Skin Tone- “Cool” or “Warm”
-If you have a “cool” skin tone: Pinks, lavenders, blues and silvers are probably the most complimentary colors on you. To look the most natural, you would want to choose a “cool” foundation and/or powder. This means that the base hue in the foundation is blue/ pink. Of course, this does not mean that you should limit the rest of your makeup & style arsenal to only “cool” colors, just so long as the canvas, your face, is primed with the “cool” foundation or powder that matches your skin tone. Balance is the key here. If you want to wear a warm color, blend a cooler color with it to make sure it works with your cool skin tone. For example, a ‘warm’ copper can be ‘cooled’ by blending a pink hue. Think like an artist. Colors become what you make them!
-If you have a “warm” skin tone: Oranges, yellows, reds and golds are probably the most complimentary colors on you. To look the most natural, you would want to choose a “warm” foundation and/or powder. This means that the base hue in the foundation is yellow. Of course, this does not mean that you should limit the rest of your makeup arsenal to only “warm” colors, just so long as the canvas, your face, is primed with the “warm” foundation or powder that matches your skin tone. Balance is the key here. If you want to wear a cool color, blend a warmer color with it to make sure it works with your cool skin tone. For example, lavender can be ‘warmed’ by blending in a ‘warm’ copper hue. Think like an artist. Colors become what you make them!
What if you look good in ALL colors?
Then you are VERY lucky! You probably have a “neutral” skin tone, which means you should probably wear a “neutral” foundation and/or powder. However, you may be able to get away with either “warm” or “cool” foundations. “Trial and error” comes into play here! Get together with your girlfriends for a makeup play day!
How Do You Find the Perfect Color of Foundation For Your Skin?
To find your perfect color, pick out 3-4 different shades of foundation and swipe a minimal amount (with a cotton swab) on your jawline. The one that blends in the best is the shade you should purchase. However, if you do not find a shade that 'blends' well with your skin, try mixing 2 (maybe 3) shades at a time and trying the mixture on your jawline again. It is not unusual to have to mix a couple different shades. Afterall, not all skin colors are the same.
Diminish the Appearance of Fine Lines
Use a slight shimmering (light-reflecting, but not too glittery) foundation to reduce the appearance of fine lines. You can buy special formulas to reduce the appearance of fine lines, and they are labeled as such. Most of those formulas have a slight shimmer. If you use powder, use a minimal amount to prevent ‘caking’ in fine lines. I recommend applying powder with a big brush, and blend.
Changing With the Seasons
During summer, you may want to use a darker shade of tinted moisturizer/foundation/powder than what you use in the winter, that is IF your skin is darker in the summer (usually because of more sun exposure) and lighter in the winter.
Moisturizer!
-Always use moisturizer. Find which one works best for your skin, and use it every day.
-If you have fairly normal skin and live in a location where seasons change considerably, consider using a lighter (oil-free) lotion in the summer and a heavier cream in the winter.
-If your skin gets extra dry in the winter, skip powder and opt for a liquid foundation to help keep your face extra moisturized. If you do wear powder on top of foundation (good for setting), use it sparingly. Using powder without moisurizer and foundation under it can enhance the ashy/ flaky appearance of dry skin.
-If you tend to sweat a lot in the summer or will be outside for long periods, opt for tinted moisturizer because it is lighter than liquid foundation.
Mineral Makeup
This is another great option for most of us and for almost all year long. Those of you with sensitive skin, be sure to test a small area before committing to any makeup line, including mineral makeup. Some mineral makeup contain mica, which can cause an allergic reaction in some. If you do not have sensitive skin, I highly recommend using mineral makeup, even if just as a supplement to your liquid foundation. Mineral makeup helps give a flawless, natural look that feels light and fresh. Just remember to blend like crazy! :)
Make Your Own Tinted Moisturizer
To get natural-looking color and moderate coverage without the heaviness of foundation and powder, add a small amount of foundation or concealer to your normal moisturizer (with SPF, of course).
Concealer
-When covering pimples, use a solid, liquid or cream concealer that is ever-so-slightly DARKER than your skin. Sometimes using the same shade of concealer as your skin tone does work well depending on the blemish. A slightly darker concealer simply helps provide a minimizing effect for larger blemishes. Using a green-tinted concealer to neutralize redness works really well too. Some concealers even have acne-fighting ingredients. Just be careful not to use the medicated concealer near your eyes.
-For dark under eye circles, apply a liquid or cream concealer that is one shade LIGHTER than your skin, or use a yellow or orange/peach-tinted concealer to neutralize the blue circles.
-Mineral concealers also work well on both blemishes and under eye circles.
-Try each concealer type on yourself to see which works best with your skin (liquid, cream, solid, mineral, etc.).
Pamper yourself today!
(c) 2008 CB All rights reserved.
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