5 Step Foundation

By Karinda Ristic
Professional Make-up Artist

The very first step in your make-up routine is applying foundation.  If your foundation is incorrect, the rest of your make-up will look tacky.  So it is very important to get this step right!  I want to share my knowledge with you and teach you the essentials about foundation.  I will explain this is 5 easy steps:

Step 1
The first step is to have a clear understanding of why we apply foundation. Foundation gives the skin an even tone.  It also makes the skin look smoother and it creates a base for other make-up products to adhere to.  Often women apply foundation to “cover” the face.  But if we apply too much foundation the face will have an artificial, heavy look.  Remember that we simply want to even out our natural skin tone.  In this case - “Less is more”.

Step 2
The next step is to decide what type of foundation you want to wear.  Choosing the correct foundation could be a very daunting task, because there are so many options available.  To make this step easier you can ask yourself the following questions - will the foundation suite my skin type and what coverage do I want from my foundation?  For example, if you have a dry skin you can choose a foundation with extra moisture in it and if your skin is oily choose an oil-free foundation.  The texture or formula of the foundation will determine the coverage you will get from it.  A liquid formula will give you a light to medium coverage and a cream formula will give you a heavier coverage.

Step 3
Now you need to choose the correct shade of foundation that will match your natural skin tone one hundred percent.  This step is very important!  If your foundation does not match your skin tone it is very noticeable to other people.  It will make you look like you have a mask on.  Foundation should also never add colour to your skin.  If you feel pale rather use a bronzer over your foundation to add extra colour to your face.  When you test for the correct shade, apply a small amount of foundation on your cheek area and blend well.  If the foundation is not visible at all, it is the correct shade.  If you can see the foundation “sitting” on the cheek the shade is incorrect.  Also remember that our skin colour often changes with the various seasons.  In winter we are slightly paler then in summer.  This means that you will need two different foundations, one for summer and one for winter. 
 
Step 4
You need the correct tools to apply foundation to achieve a professional finish.  If you use your fingers it often creates an uneven application.  It is best to use a foundation brush or a latex sponge.  This will blend the foundation beautifully into your skin.

Step 5
The final step is to apply your foundation.  It is best to apply foundation in sections, for example:  on the forehead and then on the cheeks etc.  If you apply it all over the face in one application it often starts drying before you get a chance to blend it.  The golden rule to applying foundation is BLEND, BLEND, BLEND!  Foundation can make your skin look incredibly smooth, healthy and fresh.  Follow these guidelines and you will achieve a flawless finish.

Note: This article was posted on http://www.destinyconnect.com/blogs/karinda/archive/2009/02/20/5-step-foundation.aspx (20 February 2009)