Tips for a flawless face
Even when stars are wearing a ton of makeup— and we know they all are— the goal is to look as if they just woke up, put on some lip gloss and, voila! — a flawless face miraculously appears. Truth be told, the key to a natural, even-looking complexion is knowing how to choose (and how to apply) the right foundation for your skin. We've invited celebrity makeup artist Emily Kate Warren to take us through the steps.
No one wants to look overdone, but that doesn't mean foundation should be skipped. You could have the sexiest smoky eyes or the richest red lips, but if you're not giving the look a nice, even base, the effect will be lost.
Applying foundation makes some people nervous. It shouldn't. Emily answered three great questions from our viewers, and in doing so demystified the foundation application and the shade-selection process.
Q: Are you supposed to use your fingers or a makeup sponge to apply foundation?
A: You could use a finger, a sponge, or a brush. To get an even result, what matters more is the quality and formulation of the foundation itself. Warren, who used a sponge on our model (but doesn't always), loves CoverGirl NatureLuxe Silk
Foundation because it contains natural ingredients like cucumber water and jojoba extract. Warren usually uses her finger to apply dots of foundation to the areas she wants to cover—forehead, nose, cheeks, chin— and then uses a sponge/finger/brush to blend the foundation softly toward the hairline.
Q: How do you find the right foundation color for your skin tone?
A: The only sure-fire way to get a match is to test the product on your cheek and your neck in daylight, not fluorescent light. Whatever color seems to disappear into your skin is the right shade. Your skin color might very well be in between two shades. The best thing to do is to buy two colors and mix them just like a makeup artist would. Also, you're not the same color all year round. Everyone's usually lighter or "cooler" in winter
and darker or "warmer" in summer so it's a good idea to have more than one foundation color on hand anyway.
Q: If I have breakouts can I still wear foundation?
A: Yes, just make sure your foundation is oil-free. Also, a foundation that contains SPF is important. Sun damage can intensify acne scarring. If your foundation includes SPF
you'll ensure that you always have enough protection.
Do you have any other makeup questions? Post them on our Facebook wall and we will get them answered.
