Foundation Basics

Filed in archive Beauty , Makeup on October 13, 2007

To continue from yesterday's post, some women may steer clear of foundation because they're afraid of wearing it wrong. They don't know if they'll be able to choose the right color or formulation for their skin and they don't want to risk looking like they don't know how to apply makeup.

For anyone who doesn't know about foundation, here are some steps you can take to make sure you're wearing your makeup and not the other way around.

1. Try it on. This will be much easier and probably only possible if you buy foundation from a department store, where salespeople can help you with samples. You can look at the color on your face in the store's light, but it's always a good idea to go outside and see how you look in daylight.

2. If you buy foundation from a drugstore, try and select a shade as close as possible to your face's actual shade. This isn't the shade you want to be or the tone you take on in the summer (if it's currently winter). Trying it out on the back of your hand isn't a good gauge of whether it's going to match your face because the color on your hands can vary wildly in tone from the skin on your face.

3. Buy the right kind. Wherever you purchase your foundation, make sure it does what you want it to do. No foundation is going to work miracles (no matter what the ads say), but if you need simple coverage, buy a light formula. This is probably going to be liquid. If you think you need heavier coverage, go with a powder foundation like this one from NARS. Keep in mind, you're trying to even out your complexion, not bury it.



4. Apply your moisturizer. This is a good prep step before applying foundation.

5. Apply foundation sparingly. It's easier to add more instead of taking away if you apply too much. You still want your skin to shine through. You can use either your fingers or a cosmetic sponge for this step. Whichever you use, make sure your utensils are clean.

6. Blend. I find sponges to blend better than fingers. Pay attention to the hairline and neckline areas. You don't want your foundation to abruptly stop at your jawline and have your makeup look obvious.

7. Follow with a light dusting of loose powder to provide an even canvas for the rest of your look.

A good foundation application should make your skin look naturally even and not overly done.

'Til next time, my pretties.