OK, we've all had the experience - forking out big bucks for that foundation that you think will suddenly transform you into a celluloid goddess with a flawless, smooth face that you could ice skate off - right? Then, you get said foundation home and to your horror you look more oompa loompa goddess than anything else!

Choosing the right foundation can be tricky business and often times those girls behind counters could do with a few lessons as well; otherwise you would not be at home with a full bottle of unusable foundation. Here's your no fuss guide to getting your foundation coverage right.

First question you need to ask yourself is how much coverage do you want? If your skin is blemish-free you are best to use a tinted moisturiser. If you have acne or un-even toned skin then you will need good coverage and may need to use your foundation with a concealer.

Once you've decided on your level of coverage, next step is thinking about your skin.

Dry skin needs a moisturising foundation, so the more creamy the formulation the better it is. Look for foundations with moisturising benefits. Napoleon Minimal Makeup ($55) is ideal as it is very light weight, sheer, hydrating and with a dewy finish. Another good choice is M.A.C Moistureblend Foundation ($56) - a creamy foundation that delivers a satin finish with SPF15 protection and performs beautifully on normal to dry skin.

Oily skin needs to opt for oil-free options with mattifying properties so that skin stays covered without sheen. We love Designer Brands Oil-Free Foundation and at just $9.95 it's a steal! Or try the new powder mineral foundations - they are non-pore clogging, allowing your skin to breath and have a very natural effect without any of the greasies. We love Youngblood's Mineral Foundation (RRP: $59.50)

Combination skin should be seeking out foundations with a skin balancing effect. This will usually be a benefit promoted on the packaging. M.A.C Select SPF 15 Foundation is a liquid foundation for medium coverage with a natural finish, which is a good choice for this skin type. It glides on effortlessly and delivers even, flawless coverage.

Now, the job of foundation is to smooth out your complexion and not look like a mask.

As make-up artist Bobbi Brown says in her book 'Beauty Evolution', 'you're going to wear foundation on your face, so matching it to the back of your hand or the inside of your arm is pointless."

The idea is to find a foundation that blends into your skin exactly'. When buying a new foundation, try out your choices along the neck or jaw line and then look at them in a natural light, as well as the artificial light of the shop (take a compact make-up mirror with you!).

The key is to find a shade as close as possible to your natural skin tone. Because your skin colouring will usually change with seasons, be sure to have a summer colour and a winter one. Using summer in winter will make you look obvious and winter in summer makes you look washed out. Solution: find the brand that works best for your skin and invest in summer and winter shades.

Finally, application is everything. Some makeup artists prefer blending with fingers and others swear by foundation brushes. Finger application will give you coverage and is a quick and easy way to get the look you are after but using a brush will give you that air-brushed effect! We love Designer Brands Makeup Brush Kit ($19.95) for all the brushes you need at great quality and price we can all afford!