THE TOOLS
TINTED MOISTURISER WITH SPF This is make-up that gives you that no make-up look and there’s the added benefit that it’s all-in-one. The tinted moisturiser hydrates the skin and the Sun Protection Factor protects it.
The great thing about this clever sunblock is that it’s light. You won’t feel as though you have make-up on, but it will be able to even out your skin tone ever so slightly.
However, avoid products that make your skin appear grey and find one that mimics your natural colouring.
Also be aware that the very thin consistency of this product means you may have to reapply it throughout the day.
Tinted moisturiser will not cover dark blemishes. BB CREAM A BB is a blemish balm. It’s another all-in-one product and promises a great deal more than a tinted moisturiser.
BBs have the combined properties of primer (to smooth out the skin and ensure makeup applied over lasts longer); foundation, SPF, and hydrating moisturiser.
They may also boast anti-ageing and treatment ingredients to lighten and brighten the skin.
BB creams are creamy in texture, but still very light and breathable, making them ideal for everyday use.
There is no putting on make-up for 20 minutes – simply apply the lotion to your face.
As with anything else, you need to take the time to find the right shade for you in a product that suits your skin type. Coverage depends on your skin. BB cream may not cover dark blemishes. CONCEALER Many women battle to use concealers because they are so thick. But they are specially formulated to cover blemishes, pigmentation, scars, dark circles and even tattoos effectively.
When incorrectly applied, they can draw attention to your problem areas, however, so use sparingly to achieve a flawless look.
Liquid concealer is buildable, so you can layer until you’re happy.
Creamy concealer is ideal for dry skin and best applied with a brush.
In summer, apply concealer directly on to the skin and blend in by tapping it with a blending sponge or your ring finger. Avoiding rubbing it in as you will actually just be wiping it off. Follow with foundation where it is needed and powder to set it all. COLOUR CORRECTORS More and more make-up houses offer professional colour correctors. Use sparingly and apply correctly to avoid looking like a rainbow.
Use in this way: orange: dotted over dark circles around the eyes; green to hide redness such as broken capillaries near the nose; purple if you have a very yellow undertone and cream for bruises. FOUNDATION There are a confusingly wide variety.
Start by choosing the consistency you prefer. Liquid foundation is silky. It’s easy to apply on rushed mornings. You can get anything from a satin to a completely matte finish depending on the brand.
Creamy foundation is more dense and tends to be oil-based. They are best at evening out skin tone.
Foundation sticks, which look like lipstick and are often used for contouring and strobing, are thicker and work best for a night out. If you have problem skin it will block your pores and is not advised.
While liquid will suffice in the day, a creamy foundation is ideal for big events such as weddings or a photo shoot.
It helps to set your foundation with a translucent powder, especially in warmer weather. MOUSSE Mousse foundation is creamy with a whipped texture. It feels airy and is oil-free. Mousse foundation gets its velvety texture from the water and silicone it contains. It provides medium-to-full coverage and is recommended for more mature skin or people with larger pores and oily to combination skin. It’s fluffy nature helps to defuse wrinkles. POWDER There is a difference between translucent, mineral, pressed and foundation powders.
Loose TRANSLUCENT POWDER is great to use over creamy foundations as it takes away shine. It may be applied with a powder brush or sponge and dusted off afterwards with a powder brush. (Make-up artists refer to this as baking.)
MINERAL POWDERS are great for spring as they offer that dewy look. They are also considered good for acne-prone skin and may contain skin treatment ingredients.
MINERAL POWDERS provide light coverage and are best applied with a powder brush.
PRESSED POWDERS are semisolid and often sold in a compact. They come in different shades and may be applied with a powder puff. Be careful when applying as the powder may settle into fine lines or give the skin a caked appearance.
FOUNDATION POWDERS are creamy while still offering a powder finish on the skin.They can be used daily and are recommended for oily to combination skin types.