How to shop for makeup successfully!
Ladies, how many times have you gone into a department store and bought makeup only to realise when you got home that it is the wrong shade, colour, consistency etc. for you????
To avoid these mistakes or at least keep them to a minimum here are a few basic tips to follow when shopping for makeup:
-Test foundations on your jawline and not on your hands as this will be where you will be wearing it
-If in doubt ask the sales assistant to apply some of the makeup to your face or even better ask for a sample to take home and test it at your own leisure
-Always look at makeup in natural light to show its true colour and finish. Artificial lighting in shops can be very deceiving so always walk outside the shop to more natural light if in doubt
-Carry a small mirror in your bag to allow you to see the makeup
-Bring an honest friend along with you who will tell you the truth.
-If you want to try a new shade of lipstick for example but are not sure if you will like this colour. First test this on yourself in the shop and wear it home or if you do not want to do this buy a cheaper version of the lipstick in a similar shade, this will save you buying a very expensive lipstick in a shade that really doesn't flatter you.
-Gifts with purchases are a fantastic way to try deluxe sample size products before purchasing the full size
-To save on some money look out for some special offers in stores, for example 3 for 2 in Boots.
-Try not to impulse buy when buying makeup as often you will buy things that you don’t actually want or even worse that you already have
-Try keep your makeup all together so you know what you have-this should help eliminate buying things twice
-Declutter your makeup regularly
-Always do research on the best products to buy for you-blogs, chat rooms, reviews etc are a great way to get more info and people’s opinions on these products.
-Make sure to sign up for reward cards to gain points on purchases. You can save these up and treat yourself to some great goodies every now and then.
Also you can always ask me anything you would like to know and I will do my best to give you unbiased advice and opinions on products.
Hopefully you find this helpful. If you have anymore questions please feel free to ask me.
XXX
Foundation 101: Choosing the right one
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| Beautiful Image from www.beccacosmetics.com |
Every girl wants the infamous flawless face and it is this that makeup artists and women across the globe strive to achieve everyday. The flawless face can involve any or all of the following basic products:
1)Primer
2)Foundation
3)Concealer
4)Powder
The main area that causes women the most heart-ache is trying to find the right foundation for their skin(colour and formulation). This post is here to help you with choosing the right foundation for you.
If you are going to wear foundation, primer is a must. Put a cent-size amount in your palm, spread it over your fingers and gently massage the product over your entire face, just as you would your moisturiser. If you have sensitive eyes avoid this area, however if you can tolerate it it is a great base for your eye makeup (there is also a specific eyelid primer available, check back here for future posts about eye makeup application). Primer seals in your moisturiser and provides a smooth surface for foundation. It also keeps your makeup from being absorbed by the skin, giving your makeup greater staying power throughout the day. I am a big fan of Inglot's Under Makeup Base, read my full review here.
In order to choose the best foundation for your skin type we need to look at two things 1)The colour of the foundation and 2)The formulation of the product.
1)CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOUR OF FOUNDATION:
To be sure you have got the perfect shade for you, pick three colours from the same range that are closest to your complexion tone. Put a small stripe of each on the skin right above the jawline. The one that seems to disappear is the best colour for you. Its also advisable to look at this in a natural sun light as the artificial lights of shops can be deceiving. Be sure to carry a hand mirror when shopping for foundation so you can go outside and look at the foundation in the natural light. Also do not be afraid to ask the sales assistant for a sample of the product so you can take it home and try it in your own comfort. This is highly recommended for anyone with oily/combination skin as alot of foundations tend to mix with the oils in your skin and get darker as they settle into the skin. If this is the case you may need to go a shade lighter to compensate for this.
2)CHOOSING THE RIGHT FORMULATION FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE:
There are 7 main textures of foundation. Each one is specially formulated to meet the needs of specific skin types.
1. Cream Foundation is ideal for: Normal, combination and dry skin. There are also oil free cream foundations which are perfect for oilier skins. It is especially well suited for women with uneven pigmentation and acne, or those requiring a heavier coverage.
Coverage: Medium to full.
Finish: Dewy to Matte depending on product you choose. The oil free formulas tend to be more mattifying.
What it does: Covers and conceals discolorations and imperfections on the skin providing a flawless finish.
Application: Use a make up sponge or a foundation/kabuki brush.
Example of Foundation: Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation
2. Liquid Foundation is ideal for: All Skin types, if you have very oily skin you should only use oil free liquid foundations. It is especially well suited for dry or mature skin.
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Dewy, satin or matte depending on the formulation.
What it does: Evens out the skin tone by smoothing out any unevenness. It also provides added moisture to the skin.
Application: Use a make up sponge or a foundation/kabuki brush.
Example of Foundation: Mac Studio Fix Fluid
3. Pressed powder foundation is ideal for: Oily skin
Coverage: Medium to Full.
Finish: Matte.
What it does: Evens out the skin tone, hides imperfections and absorbs excess oil.
Application: Use a powder/kabuki brush. The denser the bristles, the more product will be deposited on the skin.
Example of Foundation: Mac Studio Fix Powder
4. Mineral foundation is ideal for: All skin types. It is especially well suited for those with sensitive skin or rosacea.
Coverage: Light to medium
Finish: Matte.
What it does: Evens out the skin tone, moisturizes, protects and absorbs excess oil.
Application: Use a kabuki brush to buff it on.
Example of Foundation: Bare Minerals Powders
5. Tinted Moisturiser is ideal for: Normal and dry skin. It is especially well suited for those who need extra hydration and just a touch of color to pull everything together.
Coverage: Sheer to light.
What it does: Lightly evens out the skin tone, while giving a “no make up” look.
Application: Use a foundation brush or your clean fingers.
Example of Foundation: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser
6. Stick Foundation is ideal for: All skin types (except oily)
Coverage: Medium to Full
What it does: Can be used to even out the skin only in areas where coverage is needed or can be blended all over the face for a more full coverage finish.
Application: Apply from the stick and blend with a damp makeup sponge
Example of Foundation: Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation
7: BB Creams are ideal for : All skin types as there is a formula for every skin type
Coverage: Sheer to Light
What it does: Provides a small amount of coverage while at the same time has added skincare benefits. It's an all round product that replaces moisturisers, serums and tinted moisturisers in your daily routine
Application: Apply with clean fingers or for more coverage apply with a Kabuki brush
Example of Foundation: Dr Jart+ BB Cream
Whatever your skin type, you have a variety of choices. Pick the one that is best for you and start reaping the benefits today.
I really hope you found this post helpful and stay tuned for my next few posts in the foundation 101 series. Still to come is the best tools to apply your foundation with and then my tried and tested foundations which will give you an insight into my honest opinion of the foundations I have tried throughout the years.
Have a wonderful day xxxx
Foundation 101: Right Tools for the Job
Following on from my last blog post Foundation 101:Choosing the right one next up is a post on the the different types of tools available to apply your favourite foundation. Hopefully this will be useful to you.
The market is flooded with all types of tools/brushes to apply your foundation with. I have tried a lot of them and found that in their own little way they are all very useful and all provide different finishes. Here is a breakdown of what tools give what finishes:
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| Sigma F60 Foundation Brush |
-The Flat Synthetic Foundation Brush-This is used almost like a paint brush, painting the products onto the face. This will give a fuller coverage. When using this make sure to blend the foundation well as it is very easy to miss an area of the face. If not blended well it can also leave streaks on the face so be sure to blend any lines out with a sponge or fingers after application. There are a lot of good brushes on the market but one of my favourite is the Sigma F60 Foundation brush. These can be bought online on various websites.
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| Top: Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki and Bottom: Real Techniques Buffing Brush |
-Kabuki Brush- This is a relatively new tool to apply foundation with but in my eyes it’s the BEST. These brushes have dense tapered bristles which means that they will give a full coverage application. There are synthetic kabuki brushes which are used for liquid and cream products and natural haired ones which are used for application of powder or mineral makeup. Kabuki’s come in all shapes and sizes but the two which I love the most are the Real Techniques Buffing Brush (from the Core Collection) and the Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush. They give amazing coverage and you only need a small amount of product. Full coverage that’s easy on the pocket……sold!!!!!!
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| Sigma F50 Fibre Brush |
-The Duo Fibre Brush- This was my fav brush until the Kabuki’s came along. They are still great for applying liquid foundations and will give an air-brushed effect if you buff the product in a circular motion onto the skin. However, in my eyes they don’t come close to the Kabuki for full coverage but if you want medium coverage then this is your baby! I haven’t given up on this brush completely though as I use it on a daily basis for applying my bronzer. If you want a strong contoured bronze look this wouldn’t be the brush to use but if you want to just add a natural glow to the skin using a powder bronzer then this will do the job. This brush is also great for applying mineral makeup. Again much love for Sigma as you just cannot beat their F50 Duo Fibre brush.
-A sponge- Used damp this will give a sheer finish to the skin or can be applied more heavily in places by dabbing the product onto the skin to get a heavier coverage (often this is only needed on the cheek area). However, the sponge does soak up a lot of product and so can waste a lot of product! Not to mention the fact that they aren’t particularly good for the environment if you are constantly throwing them away. They can also hold bacteria if you reuse them without washing them. I do love sponges for blending out any harsh lines left after cream products though!! Any brand will do the job in this case.
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| Beauty Blender |
-The beauty blender- This is egg shaped and does the same thing as the sponge except it provides a more seamless finish with less waste as it doesn’t absorb the product. This is a haven for bacteria too so be sure to clean this regularly. Full review on the beauty blender coming very soon.
I hope this was of some help to you. I know choosing the best tool for foundation application isn't an easy task and I hope this little post has helped you get to grips with it a little better. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have. xxxx
A Guide to Choosing the Right Concealer
Hey Ladies! In the past I have done blogposts on How to choose the right foundation and also the Right Tools for Applying Foundation.This next post will deal with concealers and how to choose the right one for you and also how to apply them. Hope you enjoy and find it helpful!
A lot of people are under the illusion that foundation is the way to cover up imperfections and this is why we see many girls with caked on makeup which infact draws attention to the problem areas rather than masking them. It is true that foundation does help to even out skintone and reduce some redness but for really prominent blemishes and under eye circles concealer is our skin savior. Concealers are specifically designed to deal with problem areas and when used correctly they can transform your makeup look. They are also great as they give you full coverage without having to use too much makeup.
There are TWO Types of Concealers. One for under eye and one for covering blemishes on your face.
MY FAVOURITE CONCEALERS FOR UNDER EYES: Both Makeup Forever and Mac do a great range of concealers light enough to use under the eye area. Liquid Lift by MUFE is excellent and I also love Mac’s Pro Long wear(this can be used for blemishes also but make sure the colour matches your skintone if you use it to cover blemishes). Bobbi Brown's Correctors are fantastic if you have discolouraton under thr eyes. Refer to my previous post on how to treat and hide dark circles for great little tips. A cheaper alternative would be Maybelline’s DreamLumi Touche concealer wand or Collection 2000’s Illuminating Touch concealer. I am also a big fan of Maybelline's Age Rewind Concealer.
CONCEALERS FOR BLEMISHES ETC: These are used to cover pimples, veins, redness, broken capillaries etc. and are thicker in consistency and can often be much drier. Its recommended to try find a concealer for problematic skin if you are suffering from ache etc as they will have antibacterial properties in them which will not only cover the area but will treat the underlying problem also.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHADE FOR YOU: Unlike the undereye concealer this type of concealer should match as close as possible to your natural skin tone. It’s a good idea to buy the same colour or as close as possible to your foundation. Often makeup brands have the same colours in foundations and concealers which makes it easier for you to choose the right shade. If not you can use the tip for choosing the right foundation in my previous post(Link at top) .
APPLICATION: This really depends on the size of the area you wish/need to cover. The application is very similar to before. Apply the product to the back of clean hands to warm the product. Take some product up on the brush and wipe off excess. Light multiple applications is a must as otherwise you will have a very clumpy area which makes the area more noticeable than before. For small areas like pimples, veins etc. use the tip of the brush and dot or draw on the area as delicately as possible. For medium sized areas use the side of the brush and for larger areas I would recommend using fingers. This is great to cover any areas of rosacea or pigementation. When using the fingers push the warmed product into your pores with your fingers.
QUICK NOTE: If your blemish concealer is thick in consistency do not attempt to use this under the eyes as this area is too delicate and thick consistency makeup will sit in the fine lines under the eye causing the makeup to crease. This is not a good look.
MY FAVOURITE CONCEALERS FOR BLEMISHES: I like Revlon’s Photoready concelealer (this product is ok for use under the eye also) , Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer,MUFE or Ben Nye Concealer palettes or Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage Concealer.
So that’s all folks. I hope you found this helpful and please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have and be sure to let me know what you think of my post.
Thanks everyone and stay tuned for the next post which will be on how to choose the perfect powder.
Love Anita xxxx
A lot of people are under the illusion that foundation is the way to cover up imperfections and this is why we see many girls with caked on makeup which infact draws attention to the problem areas rather than masking them. It is true that foundation does help to even out skintone and reduce some redness but for really prominent blemishes and under eye circles concealer is our skin savior. Concealers are specifically designed to deal with problem areas and when used correctly they can transform your makeup look. They are also great as they give you full coverage without having to use too much makeup.
There are TWO Types of Concealers. One for under eye and one for covering blemishes on your face.
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| Credited to Bobbi Brown Cosmetics |
UNDER EYE CONCEALERS: These are used to conceal discoloration and dark circles. It is designed to work with the very delicate skin around the eye area. They should be light and creamy in texture. It should also be subtle and hydrating as the skin under your eye tends to be drier and thinner than elsewhere on your face. There are two types of under eye concealers. The first one is a light reflecting one which instantly brightens the area while the other is for hiding discolouration. A lot of products on the market can do both and these are the products I would recommend.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHADE FOR YOU: The trick is to find a concealer that is light enough to brighten the eye area and conceal your under eye circles but not too light that it will not blend with your skin tone. I would suggest getting a concealer one or two shades lighter than your own skin. In normal circumstances choosing a yellow based under eye concealer will cover discolouration and brighten the under eye.
APPLICATION: Depending on the type of product I am using I would use different application techniques. For products that come in pumps or tubes I always put the concealer on the back of my hand, this not only warms the product before application to the skin but it also allows you to control the amount of concealer you apply to the under eye area. I would recommend using a concealer brush or even your finger (be very delicate) to apply the product. If I am using a concealer wand such as YSL Touche Eclat I would apply the product directly from the wand under my eye and dab in with my ring finger. You do not want too much product under the eye as it will sit in fine lines so I would recommend multiple light applications rather than one thick application. When applying concealer apply to the undereye areas, including the inner and outer corners of the eye. You should always set your concealer with a really light dusting of powder to set the eye.
QUICK TIP: If your under eye concealer has light reflecting particles in it do not use this to cover blemishes as it will only draw attention to the area rather than covering it.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHADE FOR YOU: The trick is to find a concealer that is light enough to brighten the eye area and conceal your under eye circles but not too light that it will not blend with your skin tone. I would suggest getting a concealer one or two shades lighter than your own skin. In normal circumstances choosing a yellow based under eye concealer will cover discolouration and brighten the under eye.
APPLICATION: Depending on the type of product I am using I would use different application techniques. For products that come in pumps or tubes I always put the concealer on the back of my hand, this not only warms the product before application to the skin but it also allows you to control the amount of concealer you apply to the under eye area. I would recommend using a concealer brush or even your finger (be very delicate) to apply the product. If I am using a concealer wand such as YSL Touche Eclat I would apply the product directly from the wand under my eye and dab in with my ring finger. You do not want too much product under the eye as it will sit in fine lines so I would recommend multiple light applications rather than one thick application. When applying concealer apply to the undereye areas, including the inner and outer corners of the eye. You should always set your concealer with a really light dusting of powder to set the eye.
QUICK TIP: If your under eye concealer has light reflecting particles in it do not use this to cover blemishes as it will only draw attention to the area rather than covering it.
MY FAVOURITE CONCEALERS FOR UNDER EYES: Both Makeup Forever and Mac do a great range of concealers light enough to use under the eye area. Liquid Lift by MUFE is excellent and I also love Mac’s Pro Long wear(this can be used for blemishes also but make sure the colour matches your skintone if you use it to cover blemishes). Bobbi Brown's Correctors are fantastic if you have discolouraton under thr eyes. Refer to my previous post on how to treat and hide dark circles for great little tips. A cheaper alternative would be Maybelline’s DreamLumi Touche concealer wand or Collection 2000’s Illuminating Touch concealer. I am also a big fan of Maybelline's Age Rewind Concealer.
CONCEALERS FOR BLEMISHES ETC: These are used to cover pimples, veins, redness, broken capillaries etc. and are thicker in consistency and can often be much drier. Its recommended to try find a concealer for problematic skin if you are suffering from ache etc as they will have antibacterial properties in them which will not only cover the area but will treat the underlying problem also.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHADE FOR YOU: Unlike the undereye concealer this type of concealer should match as close as possible to your natural skin tone. It’s a good idea to buy the same colour or as close as possible to your foundation. Often makeup brands have the same colours in foundations and concealers which makes it easier for you to choose the right shade. If not you can use the tip for choosing the right foundation in my previous post(Link at top) .
APPLICATION: This really depends on the size of the area you wish/need to cover. The application is very similar to before. Apply the product to the back of clean hands to warm the product. Take some product up on the brush and wipe off excess. Light multiple applications is a must as otherwise you will have a very clumpy area which makes the area more noticeable than before. For small areas like pimples, veins etc. use the tip of the brush and dot or draw on the area as delicately as possible. For medium sized areas use the side of the brush and for larger areas I would recommend using fingers. This is great to cover any areas of rosacea or pigementation. When using the fingers push the warmed product into your pores with your fingers.
QUICK NOTE: If your blemish concealer is thick in consistency do not attempt to use this under the eyes as this area is too delicate and thick consistency makeup will sit in the fine lines under the eye causing the makeup to crease. This is not a good look.
MY FAVOURITE CONCEALERS FOR BLEMISHES: I like Revlon’s Photoready concelealer (this product is ok for use under the eye also) , Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer,MUFE or Ben Nye Concealer palettes or Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage Concealer.
So that’s all folks. I hope you found this helpful and please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have and be sure to let me know what you think of my post.
Thanks everyone and stay tuned for the next post which will be on how to choose the perfect powder.
Love Anita xxxx
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