How to Apply Foundation
Makeup foundation is the secret to whether your makeup will look good or not.
Foundation helps to smooth out your skin tone, conceal blemishes and gives you a healthier glow. Applying makeup without a foundation base can actually accentuate unsightly skin problems, rather than conceal them. Choosing and applying foundation should be a simple procedure, but there are pitfalls.
Foundation Types and its application
Liquid foundation gives good coverage and there are many formulas to select from. A majority of cosmetic companies have various forms of liquid foundation for normal, dry, combination and oily. The base for your makeup is very necessary - it must be closest to your skin color or your makeup will be a mess. Cream foundation is commonly used on dry skin as it is thicker and a heavier consistency. Perfect matching foundation can only be appraised by correct estimation of skin type, natural color and skin tone.
Mousse foundations is a non traditional type. They feel light to the touch and are very easy to apply. Mousse foundation gives a lighter coverage. It is great for older skin as mousse foundation doesn't settle in fine lines.
Mineral foundations have minerals that have been used for cosmetic since thousands of years. Most of these minerals are used to arrange foundations to suit all skin types. Spray Foundation comes in an aerosol can and can be sprayed on a sponge or straight to the skin. Spray foundations are used to maintain the makeup for long hours. Spray foundations come in variety of shades for different skin tones.
Foundation has to be dispersed well on the skin to avoid spots and streaks. Liquid foundation can be applied and combined with a sponge. Apply concealer under your eyes if you need to camouflage dark circles or droopy eyelids. You can stain your face with a tissue to seal the foundation as well as remove any excess.
1) Powder Foundation
If you are using powder foundation, use make-up primer or base for best results.
Put a pea-sized amount on your finger tip, then place it on the five strategic spots on your face: forehead, nose, both cheeks and chin.
Smear over gently and evenly, without stretching the skin.
Wait for a couple of minutes until the primer (or base) dries a little so that it does not run on the surface. If you are using concealer, use it before applying powder foundation.
Start with wide areas, such as cheeks and forehead, using the large area of the sponge. Apply a thin layer first, then gradually build up by adding layers depending on the results that you want to achieve.
Always run the sponge from the centre of your face outwards. This makes the foundation go into pores and stay without smear marks.
Using the edge of the sponge, carefully apply on nose, around the mouth and finally around the eyes.
Be careful not to put too much foundation around the mouth and the eyes. There are many muscles around the mouth. Skin movement would cause a thick layer to crease.
Eyes usually receive eye make-up afterwards, so you do not need a thick layer of foundation.
2) Tinted, Liquid or Cream Foundation
Tinted, liquid or cream foundation can be applied with either fingers, sponge or a foundation brush. The choice is yours. Until you are confident with speed, I suggest using a sponge. Fluid foundation dries very quickly - you have to work fast for a smooth finish.
Put the appropriate amount of foundation on the five sections of your face, then quickly and evenly smear over the face.
Again, do not apply one thick layer but work in thin layers.
If you want to use a concealer to cover bags under the eyes or hide spots, do so after the foundation is half dry - half tacky.
Do not get obsessed with concealer. It contains grease and if you use too much, it could cause creases and shine later on.
Choose foundation.
Step 1: Decide what foundation coverage and finish you prefer
Decide what type of look you would like to achieve. Foundations can offer coverage from sheer to heavy and finishes that range from matte to satin. Degree of coverage and type of finish is very much a personal choice.
Step 2: Choose the right shade
Once you have chosen the ideal formulation (coverage and finish) for you, you're ready to choose the perfect shade to match your skin tone. There is a good selection of foundation shades available from the lightest of shades for pale skin through to shades for the darkest skin tones. Here's how to select the perfect shade for you.
How to select the perfect shade:
- Ensure you're in natural daylight when trying out foundation colours, so you can see exactly how your skin will look once you leave the shop.
- Select a couple of shades which look as though they'll match your skin.
- Don't try foundation on your hand or on your wrist - they're a different colour to your face.
- Stroke a little colour onto your jaw line to ensure you get a tone that will blend with your neck as well as your face. The shade that seems to "disappear" into your skin is the right one for you.
Tip: Bear in mind you may need a slightly darker shade of foundation for summer when your face will naturally tan.
Step 3: Moisturise
Begin with clean hands and a clean face. Apply the moisturiser appropriate to your skin type. Let your skin moisturiser for a few minutes, particularly if your skin is oily. Applying foundation to freshly moisturised skin ensures you have a perfect base with which to work. Apply foundation 10 minutes after moisturising. If you don't allow the moisturiser to absorb into the skin, your foundation could "come off".
Step 4: Apply concealer
Camouflage any under-eye circles and facial blemishes with concealer. Your concealer should be a slightly lighter tone than your foundation.
Step 5: Apply foundation
Foundation for your face shape
The ideal face is oval. If the shape of your face is not oval and not to your liking, it is good to use two shades of foundation in order to create the illusion you desire. But perfect blending of the two shades is very important to avoid a patchy look.
Choose a shade which matches your skin color and another which is just a shade darker than this one. Keep in mind that dark colored foundation recedes and light colored foundation projects.
To the part of your face which you want to make less prominent, apply the darker shade there. Hence a darker foundation applied on the sides along the templates and jaw line, makes a round or a broad face look slimmer.
- Oval: This is the “ideal” facial shape. With the use of dark and light correctors every facial shape can be made to resemble an oval facial shape. Oval faces can need darker foundation applied at the forehead and chin to make it less severely oval.
- Trapezoidal: This facial shape requires refining the lower part of the face with a darker corrector while also using a light corrector at the temple. This will bring the face in, making it more narrow and longer.
- Rectangular or Square: Correct both of these shapes with darker foundation at the four corners. This redefines the corners into more of a curve, giving it a whole new dimension.
- Triangular: The triangular face needs darker foundation at the chin, making it appear shorter, and at the temples, bringing the focus towards the middle of the face. Using light foundation along the jawline will give it more balance and depth.
- Round: Round faces need only a little darker foundation applied at the temples and around the lower face. This will make it appear a little more elongated.
Balancing Your Features
Face shape makeup tips also include your facial features. If you’ve got a feature you’re not too fond of, like your nose or chin, playing with light and dark correctors can help you adjust how they look. We’ll give you the makeup artist’s tips on how to do this.
Long nose: It appears short by applying dark make up on the tip.
Prominent chin: This can be corrected by applying foundation on tip of the chin.
Double chin: This can be corrected by applying dark foundation on the double chin.
Short nose: Apply a pale make up along the top of the nose along its whole length. To make a nose look longer, darken the sides with a vertical line.
Narrow nose: Apply dark foundation on both sides.
Crooked nose: Cover the crooked side with a dark foundation and opposite side with light foundation.
Puffy eye: To conceal bags under the eyes, a light shade should be used on the lower eyelid, or a dab of oil can also be used.
Short distance between the eyebrows: To widen the distance between the eyebrows, use a light shade between the eyes
Minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: avoid heavy foundation and opt for a lightweight foundation or one of the powders with micronized talc.
Step 6: Set the foundation with powder
Put a small amount of face powder on either a puff or face brush (the bigger the better), gently puff and run the surface of the face until you do not see any shine of the foundation.
In case of extra coverage, you can use powder foundation as face powder instead.
Tip: Be sure to blend, blend, and blend. Special areas to watch are the hair and jaw line. And be sure that your face isn't one color and your neck another.
Tip: When putting on foundation, always do it in a bright room or by a window. This way, you can see what hasn't been blended-in properly.
Tip: Many companies have added sunscreens to their foundations, so they'll protect you from the ageing effects of the sun while you wear them. Look out for the words UV protection and Sun Protection Factor (SPF) numbers on the tube or bottle.
Tip: The light dusting of powder also helps with eye shadow application and also makes the eye shadow longer lasting. Important! If you want a tanned look, don't use a darker foundation, use a bronzer.
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