Cosmetic Foundations, Foundation Powders, and Other Face Make Up

Cosmetic foundations such as powders and liquid foundation are used to create a
clear, smooth skin tone - the illusion of seemingly flawless skin texture that will last as long as you desire.

Foundations provide the perfect base for the application of the rest of your make up products.

Face make up is meant to provide light to medium skin coverage and comes in a wide variety of colors and different types.

You may want to use the lightest covering during the summer and the heavier one during the winter.

Pick a Color that Matches Your Skin Tone...

It is also important to choose cosmetic foundations that looks natural (closely matches your coloring) and fits the desired effect you are seeking. You may require a separate concealer for skin blemishes, blotches, under eye dark rings and other discolorations.

Foundation should be applied to the skin first, before any other make up product, since other products may not blend as well to the naked skin and may even make blemishes and flaws look more pronounce.

Cosmetic foundations may be water-based, oil-based or oil-free, with varied consistencies and coverage, and are available in liquid, cream or powder form.

Loose Powder Cosmetic Foundations...

Powder adds the finishing touch to your foundation and keeps you looking fresh throughout the day. Powder can be used on its own to look natural. Be careful not to use too much powder, especially around the eyes where the excess powder can settle into the fine lines.

Powder based cosmetic foundations have the function of combining both foundation and powder in one product. It 'sets' your foundation to make it last, it adds a matte finish to the skin that looks fresh, makes the skin seem finer by making the pores seem smaller. You will only need concealer in addition to this rather that setting the foundation with powder.

Generally, moist products are applied first and other powders follow. But when you use powder foundation, you apply the concealer first. Then, using a latex sponge, spread the foundation across the whole face including eyelids, but not the lips.

Pressed Powder Foundations...

Pressed cosmetic foundations give a smooth, matte finish to the skin that helps control shine. It can be applied with either a damp or dry sponge. At first, it takes practice to use the right amount of powder.

This type of foundation works for all skin types and is easy to carry around since it's not as messy as loose powder. This makes it quick and handy for touch ups. It is available in more shades than loose powder.

When choosing a shade, get one as close to your foundation color as you can and use lightly since it tends to accumulate on your skin during touch ups.

Concealer

Concealer provides extra cover to specific areas of the face that require more cover than that provided by cosmetic foundations alone such as dark circles under the eyes, a pimple, tiny veins, or redness at the sides of the nose. Concealer also offers a good base for eye shadow when applied to the eyelids.

Concealers generally come in stick, liquid, or cream form. For blemishes, a thick dry stick concealer is good; liquid concealers are thin and runny; cream works for almost everything and everyone.

Concealer should be one or two shades lighter than your cosmetic foundations and have the same undertone (go two shades lighter for very dark circles). Concealer comes in a limited number of shades.

Liquid Foundations...

These usually offer light to medium coverage, can be applied using a sponge and are available in a wide range of colors that can be mixed to obtain in-between shades to match your skin tone (only mix cosmetic foundations of the same brand). Because liquid foundation is a more lightweight finish than compact it tends to be easier to use on dry skin. It is also best applied using cosmetic sponges.

To avoid a streaky finish place a very small amount of foundation on sponges and always brush over with powder. The powder helps the cosmetic foundations last longer.

Make sure you get the right cosmetic foundations for your skin type - choose an oil-based foundation for dry skin, water-based foundation for normal skin, and "oil-free" foundation for for oily skin. You can apply moisturizer 5 to 10 minutes before beginning your face powders application.

Cream Foundation...

When using a cream-based cosmetic foundations, concealer may be applied either before or after the foundation. Use a wedge-shaped latex sponge and light strokes to apply the foundation across the face.

You can tell how a cream formula will cover by how it feels to the touch. The thicker and heavier it feels, the more it covers. So if it feels slightly dry it offers light to medium cover. Very rich cream pigments are used for stage.

Try not to cover too thick with cream foundation or it may look artificial and draw attention to itself.

More Related Pages to Check Out...

Beauty Make Up Tips
Types of foundations available. Step-by-step instructions on applying eye shadow. Basic rules for matching shades, highlights and different tones. Eyelid shape determines whether to highlight or shade the eyelid. How to pluck your eyebrows. Eyeliner effects. Applying mascara. Cheek color application. Lining the lips and applying lipstick. Lip color choices.
Foundations | Apply Eye Shadow | Shading and Highlighting |
Eye Lid Shape | Shaping Eyebrows | Apply Eyeliner | Mascara Tips | Apply Blush | Apply Lipstick and Lipliner | Lip Color Choices

Skin Health Care
Natural facial masks recipes for women facials for normal, dry, oily and combination skin, simple enough for teens and amateurs. Protecting your skin from the sun.
Home Made Facials | Sun Protection

Cosmetics Tools
List describing the different make up brushes available for professional make-up application and their use.
Make Up Brushes

Acne Products (Attention Teens!)
Over the counter acne skin care products for people with mild cases of acne. List of effective products.
Over The Counter

Laser Surgery
How laser resurfacing surgery vaporizes wrinkles. Risks involved in this procedure. How to find the best laser plastic surgeon.
How Laser Surgery Works | Risks Involved | Finding Best Surgeons

Celebrity Without Make Up Pictures
Online photos of celebs with and without cosmetics and a short biography of each one. Make-up makes such a big difference!
Pamela Anderson | Britney Spears | Jennifer Lopez |
Christina Aguilera