Laying the foundation
Thursday, November 26th, 2009
Foundation is used for many reasons. It may be used to create a smooth canvas for applying coloured cosmetics, even out skin tone, minimize discolouration such as redness, protect the skin fron sun, wind and pollution, or when properly blended, change the appearance of the colour tones in the skin.
Foundation should be applied to a cleansed and well moisturized face. Moisturizer will hydrate and help smoothen skin as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by temporarily filling in any creases that may be present. Wait a minute or two after applying moisturizer, or blot face with a tissue before applying liquid foundation to face, to prevent streaking.
Foundation may be applied using:
- Fingertips
- Cosmetic Sponges
- Foundation brushes
Fingertips
Liquid/ cream foundation may be simply applied using fingertips. Apply foundation on one finger, for example your index finger and dot on the forehead, nose, both cheeks and chin. Blend well using fingertips. Applying foundation in this way can impart oil and other bacteria that can be otherwise present on your fingers so be sure to wash hands properly before application.
Cosmetic Sponge
Foundation may also be applied using cosmetic sponges or triangles. When applied this way, a thicker layer of foundation may be applied at a time.
It is also possible to ‘stipple’ liquid/ cream foundation application i.e. to go over an area using a dotting motion to apply more layers of foundation to just one particular area. This may be done directly on the skin during the foundation application or it may be done in a process that is referred to as ‘layering’. In layering, one layer of liquid/ cream foundation may be applied followed by a layer of loose powder, then followed by another layer of foundation applied with the cosmetic sponge in the stippling motion, which is then followed by another layer of loose powder.
This method is most used when covering skin imperfections, scars or tattoos for example, and is best performed using cream foundations, which provide heavy coverage.
However, a considerable amount of foundation is absorbed by the cosmetic sponge. Cosmetic sponges are not disinfectable and are therefore disposable. They should be discarded at least once a month.
Foundation Brushes
There are many types of foundation brushes used by makeup artists, depending on the desired effect.
For liquid and cream foundations, the most common foundation brushes are flat, wide, made with stiff bristles and come in many different widths. The larger the width of the brush the more area it covers and the more easily it spreads the product. Larger brushes function well in imparting a very thin, even layer of foundation to the skin, and can also be used in the layering technique described above.
Smaller bristle widths enable the application of more concentrated coverage on smaller areas, and can be used to apply concealer.
Powders are best applied using large fluffy brushes. The use of compact powders usually will transfer more pigment to the skin in one application than would loose formulations. Loose powders are often applied after the application of coloured cosmetics to blend, or after liquid/ cream foundations to ‘set’ the foundation so that it lasts longer. However, loose powder may be applied on its own, without a foundation, or during the day for a lighter more natural look.
Foundation brushes, as all makeup brushes, should be washed with mild liquid soap or gentle daily shampoo at least once a month, and should be dried in a flat position, rather than in an upright position as doing so can destroy the integrity of the glue that holds the bristles together.
For more makeup tips see related post -> Frump to Fab in 10 steps
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