Wednesday, November 10, 2010

ATE- A Good Foundation

Q: I want to try a new foundation but I don’t know which one to choose. What should I look for?

A: Foundation is a trial and error experience. In the store, you think you have a found a fabulous formula or the perfect shade and a few hours later your face has smudges and is an awkward color. Don’t fret! Your perfect foundation is out there, but it may take a few failed makeup relationships to find it.

First, consider your skin type. If you have dry skin, look for a foundation with moisturizing properties. Try You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer by Benefit Cosmetics or Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, both found at ULTA stores.
Also, try to stay away from very powdery formulas because they can make your skin look dryer.




If your skin is oily, don’t use a lot of heavy makeup because this will cause your complexion to look thick and globby. Try brands like Make Up Forever Mat-Velvet foundation, Sephora, or Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup by Urban Decay, ULTA.

If your skin is very sensitive, try brands that are all natural and organic. Use a calming moisturizer before applying the foundation to help smooth your skin and reduce redness, which will reduce the amount of foundation you will need. Test out Mineral Wear by Physicians Formula, drugstores, or Smooth Operator by Tarte, Sephora.




Once you find the right formula, the next step is choosing the right shade. Most women need two shades a year because your skin gets lighter in the winter and darker in the summer. You want the foundation color to disappear into your skin because you want the application to look natural and you don’t want a line of demarcation on your jaw.

When testing colors, use the product on your jaw line so you can see if it smoothly transitions from your face to your neck. After applying a little to your jaw, walk away from the makeup counter for a little while.

You want to give the foundation time to interact with your skin to make sure it doesn’t change shades or consistencies.

The best idea is to stand in bright sunlight for the most honest view of your foundation.

Photos: sephora.com

Thursday, November 4, 2010

BTT: No Makeup Tuesdays

These girls are a breath of fresh air.

">

I am a makeup junky, but I love this idea of going bare for a day and letting your spirit and personality show through.

More and more young girls are turning to the pages of magazines for their definition of beauty...but celebrities in magazines are not true beauty.

They have makeup artist spending hours and hours applying layers of makeup.They have photographers who know what angles look best. Mostly, they have digital producers who are wizs at photoshop and with the click of a mouse, they can create a completely different person.

I love that these young women have taken a stand...not against makeup but against hiding behind makeup.