Liquid foundation has quickly become a must in our beauty routines, with the rise of drugstore makeup brands and online “beauty gurus”. But, putting foundation on can be a bit tricky. How do you find the right shade? How do you make sure it looks natural? Very often you can meet ladies with different skin tone on face and neck or you can see traces of the brush, or very thick layer of foundation. With such face probably you won’t look very charming or maybe better to say that you’ll look unattractive. Let’s observe some common mistakes in applying foundation and ways to avoid them. Here are few tips and tricks for choosing the right foundation, and a few options for the most effective ways to wear it.
Common Foundation Mistakes
1. Not considering the skin undertone
First thing’s first: how do you choose the right foundation shade? When it comes to our skin tones, we have three major undertones: cool, warm, and neutral. The easiest way to know what undertone your skin has is to look at your veins. As weird as it sounds, because your veins internally are the same color, the colors you see externally reflect your undertones. Skin with cool undertones has a blue or purple vein color. Skin with warm undertones has green or olive colored veins, and skin with neutral undertones have blue-green veins.
If you have difficulties in determining your undertones, it is better let the experts help to complete this task. When you go to cosmetics store ask the sales consultants to choose the shade that matches you. However, when purchasing online you won’t have this opportunity.
2. Picking the wrong shade of foundation
After you’ve figured out your undertones, the next step is finding your shade. The best way to find your shade is putting 3-5 foundation shades that have your undertones and look similar to your skin tone, on the back of your hand and blending it in. If you’re buying foundation online, then the website should have a shade-matching guide, or you can email their customer service if you’re unsure. There are also usually returns on foundation that doesn’t match online, so no worries in that avenue.
Also, take into consideration that you need to change foundation shade depending on season. For example, in winter when your skin is paler use lighter shade and when you tanned use darker shade.
Now that we’ve gone over finding our correct foundation shade, let’s go over the best ways to apply foundation.
3. Not preparing face before applying foundation
Have you ever noticed dry patches on face after applying foundation? It is because you didn’t prepare your face beforehand. This is one of the main reasons why foundation might look on you unnatural.
Actually, for flawless look you need to begin skin preparation not in the morning, but in the evening. Always remove makeup and clean your face the night before and apply moisturizing cream. In the morning start your makeup with applying serum, a moisturizer and an eye cream. Wait for about five minutes until skincare products sit on your face and sink into the skin. Only after that apply foundation, as it blends much smoothly on well prepared skin.
4. Not using primer before foundation
One of the common foundation mistakes is not using primer. Apply primer before foundation, so your makeup not only will lay smoother, but also last longer. Whether you have oily skin or dry skin you can find your primer. In stores you can find primers for all types of skin.
Based on the goal we can divide primers into four categories. These are pore filling, mattifying, illuminating and color correcting primers. With different primers your makeup will also lay on differently. Primer will not let your skin oil or dry patches ruin your makeup throughout the day. Just buy one and see the difference in your makeup with and without primer.
5. Using application tools inappropriately
In the modern makeup world, there are two standard application methods, which include using a foundation brush, and using a makeup sponge. It’s important to know which application tool matches the best to the foundation you use. When using a brush, put a small amount of foundation on the back of your hand. Dip your foundation brush into the foundation, and then buff the foundation into your face with small, circular motions. If you run out of foundation, use more until your entire face is covered.
When using a makeup sponge, there are two options to how you can use it. For heavier foundation coverage, you can choose to use your sponge dry. If you want lighter, buildable coverage, you can dampen your beauty sponge. Just soak in water, and then wring it out until damp. With a beauty sponge, you should also start with a small amount of foundation on the back of your hand. Dip it into the foundation, and then bounce it into your skin. Use this technique until your entire face is covered.
6. Not blending the foundation enough
One of the most common mistakes people make with foundation is not blending their foundation enough, or not blending it to the edge of their face. When using foundation, always blend it down to your neck and into your hairline. If it isn’t evenly blended or your entire face isn’t covered, then it’s probably not blended enough.
It’s a very rude mistake blending foundation only on face and skipping neck. Maybe inside the room it won’t be very noticeable, but once you go out color difference will be obvious under the sunlight. The same goes for all face edge from hairline to ears. If not to blend the foundation enough and not evening the tone, it will look like as if you have a bad tan.
7. Using the wrong formula for your skin type
Beauty industry is so developed now cosmetics companies offer various foundation formulas for your skin type, including liquid, spray, powder, mousse and gel. It doesn’t matter which brand product you use or how much money you spend on foundation as long as it not match your skin type.
If you have dry skin always look for liquid foundation with dewy formula. Dewy foundation will lock moisture into the skin and prevent from dehydration. If your skin type is oily or combined then powder or water-based matte foundation is the best choice for you. This formula absorbs excess oil and controls water-oil balance of skin throughout the day.
We hope that these tips will help you to avoid foundation mistakes and look gorgeous whole day with flawless makeup.
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