Foundation is well, foundation of any makeup! Jokes apart, good makeup starts with good base. The secret to flawless looking skin lies in getting your foundation correct; right from finding the correct shade to application and then blending, it all matters. Foundation can be tricky; if you apply too much, your face will look like a pancake, choosing the wrong shade can make your skin look ashy and not blending well can leave unsightly patches.
Often people complain about how they cannot get their base makeup right. There can be a lot of reasons for that. Here are some of the most common mistakes people commit with their base makeup and foundation without even realising. Are you guilty of these?
Applying foundation directly on the skin can lead to problems like uneven application, streaking, creasing and dryness. To ensure that the foundation is nice and smooth on the skin, always cleanse, tone and moisturise the skin before preparing the base. Cleanse the skin of grime and sweat and apply moisturiser according to your skin type to keep the skin supple below the layer of foundation.
Skipping primer
Makeup primer fills in pores on the skin and creates a smooth base for the foundation. While moisturiser softens the skin, primer locks in the moisture and forms a layer between the skin and the foundation. It also gives the foundation a base to adhere to making it set properly and stay on for longer. Using a tinted primer can also help reduce the amount of foundation required to cover the face.
Testing the colour on your hands
This is one grave mistake a lot of women make while choosing foundation. The skin on our hand is different from that on our face and neck, both in texture and colour. To get the perfect match, try the foundation on the face itself on areas like the cheeks, jawline, underneath the eyes and corners of the nose. Wait for a few minutes after trying the foundation and see how it feels on your skin. The right colour must not make your skin look ashy or shadowed but just blends into the skin, enhancing the natural glow.
Applying in the wrong direction Yes, there is a right direction to apply foundation. Always keep the brush strokes in the direction of your hair growth while layering on foundation. Most of us have tiny hair all over the face known as peach fuzz. Brushing foundation in one direction will ensure a smooth and polished finish.
Once you have applied foundation on your face in dots, it’s time to blend it into the skin. Start with a small amount of product and spend time to blend it into the skin gently using dabbing motions rather than rubbing. If required, layer on more product for better coverage. If not blended well, foundation will leave you with patchy and streaked looking skin. Choosing foundation for your skin type Foundations usually come in cream, stick, and liquid form. Then there is also powder formula. But liquid, cream and stick are most popular.
Liquid and cream foundations like our bestselling Total Makeover FF Cream (now available in 2 NEW shades) are hydrating and works well for dry skin. These are formulated to give high coverage and have ingredients that keep the skin moisturised for longer.
Stick or powder foundation are best for oily skin. These give medium coverage ad can be used daily when you need average amount of coverage. Powder foundation are formulated to give oil-free finish, leaving you with smooth, matte skin.
Liquid and stick foundation is good for combination skin. You can either wear one formula or selectively use two formulas on different areas of your skin. For example, use liquid foundation on drier areas and stick foundation on the oiler areas of the skin. Do not forget to moisturise the skin beforehand and if required blot away extra oil from the T-zone ahead of applying foundation.
