How to Choose the Right Foundation
Make Up

Finding the right foundation make up can be challenging.

Which one do you choose? Which product and brand is right for me???? How do you decide? How can you tell? While variety is the spice of life, choosing the right foundation can give you a headache!#@^$~!

Which shade to choose is always a tough call especially if you haven’t found one thats right for you at the right price. If you are like me you've run the gammit and bought a lot of them. Personally I've been sorely disappointed about 80% of the time.

How about you?

(You wouldn't think~)

Applied correctly, foundations provide a base color for harmony, conceal minor imperfections, protect the skin from the elements and pollution, and even out skin color.

They are 'the foundation of make up'. Thats why I've devoted several pages to them. I just don't go anywhere without mine.

Types of Foundation Make Up There are cream, mousse, liquid, and mineral foundations. These are the basic foundations available. (Spray-on's are in a class of their own~) Cream foundations are formulated for dry - normal skin. Mousse and liquid foundations are formulated for normal - oily skin. Mineral foundations are for all skin types. Which one you choose is entirely up to you. Unfortunately, the best way to choose one is through experimentation. Choosing the best make up foundation is a mammoth task. Cream, mousse and liquid foundations are applied with fingertips or a make up sponge. Mineral foundations are normally applied with a brush. Always apply a good moisturizer before you apply any foundations. Using a good 'serum' after you apply a daily moisturizer can really help too. Because serum's are slippery, application of foundations apply more smoothly onto and into the skin.

Application of Foundation Make Up

Creams, Liquid, and Mousse Foundations

Use your forefinger, middle or ring finger to apply these with your fingertips. Apply a small amount of the product to your fingertips. Gently smooth and rub it into your skin using gentle circular motions. Be sure to cover the entire face, into the hair line, at the base and end of the nose, on the eyelids, and down onto the neck. Keep adding small amounts until you’re satisfied with the coverage.

If you use a make up sponge wet it first, then squeeze it out excess moisture. Apply a small amount of the product to the sponge. Gently tap the sponge onto your skin, smoothing it out as you go. Be sure to cover the entire face, as described above. When you’re finished, be sure to rinse and wash the sponge out completely with warm soapy water and set aside to dry thoroughly. That way you can reuse it several times.

After application of any of these products, apply loose powder. This helps to 'set' your foundation.

I suggest using sheer translucent light powder. It does not add color. If you want to add color, you can use other flavors such as natural, medium, and dark. Luminous translucent powders provide a glimmer to the skin. Use luminous powders for nights out with the ladies or for special occasions!

Mineral Foundations

Mineral foundations are a blessing. They are very easy to apply and as they work well for all skin types. These are even great for acne prone skin. They do not contain any chemicals so they won’t disrupt the skin.

Mineral makeup’s are actually mica minerals which have been very finely milled. They will not dissolve or run if you suddenly get caught in a rainstorm or even if someone throws you in a pool. They are perfect for the beach cause they actually contain zinc oxide too.

Most mineral products are sold with a brush attached. I like to apply a light layer of loose powder before I brush minerals on. It just helps distribute them better I think. Dip your brush into the minerals and tap excesses off. Brush onto the face.

Use circular and sweeping motions to cover the entire face. Brush into your hairline and down onto your neck to blend minerals into your skin. Don't forget the eyelids~ Apply a small amount to them too.

Mineral make up goes a long way. The more you apply, the better coverage you get~

The quality of the brand you buy is entirely up to you. There are less expensive brands like Neutrogena Mineral Powder Foundation and Almay Mineral Makeup Powder that are available at the Walmart and beyond.

Sheer Cover and Bare Minerals are available on the net and in a very few stores.

These are a bit more pricey but well worth it if you can afford them. Since introduced on the market they have really come down in price a lot, so they are not as expensive as they used to be. Right now, Sheer Cover is offering Try Sheer Cover now and get 2 free bonuses!. These types of offers are a very wise investment.

One of the biggest complaints I read about minerals is that they are messy. There are products now like 'naked minerals', which are a compacted form or minerals, and 'air brush minerals', which are a mineral liquid applied using an air brush. Although these solve the problem of being less messy, these products can be pricey. The best way to avoid spillage, is to simply apply minerals BEFORE you get dressed or lean over the sink when you use them.

Yes, they can be a bit messy but they are the right price, have a wide variety to choose from, and are a great convenience to use. Don't let a little loose powder get in your way of convenience at a great price!

Which Tone/Shade Foundation Make Up is Right For You?

Which shade will be the right make up foundation for you is tricky.

Shades names vary by brand names, but the basics in brand names are:

Ivory, Natural, Nude, Beige, Tan, Caramel, and Cocoa.

These name brand color shades represent the the basic groups in tonal color. They are:

White, Ivory, Cream, Pink, Florid, Sallow, Olive, Tan, Brown and Ebony.

How to Match Foundation Make Up to Your Skin

The right shade for you is basically a mystery:o)

Sometimes you guess right, sometimes you guess wrong.

Or, is there a better way to figure this out?

I have ALWAYS used the inside of my forearm or wrist as a guide for choosing the right foundation. Some, however suggest using the neck or jawline as a guide for the right shade. I would think that both are about the same tone.

Over time, we just learn which shades and tones work best for us anyway.

If you have light skin tone, use a shade thats a bit darker than you're natural skin tone. This helps add color.

If you have medium skin tone to dark skin tone, match the color as closely as possible.

If you have red skin tone, use a buff or neutral shade to help counteract the red.

If you have sallow skin tone, use a beige or rosy foundation to add color.

If you have a tanned skin tone, try to match the foundation to the color of your face. You can match the color to the back of your hand and it should be a close match. (That is; if you have a suntan on your entire body:o)

Ultimately you should use as light a shade of foundation make up as you can get away with. You don't want to look PASTY or UNHEALTHY but going lighter is always safer than going darker. Why?

Because wearing too dark a shade can make you look a LOT old(er). Years ago, a modeling instructor gave our class this advice. Its a tip never forgotten!

So, now you have the ins and outs of choosing the right foundation make up for you.

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To go to the next How to Apply Makeup page, here's the link: Best Make Up Foundation for All Skin Types

To view the previous How to Apply Makeup page, here's the link: Professional Advice – How to Apply Makeup Correctly~

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