Foundation 101

While spending some time with family a couple weeks ago my cousin asked me about foundation. She said she doesn't like to wear foundation but every now and then will use concealer to cover up scars, blemishes, dark circles, freckles, etc. We just got to talking about foundation and its importance so I thought I would do a post about it!

Alot of times we think foundation just feels cakey and cloggy and yuck! But it doesn't have to be that way! There are 3 different types of coverage. Sheer coverage, medium coverage and full coverage. There are also different types of foundation; powder foundation, cream foundation, and liquid foundation. 

So, lets talk about WHY we would even wear foundation in the first place. To me, the whole reason to wear foundation is to even out your skin tone and add some radiance to your complexion. A lot of women have red parts in their skin, around their nose, around the corners of their mouths, maybe even on the cheeks and forehead. So the skin then appears blotchy. Foundation will help even that out!  Another thing is the correct  foundation can make blemishes look less noticeable and it can make you look younger. Now just because I am saying that these are the reasons for foundation does not necessarily mean you are going to go cake on a thick layer of goop. Foundation is there to enhance and compliment your appearance, not change it. Do we understand the difference? =)

So what kind of foundation and coverage does your skin need then?

Sheer Coverage: If you are blessed with a clear and smooth complexion go for the sheer coverage! It will feel very light and give you subtle coverage. Sheer coverage foundations come in liquid, powder compact or a tinted moisturizer. 

Liquid is the greatest foundation to get for all skin types, you can either get an oil-free formula for oily skin or a moisturizing formula for dry skin.  

This is NARS Sheer Glow Foundation $42 at Sephora good for Dry skin 

or you can find the NARS Sheer Matte Foundation for Oily skin at Sephora as well. 

or 

Laura Mercier's Moisturizing Foundation $42 at Sepora

This foundation can be a very light coverage but is build able to create a more fuller coverage, so great!

Powder Compact is a dual finish powder foundation that gives you a quick sheer coverage. Just apply with a brush and your set to go! Super easy and great for touch ups on the go. What's great about powder foundation is you can also use a wet sponge to apply for more coverage if you ever needed to.

This is the Laura Mercier Foundation Powder $40 at Sephora

Then there is a Tinted Moisturizer, which is by far the sheerest of all sheer foundations. What it is is actually what it sounds like, a moisturizer with a little color added to make a tint. This is perfect to use during the summertime when your at the beach or lake and you don't want to wear much makeup. It definitely evens out the skin but at the same time provides very light coverage. Plus, a lot of moisturizer's have sunscreen in them so this is great in protecting your skin from the sun!

This is Urban Decay's Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 $30 at Sephora

or

The Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 $30 at sephora

Medium and Full Coverage: Medium to full coverage have thicker consistencies. You're going to want to use this type of foundation for concealing breakouts, scars, and even for just wanting a longer lasting fuller coverage. Types of medium and full coverage foundation are creme, stick, creme-to-powder and mineral powder. 

Cream-to-powder is so quick and simple, it has two in one! It goes on creamy and dries with a powdery finish. This type of foundation is great for oily skin because the powder part of it helps cut down on the shine. I also love that this foundation has buildable coverage, starting at medium and can build to full.

This is Clinique's City Base Compact Foundation $24 at Sephora

Mineral Powder is a loose powder that sticks to the skin, creating a medium to full coverage. This foundation is also great for oily skin because the mineral's help soak up the oil and feels really light.

Bare Minerals Foundation $26 at sephora

Cream is a foundation that is very smooth and creamy. It can be great for dry skin, however, you want to make sure you don't do too heavy of an application otherwise it will make your face look "cakey". I love to use a sponge for cream foundations and instead of a swiping motion I do more of a stippling motion. Also, the great thing about cream foundation is you can mix in a little bit of regular moisturizer to the cream to create a more sheer coverage. Cream really can be used as all three coverage's!Another thing that is great is you can always use the cream foundation as a concealer. It's so versatile!

This is Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation $42 at Sephora

Stick  foundation basically is very similar to cream foundation, its more of a cream foundation and concealer in one. This is probably the best type of foundation for someone who wants the fullest coverage there is. It is ideal for normal to dry skin and someone who needs the coverage. On someone with clear skin it might look too heavy and cakey. 

This is Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick $41 at Sephora

These are all just examples and I am sure there are a ton of other brands that work just as well! These are just a few that I really like. If you are wondering what color of foundation to get check out my other blog post here about how to find the correct color of foundation! 

Hope you enjoyed! Thanks for reading!!

Have a great day =)

Leah

Bridal Makeup

Its that time of year! Alot of people are and have been getting married now that the weather is getting better. (Although, my hubby and I are weird and we got married in January!) Soooo I thought I would show you guys my take on a beautiful bridal makeup look!!! When I got married (back in 2008) since I knew how to do my own makeup I just did it myself, however, I was so nervous and anxious that the whole time I was doing it my hands were shaking. I thought, this would of been so much better had I hired a makeup artist to do it. At the time I knew I had a love for makeup but hadn't yet decided to become a makeup artist. Oh well though! Everything worked out!

Here's some pictures of the hubs and I freezing in the snow! hahaha 

Aww, that was the best day EVER! Even if it was 20 degree's outside... we were so in love, I don't even remember being cold! lol

Sooo if you are planning on getting married anytime soon my advice would be if you feel very confidant about doing your own makeup, do it! If not, hiring a makeup artist is a good way to go too!! Either way do what's best for you and your special day! I'm going to show you my take on one bridal look, you can use either one for which ever time of day! It's really up to you and what you like! =) If you are getting married in the morning you can do more of natural look and for an evening wedding you can make the look alittle more smoky.

Makeup I will use:

Eyes
Brule by MAC (matte color that matches skin color)

Thank you by Bare Escentuals (peachy color)

Precious by Bare Escentual (shimmery pinkish light brown)

Taupe color from the Yaby Palette

Enchanting Diamond by Bare Escentuals (Matte Reddish Brown)

Rock Crystal by Bare Escentuals (skin color with shimmer)

Crystal Avalanche by MAC (white shimmer)

Black Pencil Liner 

Black Mascara

Cheeks- Terracotta by La Femme (shimmery coral pink)

Lips- Nudish Pink Lip Liner (I used one from Wet n' Wild)
and for the lipstick I used the Graftobian Fashion palette...the first two colors

  and this Dreamy by Rimmel maybe? It doesn't say on the lipstick and I can't remember what brand! It was a nude shimmery color.

Now for the TUTORIAL

First, I primed my eyelids with the Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Use fluffy eyeshadow brush to wash the whole lid with Brule by MAC all over the lid up to the brow bone.

Then take the Peachy color and use a medium eyeshadow brush to sweep this color onto your lid up into the crease.

Next take Precious (shimmery pinkish brown) and press onto the lid closest to the lash line about half way up, not all the way to the crease.

Then I used a taupe color from my yaby palette (but any taupe, greyish brown color will work). I started in the outer corner with a pencil brush and worked my way into the crease

Next, take the matte reddish brown with a smaller pencil brush and create alittle bit of a triangle in the outer corner of your eyelid. Do a windshield wiper motion in that corner and bring it up a little bit into the crease.

Then I used a shimmery skin color in the crease to blend the darker color a little bit. I just used a windshield wiper motion in the crease.

and then I highlighted under the brow and in the inner corner of the eye with a white shimmery color.

Then, line the bottom and top waterlines from inner corner to the outcorner with your pencil liner.

If your happy with just that you can stop right there with the liner. If you want a little bit something more you can add the Gel Liner or Liquid Liner to the top. 

Next, curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler and apply the mascara.

and then I used a small angled brush and used a matte brown eyeshadow that matches my hair color to do my brows

For the cheeks you can look at my earlier post on how to put on your blush here. 

I used a light shimmery coral pink.

Lastly, I lined my lips and then lipstick. Its important to line the lips all over, this helps the color stay longer. I wouldn't suggest to add gloss because most soon to be hubbies don't like getting gloss all over their lips!

and Tada! Here's the whole look put together!

and thats it for our Bridal look!!!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!!

Leah