Foundation is amazing. It transforms your look and evens out the most unbalanced skin tones. HOWEVER, it is perhaps the hardest (at least I think so) process to master. We’ve all seen people out with a streaky foundation or one that makes the face look flawless, but the neck look white. There’s just so many places to go wrong.
It’s VERY important to test before you buy foundation and one very important trick is to stock up on a few varying shades to interchange as your skin gets tanner/lighter. I also find it really helpful to use either a brush or a blender. My favorites are either the BeautyBlender ($19.95) and the MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush ($34).
Use clean hands and start with less then you think you need. There’s always time to add more, but applying too much will result in starting all over or going out looking like a clown. I have had the best success by using the MAC brush to dab into the product, then start at my nose, progressing to my cheeks. Next, I cover my jaw-line, neck and ears (don’t leave out places like ears, neck and hairline – it makes your makeup look cakey and not blended/natural). Lastly, I cover my forehead. After my whole face/neck is covered, I use the beauty blender to make sure there aren’t any streaks.
People have different theories on the next step, but I find it crucial to air out my foundation by waving my hands in front of my face for 60 seconds (I literally count out loud and yes, this is somewhat superstitious) before setting it in a loose powder.
My 10 Favorite Foundations:
Benefit “Hello Flawless!” Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation $34
Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation $46
Stila Natural Finish Oil-Free Makeup $38
MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Satin Finish SPF 15 Foundation $30
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 $42
Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation $42
Dior Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation $62
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation $42
Covergirl Naturelux Foundation $11.98
