Applying foundation is the most challenging part of my beauty routine. Years ago it was quite easy, but as the needs of my skin changed, I began to struggle to get it right. I am not exactly old – I am only 34, but what was working for my skin 5-7 years ago isn’t working for me today. Quite often, I would find myself standing in front of the mirror and wondering whether I actually improved anything or made it worse. If this sounds familiar to you, keep reading!
Concentrate on color and texture
I consulted a real makeup pro and, as it turns out, I got it all wrong right from the start. For starters, I am buying my foundation for wrong reasons. Yeah, it’s THAT serious! See, modern foundations are packed with all kinds of extra benefits besides what you actually want from them. They are anti-aging, smoothing, tightening, radiance-boosting, you name it. However, when all you need is a foundation to fix your skin imperfections and get an even tone, all these fancy extras can be quite distracting.That is not to say you don’t need antioxidants on your face, of course you do! My point is, save this for your heavy-duty night creams and concentrate on why you wanted foundation in the first place – color and texture.
Boosting radiance?
If you have a full face (like me), avoid shimmery foundations – that will only make you look plumper. Let others boost their radiance; what we need is a matte foundation. Radiance, apparently, is not for us.
Picking the right shade
Talking about color, I got it wrong too. It turns out I now need a darker shade. Although I still can make Snow White nervous (I am descendant of Vikings), for some reason slightly darker shades work better when you have these tiny lines, first wrinkles and hmmm… spots?
I was told that most women choose a shade that is too light, so I am not alone here. Choose foundation slightly darker than your natural color and see if it works better – it probably does!
In addition, you should avoid pink-based foundations – even if you just made a peel. Almost every woman looks better with warmer yellow-based colors. This type of foundations are usually named something like sandy, golden, caramel, or honey.
How to test foundation
You should test foundation on the back of your hand with a clenched fist, then open and relax your hand – you will get a good idea of how your foundation will react to lines, tiny wrinkles, pores and saggy areas.
It’s not a lifelong relationship
Finally, you don’t have to stay loyal to your foundation. Just like something that worked for you 5 years ago doesn’t work today, something that works today may not work in the future. Your skin is constantly changing. You should adjust your makeup choices accordingly.
Also see How to Apply Foundation Like a Pro »