within the attachments remember the last used setting and communicate with the dryer
  • Features a re-engineered, lightweight format
  • Technology streamlines and evenly heats powerful airflow
  • Uses the Dyson Hyperdymium motor
  • Produces high-pressure airflow. with 110,000rpm
  • A jet of controlled air is propelled through the ultra-responsive Streamlined flow heater with 10 heater foils

Specifications

Weight: 0.785 kg

Temperature settings: 4 heat settings including a cold shot

Cable Length: 83cm

Air Flow: 12.4 l/s

Voltage: 230V

Wattage: 1,700 W

Sound level: 80.1 dBA

Power: 1,700 W

Width: 55 mm

Height: 285 mm

Length:108 mm

How is Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer different from the original Supersonic hair dryer?

With Dyson Supersonic r, Dyson have fine-tuned the technology for optimised performance. The r has new heater technology and a new design. It promises a smoother finish and more shine and is also 30% smaller and 20% lighter.

What is the difference between the consumer and professional edition of the Dyson Supersonic r?

There is no difference in performance however, the professional version has a longer cable.

How often should you clean the filter of the Dyson Supersonic r?

The Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer has a yellow flashing LED on the handle, just above the filter which activates when the filter needs cleaning.

Can you use the Dyson Supersonic r abroad?

The voltage of the Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer is 230V, and Dyson recommend you only use it in the country you purchased it.

My Review of the Dyson Supersonic r

Dyson Supersonic r Hair dryer settings
Dyson Supersonic r Hair dryer settings

First Impressions

The Dyson Supersonic is definitely a different looking hair dryer! It makes quite a striking first impression with its curved “r” shape which is a real departure from the upright design of the original Supersonic. It’s noticeably more compact and lighter, making it easier to hold for longer sessions. Dyson claims it’s 30% smaller and 20% lighter, and in hand, it feels balanced and effortless.

I personally think it looks super cute and I love the colours I have. The Ceramic Pink and Rose Gold combination is so gorgeous and it it looks modern, minimal, and unmistakably Dyson.

What’s New: Technology & Attachments

Dyson has once again pushed boundaries in the world of heat styling. Here are the key features that set the Supersonic r apart:

  • Hyperdymium Motor – built into the handle for optimal balance. It delivers fast drying power without excess noise
  • Streamlined Flow Heater – ensures consistent, even heat for healthy results
  • Intelligent Heat Control – measures air temperature over 20 times per second to prevent heat damage
  • RFID Smart Attachments – each magnetic styling attachment automatically adjusts the heat and airflow settings
Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer Cold Shot
Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer Cold Shot

My Experience

As always with Dyson, the attention to detail is unmatched. Each attachment has a clear purpose, and switching between them is seamless. I love how the magnetic attachments work, and they couldn’t be easier to change.

This dryer is so easy to use, mainly because it is incredibly small and light, yet delivers the kind of power you just wouldn’t expect from something so small. I have thick coarse hair, and this make a super quick job of getting it dry. It’s so comfortable to hold and easy to manoeuvre.

It takes me roughly 8–10 minutes on my thick, long hair and this is just with the Powerful Air attachment which still manages to deliver a pretty smooth and frizz free finish, no matter how ‘rough’ I am.

The smoothing nozzle is great to quickly finish off and delivers a sleek and smooth result, and the Professional Concentrator is great for an extra smooth look and works so brilliantly with a blow dry brush.

Final Thoughts

I think that the Dyson Supersonic r is seriously impressive, however, it’s worth considering a few practical points before purchasing. At £449.99, it’s a significant investment, so you will need to make sure it’s the right product for you.

Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer power plug
Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer power plug

I think that the plug size could be an issue. The power plug is large, due to its internal components, so you would need to make sure that this works with where your power sockets are placed. Luckily, it works well for me at home where I dry my hair.

Also, whilst it’s travel friendly in terms of weight and super compact size and design, it lacks dual voltage support, which limits use abroad.

Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick breakdown of what works, and what to consider:

Pros

  • Lightweight & Ergonomic – great for long styling sessions or professionals
  • Smart Attachments – each one auto-adjusts for heat and airflow
  • Fast Drying Time – dries my thick hair in under 10 minutes
  • Quiet Operation – noticeably less noise than traditional dryers
  • Protects Hair – doesn’t rely on extreme heat to get results
  • Premium Design – it looks super sleek and well designed

Cons

  • High Price Point – £449.99 makes it a serious investment
  • Large Plug – bulky due to internal tech
  • No Dual Voltage – not suitable for overseas travel

I am a huge fan of my Dyson Airwrap. To find out more about that, read: Dyson Launch Onyx Gold Colourway for Airwrap Multi-Styler & Supersonic: My Review.

Where to buy it

The Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer is £449.99 and available now via the links below:

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