Most women (and even some men I know) use some kind of face cosmetic. My personal beliefs are that, in general, almost everyone needs a concealer… but how involved you get in makeup is up to the individual’s degree of maintainance.
Low Maintainance
The best foundation products for you would put 2 steps (or more) into one fast and easy result. A tinted moisturizer would be your best option and a concealer for dark circles and blemishes. The tinted moisturizer is easy to select as options generally are light-medium-dark or similar.
Medium Maintainance
While you might not mind multiple steps, you favor things that don’t take forever but are also aren’t necessarily the fastest techniques. Most foundations will work for you– so choose what makes you comfortable and works for your skin type. Don’t overlook concealer!
High Maintainance
You don’t really mind how long things take provided you get a flawless look. For you, primer, foundation, and concealer are a must.
Techniques
There is no right/wrong way to apply makeup, however… there are some better ways. If whatever product you use is a cream formula that comes out of jar or pot, you can extend the longevity of health of the product by keeping your fingers out of the jar and using a spatula (for a creamy mouse foundation) or a makeup application tool.
For my high maintainance gals, primer is key. Most come in a gel-like form and can be spread easily with fingers. You’ll have choices between a plain primer or a tinted primer that will counteract things like redness.
Foundation can be applied in many ways, depending on the level of coverage desired and the type of cosmetic used. For full coverage, you can use a cosmetic sponge. For medium coverage, try a foundation brush. For light, build-able coverage try a stippling brush (flat top, usually used for bronzers). If you are using a mineral foundation, use the brush set that comes with or a kabuki brush for more coverage. If you use a brush, wash nightly with a mild soap and air dry over night– this prevents build-up. Or, try Brush-off, a commercial brush cleanser you can get at most beauty supply stores.
Concealer should be dabbed on either with fingers or with concealer brush. If using the fingers, use the ring finger to DAB (not pull) the concealer onto the eye area. It is important to conceal the inner corner of the eye, right on the bridge of the nose as this is the most recessed area on the face and most prone to dark shadows that will add the look of sleep deprivation. Concealing here is the fastest, easiest way to look well rested.
All foundations and concealers need to be set. A setting powder can be loose, pressed or even translucent. My favorite is the mineral veil from Bare Minerals.
Steps
- Moisturize (low-medium-high)
- Apply primer (high)
- Apply foundation (medium-high)
- Conceal (low-medium-high)
- Set (low-medium-high)
Choosing the right shade
When searching for the right foundation shade, make sure to test it on your JAWLINE. Your wrist is not close to the same color as your jawline, and your face is where you wear makeup. Your foundation should blend (more or less) into your jawline. You should never, ever have a line that stops along your jaw where you haven’t blended or where the foundation doesn’t match.
If you aren’t sure what color foundation to use, try talking to a cosmetic pro– head over to Sephora and get a foundation match or check out Prescriptives for their color Rx. Then check it out in daylight. Store lighting (even from the p.o.v. of a counter clerk) is abominable at best. Make sure the color doesn’t look peachy or orange or too chalky against your skin.
Make your purchase and then wear the foundation for a day or two. This is important for a few reasons: 1) it lets you know if you’ll have an allergic reaction to the cosmetic and 2) if the natural oils in your skin and/or your skin care products will alter the hue of the foundation when mixed.
Repeat this process for your concealer, except go a shade or two lighter. Your powder shoud either match your foundation OR be translucent (although if you have a deeper skin tone, you need to be careful not to look chalky with a translucent powder).
Choosing the right type of foundation
There are a few things to consider when picking out a foundation: how much coverage you desire, your skin type, and your level of maintainance.
Tinted Moisturizure If you only desire mild coverage, a tinted moisturizure would be your best bet. Many brands have a suitable product for this. Low maintainance gals, and those with dry skin or wrinkles, will like this product too.
Mouse or Cream Good for normal or combination skin. Best applied with a sponge and lightly as coverage tends to be heavy and/or cakey, but when applied with finesse it can look flawless.
Liquid All skin types; watch for oil based as they turn orange. If you have oily skin, look for a mattifying liquid (they usually have talc which will absorb excess oil throughout the day).
Powder Combination/Oily types; not good for those with wrinkles or dry skin as the powder will sit in the lines or look chalky. Apply with a sponge or brush.
Mineral Normal/combination/oily. Apply with a brush using a swirling motion after tapping off excess. (This is gonna be a tough product to use if you’re used to applying powders with a sweeping motion… this is not grandma’s loose powder!)
Lastly, there is Airbrush foundation. This is a new release to the retail market, but well known for movie & tv stars and models– coverage is fantastic, natural look and hides ALL manner of sins. These tend to work well for all skin types. The downside to this product is the price.
