The Black Woman seems to fall into one of three schools of
thought when it comes to using foundation. The women who go
overboard with foundation and end up with the thick, ‘pancake’
look; others who don’t see the need for foundation, hate the
‘pancake’ look they see on other women and therefore stay away
from foundation totally and then there are the women who realise
that foundation is a useful and sometimes necessary tool, who
have practised with different shades and formulas of foundations
and have learnt to create the ‘flawless skin’ look made possible
with the discreet use of foundation. The truth is that every
woman should belong to the third school of thought and should
know that very few women have wonderful skin everyday. For the
discerning woman, the illusion of perfect skin is achieved by
using the right foundation properly. The feeling you get from
having seemingly perfect skin is akin to what you feel when you
finally find a pair of black trousers that suit you perfectly –
immense confidence.
There are two important features to look for when choosing
foundation and they are colour and formula or type of
foundation. Unlike a lot of women apparently think, foundation
is not meant to be the colour you wish your skin was but is
supposed to be your exact skin shade. The only way to choose the
right colour of foundation for your skin is to experiment by
trying different colours. Of course, this experiment may turn
out to be a little expensive but think of it as research towards
creating a better-looking you! To discover the perfect colour
match for your skin, dab a little foundation onto your finger
and draw a line with the foundation onto your cheek. If the base
disappears into your skin and you can’t see it, then it is the
perfect shade for you.
Choosing a specific foundation type or formula depends on your
skin type and the reason you need the foundation. For example:
use oil-free foundation if you have oily skin, moisturizing
formulas for dry skin and special, light-reflecting formulas for
mature skin. Liquid formulas give the skin complete coverage but
tend to make the skin look ‘opaque’. They are best used for
photo shoots, music videos, shows and such events. 2-in-1
formulas combine foundation and powder and are best for everyday
use.
Having chosen the right foundation for your skin colour and
type, the next thing to get to grips with is its application.
The most important thing in foundation application is blending.
It is essential to blend the formula into the skin properly. Use
a cosmetic sponge or a blending brush to do this. Using a
blending brush to apply foundation takes a longer time and
requires patience but you use less of the (expensive!)
foundation when you use a brush than when you use a sponge.
Besides, it is easier to reach awkward areas with brushes and
they are easier to keep clean. Using your fingers to apply
foundation is not a good idea unless you want to achieve a
particular ‘look’ because the application usually ends up uneven
and messy.
For greater coverage, dip the sponge or brush into the
foundation and make a few dots across the forehead, down the
nose, on the cheeks and a dot on the chin. It is best to work on
small areas at a time, so blend the foundation across the
forehead first, then down the nose, on both cheeks, on the chin
and pat what is left on the sponge or brush onto the eyelids.
For lighter coverage, apply foundation only onto blemishes and
blend properly. Always blend foundation into the skin using
short, downward strokes. This makes large pores look smaller and
encourages fine hairs on the face to lie flat giving the
impression of a smoother, clearer complexion. Finally, ‘set’ the
foundation with translucent powder. This makes the foundation
stay on the skin for longer.
The secrets to flawless-looking skin have now been revealed.
What foundation school of thought do you belong to?