It's been an extremely long time since I did my first post these 'lessons'! I decided I should stop slacking and get on with it. So here is my second installment to this series: foundations.
One of the first things a beginner to make up would consider purchasing would be a foundation, after eyeliner and a lip product of some kind of course. It's daunting enough knowing there are so many different formulations to choose from, but then you have to choose a correct shade as well. I've been buying make up for a good few years now and I must say that matching myself to the correct shade of foundation is still a pretty difficult job.
Today I will just be talking about the types of foundations available, I will cover shade matching in a different post.
There is no one popular foundation formulation, each person will have their own reasons, needs and skin types hence you will have to question yourself what you would like out of your foundation. Perhaps you'd like to cover up acne scars or uneven pigmentation? Maybe you have dry skin? Maybe you don't need any coverage but would like to try out foundation anyway. Here are the most common types of foundation and their pros and cons.
Liquid Foundations
Liquid foundation is usually packaged in a bottle fixed with a pump or a squeezable tube and although named as liquid, the viscosity of the foundation can vary. Some are runnier than others, and these generally have a lower coverage, and others are slightly thicker hence offering higher coverage. Due to the varying textures of liquid foundations, they are suitable for both dry, combination and oily skins. You just need to choose the right formulation. I would recommend you read the information on the bottle and search for reviews on the internet before purchasing.
Application techniques: pretty much anything! Foundation brushes, stippling brushes, fingers, sponges..whatever works best for you : ) Try a range of different methods until you are satisfied with the finish or a certain method. I actually prefer using a stippling brush or a damp sponge.
The two I have shown here are both by Bourjous (my favourite drugstore brand!) and both are very popular budget foundations that deliver. The 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation has a runny texture that offers low coverage, so you may need an extra layer of the foundation or a concealer on problem areas, however it does offer your skin a healthy glow. I guess the 10 hour sleep effect claim really is true!
The Healthy mix foundation is creamier and heavier and hence offers more coverage. This one also offers a dewy finish but I have noticed it tends to cling onto flaky patches of skin, so remember to exfoliate!
Application techniques: pretty much anything! Foundation brushes, stippling brushes, fingers, sponges..whatever works best for you : ) Try a range of different methods until you are satisfied with the finish or a certain method. I actually prefer using a stippling brush or a damp sponge.
The two I have shown here are both by Bourjous (my favourite drugstore brand!) and both are very popular budget foundations that deliver. The 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation has a runny texture that offers low coverage, so you may need an extra layer of the foundation or a concealer on problem areas, however it does offer your skin a healthy glow. I guess the 10 hour sleep effect claim really is true!
The Healthy mix foundation is creamier and heavier and hence offers more coverage. This one also offers a dewy finish but I have noticed it tends to cling onto flaky patches of skin, so remember to exfoliate!
On the left is the Healthy Mix foundation and on the right is the 10 Hour Sleep Effect.
You can clearly tell the 10 hour foundation is much runnier as it's already seeping into my skin lines.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cream Foundations
These can either be quite light in coverage or have a decent amount of coverage depending on the formula. Cream foundations generally are considered more moisturising for drier complexions, so these may be unsuitable for oiler complexions.
Application techniques: just like liquid foundations, you can use anything to apply cream foundations. All depends on your preference. I like to use a damp sponge or my fingers with creams.
Again, I have shown two cream foundations. The Maybelline Dream Creamy foundation is actually one of my favourites to use. It has a very smooth texture, blends easily and feels cooling on upon application to the skin. As it has a thinner texture, coverage is slightly lower but is buildable.
The Lancome Ideal compact is a little dark for me so I prefer to use it as a contouring shade. Nonetheless, it isn't a bad foundation. Its texture is much thicker than the Maybelline foundation so its coverage is higher but it also feels heavier on the skin. I wouldn't say it's worth the price tag, luckily I bought it during a sale for half the original price : )
I'm sure you've noticed the Maybelline foundation pulling away from the edges of the pot a little. The terrible thing about these cream foundations that have a higher water content is that they tend to dry up faster in the pan, especially if you're exposing it to the air everyday when you use it. I can't speak for other cream foundations but the Maybelline one has stayed creamy even though the edges are pulling away a little : )
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Powder Foundations
Powder foundations are not your loose mineral foundations. They are pressed into cake form and are applied using a flat brush layer by layer. Its powder formulation makes it more suitable for oiler skins to help absorb excess oil and often offer buildable coverage. Take care not to apply too much though, as with all powder formulas, too much can look cakey.
Application techniques: As mentioned above, these are usually applied with a flat brush. I see no problem with using a kabuki brush to buff it into the skin in circular motion though.
Traditional foundation brushes, stippling brushes, finers and sponges won't work quite as well with powder formulas as they will apply the foundation like a setting powder, so you won't get very much coverage out of them.
I don't own any of these powder foundations, but I have included my RMK pressed powder which basically shares the same appearance as the powder foundation from the same brand.
Application techniques: As mentioned above, these are usually applied with a flat brush. I see no problem with using a kabuki brush to buff it into the skin in circular motion though.
Traditional foundation brushes, stippling brushes, finers and sponges won't work quite as well with powder formulas as they will apply the foundation like a setting powder, so you won't get very much coverage out of them.
I don't own any of these powder foundations, but I have included my RMK pressed powder which basically shares the same appearance as the powder foundation from the same brand.
It isn't very clear but the bottom two thirds is a matte powder whereas at top third is a shimmery powder. You apply the powder version and foundation version using the same method: use the brush to apply the matte powder over your skin then layer the pearly powder over areas that you would normally highlight.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mineral Foundations
These were all the rave a few years ago. The whole idea of using foundation made from literally ground rocks was pumped up to its maximum potential through adverts and hype, and you'll notice that pretty much every brand offers its own mineral foundation. Again, it's powder formula means it's suitable for oily skin, but I have one by Collection 2000 that doesn't dry out my skin. In fact it offers a lovely glow when buffed into my skin with a kabuki brush. Just goes to show really that what society says isn't always true, only you will know what works for your skin through trial and error.
The Maybelline one isn't actually very good in my opinion, whenever applied it makes my skin feel extra tight and I can see a layer of foundation just lying on my skin. I'd say give this a miss ^^"
Just a quick swatch of these mineral foundations. Collection 2000's Perfecting minerals is on the left and the Maybelline mineral powder on the right.
Application technique: kabuki brush to buff in circular motions, it'll offer better coverage. I do sometimes use a small eyeshadow brush with natural bristles to apply the foundation in more concentrated layers on problem areas such as my under eye circles. This method stops other areas of your face from looking too made up.
I've come to the end of this second installment of make up 'lessons'. Ehhh I feel this post isn't that great but maybe it'll be of some use to make up newbies :3
Word of wisdom from someone who has been using foundation for too many years though, if you haven't started using foundation and don't actually need it, please don't bother with it. If anything skin make up has caused me more problems than I had before I started using them. I'll talk about this in more detail in another post but for now, really think about if you actually need foundation : )
(I know me saying this probably won't do very much anyway in stopping you from buying foundation, I know the feeling of wanting to try some new piece of make up really badly and the happiness from finally buying it XD)
The Maybelline one isn't actually very good in my opinion, whenever applied it makes my skin feel extra tight and I can see a layer of foundation just lying on my skin. I'd say give this a miss ^^"
Application technique: kabuki brush to buff in circular motions, it'll offer better coverage. I do sometimes use a small eyeshadow brush with natural bristles to apply the foundation in more concentrated layers on problem areas such as my under eye circles. This method stops other areas of your face from looking too made up.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've come to the end of this second installment of make up 'lessons'. Ehhh I feel this post isn't that great but maybe it'll be of some use to make up newbies :3
Word of wisdom from someone who has been using foundation for too many years though, if you haven't started using foundation and don't actually need it, please don't bother with it. If anything skin make up has caused me more problems than I had before I started using them. I'll talk about this in more detail in another post but for now, really think about if you actually need foundation : )
(I know me saying this probably won't do very much anyway in stopping you from buying foundation, I know the feeling of wanting to try some new piece of make up really badly and the happiness from finally buying it XD)
Have a good night!
Jia
x
No comments:
Post a Comment