Ancient Egyptians commonly used makeup, which they associated with wealth. They decorated cosmetic palettes with symbols of rejuvenation or animal pigments to absorb their powers, and they often displayed remnants of cosmetics in ancient art and tombs.
Nowadays, almost everyone wears makeup to enhance their beauty and show their artistic skills, using their faces as canvases. Finding makeup products to suit your personal needs is daunting with so many products on the market. Are you doing a matte look? a glossy look? how many shades of foundation do you need to buy? is bronzer necessary?
All these questions can intimidate beginners and make them shy away from their makeup journey altogether. Foundation is the fundamental component in most makeup routines and for good reason. It evens out the skin, covers imperfections, and provides a consistent canvas for other makeup products.
Here are some simple tips to avoid looking like a tangerine or an ashy ghost.
Finding your undertone
Makeup artist, Levi-Jade Taylor says: “Identifying your undertone is pretty much the only way to get a flawless finish with your make-up. Getting it wrong can make the skin appear ashy, sallow or dull.”
Undertones are the shades under your skin’s surface that impact makeup application. Finding out what undertone you have is as simple as checking the colour of the veins around your face or doing a fabric test.
Checking your veins in natural light you can identify if you have warm, cool or neutral undertones.
If your veins appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. Greenish veins, you probably have warm undertones. If it’s difficult to tell whether your veins are blue or green, you might have neutral undertones.
Identifying your undertone is essential if you’re going for a natural look.
Doing a fabric test is simple. All you have to do is try on clothes in various colours to see how they react with your skin.
People with warm undertones shine in colours like reds, oranges, and yellows. Those with cool undertones stand out in blue, purple, and green tones. Neutral undertones effortlessly harmonise with a wide array of colours.
Use natural light
Additionally, makeup should be done under adequate lighting to ensure you’re getting the most accurate results during application. Checking your foundation in natural daylight will ensure it looks good under different lighting conditions. Harsh artificial lights can sometimes distort the true colour of your foundation.
Face and neck match
One common mistake among makeup wearers is the harsh contrast between the face and chest, with the face appearing tan and the chest looking pale. This is usually because many people’s faces are darker than their neck and chest or vice versa, making foundation matching a bit difficult.
To avoid this issue, choose a foundation that matches the colour of your neck. This will diminish the contrast line and create a more seamless look. Of course, this is easier said than done.
You may need to mix two different foundation shades to achieve a closer match or experiment with different brands, testing different formulas of foundation in liquid, cream or powder form. Some brands like Fenty Beauty and BareMinerals even provide shade-matching tools to help you find your best shade based on your current foundation or photos.
Consider Your Skin Type
Choose a foundation formula that suits your skin type. Matte is recommended for oily skin, dewy foundations are optimal for dry skin, and oil-free for combination skin — to achieve a more natural look. Keep in mind that for all skin types, proper application techniques and tools can enhance the efficacy of your foundation. For instance, using a primer suited to your skin type can further help in achieving a smooth and long-lasting finish.
For dry skin, makeup products labelled as moisturising typically contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and oils known for their ability to add moisture to the skin.
In essence, trial and error is a part of the journey to discovering your makeup routine so don’t be afraid to experiment with different formulas and shades to find what works best for you!
Comments