Flawless Foundation
Foundation is what it sounds like: the very first step in the process of building a beautifully made-up face. If the foundation of a building is uneven and poorly built, there’s no way it’s going to hold up the layers of cement and brick above it: you can bet that building is going to slide right off it into the street. A foundation, when you’re doing full face makeup, is what holds everything else together. There are many aspects to choosing the right foundation for your skin type, conditions, and color; and successfully applying it. Foundation has been the downfall of many a makeup newbie, but don’t worry! Our comprehensive list of things to look for when finding the right foundation for you and the secrets to its perfect application has you covered. Read on for everything that you need to know when shopping for and applying your foundation.
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Finding the Right Foundation
There are many factors to consider when shopping for a foundation. Let’s take a look at the most important ones.
- Skin type. What kind of skin you have will determine what type of foundation you can and should use. If you have oily skin, you need a foundation that does not contain oils of any kind, or the result will be a shiny mess. If you have dry skin, you need a nourishing, moisturizing foundation to compensate for that. Any skin conditions that you have will need to be factored in as well; eczema may mean you can’t wear foundation at all on certain parts of your face, a bad breakout or acne may mean that you need much heavier coverage. You also need to take careful note of the color of the foundation versus the color of your skin; this is why it is never advisable to order or purchase a foundation that you haven’t trialed. Nothing is worse than looking orange or chalky!
- Brand. This is a personal choice, as some brands just work better on your skin than others. You may see a fancy brand advertising a new foundation, but it may just not work on your skin. While this is a letdown, you can’t make something work if it doesn’t work. Drugstore foundations are fairly priced but may not have the very cream of the crop in terms of ingredients. Some brands are cruelty-free and vegan; some are not.
- Price point. While it might be a lot to ask to spend a large amount of money on a little bottle of foundation, it can often be a better choice than opting for something cheaper. The price point is probably the least important factor when it comes to choosing the right foundation as the right one for you might be an affordable drugstore brand, but it also might be the newest option from a luxury brand. Whichever suits your skin best is the one you should opt for. If the cost is an issue, set a little money aside from each paycheck for a few weeks instead of splurging without planning. You won’t regret spending money on the right foundation for your skin.
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Applying Your Foundation
Now that we’ve covered what goes into selecting the right foundation for your skin, let’s look at the best way to apply it.
- Start with a CLEAN face. Cleanse and moisturize before applying makeup of any kind. You want your skin to be oil-free rather than including an entire day’s oil buildup in your makeup routine. You can’t build a solid foundation on an oil slick! Applying foundation on dirty skin also increases the chance of clogged pores, which increases the chance of breakouts which might mean you need to go shopping for an entirely new foundation.
- SPF and primer, ALWAYS. Taking care of your skin is essential if you want it to stay beautiful, so always apply a layer of daily SPF before foundation. Following that, apply a primer: this creates a layer between skin and foundation and also allows the foundation to stay on your face for a full day of a flawless complexion.
- Don’t over-apply. Start by dabbing small amounts of foundation onto your skin, and work from the middle of your face out. You can always apply more if needed, but getting too much off can be difficult and leave you looking splotchy.
- Use a blending tool. Apply your foundation with a dropper or your finger, but blend using a damp foundation brush or damp beauty blender. Blending with your fingers is not an option. Dab the tool all over your face, do not rub it.
- Don’t forget your ears and neck. While it might sound excessive, you should blend your foundation out as far as you can, even onto your neck and ears. This avoids a demarcation line between your skin and the foundation and gives a natural finish.
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Wrap Up
With a list of dos, don’ts, and advice like this, you can’t fail. The perfect face of makeup awaits you!
