The latest Vogue magazine is out, and you’ve probably seen a look that you have to try. Makeup kit at the ready and you begin your quest to recreate that perfect look. A whole hour later, it’s done, and you take a nice, long look in the mirror. It kind of looks ok but it’s not what you were going for. To achieve a great makeup look especially for a special occasion, you may consider hiring an expert in makeup services.
I’m sure almost every girl who’s tried on makeup has shared in the frustration of trying a look that didn’t quite come off. It seems you did everything right. Think back to the beginning, though. How well did you execute your foundation?
Why Foundation is So Important
Imagine a shoe without a sole. Pretty weird. Foundation is to your makeup what that sole is to that shoe. A platform on which everything else is laid on.
Foundation provides for an even skin tone while allowing for the desired finish. That’s why it’s so important to get the ideal foundation for your skin type. It can get particularly frustrating for you if you have a combination skin type (something between oily and dry). But finding the best foundation for combination skin is just as easy as finding foundation for any other skin type. You could consider using Oxygenating Foundation, this foundation can heal, soothe and protect your skin everyday.
Know Your Skin Type
Let’s start with the basics; there are four main skin types, namely dry, normal, oily and combination. Dry skin typically produces less sebum than normal skin and often feels tight and flaky. Normal skin is finely balanced between oily and dry and is the most common of all skin types. Oily skin tends to get progressively shinier as the day goes on while combination skin can be oily in some areas and dry in others.
The reason skin type is such a big deal when it comes to foundation is that each foundation is tailor-made for a specific skin type. Picking foundation that doesn’t bode well with your skin type often spells doom for your makeup routine. The wrong kind of foundation could also lead to breakouts meaning more blackheads, whiteheads and potentially boils (ouch!).
Find the Right Stippling Approach
Now that you’ve found the right kind of foundation for you, how you apply, it also matters. Try applying foundation in lighter motions to avoid giving your face a less cooked look. There are stippling brushes made just for this job, especially if your foundation is in cream or liquid form. Using the right stippling technique gives your final look a neat finish.
Powder Along On the T-Zone
When it comes to powdering, there’s always the urge to overdo it with a lot of people falling into the trap. Powder only the T-Zone of your face; that is your forehead, nose, and chin. The result of a powder over-do is a caked face that makes you feel like you have a mask on your skin. Powdering along your T–Zone ensures that you take care of all the oily spots without getting a face that looks overdone.
Make Use of Your Jawbone
It’s common practice to use the back of your hand when trying to compare shades of foundation. Using your jawbone will, however, give you a more accurate result. Your arms have more of a tan than your face, and that’s why your jawbone paints a more accurate picture. A shade that’s almost if not wholly undetectable on your skin is what you should aim for.
Brush Basics
When you’re applying foundation, you’ll realize that not every part needs an equal amount of coverage. Having the right kind of brush when applying foundation distributes the product evenly. The result is a neat and elegant look.
Downward Strokes
There are a lot of experts out there who claim that you should use an upward brush stroke when applying foundation. The opposite is true. If you want to protect your skin, then use a downwards stroke since this will keep the product from clogging up your pores. Downward strokes give an overall smooth finish by keeping your pores from standing out.
Keep the Seasons in Mind
Seasons come and go, and so should your foundation. During the colder months, you’ll spend more time indoors, and this means that your skin tone changes. In winter, cream foundations provide the best protection against dryness while in the summer, powder foundations are the most effective at getting rid of that sheen that develops. The right kind of foundation in the right season gives you a non-changing natural look.
Make It Warm
To get the most out of your foundation, try putting a tiny amount on the back of your hand before using it. Then use your foundation brush to spread it up a bit. This simple exercise will warm it right up and thin out your foundation, giving you a better, natural look.
Use Natural Light as A Guide
Doing makeup in your room under artificial light can give you a false positive. Artificial light doesn’t accurately depict how your makeup will look once you leave the comfort of your room. So, before you walk out the door with your head held high, open the curtains and check yourself under some natural light. That way you won’t end up looking like one of Willy Wonka’s Oompa Loompas.
Make Use of a Setting Spray
After taking the time to put your foundation on, it would be a shame if it came undone sooner than you’d like it to. Using setting spray dupes avoid this problem by keeping your foundation in place, ensuring there’s no fading or smudging. After applying foundation, a setting spray also helps to deflect any surface shine to give your look a natural matte finish.
Makeup routines aren’t complete without foundation. It provides the perfect stage for your blush, concealer, highlighter, and any other facial products to shine. And as basic as its function is, foundation is one of the easiest things to get wrong, and it comes with dire consequences. But with a few of these hacks and tricks, you’ll be on your way to a better look.
Resources- Cosmopolitan, Huda Beauty, Fashionisers