Whether you just started in makeup or you've been at it for years, nothing can make your face look it's best like the right foundation. When it comes to liquid foundation- if it's not the right color, texture or formula for you, well... even the best eyes, cheeks and lips can't save face. Here's the Beauty Newbie Guide on finding the right one, and how to properly apply liquid foundation to that beautiful mug.1. Assess your skin.
Questions to ask yourself:
a. What do I want to achieve as far as coverage goes?
b. Do I have acne, discoloration, scars etc. that I want to cover up?
c. Do I have skin that's pretty clear and I only want/need a light coverage?
d. Is my skin oily, dry or a combination of the two?
2. Based on your answers, figure out what type of products you need for foundation.
When buying a foundation, whatever brand, ask for a free consultation from a cosmetics clerk. Even drugstores should have a cosmetician available to help you. This is always free.
3. Wash your face (with a cleanser that is suited to your skin) and hands before you begin applying anything to your face.
Yes. This is extremely important. You don't want to pollute your pores with dirt from your hands or contaminate your foundation etc.
4. Moisturize your face with a good moisturizer that is suited for your skin-type. Let it dry before applying your foundation.
4a. If you want a good deal of coverage, or really want to make sure your makeup stays in place, use a primer such as Smashbox Photo Finish Primer.
5. Apply concealer.
Some pro's suggest applying concealer after your foundation has been applied, but one of the best tips I've ever heard when it comes to concealer, is to set it with a powder before applying foundation (yes, even liquid foundation) and I have found this to work wonders for me. Concealer is great to cover up blemishes etc. Just make sure that you pick the appropriate color for your skin. You don't want it to be too dark, and you don't want it to be too many shades too light.
There are many different tools to use when applying liquid foundation and liquid/stick concealer, such as beauty sponges, foundation brushes, stippling brushes, concealer brushes etc. For a break down of the most common makeup brushes, check out the Beauty Newbie Guide to Makeup Brushes.
5a. You can also use your fingers- don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve a good application with your fingers... you just have to do it the right way.
6. After you have concealed your problem areas, you can begin to apply the foundation. First put a small dollop of foundation on the back of your hand. You don't need a lot on your hand (if it's not enough you can always add more later).
6a. With your brush or finger dab 1-4 dots on the main areas of your face: forehead, nose cheeks and chin.
7. Now is the most crucial point of the blending of your foundation. If you are using your fingers, you do not want to "rub" your foundation into your skin. With a feather-light touch, use your ring finger in a small circular motion to blend the foundation over your face.
* If you are using:
a. A stippling brush: Dab the brush into the foundation and tap it all over the area in a circular motion for even application.
b. A foundation brush: Make small strokes in the same direction to give an even look for your foundation. Again, go lightly with the brush.
c. Any type of beauty sponge: Make small strokes with a small corner of the sponge making sure to go lightly with the sponge so all the foundation doesn't get soaked up by the sponge; dab lightly around your nose and under your eyes to get into every corner.
8. Before you apply a setting/translucent powder, take a once-over look at your foundation and assess your coverage.
Questions to ask yourself:
a. Does everything look even? If not, make your touch-ups now.
b. Are there obvious lines where the foundation ends around my hairline and jaw? If there are, you may have put too much foundation around those areas, or the color isn't right for your skin tone. If there is an obvious difference between your jawline and your neck, blend some foundation down onto your neck. It (your neck) is attached, not a separate entity to your face. A little trick to blending foundation down into your neck, is to add a little moisturizer to your foundation for below the jawline.
c. How does my skin feel? So often we forget about how a product feels because we're so concerned with how it makes us appear. If your skin feels to dry, too oily, too covered etc. Then you probably haven't yet found the right foundation. This is the one piece of makeup that takes a lot of trial and error to perfect. We all go through it. If you want a little less hassle in figuring it out, check out the end of this post.
9. Now you can apply your other makeup, but if you want to make sure that your foundation stays in place, you will not want to skip this step. Set your foundation with a finishing veil or translucent powder. You can apply it with a beauty puff (they are fluffy feathery things- all the glamorous ladies of the 40's and 50's used these things), or a powder brush. I like to use a good old kabuki brush. Again, you can use circular motions, or sweeping motions all over your face. Make sure you are doing it gently. After that, some people like to spray on a few shots of a fixing spray such as M.A.C.'s FIX spray.
10. Voila! You are finished with your foundation and ready to go on to your cheeks, eyes and lips.
BN TIPS:
a. If you want to avoid a giant hassle with figuring out your skin type, get a free skin consultation at Clinique or your local drugstore. You do not need to buy the products they suggest. Get a few consultations from more than one place so you have a few different options. If you are on a budget you know what you're looking for the next time you head to Walmart or Shoppers.
b. When testing out a color of foundation on yourself, do a swatch close to your ear and swipe the foundation from the hollows of your cheek down past your jawline and onto your neck. Do this with three or four different foundations to see which best matches your skin... the one that camoflages itself into your skin is probably the best color for you.
c. If you aren't sure about a foundation, get a sample and try it out at home for a few days. Sometimes the flourescent lighting in stores can be misleading as to how well your skin matches a foundation. Not to mention you want to see how your skin reacts.
d. Don't worry if you buy something that ends up being a disaster. Take it back and exchange for a different color, texture or brand. I have yet to come across a cosmetic line that doesn't offer a money back guarentee.
e. For those of you who have a particular skin condition, such as bad acne--- Book an appointment with a dermatologist. They sometimes even formulate a product specifically for you. An original!!! If you don't make it a priority, you could be doing more harm to your skin than good.
Cheers lovelies!
Beauty Newbie.com Copyright © 2010
* If you are using:
a. A stippling brush: Dab the brush into the foundation and tap it all over the area in a circular motion for even application.
b. A foundation brush: Make small strokes in the same direction to give an even look for your foundation. Again, go lightly with the brush.
c. Any type of beauty sponge: Make small strokes with a small corner of the sponge making sure to go lightly with the sponge so all the foundation doesn't get soaked up by the sponge; dab lightly around your nose and under your eyes to get into every corner.
8. Before you apply a setting/translucent powder, take a once-over look at your foundation and assess your coverage.
Questions to ask yourself:
a. Does everything look even? If not, make your touch-ups now.
b. Are there obvious lines where the foundation ends around my hairline and jaw? If there are, you may have put too much foundation around those areas, or the color isn't right for your skin tone. If there is an obvious difference between your jawline and your neck, blend some foundation down onto your neck. It (your neck) is attached, not a separate entity to your face. A little trick to blending foundation down into your neck, is to add a little moisturizer to your foundation for below the jawline.
c. How does my skin feel? So often we forget about how a product feels because we're so concerned with how it makes us appear. If your skin feels to dry, too oily, too covered etc. Then you probably haven't yet found the right foundation. This is the one piece of makeup that takes a lot of trial and error to perfect. We all go through it. If you want a little less hassle in figuring it out, check out the end of this post.
9. Now you can apply your other makeup, but if you want to make sure that your foundation stays in place, you will not want to skip this step. Set your foundation with a finishing veil or translucent powder. You can apply it with a beauty puff (they are fluffy feathery things- all the glamorous ladies of the 40's and 50's used these things), or a powder brush. I like to use a good old kabuki brush. Again, you can use circular motions, or sweeping motions all over your face. Make sure you are doing it gently. After that, some people like to spray on a few shots of a fixing spray such as M.A.C.'s FIX spray.
10. Voila! You are finished with your foundation and ready to go on to your cheeks, eyes and lips.
BN TIPS:
a. If you want to avoid a giant hassle with figuring out your skin type, get a free skin consultation at Clinique or your local drugstore. You do not need to buy the products they suggest. Get a few consultations from more than one place so you have a few different options. If you are on a budget you know what you're looking for the next time you head to Walmart or Shoppers.
b. When testing out a color of foundation on yourself, do a swatch close to your ear and swipe the foundation from the hollows of your cheek down past your jawline and onto your neck. Do this with three or four different foundations to see which best matches your skin... the one that camoflages itself into your skin is probably the best color for you.
c. If you aren't sure about a foundation, get a sample and try it out at home for a few days. Sometimes the flourescent lighting in stores can be misleading as to how well your skin matches a foundation. Not to mention you want to see how your skin reacts.
d. Don't worry if you buy something that ends up being a disaster. Take it back and exchange for a different color, texture or brand. I have yet to come across a cosmetic line that doesn't offer a money back guarentee.
e. For those of you who have a particular skin condition, such as bad acne--- Book an appointment with a dermatologist. They sometimes even formulate a product specifically for you. An original!!! If you don't make it a priority, you could be doing more harm to your skin than good.
Cheers lovelies!
Beauty Newbie.com Copyright © 2010
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