We've Got Your Face Covered: A Foundation Guide For Every Look

jane iredale mineral foundation flatlay

Whether you’ve decided to make the switch to mineral makeup and don’t know where to start, or you’re after a different foundation for the new season, jane iredale has a base combination that will give you the coverage and finish you’re after. There’s a lot more to creating a custom base than simply choosing a foundation with your desired level of coverage – the beauty of jane iredale face makeup is that by ever-so-slightly altering the way you prime your skin, how you physically apply your foundation and how you set your makeup you can completely change the look and feel of your products and adapt them to suit you.

Prepping your skin with primer

Beginning with primer is essential in prepping your skin for makeup, regardless of how sheer or full you want your coverage. jane iredale Smooth Affair Facial Primer will hydrate dry skin and create a smooth canvas for makeup, while Smooth Affair for Oily Skin will keep any extra shine at bay. Think primer is unnecessary for extremely oily skin? Let Absence Oil Control Primer convince you otherwise – the mineral formula balances out the texture of your skin, ensuring your base doesn’t become oily as the day (or night) goes on.

The next step in customising your base is to think about the finish and coverage you want from the product – that said, each jane iredale product is easily buildable to create the coverage you want and need (but more on that in a moment).

jane iredale product flatlay

Foundation for a dewey finish

If you favour a dewy finish, opt for Liquid Minerals. In its bottle, it appears to be made of tiny nude pearls – pump it out, however, and watch each bead transform into a weightless fluid. Apply Liquid Minerals with the jane iredale Flocked Sponge for sheer, natural coverage, or pump the product onto your Metal Palette to truly control the amount of product you use, then apply to the skin using the flat Foundation Brush for medium coverage. Want to more coverage? Apply using the Foundation Brush then apply the PurePressed Base or Amazing Base powders wherever you want to build it up.

Foundation for a barely there finish

For a light, your-skin-but-better finished with SPF 15, make Dream Tint your go-to. A tinted moisturiser, this is a sheer alternative to foundation but is buildable enough to give you a soft wash of colour. For sheer coverage, apply Dream Tint using your fingertips as you would a regular moisturiser- the warmth of your fingers will allow the product to really melt into the skin for a natural look. Applying Dream Tint with a Blending Brush will give you medium coverage with an airbrushed appearance (the sparse bristles make for a soft, light finish, whereas a denser brush packs on more product), or build up the coverage by setting the tint with your favourite jane iredale powder. No matter how much you build up the coverage, Dream Tint will always feel like a second skin.

Dream Tint Tinted Moisturiser

Foundation for a glowing finish

The jane iredale Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder is ideal for getting a luminous, lit-from-within finish (it’s also a great one to pop in the Refill-Me Refillable Loose Powder Brush for on the go touch-ups). For natural coverage, use the Chisel Powder Brush to lightly dust the powder over your face in downward strokes, and use the same brush to layer the powder for extra coverage. When layering, be sure to use Hydration Spray to set each layer. Want to mimic the look of a more traditional liquid foundation? Use the Flocked Sponge to press the powder onto your skin, working in layers, or mix the powder with your favourite Hydration Spray or moisturiser to create a creamy consistency.

Foundation for a semi-matte finish

As versatile as Amazing Base, the jane iredale PurePressed Base will give you a semi-matte finish and, depending on how you apply it, can provide coverage anywhere from sheer to full. Use the Handi Brush for a light dusting of product, or layer for greater coverage. For full, flawless coverage, use your Flocked Sponge to press and roll the pressed powder onto your skin in layers. This product is your-go to if you suffer from breakouts and oily t-zone.

Foundation for full coverage

It’s common to associate a full coverage, creamy foundation with cakeyness and an overall feeling of your skin being unable to breathe. Defying all expectations is Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream, the fullest coverage option from the jane iredale base range. With a velvety finish and creamy consistency, Glow Time can be applied using your fingertips in order to warm up the product so it can glide over your skin with ease. The Blending Brush is also a great tool for BB Cream application. Try mixing your Glow Time with your favourite Smooth Affair Primer of choice to allow it to glide onto the skin effortlessly. Conversely, set with your jane iredale powder of choice to amp up the coverage.

jane iredale product group shot

Setting your foundation with spritz

As important as primer, is a setting spray to fix your base in place and balance out the skin. Choose D2O Hydration Spray to deliver intense hydration to dry skin, Balance Hydration Spray to save oily and combination skin from over producing natural oils, and POMMISST Hydration Spray for any skin type (a must-have for makeup artists working with a number of different skin types on any given day).

Still not sure exactly which jane iredale foundation formula will suit you best? Visit our foundation quiz to find your personalised foundation prescription, setting spray and method of application to create the custom coverage you’re after.

Words and images by Gemma Watts @gemkwatts