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Foundation basics

A flawless face starts with finding the right foundation for your face. Take your time, as foundation is one of the most important and usually the most expensive cosmetic products you’re going to buy, so you’ll want to get it right. Never try to match your foundation with the skin on the back of your hand, as it’s totally different tone to your face. Try the shade along your jaw line, where the color is more even and you don’t blush. Choose the color that looks like it blends away to nothing. Indoor lighting will give you the wrong impression. You need to apply your sample and then go out in daylight and look at it with a pocket mirror. Here are important steps to finding your perfect match: 

1. MATCH UP YOUR SKIN TONE.
Look at the tone of your skin to see if it has warm, cool or neutral undertones. Both skin tones and foundation undertones can be divided into 3 major color families –
Warm (yellow based),
Cool (pink/red based),
Neutral (mix of pink and yellow tones, where neither dominate).
The biggest mistake you can make is picking foundation in the wrong undertone, as it will always look very unnatural on your skin. The other mistake that women usually do is wearing foundation that is too light or too dark for your skin.
Too dark foundation will make you look older, while the base that’s too light will make your face look gray and unnatural. It is worth having two foundation shades [one lighter and one darker] in the same undertone, so you can alter the exact shade. 

2. SUITE YOUR SKIN TYPE. 
Once you’ve found the right shade, match it to your skin type. There’s a good choice of foundations for every skin variation. 
Normal skin. For complexions that are well-balanced, a light formula is all that’s needed to enhance skin’s appearance. 
Dry skin. If your skin is dry, go for an oil-based and hydrating formulas that will help soften the surface of your skin. It’s texture is always shiny and never dries out completely. 
Oily skin. Oily skins should go for an oil-free mattifying formulas to prevent an overly shiny finish from developing during the day.  
Combination skin. Choose a base with both oil-control agents and moisturizing ingredients.  
Mature skin. Always choose a lightweight formula. You can choose same formulas as you would for a dry skin. And of course there are also foundations with toning and firming ingredients that will help give skin a gradual lift. 

3. COVERAGE CONCERNS. 
Light coverage. Most women only need light, sheer foundation during the day. Skin looks more beautiful when you see the the skin. To even out skin tone and hide minor skin imperfections, choose foundations described as “sheer” or “veil”. Tinted moisturizers or liquid foundations are the best choices for everyday make-up. 
Medium coverage. This foundations will help even out skins with breakouts or lots or redness. It’s better to choose it for an evening makeup, as it will balance stronger make-up on your eyes and lips. Cream foundations, compacts and stick foundations can be very helpful in covering problematic skin. 
Full coverage. Camouflage make-up. Avoid it unless you really need it. And it is better to have a consultation with a professional before you choose this type of product. 

4. CHOOSE YOUR MODE OF APPLICATION. 
Fingers. Fingers are delicate enough to spread the foundation evenly on your skin. Your skin’s natural oils help give a smooth finish, but you have to be careful not to wipe away the product as you apply it, not to leave uneven strokes on the skin. 
Sponge. It can be used wet for a sheer finish or dry for a more intensive coverage. Wedge-shaped sponges are the best choice. It’s easy to apply foundation evenly and quickly with the use of sponge, but it soaks quite a lot of product in, so don’t forget to squeeze this foundation out, in this case you will avoid the excess waste of product. 
Brush. Foundation application with a brush gives the most even coverage, the brush works well with all types of foundation, it is easy to maintain and will last a number of years, but it is time consuming, so not ideal if you’re in a rush. 

5. MIX IT UP 
There is a variety of effects the foundation can give – shimmering, “sunkissed”, sheer, but it is quite expensive to buy many different types of foundation for different occasions. You can boost the performance of your foundation by combining it with another product to get the desired effect, texture and color.
LIGHTER FOUNDATION + DARKER FOUNDATION = DESIRED TONE
FOUNDATION + MOISTURIZING CREAM = SHEER COVERAGE
FOUNDATION + ILLUMINATING BASE = SHIMMERING FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION + BRONZING GEL = “SUNKISSED” 

Always find time to experiment with different textures and different products to find that ideal match. There are so many products on the market, and there’s undoubtedly one that’s going to be your “secret” of looking great every day!

Art of Make-up

I really enjoy watching the way a woman transforms in the process of applying makeup: how her spirits lift, how her posture improves and how she becomes happier and more self-confident.
Makeup can bring smile to every woman’s face!
With makeup comes the possibility to look different every single day, it’s fascinating and really simple.