Applying Foundation

Foundation helps to smooth out your skin tone, cover blemishes and gives you a healthier glow. Applying makeup without a foundation base may actually highlight unsightly skin problems, rather than conceal them. Choosing and applying foundation is a simple procedure, but it has its own pitfalls. Here is an easy step-by-step procedure to choosing and applying foundation.

Decide what foundation coverage and finish you prefer.

Decide what type of look you desire for. Foundations may offer coverage from sheer to heavy and finishes that range from matte to satin. Degree of coverage and type of finish is a personal choice.

Choose the appropriate shade

Once you have chosen the ideal formulation for you, you are 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 to shades for the darkest skin tones. Here some tips from beauty professionals on how to select the perfect shade for you.

How to select the perfect shade

• Ensure you are in natural daylight when trying out foundation colors, so you can exactly see how your skin will look once you leave the shop.
• Select a couple of shades, which look as though they will match your skin.
• Do not try foundation on your hand or on your wrist- they are a different color to your face.
• Stroke a little color onto your jaw line to ensure you get a tone that will mix with your neck as well as your face. The shade that seems to "disappear" into your skin is the best choice for you.

Moisturize

Begin with clean hands and a clean face and apply the moisturizer appropriate to your skin type. Let your skin moisturize for a few minutes, particularly if your skin is oily. Applying foundation to fresh moisturized skin ensures you have a perfect base with which to work. Apply foundation ten minutes after moisturizing. If you do not allow the moisturiser to absorb into the skin, your foundation could "come off".

Apply foundation

When applying foundation use a cosmetic sponge - using your fingertips may result in an uneven, greasy finish. Dampen the sponge first squeezing out the excess moisture - this will make foundation application easier and avert the sponge from soaking up too much foundation. Place a small amount of foundation on the back of one hand and dip your makeup sponge in it. Apply foundation by dotting it on your forehead, chin, cheeks and nose and then blend each one with your sponge. Blend out to your hair and jaw line till the foundation vanishes. Pay particular attention to blending around the nose, mouth and jaw line.

Set the foundation with the powder

This step is an optional step but you may find it beneficial. A light brushing of powder on your foundation sets the foundations making it long lasting. If oil surfaces during the day, spot the area with a tissue then apply a light dusting of powder.

Experts often use two or more shades of foundation to underline the best features of the face and underplay the low points.