Getting the Foundation Right
A number of my ladies shy away from foundation, which is such a shame because it can be a real life saver. I often get lovely feedback on what nice skin I have, and yet my foundation is what really lifts my skin and gives it that nice glow.
So, let's look at how to get foundation right for you...
Different coverage - there are different levels of coverage from light to heavy. For most people light to medium is more than sufficient. I would usually only recommend heavy coverage if somebody had scarring or a mark they wanted to cover. I do have a client who dances competitively and she uses heavier coverage for that environment - but that is a bit specialist!
Application - fingers are so last year! And applicator sponges to tend to soak up most of the foundation, so there's more left on the sponge than on your face! I recommend using a brush specifically for foundation. There are flat ones and more rounded ones.
If you are using a flatter brush try going in circles with the brush which will blend the foundation into the contours of your face. Recently I have heard that with a round brush a stippling effect can work very well, which a client has tried and is enthusiastic about.
Type - there are a variety of options. A mineral powder based foundation can give a very light coverage, and will work well if you are still unsure. A liquid is the most common type, usually available in a tube or pump action bottle. One pump should be plenty to start with - you can always add another pump if you need more buildable coverage, but you can't get it back in the bottle!
The compressed powder style foundation that is a mix of foundation and powder does tend to be a bit drying and can cake a bit, so is not something I would normally recommend.
Finish - foundation comes in various finishes, most commonly matte or dewy finish. Only choose matte if you have an oily skin - it will be too drying if you already have a dry skin. A dewy finish will give a light sheen (not greasy) which gives a youthful glow to skin, and is the one I recommend most often.
Unless you have an oily skin and find foundation goes very shiny, I don't recommend using powder, as again it tends to catch in any fine lines and wrinkles. If you have an oily t-zone, and hate that area being shiny, you could use a light powder on your nose, forehead and chin, but avoid cheeks.
Colour - the first thing to remember is that the same colour is not going to work all year round. During the warmer months you will want a warmer, slightly darker colour, but during the cooler months our skin is usually paler so you need a lighter colour.
The makeup counters are now offering testing, and many even offer tester pots with a few days worth for you to take away and try at home. The best place to test is on your jaw line, which a consultant will do for you.
I have recently bought foundation from a company called Il Makiage, and been really impressed. I know at least one client who loves the product too. It does seem very strange as it is all done online and they ask you a series of questions and then recommend the best colour for you. Whilst it might sound highly unlikely, the accuracy is amazing and the colour match is very good. But, and it is a big but, you MUST be honest - about your colouring, your tanning ability and so on - or you won't get the best result. I really love the finish of the foundation too - a lovely dewy look.