I hate foundation. There, I said it! Not the words you usually expect from a makeup artist.
I love skin, skin in its happiest and healthiest condition. When people ask me what’s best to cover up problem skin, I direct them to skincare before foundation. Now, after hating on foundation, I will give it some credit. Foundation plays a big part in my makeup kit. I could never do my job without it. The choices and formulas on the market are better than they have ever been. It can work magic for both a person’s appearance and confidence. But I am a firm believer in creating a perfect foundation for foundation, yes, I just wrote that! SKIN is your natural foundation!
Skin doesn’t always like to cooperate. Hormones, stress and a million other factors can throw a monkey wrench into this equation. Skin isn’t easy. Lucky for us, there is help when life shows up in our skin. My esthetic as a makeup artist is that less is perfect. I love natural; Not the natural that takes an hour to create the “no makeup, makeup look.” Like the real deal, as little makeup as possible. And if you are going to wear natural makeup, skin in its healthiest, happiest condition is key.
So, before the makeup, let’s talk prep.
First, get a good cleansing routine down pat. Yes, at the end of the day, washing my face can be a drag but when I don’t do it, I am quickly reminded why I should. Next, find the moisturizer that works best for you and your skin. Not all products are meant for everyone! Take into consideration your skin concerns, problem areas and skin type. Overtime, those concerns can change, and so will your routine. There are cleansing and moisturizing products that can address issues like redness, acne and dryness. Getting rid of redness alone can immediately reduce your need for covering up your skin with foundation, like TriDerma’s Facial Redness Repair. Also, sometimes a little extra self-care like a scrub, acne treatment or some deeper hydration adds a glow boost. TriDerma recommends a deep exfoliator at least three times a month, such as the Spot & Wrinkle Erasing Scrub. Finally, SUNBLOCK! I don’t care how easily you tan or how tough your skin is, protect the skin you are in. The days of icky pasty sunblock are over.
Now, let’s talk post prep.
Post skin prep, I like to use makeup to remove and enhance. Intro, concealer! Spot coverage with concealer, using under eyes and up into the corners to brighten. Eyelids can often be darker or a bit pink, so putting a little concealer on your lids can really brighten the eye area too. Around the corners of your nose is another area than can really benefit from some coverage. Sometimes our face just needs a little more coverage! Layering a tinted moisturizer or light foundation under concealer adds that extra oomph we want. TIP: For the dreaded zit, I pat a light layer of powder on the zit and then spot cover with concealer. A light layer of powder underneath can help the concealer hang on longer. This is all part of the remove phase, and as always, all this looks better over properly loved skin.
Next, the enhance phase. Start with curling your eyelashes, as it opens up the eye. I think the eyelash curler is one of the weirdest inventions, but let’s face it, it’s great! If you have particularly stubborn straight lashes, waterproof mascara helps hold the curl longer. Next, I like a very thin line of black or brown eyeliner sunk as deeply as possible into the lash line. My desired effect is a thicker lash line, not an eyeliner look. Then, mascara is one of my favorite things in my kit! I layer it up with two coats. Don’t skimp on mascara!
Cream blush is my next go to; To apply, smile then pat on the apple of your cheeks. Keep patting until you have a subtle rosy cheek, being careful not to go too close to the center of your face. If you tend to run on the oily side, powder blush is great too. A light layer of neutral powder applied with a fluffy powder brush to set everything will add longevity. But if you are using powder blush, set your skin before you apply. Powder after blush if you are using a cream. Lips are often where I go a little brighter with this minimalist look. I personally like the look of a stain; a red patted on lightly so there are no hard lines is beautiful. And from a lazy standpoint, easier to maintain.
So, start with a skincare and prep routine. Then, try this as an easy everyday minimalist look. Sometimes we need more, but this is great for when our skin is feeling fresh. I never want to diminish from how hard it is when our skin just isn’t cooperating. My final takeaway for you is, makeup is fun. There are a million different ways to play, don’t be afraid to play but first and foremost, take care of your natural foundation – your skin!