Hello beauties! Let's talk foundation for a few minutes because it's the base of every great look and the one thing that can either make your makeup pop or disappear by lunch time. Whether you're working with dry skin, oily skin or combination skin, here are my top 6 pro tips as a makeup artist to get that smooth, long-wearing foundation that looks like second skin and not a mask.
- Step 1: Skin Prep Is Essential Even with Oily Skin.
Your makeup will only ever be as good as what's underneath it.
Dry skin: Exfoliate 1-2 times a week and hydrate like your glow depends on it (because it truly does). Look for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid or ceramides.
Oily skin: Exfoliate 2-3 times a week and don't skip the moisturizer! Opt for a gel-based formula and use a balancing toner. - Step 2: Use the Right Primer.
Just like the with exfoliation when you use primer the base of the primer that you use will differ depending on your skin type.
Dry skin: Try a hydrating primer with a dewy finish.
Oily skin: Go for a mattifying or blurring primer.
If you have uneven texture/large pores: Silicone-based smoothing primers will be your bestie!
Pro tip: Don't put too much primer on your face, too much primer on your face is the fast track to seperation city. - Step 3: Conceal and Correct Like a Pro- Less is More!
Foundation doesn't need to do all of the heavy lifting and we don't want to cake on foundation so concealing any blemishes or colour correcting redness/dark circle will help you create a flawless base so you don't have to put on layers upon layers of foundation to conceal and correct.
Correct if needed:
Dark circles: Use a peachy or salmon-toned corrector to neutralize the blue/purple before concealer.
Redness: A green-tinted corrector will tone it down - just a dab though, a little goes a long way.
Pro tip: When colour correcting always refer to the colour wheel, whatever colour you want to correct use the colour at the opposite end of the colour wheel. Apply corrector only where needed and blend gently with your clean ring finger or a small brush.
Concealer:
Choose a shade slightly lighter than your foundation for brightening, or exactly matching for spot concealing.
Apply under the eyes in a triangle (for younger people) and a thin line on the outer edge or the eye and the inner edge of the eye for people who are in their 30's or older (You kind of want to create a spaced out \ /) Tap and blend the product.
For blemishes, let the concealer sit for 30 seconds before blending this will grip better and give more coverage.
Pro tip: less product + precise placement = more natural finish.
- Step 4: Apply Foundation Strategically, Not Like You're Painting a Wall.
Instead of slathering it on, start in the center of your face and work outwards. The middle of the face is where most people need the most coverage anyway.
Brush = more coverage
Damp sponge = more skin-like finsih
Fingers = natural, but make sure your hands are clean and be gentle.
Pro tip: Remember to build thin layers. One layer with spot-concealing looks way better than caking on too much. - Step 5: Blend with Purpose and Check in Natural Light.
Blending isn't a race. Take your time to press foundation into the skin, especially around the nose, hairline, and jaw. Use a mirror by a window to double-check for streaks or edges.
Pro Tip: You really don't want to look like you're wearing a mask in daylight so it is super important to check your makeup with natural light. - Step 6: Set it Like You Mean It But Don't Bake it to Death.
Dry skin: A light dusting of finely-milled powder only where you need it (usually under the eye and T-zone)
Oily skin: Try powder before foundation in oily zones and then again after for serious staying powder.
Combination skin: Put powder on before foundation where you have oily zones and then lightly dust under the eye and T-zone.
Everyone: Use a setting spray, not only does it lock things into place, but it also helps everything melt together beautifully. Lastly once the setting spray is dried use finishing spray
Combination skin: Exfoliate up to 2 times a week. Hydrate the dry zones and mattify oily areas. You want to treat different areas (oily/dry) differently.Pro tips: Use moisturizers that already have sunscreen and SPF's in them so you don't have to put on sunscreen before makeup application. The sun is the #1 aging agent and you want to apply sunscreen on all year round. Secondly, use a facial mist after moisturizer to help everything melt together before primer, but make sure your face is dry before you add the primer. Here are some bonus tips I've learned as a makeup artist:Mix a drop of face oil into foundation for glow on dry skin days.Mix a touch of liquid highlighter into your base for that soft-focus sheen. Use foundation that matches your undertone. If you're not sure, get matched in natural lighting or ask a pro (like me!)
Do you have any ride or die foundation hacks or products you love? Drop them below, I love hearing what works for your unique skin!
Let's keep slaying those base routines, one flawless face at a time!
Your model needs a good makeup.If you are running a photography studio, you need in house make up artists. If you cannot afford a make up artist you might have to ask your models to do make up elsewhere. The most important things is the make up should last long so that there are no issues during long photography sessions.