FOUNDATION 101 Beauty Tips from the Professionals |  | With so many great products on the market, the process of choosing the right foundation drives me mad! Do I want illuminating, firming, moisturizing, or oil free foundation? Do I want a gel, a tint, or the airbrush foundation effect? I now have so many different types of foundation in my makeup bag (well, it’s a cupboard really), I just don’t know which is best, and so I have turned to the pros for some advice. Here are their tips on how to choose the right foundation for you and how to apply it with ease: | | | Gary Cockerill, whose clients include Rachel Hunter, suggests, “When you go to buy a foundation, make sure you get a bit of daylight away from the counter. Don't look at it under fluorescent light because it always looks really different. Also, make sure that you match the skin tone exactly with the foundation.” “Don’t make up your mind instantly,” says Christian Dior’s in-house makeup guru Eliane Gouriou. “It takes about a minute for color to dry and interact with the chemicals in your skin. The red pigments develop first, so it will appear pinkest at the beginning.” - Liquid vs. cream: Jemma Kid explains, “Normally you don’t need to use both types and they usually work better if you use just one, depending on what coverage you are after. If you have good skin and want only a light coverage, go for the liquid. If you would like a heavier coverage, then opt for the cream. Apply liquid foundations with your fingers, sponge or a foundation brush; remember less is more here, only use the product where you need it. Cream is usually applied with the fingers or a sponge.”
- Illuminating foundation: Shalini Vadhera, who has clients such as Cybill Shepherd, recommends The Revlon Skinlights foundation. Not only does it come in colors that are more yellow-based, but it has a luminous glow to it so it will make you look fresh and diffuse the redness in your skin tone.
- Foundation for combination skin: Kelly Osbourne’s makeup artist, Mally Roncal, says “The secret is powder foundation. Find a formula that's sheer, soft, and creamy (Hint: Stay away from matte finishes that will dry out and crust on the face). Application is key; keep it light by using a brush. Dip your brush in powder, shake off the excess, and apply in a circular motion, called buffing.”
- Foundation for darker skin tones: Halle Berry wears Iman's cosmetic line, which specializes in foundations and other types of makeup for skin tones of every ethnicity!
“Go light on foundation,” says makeup artist Jemma Kid, “Only apply foundation where needed, pat foundation over blemished areas and leave it to settle on the face. Overusing foundations can make you look as if you are wearing a mask.” Mary Greenwell, along with many other top professionals, believes in stroking foundation, powder and blusher downwards, otherwise you are pushing pigment up
into pores, highlighting them. “Never put too much foundation under the outer eyes,” she adds, “because it emphasizes lines.” Manhattan makeup pro, Fulvia Farolfi, believes in fixing foundation with an Evian spray. She then blots cheeks and forehead with a tissue to absorb any excess moisture. | | FOUNDATION APPLICATION TOOLS | | Foundation Tool #1: Fingers Motoko Honjo says, “My tip for flawless foundation: PAT it on! This may seem time-consuming, but your fingertips are the best application tool for foundation. Just dab some foundation on your fingers and then keep patting it gently on your skin, until it blends in seamlessly.” Foundation Tool #2: Cosmetic Sponge - Apply foundation to freshly moisturized skin to ensure you have a perfect base on which to work.
- Dampen the sponge, then squeeze out the excess moisture - this will prevent the sponge from soaking up too much costly foundation.
- Apply foundation in dots, and then blend each one with your sponge.
- Check for tidemarks on your jaw line.
Foundation Tool #3: Brush Advice from Daniel Chavez, an international makeup artist for cult brand Smashbox: - Use a foundation brush when applying your foundation! The brush saves time and money, plus it allows you to control the amount of make up you’re applying.
- Put one pump of foundation on the back of your hand and use your hand as a makeup palette.
- Pick up a small amount of foundation on the brush and begin on the cheeks, always blending downwards.
- After you have completed both cheeks, continue to apply to the T-Zone.
- If you desire more coverage, simply repeat the same routine a second time, but only applying the foundation where you need the extra coverage.
| | - Beauty Journalist Bethan Cole recommends Becca. “Its foundations are like lingerie for the skin — a nude, silky undercoat that makes the face a flawless canvas.” Try Luminous Skin Color by Becca.
- Nicky Lieberman Make-up artist for The Devil Wears Prada uses La Mer's foundation.
Get the Look! | | | | | Also Try... | | | | | | Article Written By: Nicola McGeorge; Nicola was born in London, England and is a freelance writer and model. She covers a wide range of topics, and has been published worldwide. |
