What do we think is the most important asset in our arsenal of makeup? The foundation, of course. As its name suggests, the foundation is what you build the rest of your look upon. That’s why you should pay close attention to the following 8 commandments, to make sure you don’t get off on the wrong foot when creating your new look!
1. Thou shalt choose the right shade.
Pick a shade that matches your natural skin colour. Choose a wrong colour and you’ll end up looking like your head and body are disjointed. This extremely important step is something that seems to be a no-brainer but you’ll be surprised at how many women fail to pick the right shade. To choose the right foundation based on your skin’s undertone, follow these rules we learnt from the Make Up For Ever pro artist.
2. Thou shalt blend thoroughly.
The trick to applying foundation flawlessly is to – repeat after us – blend, blend and blend. Make sure that the shade also matches your neck and blend the foundation into the top of your neck, so that you won’t look scarily disembodied. This is going to take time, but trust us, the results will pay off.
3. Thou shalt lay a good foundation, for your foundation.
As much as many women think that the foundation is always the first thing they should apply, you should actually apply your moisturiser first, then your sunscreen. A primer should also be used to smoothen the canvas for the foundation to apply smoothly.
4. Thou shalt choose the right tool.
A brush may be your personal BFF, but some people feel that the warmth of their fingers help to blend liquid foundation better. It doesn’t matter which one you go for, as long as your tools (whether it is your brush or fingers) are clean, and you work best with it to blend out the foundation.
5. Thou shalt choose the right coverage.
Depending on your skin’s condition, younger women can mostly pull off a sheer and natural look. However, if you have problem skin, go for a more pigmented foundation. For more mature women, avoid piling on the foundation as it will start looking cakey and highlight flaws. Pick up more makeup tips to look younger that we shared in a previous article.
6. Thou shalt not be lazy.
This includes spending time to analyse your skin tone and see if it has changed from the last time you bought foundation. It also means spending more time and being patient with your application, and most importantly, removing all of your makeup once you are done with the day. No excuses!
7. Thou shalt not be misled.
Don’t be misled by the cosmetic sales staff who may entice you with sweet words like “this foundation will definitely make you look flawless” or big words like “this is a non-comodegenic foundation with luminiscent nano-particles”. Only you know what your skin needs, and you should do research for it before venturing into the gigantic maze that is Sephora or any other makeup store. Whenever possible, ask for a sample so you can try it before you buy it.
8. Thou shalt always be prepared.
Finally, always bring your foundation along in your handbag for touch-ups, especially if you are going to be out for the entire day. Singapore’s tropical climate doesn’t help – you’d never know when it might rain and erode half your foundation, leaving you looking as if you didn’t spend all that time following Commandments 1-7!
