|
There are literally hundreds of formulas to choose
from that do everything from cover redness and shrink pores to
give skin a firmer look and even erase signs of aging.
"Today's foundations don't just make the skin look better;
they make it function better," says makeup and hair expert
Eva Scrivo, owner of the Eva Scrivo Salon in New York City.
Still,
the endless options can be overwhelming, leading most of us to
skip foundation altogether or pick one that's not quite right for
our complexion or skin type. As a result, we often end up with a
mask-like finish, flaky or greasy skin, more evident lines,
wrinkles or the dreaded start-and-stop line. But with Shape's
foundation guide, you can find the right one to make your skin
look -- and behave -- better than ever!
How to Apply Foundation
Apply five dots of foundation to your skin, then
blend for a flawless finish. If your skin is in good shape (i.e., it shows few, if
any, imperfections), consider a lightweight illuminating
foundation. These typically contain microscopic light reflectors,
which impart subtle luminosity. Quick tip: Adding a
drop or two of a liquid highlighter to your foundation will
increase luminosity and produce an overall glow.
Take
advantage of foundations with age-defying ingredients like
retinol. Bonus: These liquids also help smooth away other skin
problems that accompany lines, such as an uneven, rough texture.
Editor's pick: Neutrogena's oil-free Healthy Skin Enhancer with
retinol and SPF 20 ($11.75; at drugstores), available in six
mistake-proof shades. If you crave a tightening effect, look for
"firming" or "lifting" on the label. Keep foundation fresh with a
light dusting of translucent powder. Quick tip: Soften the look of
deeper lines with foundation primer. Primers function as a base
and prevent foundation from creeping into crevices, thereby making
facial lines less noticeable. If you want to minimize pores us
oil-free matte formulas, these are your
best choice here because the subtle finish they impart reduces the
appearance of pores (and any imperfections). Quick tip: Keep your
foundation fresh with powder touchups throughout the day. A
translucent powder is ideal. These "won't pile color pigments
on the edges of your pores," making them more visible says
Los Angeles celebrity makeup pro Brett Freedman. You
want coverage that lasts. The first thing to look for is an
SPF of at least 15 -- so you're well-protected against incidental
sun exposure. Next, long-wearing, water- and sweat-resistant
coverage is key. Quick tip: If you're getting more than just
incidental sun exposure (i.e., you're spending a lot of time
outdoors), make sure to apply additional SPF underneath your
long-wearing foundation for extra protection. If
you want to play down oiliness; The perfect foundation: For skin
that's prone to shine, there's no better choice than oil-free and
noncomedogenic (nonpore-clogging) makeup. Quick tip: If your skin is a little oily
and a little dry, try foundations for combination skin; they
contain "smart" microspheres that hydrate areas that
need moisture while delivering oil control to shiny spots. If
you want to minimize redness; The
perfect foundation: Mineral makeup is ideal for skin that's prone
to irritation and redness, and is particularly good for people who
suffer from rosacea, a skin disorder characterized by acne-like
bumps and a flushing of the skin. "Mineral makeup contains
zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, both of which have soothing
properties that help calm skin," explains makeup artist Jane
Iredale, founder of the Great Jane lredale
Mineral Cosmetics. Formulas typically offer medium to high
coverage, perfect for hiding the visible capillaries that often
accompany redness. Quick tip: As a nice alternative to a high-coverage
foundation, choose a lighter formula (e.g., sheer) that works with
the rest of your face. Then hide visible capillaries with a tiny
bit of concealer. "Painting" it directly onto red spots
with a concealer brush will provide a natural finish that doesn't
look caky. If you want to moisturize dry
skin; The perfect foundation: Hydrating
foundations come in liquid or cream versions and offer a
weightless feel, thanks to moisturizing elements such as
hyaluronic acid, which draws water from the air for daylong
softness. Quick tip: Skip powders and matte finishes, which can
make dry skin look parched. Likewise, avoid powder blush; cream
formulas make skin look dewy and fresh. Today's formulas not only hide imperfections; they make your skin
look younger and healthier. Four Steps to a Flawless Finish. 1.
Moisturize. "Prepping skin with moisturizer gives foundation
a smoother surface to glide over," says New York City makeup
pro Nick Barose. Ideally, use like-minded moisturizer and
foundation: an oil-free [product] with an oil-free [product], for
example. 2. "Dot" on foundation. Apply five dots total:
one on your forehead, nose, chin and each cheek. Blend with
fingers to help it spread evenly (the heat from your fingers warms
the foundation). 3. Use concealer as necessary. You won't need to
use as much if you apply it on top of foundation, and less
concealer means a more natural finish. 4. Powder lightly. If you
have normal-to-oily skin, use the velour puff that comes in a
powder compact. If you have dry skin, use a powder brush; it
applies less powder than a puff will, for a dewy finish.
|
