Picking the right foundation can be a complex business and it can be very hit and miss. Get it right and you can look like a million dollars, get it wrong it you may be doing a bad impression of "The Scream".
- The right formulation for your skin. Are you oily? Dry? Combination?
- Pick the right formula. If you're oily, look for words like 'oil-free' or 'oil-control' on the bottle. Got dry skin? Go for moisturizing foundations with 'hydrating' or 'moisture-rich' wording on the bottle. For combo skin, determine if you're more oily or dry and go from there. Cream-to-powder bases work great for combo skin.
- Show up to the makeup counter with a clean, fresh face. It's OK to wear eye makeup or lipstick, even moisturizer on your face, but you don't want to show up already wearing foundation.
- Select a few colors that seem close to your natural skin tone. Go for the yellow-based foundations, which look most natural on all skin tones. However, if you're very fair, try a pink, cooler shade.
- Apply a couple dots of each color on areas of your jawline (the inner wrist or hand aren't the best spots, contrary to popular belief).
- Take a good, long look -- near a window. Ask to borrow a hand mirror and stand near a doorway, or step outside, to see which foundation looks best in the natural light. The right shade is one that you can't see because it blends in so well. If you are purchasing from a drugstore, take a couple bottles to a doorway, hold them up to your neck and see which one matches the best.
- Once you've bought the foundation, take it home and try it out. If you don't like it you can return it. If you're buying from a drugstore, purchase from one with a liberal return policy (like Rite Aid).
Foundations come in a huge range of types of shades. Add to this concealer and loose powder and you've got a recipe for disaster.
Foundation can be applied using your finger tips or a sponge.
A sponge can be used for blending as well.
Créme foundation gives the most coverage - can creacte the look of having a milky foundation.
Iridecatn stick foundation
Liquid foundation - medium coverage with a light moisturising effect
Sheer Foundation - light coverage.
Tinted moituriser.
When using foundation all over you face be sure to blend it into your jar line and slightly down onto your neck. Otherwise you'll end up with a mask-like look when the foundation ends and your natural skin colour begins.
Loose powder alone can act as a sheer foundation - by toning down shiney spots and evening out your skin.
Concealer:
As the name suggests concealer is used to conceal. Concealer can be used to cover up dark circles under the eyes, on the sides of the nose or around the mouth and chin area. Due to it consitancy it should be used spairrling i.e. do not cover your entire face with it. It should be applied in small dots and blended into your foundation using your ring finger. You should use a tap motion to blend it in as smuging with your finger just moves the concealer around.
Powder:
Power is used to set your foundation and concealer. As already mentioned it can also be used as a foundation itself. Powder comes in a number of different forms:
- Loose - transulcent powder - light in texture
- Pressed Powder - for opaque coverage
- Iridescent powder - good for oily complexions
- Bronze powder - Bronzer
Powder can be applied in a number of different ways - Sponge, puff or Powder Brush.
Tips:
- Try the color out on your jawline, not your wrist or hand
- Remember to stand in a doorway or outside to see if the color matches
- A foundation with sunscreen is a safe bet, but you will still need to wear sunscreen under your foundation. Also considering skipping foundation & opting for a tinted moisturizer instead.
- Believe it or not, today foundation is totally optional. It's healthier for your skin NOT to wear foundation daily. If you have blemishes or pimples, try strategically placed concealer instead. Or just wear the foundation on the parts that need it most, likely around your nose & eyes & on your chin. Just make sure to blend properly.
- Go for different looks for evening and day. A light foundation is perfect for work or weekend. While a sexy shimmer is great for evening.
- Dark colour shade and make areas receed
- Light colours hightlight and bring areas forward.
- efore applying powder blot your foundation and concealer with some tissue - this will remove any oil residue and allow for a better application of the powder.
