How Trendy is Foundation?

Before discussing foundation selection criteria, I first reflected on how much I consider 'trends' when choosing my makeup items. For eyeshadows, blushes, and lipsticks, color and texture are paramount, and this is where trends are most evident. Thus, trends can be said to account for about 80% of my choices. For eyebrows and eyeliners, ease of application and finish are the key criteria, so trends play a role of about 30%. And when choosing foundation, I consider trends only about 20%.

This means foundation selection is the most conservative choice, but I believe this is true not just for me but for many women. Why? Because the criterion for choosing foundation is not 'trends,' but rather the desire to 'make my skin look beautiful!'. Of course, the standard of 'beauty' varies depending on age, skin condition, and personal preference, so the requirements for foundation also differ from person to person.

My Standards for Beautiful Skin and Foundation Selection Criteria to Achieve It

Now, let me outline my own standards for 'beautiful skin'.

• Hydrated and radiant
• Even-toned with no blemishes or discoloration
• Clear and translucent with no dullness
• Pores are inconspicuous

In other words, I use foundation to achieve skin like this. However, even foundation cannot perfectly cover all blemishes and uneven tones; doing so would result in a heavy, cakey appearance. It would also likely accentuate wrinkles. Therefore, my criterion for coverage when selecting foundation is 'moderate.' For areas I want to cover perfectly, I use concealer.

To perfectly cover pores with foundation, one would need to choose a matte type, but a matte finish deviates from my standard of beauty, so it's a no-go. I opt for a foundation that makes them 'moderately' less noticeable, and for thorough pore coverage, I layer with a powder foundation.

Furthermore, products that provide hydration and radiance inherently possess a degree of translucency. However, too much radiance diminishes coverage, making it difficult to conceal blemishes and uneven tones. Thus, 'moderate' hydration and radiance are my standards. For areas where I want to enhance radiance, I add it with highlighting products, as discussed in last month's series. Similarly, excessive brightness can make the skin look unnatural, so 'moderate' is my standard for brightness as well.

In essence, the condition I seek in foundation to create 'beautiful skin' is a 'moderate' balance. However, products that meet my 'moderate' criteria are surprisingly few. But this is natural, as everyone's desired standards differ. In other words, it's not that 'a certain foundation is bad,' but rather that it simply doesn't align with one's own desired standards. This 'to each their own' is most evident in foundation selection, which is precisely why establishing your own criteria is crucial. Without them, you risk becoming a 'foundation refugee'.

The Evolution of Foundation Towards True 'Beautiful Skin'

The selections I've made this time meet my aforementioned criteria, while also offering benefits such as whitening effects, high-performance skincare ingredients, and shape-memory properties – foundations that go beyond mere makeup effects to enhance true skin beauty.

We've moved beyond the era of makeup solely to *appear* beautiful, and foundation is increasingly becoming an item for cultivating *true* beautiful skin.

With the evolution of cosmetics like these, I am filled with anticipation that the Reiwa era will see an increase in women with genuinely beautiful skin. While I personally aim for true beautiful skin that can withstand going 'foundation-free,' I am grateful for the advancements in foundation that inspire such hope!