Foundation Basics

When I first started looking for information on using foundation I found most sites recommend using stage makeup.  This is fine if you can get it (or are willing to pay for the particular brand they are flogging), but the majority of us only have access to the local drug store or supermarket.  Of course, if you are like me, there is also the problem that you forget to get some until the day you actually need, so ordering online isn't an option.

In order to keep this in the "real" world that most of us live in, the tips I have included here are for use with the makeup most of us actually have.  I am not going to recommend a particular type of foundation as so much of it comes down to personal preference and, of course, budget.  If you haven't found one you like yet experiment to see which one works best with your skin tone, complexion and darkness of your beard.

What is Foundation?

Facial make-up, or foundations, are pigmented products intended for application on the face and the neck.  Perfect matching foundation can only be achieved by correct estimation of skin type, natural color and skin tone. Since most Caucasian, Latin, African and Asian people have yellow-based skin, they must buy foundation with a yellow base so that it doesn't look like a mask.

Foundation, also called a makeup base, is used to enhance the color of the complexion. Its purpose is not only to add color but to smooth out the texture and tone of your skin. Foundation needs to be blended properly, especially under the jaw line, into the hairline, on the ear lobes, corners of the nose and mouth and over and under the eyes, so the difference the foundation makes to your skin is not noticeable.

How to Buy a Make up Foundation

Choose a foundation to match your skin tone. Using the right foundation makes your skin look flawless and smooth.  The biggest mistake that is usually made is choosing a foundation that's too light. This gives an unnatural, ashen look. These days some companies hand out samples for trial – it is always helpful to take the sample home and try the foundation for a few days – that way you will know how you feel with it before buying the full size.

The biggest mistake that is usually made is choosing a foundation that's too light. This gives an unnatural, ashen look. These days some companies hand out samples for trial – it is always helpful to take the sample home and try the foundation for a few days – that way you will know how you feel with it before buying the full size.

Here are a couple of tips when buying foundation.

• Test foundation on the inside of the forearm-skin tone is closest to neck color there, because it's protected from UV damage.
• Foundation should blend with the skin color of the neck, not the face.
• If you have any doubt then buy one shade lighter than your facial skin tone.
• Go to the nearest source of natural light.  If you have chosen the right color, it will disappear into the skin.

Applying Foundation

Applying foundation with a sponge, brush or your fingers is an individual decision and should be done with whatever is most comfortable for you, but these are few ground rules you can work with.

• A compact is best applied with a sponge. (usually comes with the compact you buy)
• Liquid foundation is best applied with your fingers.  Spot and smudge. The other option is wedge shaped sponge.
• Loose powder foundation is best applied with a big brush.
• Cream foundation is best applied with the fingers or a wedge shaped sponge.
• Foundation mousse is best applied with a soft flat sponge or with your fingers.

Applying a perfect foundation

Learning how to apply a foundation base properly is the key to your whole make-up look. Follow these steps for a smooth and flawless complexion.

1. Apply moisturizer 5 minutes before you start your make-up.  All bases will go on much more smoothly if your skin is well hydrated. Tissue off any excess - while hydrated skin is good for foundation, greasy skin will make it slip and slide.
2. Remember less is more, so don't apply big swathes; instead put a few dots around your face. Now, using your fingers or a foundation sponge, blend those dots together.  Make sure you blend well around your hairline and jaw line.  If you have chosen the right shade there should not be a joint, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
3. Once the foundation has set into the skin, check if there are any obvious under-eye shadows or blemishes showing through.  If there are, use concealer on these. If you want a matt finish, apply loose powder with a brush or, for heavier coverage, press it into the skin with a soft puff.

How to Use and apply foundation

Keep your hair off your face by tying it back or using a hair band or scarf. To achieve perfect precision one must blend well. Using an oil-free foundation, start at the center of your face, blend it carefully with a slightly damp sponge all over the face, especially the chin, around the nostrils and under the jaw-line.  Foundation blended well on the jaw-line avoids demarcation lines.

Note: Be careful not to apply too much around the hairline.

Finally, check to make sure the face is smoothly and evenly covered. Check for any tide marks and merge them well.  For beard areas you will more than likely need to use a concealer for extra coverage.  Use a well-blended foundation first, then apply concealer over it.

How to apply foundation make up

1. First begin with clean hands and a clean face.
2. Now apply moisturizer appropriate to your skin type on the face.
3. Let the moisturizer set for a few minutes, remove the excess moisturizer with a tissue.
4. Select a foundation that is appropriate to your skin type. The color should match your skin, disappearing when blended well.
5. Shake the foundation bottle well to mix the formula.
6. Using a makeup sponge or the tips of your fingers, apply dots of foundation on your cheeks, chin, forehead and tip of the nose (Don't slather foundation all over, like moisturizer).  Apply foundation over your entire face and make sure it's blended well.
7. Using the sponge or your fingertips, blend the dots together on your face, gently blend in upward, outward motions and pay special attention to blending around the nose, mouth and jawline.
8. If your face is wide or flat, your foundation may be used for contouring. In contouring use a tone that is three shades darker than your natural shade. Blend in thoroughly all around the edges, into the hairline and under you cheeks.
9. To narrow down a nose that's too wide, apply a light foundation shade or highlighter down the center and a darker shade down the sides.

A common mistake is to forget to apply foundation to your neck area. When applying makeup you should always consider your neck a part of your face. Also cover exposed areas such as your shoulders and chest so that your complexion will have an overall even tone, Makeup will stain clothing, so be careful to avoid areas where clothing will rub against makeup. Seeing makeup stains on clothing ruins the illusion of a natural look.
After foundation is applied, wait for 3-4 minutes to allow your makeup to settle onto skin.

Concealer

Once the foundation has dried it is time to put on some concealer.  Using a fine, densely bristled brush, apply a small amount of product to areas requiring the extra coverage.  Draw a crisscross over any redness or discoloration that needs to be covered. (This distributes color more evenly.) Using your index finger, blend with light tapping motion.

Make sure to choose the right shade, if your concealer is too light, it will accentuate dark patches.  Don't rub the makeup from side to side, which will actually remove the product from the skin. Pat it gently.  Also, keep concealer away from the outer corners of the eyes, it can highlight fine lines.

Use the concealer in thin layers over the foundation to carefully touch-up and accent the face, to emphasize curves and conceal imperfections. Dark tint contours the face, an orange tint can counter beard areas, yellow evens our dark coloration and uneven skin and light highlights and brings features forward. Use the light tint as a highlighter tone to bring out your cheekbones, forehead, and brow bones. Mint counters reddish areas and Lavender counters yellow and sallow areas. It also Here, careful blending and smoothing is VERY important to perfect the illusion of shape. Be sure there are no defining lines between shades.

Getting the foundation just right takes a lot of practice.  Spend time at home working on it before going out.  Also, keep in mind what kind of light you will be in and try to check it in the same sort of light.  Your makeup will look a lot different under the lights at a night club than it will in the bright sunshine of a garden party.

Here are a couple of other tricks I have discovered.

If you suddenly run out of foundation, or are working with a budget, try using loose powder or concealer mixed with moisturizer.  Pour some moisturizer into your palm, tap a little powder, or a finger dab of concealer into it, and mix until it has the consistency of foundation. You may not want to make up your whole face this way (it could look slightly patchy), but you can use the mixture to correct ruddy areas.

Another money saving trick is to use the thick residue left in the rings around the top of a foundation bottle to make concealer.  Moisture that was in the foundation has evaporated, and what's left over is more concentrated — like concealer.  The trick to getting even coverage: Pat it on and blend it with your ring finger. Since that finger applies the least pressure, you're unlikely to gob on too much.