Face Basics Part 1 | Foundation
I want to get back to basics with you, face wise. I will be writing a four-part series detailing how to choose the correct products for you and where to apply them. For some,this is old hat but I know there are so many people that struggle with things such as shade matching, where to apply bronzer or blush, contour, highlight etc. Today we start at the base. How to choose a foundation. Unfortuenly we can’t always rely on a beauty consultant to get it right. The more you know the better makeup shopping will be.
Know your skin type:
| Normal / Dry Skin |
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| Sensitive Skin |
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| Oily / Combination Skin |
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The type of foundation you choose is just as important as the colour. Choose according to your skin type, concerns and needs.
BB Cream/Tinted Moisturiser – These offer the lightest most natural coverage great for dry,sensitive and combination skin types. These are brilliant for weekends when you don’t want too much makeup on, the gym, holidays and for those who really don’t have much to cover up. They often contain lots of skincare benefits and high SPF.
My favourites are:
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue– Light coverage, radiant finish. SPF 30
Benefit The Big Easy – Medium coverage, cream to powder finish. SPF 35
Liquid/Cream – These offer medium to full, buildable coverage. Great for all skin types. If you are oily/blemish prone look for oil-free or water based products that are non-comedogenic. Drier skins may prefer a cream or hydrating liquid formula with a dewy finish. It really comes down to preference.
My favourites are:
Estee Lauder Doublewear – Full coverage, matte finish, long wear, flawless finish, oil-free.
Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme – Full coverage, water-based, matte-finish, hydrating.
Makeup Forever HD Invisible Stick – Full coverage, satin finish, hydrating.
Revlon Colorstay – An excellent budget friendly foundation available for both dry and oily complexions. Medium to full coverage, long lasting and added SPF.
Mineral– This is a great choice for oily/combination/blemish/sensitive skin types. Typically natural based with minimal ingredients and SPF. Gives skin a breathable, natural look without feeling anything on the skin. Good for teenagers just starting out with makeup or anyone who wants good for your skin ingredients that are buildable, lightweight, natural looking and healing to the skin. A personal favourite. Once you get the overall hang of application you will love the look it gives. My favourites are:
bareMinerals Original SPF 15 – Medium to full coverage, natural glow without the shine.
bareMinerals Blemish Remedy – Medium to full coverage, matte finish. Blemish and anti-redness properties help soothe and calm skin.
Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 -Medium to full coverage. A great choice for more mature skins, hydrating and anti-aging pearl extracts smooth and dimish fine lines. Radiant finish reveals brighter skin.
How to choose your foundation shade. Never test on your wrist or hand. You aren’t going to be wearing foundation there so why try to match it somewhere other than your face? Pick three shades you think could be a possible match and apply in stripes along your jaw bone side by side. This will give you a better indication of your skin tone against the shades. Always check in natural light as department store lighting can alter how the shade looks. Take a handheld mirror and go by a window if you can. Choose the shade that practically disappears on the skin, that’s barely visible, that will be your correct colour. You don’t want to look like you are wearing foundation, you want to look like you have perfect skin. Foundation should blend seamlessly into skin without being noticeable.
Application– The way you apply your foundation is totally up to you. You can use a damp beauty blender for a light, natural coverage or a brush for fuller coverage. These are some of my most used beauty tools and they work perfectly for all types of foundation and powder. You don’t have to buy the most expensive tools of the trade, there are so many drugstore brands that offer an affordable range.
I hope some of you found this helpful. Let me know in the comments below what your favourite foundation is and how you prefer to apply it. (I’m nosey and besides, you might teach me a thing or two)
Coming up in Part 2 – Concealer
[…] Foundation and concealer perfected, now we have to bring life and dimension back into your face. This is where bronzer and blush come in and I know it can be rather tricky to get right. I typically start with bronzer first choosing a matte shade that is one to two shades darker than my foundation. Bronzer should be used all year round as it brings warmth and definition to your skin and generally makes you look better or should say healthy. Start at the temple mimicking a number three, this is where the sun would naturally hit the skin. Use a big fluffy brush to give you the lightest, foolproof application. […]
[…] If you missed Part 1 How to choose the right foundation click here […]
This was helpful! I always used bronzer or bb cream, but I bought my first foundation. It’s hard picking the right one! I purchased the diorskin nude air, it lightweight and feels great! I just apply it with my fingertips.
xx,
Fiorela
http://www.dfiore.com
Thank you that makes me so happy! 🙂 I haven’t tried that one, sounds lovely I will have to check it out. xx