How to Choose the Right Makeup for Your Skin Type

Cosmetics is a delicate topic when it comes to women’s beauty. Not only because everyone is born with a different skin tone, but also each woman has their own skin type, condition, and set of allergies. However, that doesn’t mean we should stop wearing makeup altogether as cosmetics and pro cheerleading go hand in hand.

By learning the things to consider before buying a cosmetic product, you can avoid a lot of skin problems such as dryness, oiliness, allergies, irritation, or premature aging whether you have makeup on or not. This will help you stay beautiful and feel more confident in presenting yourself during auditions and squad performances.

1. Determine your skin type

Is your skin oily, dry, a combination, or normal? This question will help you know what makeup to buy when you’re at the cosmetic shop. To know what your skin type is, wash your face with cool or lukewarm water, dry it with a towel, and observe how it moisturizes itself afterward.

If your entire face secretes too much oil after an hour, then it’s oily. If lines appear after you lightly scratch it, it’s either dry or dehydrated. If your face is lightly oiled, it is normal. If some areas of your face are dry and others are oily, it means you have a combined skin type.

2. Choose the right formula

Cosmetic formulas differ to cater to multiple skin types. Water-based makeups are the right products for oily skins. For dry skin, choose oil-based. Or if you have a combined skin type, it’s best to have both the oil and water-based versions of the makeup. For normal skin types, a light formula or lightweight product is the best choice.

3. Choose the right colors

Aside from your skin type, you should also determine what your skin tone is. The golden rule of cosmetics suggests that you should try 4 different shades of foundation that are close to your actual skin color.

To test out products properly at shops, apply stripes of the different shades to your jawline and spread. The shade that appears relatively invisible is the right one. The same goes for lipsticks. Choose paler nudes for light skin, richer nudes for deeper types, and fiery ones for warm undertones.

4. Avoid dry and irritating cosmetics

Never ever buy makeup from sketchy sellers. You’ll never know what these fake cosmetics contain, how they’re made, and what damage they can do to your face. Go for quality over price. Being cheap is not worth it especially if irreparable face damage is the consequence.

Even when shopping through Amazon or in-store, some products may be fake and others have harmful ingredients that would cause allergies, dryness, and irritation. Do skin tests from multiple brands first before buying anything.

5. Consider your skin’s sensitivity

If you already know you have sensitive skin, identify the ingredients that would cause problems as well as the alternatives. List them down as a reference for shopping. Women with sensitive skin suggest staying away from makeup with fragrances and go for ones with “non-allergenic” labels.

Another thing - know which cosmetic ingredients cause premature aging. This will help you purchase the best products that you can confidently wear every day without causing wrinkles in the long run.

Knowing the different tips on how to select the best makeup for your skin is important. Yet, it’s still a great idea to consult with professionals such as makeup artists and dermatologists.

Read more makeup-related blog posts here!

Do You Picture Yourself As A Professional Cheerleader? Get Expert Advice From Someone Who's Been There.

If you dream of joining a dance team audition but have no idea on how to get started, my book entitled Professional Cheerleading Audition Secrets: How To Become an Arena Cheerleader for NFL®, NBA®, and Other Pro Cheer Teams will guide you every step of the way.

I wrote this book because I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO DISCOVER the best tips and advice on staying fit and beautiful, adopting the right mindset, maintaining your image, and more... so you can MAKE YOUR DREAM TEAM! 

My tips are based on my 20+ years of experience in the professional cheerleading industry.

Grab a copy of my book by clicking the text or image below:

Professional Cheerleading Audition Secrets: How To Become an Arena Cheerleader for NFL®, NBA®, and Other Pro Cheer Teams

From the crème de la crème to designer knock-offs, the digital world of beauty products is vast, tantalizing, and oftentimes, overwhelming.

We can all agree that ordering products online is ridiculously convenient, but shopping for makeup online is akin to a catwalk—not a cakewalk.

Searching for truly high-quality beauty products can feel like trying to hunt down vintage Gucci in your favorite thrift shop. And while it feels like “ain’t nobody got time for that,” when it comes to your skin, you’ve got to carve out that research time like you carve out those cheekbones with contour.

So, how do you narrow down the endless stream of cosmetics being served to you on Google’s silver platter? And what should you look for?

We’re glad you asked. Here are 5 tips to help you find the best makeup and cosmetics online—straight from the beauty guru himself—our very own Scott Barnes.

1: Start with best-selling products.

There’s a reason best-selling products are, well, best-sellers. (Most of the time.) If you’re struggling with analysis paralysis over what to buy, start with items other people are raving about. If thousands of reviewers are gushing about how they can’t imagine life without their new favorite product, it may be worth a trial run. Start with one or two items from that brand, and see if it’s a good fit.

2: Be choosy about ingredients.

We all know we should avoid food products with hard-to-pronounce ingredients, but things get a bit trickier when it comes to makeup. That’s because unfamiliar ingredients (like “isopropyl isostearate”) aren’t necessarily harmful in the cosmetics world. But there are some ingredients to avoid, for sure, like parabens, oxybenzone, and triclosan.

How do you figure out what’s ok and what to steer clear of when shopping online?

Shop from a company that discloses their product ingredients, and get in the habit of checking ingredients before you buy. Choose an artisan makeup brand to ensure you’re getting a product with high-quality ingredients chosen by a skilled professional.

Also, of course, avoid ingredients that have given you trouble in the past. Choose makeup that has been created with love, experience, and knowledge so it’s safe and healthy for your skin.

3: Know your undertones.

We’ve all been there: You buy a jaw-dropping new lipstick shade only to discover it makes you look like a washed-out Cruella de Vil. Straight into the makeup reject drawer.

Knowing your skin’s undertones will help you avoid this tragic fate, saving you time, money, and some unflattering selfies. Your undertones determine which colors look best on you, and everyone falls into one of these basic categories: warm, cool, or neutral.

Your undertones can be determined by examining the color of your veins, your hair and eye color, whether you burn or tan, and other factors.

4: Read reviews and testimonials.

There’s no better way to uncover honest information about a brand than by hearing what customers are actually saying. Customer reviews provide insight into the quality, look, and feel of a product—so you can peek behind the curtain before you buy.

Read all the product reviews—the good and the bad—especially if you’re about to invest in a more lavish product. Reading reviews can give you a better idea of which cosmetics are the most highly-rated in the industry. This information is gold and can help you make an informed decision.

Testimonials and video tutorials are also great ways to learn more about a product or brand. This gives you the opportunity to see what the swatches look like on different skin tones and learn more about how the products can be used and layered.

5: Go with a trusted brand.

This one seems obvious enough, but how do you know if a brand is trustworthy? Here are some questions to ask:

Does the brand have experience? When it comes to formulating makeup, nothing can beat first-hand experience. Scott Barnes has revolutionized the cosmetics industry, impacted celebrity culture, and created a wide range of trends and signature looks.

Do people love their products? Again, reviews say a lot. If people are raving about a brand’s products—especially on multiple websites—this is a good sign.

Is the company committed to sustainability? What’s good for Mother Nature is good for you!

Are the products cruelty free? Animal testing is unethical and unnecessary. There are literally thousands of safe ingredients available today that can be used to create innovative products.

Can you actually contact the company? This is a biggie. Companies that make it difficult or impossible to contact them with questions or concerns aren’t worthy of your business. If you have questions, you should be able to get answers—straight from the brand.

About Scott Barnes Cosmetics

Scott Barnes is a revolutionary makeup artist and creator of “The Glow”—his signature monochromatic palette featuring shimmering skin, bold eyes, and soft lips. Beloved by countless celebrities and A-listers, Scott set out to make an affordable luxury line for every woman.

Get luscious lips, cherubic cheeks, and luxuriant lashes with Scott’s sumptuous line of makeup and beauty accessories. Start your shopping adventure with Scott’s Faves or check out our new makeup releases.