How To Choose A Foundation
Quick answer: To choose a foundation, decide how much coverage you want, which finish suits your skin and whether you prefer a liquid or a powder, then match the shade to your jawline in daylight. Thin Lizzy makes three foundations: Flawless Complexion Liquid Foundation for medium to full coverage, Airbrushed Silk Foundation for a lightweight, buildable glow, and Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation for a quick, soft powder finish.
Foundation is one of the hardest make-up products to buy. Mascara suits almost everyone, but foundation has to match your skin tone, your skin type and the look you like, and what worked at 30 may not work now. The goal is always the same: skin that looks like your skin, only more even. This guide explains the three choices that matter and which Thin Lizzy foundation fits each one.
The Three Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- How much coverage do you want? Light coverage evens out tone and lets freckles show through. Medium to full coverage hides redness, age spots and pigmentation.
- Which finish suits your skin? A soft, natural or luminous finish flatters dry and mature skin. A more powdery finish suits skin that gets shiny through the day.
- Liquid or powder? Liquids blend easily over dry patches and can be built up. Powders are quick, travel well and are handy for top-ups.
Once you know your answers, the choice narrows quickly. Most people only need one everyday foundation, plus something lighter or heavier for special occasions.
Choosing a Foundation for Your Skin Type
- Dry or mature skin: look for a hydrating, flexible liquid that won't cling to dry patches or settle into fine lines. Moisturise first and use thin layers.
- Oily or combination skin: choose a lightweight formula that sets to a soft finish, and keep powder for the T-zone.
- Sensitive skin: a short ingredient list helps. Mineral powders without added perfume are a popular choice. Always patch test something new.
- Normal skin: you have the most freedom, so choose by coverage and finish.
Which Thin Lizzy Foundation Is Right for You?
1. Flawless Complexion Liquid Foundation: Best for Fuller Coverage
Best for: covering redness, age spots and uneven tone, and for special events.
The fullest coverage in the Thin Lizzy range, in a lightweight liquid that blends and builds easily. Its liquid-to-powder formula helps blur the look of fine lines and pores and evens out skin tone, while feeling soft and hydrating rather than heavy. It's designed to last all day with minimal touch-ups and to look good in flash photography.
- Medium to full, buildable coverage
- Liquid-to-powder formula that feels light on the skin
- Available in 33 shades
2. Airbrushed Silk Foundation: Best for a Natural, Everyday Glow
Best for: everyday wear, mature skin and anyone who wants skin that looks like skin.
An oil-free, weightless foundation that glides on and gives a lit-from-within glow. Fine silky micro-spheres give a soft-focus effect that visibly blurs the look of pores and imperfections, and it's enriched with moisturising ingredients including Vitamin E. Wear one thin layer for a natural look, or build it up for more coverage.
- Oil-free, weightless feel
- Luminous, silky finish with seamless, buildable coverage
- Suitable for all skin types, in 12 shades
3. Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation: Best for Quick, Simple Make-up
Best for: sensitive skin, busy mornings and topping up a liquid foundation.
A mineral powder foundation made from a short list of ingredients, with no perfumes, preservatives or parabens. It buffs on seamlessly and leaves skin looking soft, luminous and airbrushed. Wear it on its own, or press a little over liquid foundation for extra coverage where you need it.
- Pressed mineral powder, easy to carry
- No perfumes, preservatives or parabens
- Available in 8 shades
How to Find Your Thin Lizzy Foundation Shade
Most foundation regrets come from the shade, not the formula. Your face is often a little lighter or more flushed than your neck, so match to the jawline, where face and neck meet. Shades can also shift with the seasons: some people go one shade deeper in summer.
- Check your undertone: look at the veins on your inner wrist in daylight. Greenish suggests warm, bluish suggests cool, and a mix suggests neutral.
- Use the Colour Match chart: compare your skin with the Thin Lizzy shade chart in natural light, not under bathroom lights.
- Swatch on the jawline: if you're trying a sample, apply a stripe from your cheek down onto your jaw. The right shade disappears.
- When in doubt, go slightly warmer: a shade that's too pink or too light can make mature skin look grey.
- Recheck after a few hours: some foundations settle slightly, so look again in daylight before deciding.
How to Apply Foundation So It Looks Natural
- Prep: cleanse and moisturise, then give your moisturiser a minute to sink in. In the morning, wear a separate sunscreen under your make-up.
- Start small: a pea-sized amount of liquid is enough for most faces. You can always add more.
- Work from the centre out: dot foundation on the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin, then blend outwards towards the hairline and jaw.
- Build only where you need it: add a second thin layer over redness or age spots instead of a thick layer everywhere.
- Set lightly: dust powder only where you get shiny, usually the T-zone.
For more detail, see our guides to the best foundation for dry skin, choosing foundation for oily skin and natural coverage foundation for mature skin.
What Customers Say
"I'm always amazed at the coverage I get from such a small amount of foundation"
Joan M., verified customer
"This is a good foundation for mature skin. Goes on easily and doesn't look like a mask."
Bernadette S., Thin Lizzy customer
"I use this foundation all year round and it always appears smooth and light on the skin"
Wendy B., verified customer
Read all Flawless Complexion Liquid Foundation reviews →
Read all Airbrushed Silk Foundation reviews →
Read all Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Thin Lizzy foundation is best for mature skin?
Try Airbrushed Silk Foundation if you like a light, luminous finish, or Flawless Complexion Liquid Foundation when you want more coverage over age spots. Moisturise first and apply thin layers so neither settles into lines.
What's the difference between Thin Lizzy's liquid and mineral foundations?
The liquid foundations blend into the skin and can be built up for more coverage. The pressed mineral foundation is a powder that buffs on in seconds, suits a simple routine and can be pressed over liquid foundation for touch-ups.
How do I find my Thin Lizzy foundation shade online?
Match to your jawline in natural light and check whether you're warm, cool or neutral. Use our Colour Match chart, and if the shade isn't right, see our Colour Swap Guarantee.
Has Thin Lizzy foundation been discontinued?
No. Flawless Complexion Liquid Foundation, Airbrushed Silk Foundation and Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation are all part of the current Thin Lizzy range and can be ordered online.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy foundation in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Priceline, TerryWhite Chemmart and Wizard Pharmacy stores across Australia. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
Choosing a foundation is easier when you start with three questions: how much coverage, which finish and liquid or powder. Get the shade right at your jawline, apply thin layers and your foundation should simply look like good skin.
