Finding the Perfect Foundation for YOU

Hey Guys!

I just had a request on finding the right foundation...so I decided to do a blog on it!

Everyone's skin is different and every girl wants their makeup to look a certain way...so not everyone will like the same foundation. Have no fear...I'm here to help!

The first step to a flawless face is a primer!  The benefits of a primer is as follows:

· Creates a matte surface so makeup glides on and stays on.
· Smooths out large pores, uneven skin tone and blemishes.
· Prevents breakouts.
· Keeps make-up looking fresh by locking it in.
· Helps mineral make up last longer and look less cakey.
· Makeup stays on for 8+ hours, looking as good as when first applied.
· Smooths skin texture which reflects light and eliminates
shadows (so you look younger)
· Keeps your makeup fresh in 100+ degree heat (great for summer)
· Softens appearance of fine lines.

I cannot say enough good things about primers. I come home from a long day with my makeup looking exactly the way it did when I left that morning. Primers can also be worn alone to give you a natural but smooth look. Now primers come in two forms...a liquid/gel and a loose powder.

My favorite primer is Too Faced Primed & Poreless...the texture is so smooth and you can rub the product and it doesn't ball up like some other primers, such as Smashbox. It also comes in a beautiful bronze tint for a summer glow! This primer also has retinol and will help to smooth lines (added bonus)!

A good primer is NOT cheap...most run $30-40. As a makeup artist I've learned a few tricks. One of them may sound a little crazy but it works...so stick with me here. Monistat Chaffing Gel actually makes an amazing primer...and it's only about $7. Just so you know, it does not have any type of medication in it and is only used as a barrier treatment for the skin. Google it...

A gel primer is good for normal to dry skin. It really will create a smooth barrier between your skin and your makeup and will allow the makeup to sit on top of the primer and not your skin where it can mix with your oils and fade or become splotchy.

Now for you ladies with oily skin there's a primer for you too! And the benefits of this primer are large! It works like the gel primer but absorbs oils as well. Too Faced Primed & Poreless comes in a powder form as well. It feels so smooth and liquid like but it's a powder...you must experience it. It also works as a setting powder and makes your foundation look HD and flawless. So you can really sandwich it with your foundation. Primer....foundation...and primer again. You can use this primer with liquid or powder foundation. It's ah-may-zing.

Now let's get to the good stuff...

FOUNDATION.

Foundation is one of those things once you find a good one, you stick with it. It's also one of the most important things you will use on your face...so make sure you do your face a favor and spend a little money on a good product. Eye shadows, blushes, mascaras and such you can usually go for the drug store brands, but foundation is literally the foundation for your face. You want it to look amazing or everything else will not look good.

For Light - Medium Coverage
If you already have perfect skin and just want something light...try something like Bare Minerals. The downside to this line is that it's all loose powders and can be very messy. It DOES NOT look good on aged or dry skin, or skin with large pores. It will really show them!

Too Faced Amazing Face Powder is great...what I love about it: It is very buildable, meaning you can use more for fuller coverage. It always looks so flawless and never cakey. It also has SPF 15. It's jet milled so the product is very fine and smooth and looks like a dream. It looks great on any skin type as well, even ladies with wrinkles or large pores. It glides right over imperfections to create a beautiful, natural finish. I also double this as a concealer. It helps with undereye discoloration and redness. Take an eyeshadow brush and dab powder on specific areas you want covered.

I also LOVE Glo Minerals Pressed Powder and wore this for years. It's a great mineral foundation but gives good coverage!

Tinted moisturizers are also great for a light coverage. I really like Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisture with SPF 20. It comes in 3 different formulas.

For Medium to Full Coverage -

If you're looking for a flawless face but fuller converge try one of these...

Too Faced Liquid Foundation...why I love it: It has vitamins A, C & E and Gabba...Gabba relaxes the muscles and helps smooth skin. It's also oil-free and will not cause breakouts. The only down side is that the color options are mostly for Caucasian skin. They don't yet have great darker options. I also love this foundation because you can wear it sheer like a natural tinted moisturizer or build it up as a fuller coverage foundation.

For 4 years I wore Glo Minerals Liquid Satin Foundation. I actually still use this on brides and models. It's beautiful flawless coverage and it's good for your skin as well! It comes in super light colors too for us fair skinned girls :).

Another good FULL coverage (not for the weak of heart) foundation is Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. This is good for special occasions as it really gives a heavy coverage.

I always use a powder to set any liquid foundation for longer wear and matte finish. You can use a translucent powder or for fuller coverage you can use a corresponding pressed powder (try the ones above).

Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Powder

If you go into a store like Sephora or Ulta or a department store counter, you will find someone able to color match you to find the perfect shade for you.