Kat y Withington: foundation
LESS GLAMOROUS THAN MY COLLEAGUES’ BEAUTY BEGINNINGS, a desperate need for coverage is what unlocked my personal make-up journey. I was the poster girl for hormonal acne in my early teens; think deep texture, aggressive redness and painful cysts, all by the age of 13. And while my teenage spottiness was hostile to say the least, it also sparked a lifelong love of foundation in all its finishes.
Whether it was stealing my mum’s treasured Touche Éclat (not designed for spots, by the way) or waking up early to watch my complimentary Bare Minerals DVD tutorial before school, mastering complexion make-up boosted my confidence in my early teens. Above covering and camouflaging spots, it was a gateway into lively blushes, contouring and the playful hues I choose today. From beginner-friendly mineral textures to my first luxury grown-up purchase (shout out to Mac Studio Fix Fluid), my early foundations enabled me to create a flawless canvas despite my skin’s condition and took away the insecurity of heading to school bare-faced (an unnecessary shame, which I’ve luckily shed with age).
Today, my base needs are far different from that of my former self. When my hormones plateaued, my skin followed. I used to fear any trace of glow, opting for thick, matte formulas to minimise the risk of highlighting uneven texture and blemishes. With my newfound balanced complexion, I’m far more experimental. Syncing my coverage throughout the month, I regularly switch between lighter finishes, dewy bases and buildable consistencies. Day to day, I wear a medium, luminous foundation, like Mac or Dior, but when my temperamental teenage skin reappears, you can bet that heavy-duty full coverage is the first thing I reach for.
Complexion make-up boosted my confidence