Admit it. We've all seen her (or been her) at one time or another, the girl whose eye shadow is dazzling, lip color gorgeous, blush to die for … and foundation the color of another person’s skin entirely!

She obviously took time to make the rest of her face look great, but her foundation doesn’t complement her at all.

A lot of women drop the ball when it comes to their base. They don’t follow the “Foundation Rules”, which begin with, “Your foundation shall be your exact skin tone and texture at all times. Not the color you want to be, not the color you were in the summer, but the color and texture of your skin when you woke up that morning.”

Not all foundation is created equal. You want to find the texture that will complement your skin and counteract any imperfections. To choose the texture that’s right for you, take your skin type into account. If you have oily skin, skip creams and luminous formulas, or your face will look like a bedazzled disco ball. Try an oil-absorbing powder type instead. For dry skin, avoid powders and matte formulas. They will age your face by settling in fine lines.

Now on to the right color! I always advise my clients to have two foundations: a match for winter and a slightly darker shade for summer. Test your foundation on your jawline and blend up to your cheekbone. Your color match should be spot on and undetectable.

Like all makeup, foundation should enhance your complexion and correct your flaws. Simply follow the Foundation Rules for a beautiful complexion!

Photo Credit: @ iStockphoto.com/Seprimoris