Have you ever had bad foundation or makeup days? We all go through those at times. And if our base doesn’t look on point, then rest of the makeup will look bad. Just like how well a foundation is laid down for the building the same goes for your makeup. If your foundation base applied is smooth and fine looking then your makeup goes on well. So what are the foundation mistakes you need to consider to avoid? Well there a couple;
- Incorrect Foundation shade & Formula: Most of us do tend to make this mistake no matter how experienced we are. This is because sometimes when you buy a shade we tend to swatch it in store lighting or buy it online. Bear in mind your undertone, if you are warm, cool or neutral. Those of you who are warm undertone, should go for golden, yellow, olive toned foundation shades. If you are cool undertone, go for foundations that have pink tones in them. For neutral undertones you have foundations with that tone or you can pull off warm or cool tones. When swatching it in store, the lighting can be too bright, so I would recommend getting a sample and try it at home. If you have no access to getting a foundation sample then swatch atleast three shades closest to your skin tone on your jawline and check under different lightings to note the right shade. I would recommend to swatch it on your neckline as well, this will help picking a shade which should overall blend in.
Why is the foundation formula/type important? If you have dry skin and you go in with a foundation suitable for oily skin, then it’s going to look dry and patchy on you. As dry skin tend to have dry patches on their skin and hence when applying foundation, those areas can look cakey and very dry. For dry skin beauties go in with radiant and hydrating foundations. For oily skin beauties go in with matte or Demi matte foundations that are oil free. Those with combination or acne prone skin types can go with hydrating/long wear foundations. I wouldn’t recommend powder foundation for dry skin types as it will make the skin more dry unless you moisturize very well. Similarly you have mousse type foundations, cream types etc. Thus choose according to your skin type, and your undertone.
- Wearing SPF Foundation At Night: I have seen some women wearing foundations that have SPF in it and how do you know that ? Take a photo with flash on and if you see a white cast in the picture of your makeup that means your foundation has SPF and if not, it has some ingredients that give out a white cast like zinc oxide(SPF ingredient), mica( an ingredient that gives sparkle or shimmery effect) etc.
- Using Incorrect Foundation Tool: Make sure to use the right foundation tool whether it is a brush or beauty blender or even your fingers. For example if you use a buffing brush for full coverage foundations you tend to get a heavy cakey finish, instead go in with a makeup blender/sponge to apply it, that way you will get a neat and skin like finish. When your foundations offer sheer to medium or are liquid in consistency then go in with a buffing brush as this can give you better coverage and even finish. You have stippling brushes that gives you natural and light finishes. So depending on what coverage and consistency of your foundation, use the right tool.
- Applying Too Much: if you apply too much of your foundation, your makeup will just look cakey and flat dry/oily. Take an adequate amount maybe one to one and half pump of your foundation should do. Taking like a dime size is actually unnecessary and adding wastage to your makeup. If you want proper clean and neat coverage apply a single layer first and then go in, in areas where you need more coverage with little amount of foundation or concealer.
- Using too much or incorrect primer: I feel a primer is not necessary if one’s skin is fine. However if you have oily skin and your skincare routine is fine but when applying makeup it still gets oily then you can go in with a mattifying primer for your makeup to last longer. Similarly if you have dry skin and you need more hydration underneath your makeup then go in with hydrating primers like the Too faced hangover primer, even the smashbox hydrating primer is good.
Applying too much primer is also not good as this will make the base more complicated or rather your foundation applied on it will ball up.
- Not Blending The Foundation Till Your Neckline: This is a mistake where I see some women make. If you just apply foundation on your face and go about your routine, then it is going to be noticed by some people out there as your face can be lighter or darker than your neckline and hence wearing the closest match to your skin tone and blending it till your neckline is very important as this will give you a better finish and neat look.
- Not Following A Good Skincare Routine: Practice CTM routine, cleansing, toning and moisturizing. According to your skin type use the right face wash followed by a toner and moisturizer suitable for your skin. If your skin is healthy then your foundation will apply like a dream. Hence inculcate a good skincare routine.
Hope you enjoyed reading this post. Please feel free to leave comments.