Monday, June 8, 2009

Foundation

Make-up, make-up, make-up!!

Our next step in the process is foundation!! How exciting!? That sounded a little sarcastic, but it wasn't meant to be. I love foundation and telling everyone my little secrets about it. As we talked about before, prepping the skin for make-up is very important. Make sure you read about how to do so here and here!

We'll start our lesson today with some of the myths about foundation. When I worked at a make-up counter I had hoards of people telling me how much they hated foundation and that they would never wear it and when they left the counter.....foundation was their best friend. It is all a matter of knowing your skin, knowing what you need, and knowing the proper techniques for application. We should already know about our skin types, so we are going to talk about what kind of foundation you need.

Foundation can be a scary thing, if you don't know what you're looking for. Foundation is a product that is used to correct discoloration in the face and create a blank canvas that is ready for color application and enhancement. You want to make sure you are using a quality product for best results. And remember quality doesn't mean most expensive!!! You can find some great products at your local drug store!

Ok....here's the low down. There are several types of foundation to choose from. You have options of coverage and formula. Here is a list of the different options and their descriptions:

Coverage Types

Sheer - This foundation is very lightweight with minimal coverage. It is used for those who don't need a lot of color correction on the face and is the least noticeable.
Medium - This foundation is the standard coverage formula. Not to much and not too little. This foundation is usually buildable, meaning you can have anywhere from a light to medium coverage in one foundation depending on how many layers are applied.
Full - This is the most coverage one can get. I don't like to use the term "heavy" because people mistake this for the weight of the make-up. Many full coverage are heavier than a sheer foundation, but aren't much different. This foundation will completely cover the skin and create an opaque canvas.

Foundation Formulas

Liquid - Liquid foundation is one of the most popular types of foundation. It comes in a wide variety of colors, coverages, finishes. Can be used for all skin types, especially dry.

Cream - Great choice for those who have dry skin. Medium to full coverage. Many people ask for a "cream-to-powder" but my experience with those aren't the best. They tend to be a little more drying to the skin. Instead you can get a cream foundation with a matte finish instead of one that leaves you looking shiny.

Powder - I love a good powder foundation. Make sure to note the difference in a powder foundation and a setting powder for oil absorption. A powder foundation gives more coverage and does NOT need to be placed over another foundation unless you are looking for extremely heavy duty coverage. Good for normal to oily skin.

Mineral - Mineral make-up is great for all skin types. If you are looking for a lot of coverage, this might not be the product for you.

Hopefully this information will help you figure out just what you need for your skin type! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! I will answer as best I can. I had one question from my first make-up blog that I wanted to answer.

"This is a brilliant post! I love St Ives Apricot scrub as well. The primer tip is great though - I'll have to try that! What do you recommend as a good long lsting foundation? I am currently running about 4 trying to find the perfect one! I find Bobbi Brown Luminous comes off by lunch time and is shiny and makes my skin look sallow, Double wear is great but too heavy ... Look forward to hearing your tips! ~ Europafox"

For a long lasting foundation, first use the primer. What this does is prevents the face from absorbing all your make-up. When you go through your day and it seems like your make-up is wearing "off", it is really disappearing into your pores! So use your primer! I have used several foundations on the market and I am hooked on M.A.C. they have a ton of great foundations that match every skin color and are long lasting. I would recommend a foundation that isn't a satin finish. If you like liquid, try studio fix fluid. It is a medium coverage, natural matte finish. It won't add excess shine and pairs well with the primer. If you like a cream, try studio tech. It is also a medium coverage, natural skin finish. It wears a little heavier than the studio fix fluid. And lastly, if you like powder, try just plain studio fix. It is their powder foundation that is amazing! It has great longevity if paired with the primer.

Another thing that might be causing the make-up to come off is how you are applying the foundation. It is very important to use a brush to put all color on the face. It reduces oil production and allows for proper placement of the product. I will talk more next week about the proper application of foundation, but for now, I hope this helps! Thanks so much for the question, Europafox!!

So there you have it! Hope you enjoyed this long post....please let me know what you think! Have a great Monday and see you soon!!

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