Foundation – How to get that natural look

Foundation is the one product that can make or break your look. When properly applied it gives the illusion of youthful, flawless skin and acts as a bare canvas to the rest of your makeup. However when poorly applied, foundation can look cakey, patchy and unnatural. A proper foundation application should make the skin look healthy and enhance it’s natural radiance, rather than hiding it behind a thick layer of product.

To get a natural looking effect from your foundation and other base products, simply follow the steps below:

• Prep the skin.  Foundation works best when applied to clean, hydrated skin. If your skin is dirty the product will apply unevenly, so be sure to clean the skin with a skin-type appropriate cleanser first. Hydrate the skin with a moisturizer to prevent the foundation from being absorbed by dry skin.
  Tip – If you have oil skin use an oil-free formula to prevent your foundation from shifting during the course of wear.
• Choose the right formula. If you’re looking for a natural finish foundation, try to avoid formulations that are overly matte or powdery looking. These types will block the skin’s natural radiance and result in a more ‘flat’ finish. On the other end of the spectrum, try to avoid formulations that contain shimmer particles as these can look very artificial on the skin, particularly in natural lighting. Choose a foundation with a natural finish (a satin finish works on most skin types as it is half way between matte and dewy) and look for something that has a medium or moderate coverage.
• Get the right colour. Choosing a foundation that is too dark or too light will give a very unnatural look; if you prefer to look more tanned than you are naturally use a bronzer to add extra colour rather than a deeper shade of foundation.
• Use a brush. Applying foundation with a brush will allow you to achieve a sheer finish overall, as the brush soaks up a portion of the product whereas applying with your fingers will provide a denser coverage. You can use a variety of brushes to apply foundation, however synthetic hair brushes work best with liquid products, such as foundation.
• Keep the product to the middle of the face. Coverage is generally required in the centre of the face more than the outer edges. This is because the majority of skin discoloration is in the middle parts of the face, around the nose and cheek area. Start applying your foundation in the center and blend outwards to achieve a natural looking finish. Try not to add any extra foundation around the edges, such as on the hair and jaw lines.
• Let your concealer do the hard work for you. Foundation should even out the general colour and tone of the skin, but it will not necessarily hide pimples, severe pigmentation or other forms of skin imperfections. Rather than applying layer after layer of foundation to cover these skin conditions, use a concealer. Concealers are often thicker and more highly pigmented than foundations, making them idea for small area coverage. Apply your foundation first to see what is covered by a light layer of product and then ‘spot correct’ using your concealer. This way you’ll end up using a lot less product and you’ll have a more natural finish over all.
• Go easy on the powder. Powder is the key to keeping your makeup in place all day long, however too much powder can make skin look dull and heavy. Choose a powder that is very finely milled and keep it to where you need it most; in oily hot spots. Most people experience oil on the T-Zone area throughout the day, so keep your powder application to this section of the face. Using a fluffy brush, apply your powder lightly in downward sweeping motions.Don’t forget to tap off any excess product first otherwise you’ll end up with too much powder (plus the excess will fall on your clothes and bench or floor.)
• Spritz. Using a fine mist of setting or hydrating spray will add a little glow back into the skin. It also works a treat if you have accidently over-applied your powder.  Hold your spritz about 30cms away from the face and apply one or two spritzes to the face.

Extra tip:

• Be sure to wash your brushes regularly to avoid build-up, which can affect the application of your foundation.

Following this method you will have a natural looking application of foundation, which will be the perfect base to the rest of your makeup. In keeping with the natural theme try using a subtle pink blush on the apples of your cheeks, a sheer pink lip gloss and a touch of brown-black mascara to finish the look.