These days, there are so many different types of foundation that the market seems a little intimidating - unless you know exactly what you’re looking for, selecting a brand, a formula, and a shade all at once can be slightly overwhelming. Fortunately, Glasshouse is here to help. We’ve collected some of our favourite foundation products from across the spectrum to bring you up to speed on your very own ace of base.

The first matter at hand is that of identifying your skin type - chances are you’re already intimately familiar with your skin’s likes and dislikes, so it’s just a matter of applying these to your foundation choice. Dry skin? Go for a foundation with moisturising properties. Oily skin best suits an oil-free formula, and for those with combination skin, adding a powder to your foundation routine for problem areas might mean fewer daytime touch-ups.

It’s also important to think about what you actually want your foundation to do. Whilst the more fresh faced amongst us might be after a dewy, I-woke-up-like-this skin finish, a matte or semi-matte effect might be the most practical on oily or combination skin. Coverage is more a matter of personal preference, and needs can change depending on factors like occasion and climate. It’s crucial to keep in mind that even though you might be loving your full-coverage base in chilly February, you might feel slightly differently about it when you’re having to blot every five minutes on your sunny summer holiday…

So with all this in mind, we’re here match you up to the foundation of your dreams. All of our picks are available on Glasshouse Shop (and each range also carries primer and powder products which will give your base the most longevity), so without further ado, let’s find your ideal foundation fix.

RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-up. Coverage: Light to medium, dewy finish.

Properties: Don’t be deceived by “Un” Cover-Up’s petite size and the fact it looks like a concealer - this product goes a long way; melting into the skin due to its raw cold-pressed coconut oil base and spreading beautifully for either a full face foundation or a cover up on particular areas.

Tip: Because this is such a lightweight product, it doesn’t have to be applied to the entire face. If you’d rather focus on problem areas, this product can be applied just like a concealer (for example on a red nose or tired eyes), giving a natural and non-patchy finish.

Why we love it: This foundation has been a hit in the salon for as long as we’ve stocked it. It’s pocket size, versatility and long-wear (one little pot can last up to three months) make it a can’t-live-without and the small shade selection somehow magically manages to adapt to different skin tones with total ease. RMS’ founder Rose-Marie Smith often says that her products are so natural you can eat them - and there’s no arguing with this product’s short list of skin-beneficial ingredients (particularly the raw cold-pressed coconut oil). For longer lasting coverage, follow it up with RMS Beauty “Un” Powder (made from pure silica), available in three different shades as well as a translucent variant. Then you’re good to go!

Ilia Beauty Vivid Foundation Coverage: Light to Medium, satin finish.

Properties: This product is suitable for most skin types due to its mild, organic ingredients - this wonder stuff contains healing, kind-to-skin aloe vera, rosemary and green tea extract.

Tip: Most in line with a traditional foundation, this is the product to reach for if you want to be able to control your level of coverage - it’s designed for building and layering to create a fuller coverage, and will leave you with a sleek satin finish with plenty of healthy luminosity.

Why we love it: Ilia is a bit of a wonder brand - creating high performance makeup with 85% organic ingredients and the most stylish recycled aluminium packaging. You won’t find sulphates, parabens, petrochemicals or silicones in any of Ilia products and the result here is a foundation designed to take care of your skin - an ethos we wholeheartedly endorse. Even though you can easily apply this with your fingers, we’re completely head over heels for Ilia’s beautiful cruelty-free pointed foundation brush - trust us, it’s a keeper.

Jane Iredale Foundations Our Jane Iredale make-up range offers a number of foundations for various skin concerns and needs and they were one of the very first mineral makeup brands to launch back in 1994. Whilst each product has its own individual properties, they do all share an amazing shade selection, so you can be assured that whatever your complexion, Jane Iredale has a colour for you. Because the range is so wide, encompassing warm, cool and neutral skin tones, we think that these products are best prescribed in the salon, where our specially trained staff can give you the most accurate match.

Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation Coverage: Sheer

Properties: We think that this is the best bet for problem skin - whether you suffer from acne or rosacea or are looking for makeup to use after a more serious skin condition, operation or laser treatment, this gentle, healing formula is a great option. Its Coenzyme Q10 active ingredient treats the skin by plumping and aiding inflammation and the calming properties of Vitamin C work wonders on redness and blemishes. The clear gel that’s encapsulating the tiny little spheres you can see is actually aloe vera gel - a soothing formula for added skin healing and nourishment.

Tip: In terms of application, this product is especially designed to work alongside the Jane Iredale Foundation Brush. The beads of foundation should be broken up on the back of the hand, and then applied with the brush in a criss-cross pattern on the face to work it into the skin. Whilst this technique might take a bit of extra effort, the results are dewy satin perfection and a godsend for problem skin.

Why we love it: If you want your foundation to simultaneously treat your skin then we can’t recommend this product more. It’s a calming, safe option for skin with any varying degree of sensitivity due to it’s wonderful gentle ingredients. Creating a glowing, healthy finish with plenty of dewiness, this is a truly unique foundation.

Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation. Coverage: A matte, natural looking finish. Can achieve a light to full coverage, depending on application.

Properties: To reassure powder sceptics, this gives a surprising amount of coverage though it can also be used as a setting powder for liquid products too. Giving SPF 20 protection and containing antioxidant ingredients (such as Pine Bark and Pomegranate extract) for their antibacterial properties, this is Jane Iredale’s most popular product and one of the first mineral foundations on the market. We can certainly see why it’s stuck around so long.

Tip: If you’re using this as your primary base, proper application is key. This foundation works best with the Jane Iredale Hydration Spray, which helps to conceal pores and liquifies the minerals, setting it into place and allowing it to blend into the skin. Apply the powder in deliberate vertical strokes with the brush, pressing it into the skin rather the buffing, then spritz, and repeat until the desired level of coverage is reached.

Why we love it: For those with oily skin, we can think of no better solution - this powder is a mattifying miracle, and the Hydration Spray gives it just enough pliability for great coverage. It’s very long lasting - a pressed formula means there’s minimal waste compared to their loose powder counterparts and the convenient compact with mirror make it ideal for quick tube touch-ups.

Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream Coverage: The highest coverage out of our foundation range.

Properties: Before you get confused, this is not a traditional BB cream - instead it’s more of a foundation formula, and its skin-rejuvenating ingredients, such as apple and grapefruit extracts, means that it’s especially helpful for dry skin, giving a velvety finish. Water resistant for up to 40 minutes and containing SPF 25, this is a great all-rounder.

Tip: Application couldn’t be easier - dot the foundation sparingly onto the skin, and buff in with a foundation brush. A tiny amount really does go far with this product so there’s no need to overdo it. Why we love it: For many of us, foundation is quite an investment, and so value for money is important. This big, squeezable tube should last a while and high coverage can be easily achieved with a low amount of product. A lot of foundations that give traditional ‘full’ coverage end up appearing quite matte, however Glow Time is different and instead gives a soft, luminous finish whilst still covering up any unwanted areas with ease.

Whatever your skin’s unique needs, we think that there’s something for everyone in our selection. If you’re still unsure what will work best for you, just pop into the salon, where we carry all of these foundation products, and give them a try yourself!