The right foundation

Finding the right foundation is a never-ending concern of most women. As a professional makeup artist, I encounter women having this problem almost every day.

When looking for the right foundation, always put the product on before purchasing it. The shade of the foundation when tried on the hand will have a different effect when applied on your face. The right way is to apply the product an inch up from your jaw line down to your neck. If the product blends well on this part of your face, then that’s the shade for you. If it’s too white and does not “disappear” on your skin, then get a few more shades close to your skin tone and line them up on the side of your face down to your neck and choose the right color that exactly matches your skin. Not a shade lighter. Not a shade darker. The shade has to match the exact color of your skin. Of course, you want the color of your face to match the color of your neck.

If your purpose is to conceal blemishes or hide under-eye problems, then always remember that the concealer should be a close match to the shade of the skin and not the shade of the discoloration or the blemish. When concealing under eyes, match the color of the skin surrounding the eye area to conceal the problem.

If you have acne problems and you have oily skin, then it is best to use a dual finish powder instead of liquid oil-based formulations. This way, every time you go to the powder room to retouch your face, you will find it easier to add the powder where the oil from your face has removed the product. If you have oily skin, the key is retouching. Oil removes makeup so you will have to keep on removing the oil first by dabbing with an oil blotter or facial tissue before reapplying the powder. This way, it will be easier to maintain your makeup look all throughout the day or night. If the product accumulates on certain areas like on the side of your nose, simply blend it with your fingers and dab the oil before reapplying the powder foundation.

If you have dry skin, using liquid foundation is your best bet. Simply apply the foundation using your fingers on your entire face and make sure to blend it into the skin. Remember, you are creating a nice clean smooth base for your makeup so blend the foundation well into your skin. Next step is to set the liquid foundation with loose powder. The loose powder will “hold” the liquid product on your face. After setting the liquid foundation with loose powder, then you are ready to complete your natural look by simply grooming your eyebrows, curling your lashes before applying your mascara then applying your blush and finishing your look with a lip color.

The simpler and more natural you apply your makeup, the better. You cannot go wrong with an understated look. Now, all you need is to practice. When you have perfected this natural look, then the rest will be a piece of cake. Why? Simply because any makeup look starts with a clean, perfect base. So once you have perfected your foundation, then the rest will follow. Start it simple and clean and then slowly add more color if you want to emphasize your eyes or lips. It will always take practice to perfect any look you want to create. Just remember that in any look, it will always start with a good foundation.

Get the look:

1. Cleanse. Tone and moisturize if needed.

2. Groom eyebrows.

3. Even out skin with liquid foundation or with powder foundation.

4. Curl lashes.

5. Apply black mascara.

6. Use peach tone blush.

7. Finish with peach tone lip color.