Choosing the Right Make Up Base

Sometimes it can be very intimidating when your'e trying to buy a make up base, especially if it's your first. There are so many type and brands available, so it's often hard to know where to start.

Firstly, it's important to consider the amount of coverage you're looking for from your base.

• FULL COVERAGE: Full coverage aims to hide blemishes and imperfections, whilst looking natural
• MEDIUM COVERAGE: Disguises small blemishes or imperfections, whilst looking natural and evening out skintone
• LIGHT COVERAGE: Evens out skintone and/or colouring but provides little to no coverage

Become aware of your skin type and purchase a base that's suited. Purchasing a foundation that works well with your skin type will attempt to address your skin issues, whilst working as a base and providing coverage. Don't overlook the importance of the foundation type. Many foundations can be purchased in different forms (for different skin types/conditions) so there's an option for everyone. 

• If you have oily skin look for products stating that they're oil free, for combination/oily skin, mattify skin or provide oil control. 
• If you have dry skin look for products that claim to moisturise.

Once your'e aware of you skin type and desired coverage, it's important that you consider the type of foundation base you'd like to use/feel most comfortable with.

• LIQUID FOUNDATION: Liquid foundations can be purchased for all skin types but it's important to buy a fitting product. It gives a great deal of coverage and can provide you with a number of finishes, depending on your desired effect and/or what's most appropriate
• CREAM FOUNDATION: Cream foundation is best suited to those with combination, normal or dry skin. It can be quite heavy which is why it's not the best option for those with oily skin. Cream foundation provides a lot of coverage and has a flawless finish
• STICK FOUNDATION: Stick foundations are a almost always a cream to powder formula and will provide a great deal of coverage. This type of base can also provide additional coverage to problem areas as it's easily built up.
• TINTED MOISTURISER: Tinted moisturisers do double time! They provide light coverage, whilst hydrating your skin. On average, a tinted moisturiser will provide sheer/light coverage however some, like my Laura Mercier Oil-Free tinted moisturiser, can be built up to fairly good coverage. 
• PRESSED POWDERS: Pressed powders are geared towards women with oily skin. The powder will provide you with light to medium coverage (depending on the powder) and absorb excess oil on the skin's surface. For best results, always apply powder with a brush (not the sponge, you don't want a cake face) and 'buff' it into the skin.
• MINERAL POWDERS: Mineral foundations/powders are perfect for women who don't want a great deal of coverage but want to even out skin tone. Mineral powders (such as Nude by Nature or Bare Minerals) are well suited to women with dry skin.

If you're looking for additional coverage when wearing a light base, consider using a concealer to cover up problem areas (ie. under eyes, blemishes, imperfections and/or discolouration).

Once you're sure you know all of the above (skin type, desired level of coverage and appropriate base type), buy it. Be colour matched by a make up artist/sales assistant or take a make up inclined friend with you. 

Here are my top tips for purchasing and applying make up 

• Wait for a sale and buy a few at once. If you're new to the make up world, wait for somewhere like KMart, Big W, Target or Priceline to have a sale. This way you'll be able to buy a few different base types at once and see what works best for you. 
• When testing foundation, try it on your jawline. Testing make up bases on your hand doesn't give you accurate insight as our hand can be substantially darker than your face.
• Use a primer. A foundation primer will smooth out your skin and prepare it for make up. Primers will also keep your foundation on all day and prevent it 'melting off'
• Don't be cakey, it's never attractive! Apply your base nicely. The thicker the base, the more unnatural is looks. You want to hide imperfections, not facial features.
• Blend your base. Blend your foundation well, especially on your jawline. You don't want to look unnatural.
• Set your base with a loose/translucent powder
• Wash your make up application tools regularly

Everyone has a foundation that they can't live without so we'd love to hear about it. Comment below with your favourite foundation. I can't wait to hear what's out there.

Always look yours best,

Sophie

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