If you're struggling with foundation application, you've come to the right place! But, even if you're not, there's always room for learning and improvement. Today we'll cover the 7 basic foundation tips for beginners – something that every makeup wearer should know. Practice these foundation tips for a flawless face every single time!
Foundation Tips For Beginners
#1. Lighting is Everything
Applying foundation or any makeup in bad lighting is a big no no. Bad lighting includes but is not limited to fluorescent lighting (that powerful white light in those gross bathrooms) as well as dim, yellow lighting (not enough light). The best light to apply your foundation is NATURAL light. Obviously that's not always possible, so get yourself a warm, white LED light in the room where you apply your makeup.
#2. Know Your Shade
One of the biggest makes you can make is choosing the wrong shade of foundation. The best, and most foolproof way is to grab a few samples from your local makeup counter and try them on your jawline in outdoor natural lighting such as in your car during the day. You'll be able to find your perfect shade in a second!
#3. Know Where to Test
Contrary to popular belief, testing foundation on your arm DOES not exactly match up with your face. Instead, test your foundation on your jawline or chest for a perfect match.
#4. Know Your Undertone
Before you go ahead and pick a shade, you must know your skin's undertone. The three undertones are cool, neutral, and warm. The easiest way to find out what your undertone is, is to look at the color of your veins on your wrist.
Cool Undertones
- Blue or purple veins
- Skin has pink, red, or blue tinge.
- Skin looks better with silver jewelry than with gold jewelry.
Neutral Undertones
- Blue/green veins
- Skin has neither pink, red, blue, nor yellow, gold, or peach
- Both gold and silver jewelry flatter your skin.
- When you look at your skin in the sun, it appears greenish
Warm Undertones
- Green or olive veins
- Skin has yellow, gold, or peach tinge to it.
- The skin looks better with gold jewelry than with silver jewelry
- Skin appears yellowish in the sun
Once you've determined your undertone, you'll be able to better choose your foundation. Most makeup brands label their undertones with letter: C for cool, W for warm, and N for neutral. If there are no labels, shades for cool undertones will have a pinkish hue, and shades for warm undertones will have a yellowish hue.
#5. Know Your Skin Type
Find out your skin type easily by first washing your face, and patting it dry. Once your skin has dried, rip up 4 pieces of tissue and apply each one of the following areas: forehead, nose, chine, and cheek.
Normal Skin: All 4 pieces stick for a second, and then fall off.
Dry Skin: All 4 pieces fall off.
Oily Skin: All 4 pieces stick to face.
Combination Skin: Tissues stick to nose and/or chin, the rest fall off.
Knowing your skin type can be a huge help when choosing the perfect foundation. For example, opt for a lighter, moisturizing foundation for dry skin. For oily skin, go for a medium to full coverage matte foundation. Normal and combination skins will have to test out different formulas to see which works best for them.
#6. Dab, Don't Rub
When applying your foundation, always dab, never rub. Rubbing your foundation essentially means that most of it will end up on your fingers, brush or sponge. It's best to use a beauty blender when applying your foundation as it gives you incredible coverage and you don't end up wasting most of it.
#7. Conceal and Set
Last but not least, use a concealer to hide dark, under-eye circles, or other imperfections. Blend in well using a beauty blender. Set your foundation and concealer with a pressed or loose powder (the preference is up to you!)
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