Foundations and Where to Start

Picture Styled by: Sibella Court
Article written by: Seidah Nichols, The Makeup Professional

Let’s face it. It is hard to find the right foundation out there for women of color. Not to mention all the different brands to choose from, and options like powder, liquids, creams etc. It can all be extremely overwhelming. So here are a few tips and some advice to take with you the next time you go shopping for makeup.

1-HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS MY SHADE?
First off let me say this: DO NOT pick a shade based on the lighting in the store! Most stores use florescent lighting which will not give you a realistic look at how well the makeup matches your skin tone. Pick three shades that you think are closest to your skin tone and apply a stripe of each to your jaw line. Make sure you carry a pocket mirror and shop for foundation in the day time so that you can go outside in the natural light and see how well the makeup REALLY matches your complexion. The shade that you can not see is the right shade for you. Remember the makeup should blend into your skin. It should not be obvious that you are wearing makeup.

2-LIQUIDS, POWDERS AND CREAMS, OH MY!
You have to start off by deciding what type of coverage you want. Do you want sheer coverage, medium coverage or full coverage? Most people who think they need full coverage can actually use a concealer to hide those trouble spots, like under the eyes or blemishes, and then follow up with a tinted moisturizer.
After you narrow down the brand you want to use, then you can decide what type of coverage that brand offers. Tinted moisturizers are usually the lightest coverage available. It’s a foundation and moisturizer in one step which can be pretty convenient to those of us with time restraints.
Liquid foundations take some time to apply because you want make sure you blend it in properly. Trust, you do not want to leave to house spotty looking.
Powders are good for those of us who don’t want to feel like you are wearing makeup. Use a FACE brush when applying powder foundation for complete control over the coverage you want.
Creams are a blend between powders and liquids and can seem heavy if you don’t apply it correctly. I suggest using your fingers rather than those useless sponges that come with your makeup. Remember when using your finger to apply makeup, PAT it into your skin for a more blended look. Never RUB!
It is really all about preference so I suggest trying all different options of foundation. And you do not have to buy it to try it. Most stores will give you FREE samples so don’t be afraid to ask for them. Wear it for a day and see which one fits your lifestyle best.

3-TWO-TONED SKIN
A lot of Sisters face the problem of two-toned skin, which can be a real headache when shopping for makeup. I suggest you pick the tone that takes up the majority of your face and matches closest to your neck, and then pick a foundation based on that.

Other tips:

-Do not pick a shade by matching it to the back of your hand. The skin on you face and your hand are not the same.

-Go shopping for make up, with no makeup on. That way you are matching the shade to YOUR natural skin tone. So break out the big shades!

-Remember NEVER buy makeup the same day. Get samples and try them out first. You never know. You’re skin may have some type of reaction to the foundation.

My Brand Highlight: Becca Cosmetics. Becca has the widest range of shades I have seen on the market. From butter pecan to the darkest chocolate you will definitely find your shade. Check them out at www.beccacosmetics.com

If you have any questions about this article or other beauty concerns, you can contact me at TheMakeupProfessional@hotmail.com
You can also check out my Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/professionalmua

Queens always put their best Face Forward!!
This is The Makeup Professional signing off