Apply Foundation

Foundations come in several forms like emulsions, creams, liquids, gels, cakes and powders - these different forms contain the same basic ingredients, but differ in texture.and finish, because the components are present in different proportions.

The basic formulation of the foundation is based on colouring agents (usually derived from iron oxide or titanium oxide), a wax (which gives an even flow and smooth finish), some form of cellulose (to make the foundation thick and adherent), an emulsifier, preservatives, and usually a perfume.

Foundations are designed to give a soft, even, natural glow to the face. The best coverage comes with the use of the right colour and product type and not from the amount of foundation you apply. Get your foundation base right - in form, in colour, and in application - and you have truly laid a foundation to a dazzling look - a smooth and perfectly toned canvas on which you can create a really beautiful picture.

However, if you use a foundation which doesnot suit your skin type, you might develop problems:for instance, if you have an oily skin and you use a foundation formulated for dry skin-(containing more oil), you could develop pimples.This can easily be remedied by changing over to a suitable preparation. Rarely, how-ever, you may develop an allergy to the foundation in which case, you should either stop using foundation or change over to the some- what safer hypo-allergic products. 

Choosing your foundation.

There are two aspects of foundations which require selection - the form and the colour. The first thing you have to decide on, is the form of the foundation. Some forms are more suited to certain skin types than others. A dry skin is best served by an oil-based foundation (cream type) as this gives additional moisture. An oily skin requires a less oily foundation- even an oil-free, water-based one (cake or stick form). For normal skin it is easy to choose. Emulsions and liquid foundations can be formulated to suit all skin types. So you must stick to the recommendations on the label.

Skin type apart, age and the basic condition of your skin would also influence the choice of your foundation. The better the condition of the skin, the thinner should the foundation be; so light sheer liquids are good on young or fine skins. Alight liquid may also be the best choice for an older skin, though two coats may be required to give full coverage; a heavier product on such a skin may emphasize the lines and the skin creases. If your skin is in a poor condition (has an uneven colour or tone or is blemished) then a heavier foundation (cream or stick) will give a better appearance. If you have a fine skin and you want a natural appearance, then use the gel foundations.

If you are already using a foundation but are not sure to which category it belongs, you can find this out by putting a drop of the foundation into a dish of water. If the foundation disperses easily and can be stirred into the water to form a cloudy liquid, it is predominantly water-based and can be used if you have an oily skin; if, however, it remains in a blob and on stirring breaks up into smaller blobs, it is oil based and should be used on dry skins and not on oily skins.

The next thing is to choose the colour: from a wide variety of colours now available, it should not be too difficult to choose a shade that matches the natural colouring of your face. A harmnised make-up base must match the natural skin tone of the person as much as possible-for the gold hannony of skin colour use beige, brownish-gold or ochre and for the bluish harmony use pinkish-beige, peach orpinkish ochre.

If there are more than one colour tones in your face then match the foundation to the middle tone. This colour matching is best done in day-light and not in artificial light. While choosing colour of the foundation, it would be ideal to test it on your face, failing which,the next best area to match is, the inside of your wrist.

Application technique for Applying Foundation.

Put a little foundation on the hand (add a complementary tone if necessary). Dot it over the face - on the nose, the cheeks, the chin and the temples and in between the brows. Using the tips of two fingers or a small clean, dampened sponge (from which excess water has been removed) blend the foundation. Always worle from the face out-wards, to avoid an accumulation of the foundation around the hairline- move from the cheeks to the ears, from the temples up and out to the hairline, from between the brows down over the nose, from the chin out towards the jaw, then onto the neck WorK quickly, carefully and lightly. Blend well around the hairline, on the neck, below the eyes and behind the ears. Also take the foundation over the eyelids. Finally blot the face with a clean dry tissue, pressing it lightly over the skin. 

How to Apply Foundation - Applying Tips.

Mixing two foundation colours - one which matches your skin and the other which complements your natural colouring could have a dramatic effect. The complementary colours should be chosen with equal care: unattractive skin tones like floridity, can be balanced by a beige tone, while a slightly pink foundation will warm a sallow complexion.

Use of a blusher: After facial make-up, the next thing that comes on the face is the blusher. This is a highlighting colour, that is applied on the high edge of the cheek bones and blended to create a natural-looking blush on the cheeks. The predominant form today is the powder blusher - this is the successor to the original rouge. Cream blushers are somewhat newer than powder blushers. Blushers also come in two colour hannonies: the gold hannony with coral, orange and reddish brown tones and the bluish hannony with rose-beige colours. Remember that here too you must select both the right form and the right colour. Foundation is always applied downwards, to minimize the impact of facial hair.

Take out a small blob of foundation on the palm of your hand. As foundation dries up fast, dot foundation section by section on the face.

Always use a foundation with a sunscreen of at least 15 to prevent future sun damage.

After you apply foundation go near a window to make sure it looks natural. Natural light is the ultimate test.

When applying foundation, stop about an inch above the jaw line then blend downward past the jaw to avoid a line of demarcation. 

To minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, avoid heavy foundation and opt for a lightweight foundation or one of the powders with micronized talc. 

To give ruddy skin a smooth and flawless appearance, use a green foundation under your regular foundation. 

How to Buy Foundation Tips.

Make sure the foundation is well blended. Blot the face lightly with a tissue; especially over the forehead, nose and chin. Pickup the powder on the puff and press it finnly ont he face, one area at a time. Don't try to smooth it on by massaging the puff over the . face.Now using a soft, thick powder brush, whisk away the excess, with downward move- ment to stop the powder getting caught in the finefacial hair.

Test foundation on the inside of the forearm-skin tone is closest to neck colour there, because it's protected from UV damage. Makeup should blend with the skin colour of the neck, not the face

Don't make up your mind instantly. It takes about a minute for colour to dry and interact with the chemicals in your skin. The red pigments develop first so it will appear the pinkest at the beginning.

Then go to the nearest source of natural light. (Even the most flattering uplit cosmetics hall tends to have colour-distorting fluorescent lighting.) If you have chosen the right colour, it will disappear into the skin.