Ever have a problem with your concealer/foundation looking too thick and cakey?
Following these tips & tricks to prevent that ickiness on your face! (:
1. Has your moisturizer sunken into the skin? - - - - - - - - - -
First thing is to let your moisturizer really sink into your skin before you begin putting anything on your face. This is really important, because if your moisturizer is still sitting on the surface skin, your face products will just slip and slide all over the place.
I recommend waiting about 15-20 minutes before putting foundation and concealer on. I typically do my eyes first (since I don't moisturize my eyelids usually) and then do my foundation once I'm done.
2. Brushes, brushes, brushes!!! - - - - - - - - - -
This is the second most important thing. You can have the most amazing, expensive, miracle makeup, but without the right tools, it'll look like poop on your face! Imagine if you had a rainbow of MAC shadows, but you only had sponge-tip applicators to apply it? It won't look near as good as if you were using different types of makeup brushes, right?
The most typical brush people use for foundation is a basic paddle brush like a MAC 190: http://tinyurl.com/4gprsft
I honestly really dislike this brush unless you are needing serious full coverage. I feel like I'm painting it on my face, rather than letting my makeup look like it's part of my skin. So I like using a brush that more so buffs the product into my skin.
My all time favourite foundation brush is a MAC 109 (http://tinyurl.com/4g452rm $32). This works well because it's extremely dense, allowing you to really buff the product in the skin, making it look MUCH more natural and not at all cakey, because again, you're BUFFING it into the skin rather than just putting the product on top of the skin. If you don't want to splurge on a MAC brush, just try looking for one that has a stubbier top with the bristles very dense and compact, like Sigma's F05 (http://www.sigmabeauty.com/product_p/f05.htm $14)
Same for concealer; I like using a more dense brush to apply concealer as well to keep it from looking cakey. MAC's 217 (http://tinyurl.com/48gucjn $22.50), which yes, I know is typically used for blending eyeshadow, but works miracles for concealer! MAC's 227 (http://tinyurl.com/4t6rsqo $30) works really well also because the bristles are more dense. Again, if you don't want to splurge, just find brushes that are similar and have the key part: dense bristles!
3. The correct way to apply: - - - - - - - - - -
After you have the recommended type of brushes, the way you apply it is very crucial as well. Pick up the product on the tip of the brush only, don't drench it!
Circular motions, always. Also, don't grip the brush tight. If using high quality brushes like MAC, the brush itself should do the work for you, not your arm! Hold the brush midway down the handle, not on the metal part. Swiftly move your WRIST, not arm, in small circular motions on the face. There shouldn't be much pressure at all, both in the way you're holding the brush, as well as when it's touching your face. Again, let the tip/surface of the brush do the work for you; don't push the brush into the skin.
Begin with one cheek, next to the nose, and work your way out towards the ears, then chin, etc. You should apply it in circular motions in a SUNBURST pattern (:
4. Powder it up! - - - - - - - - - -
I know this sounds really weird, but using powder on the skin makes your makeup look less powdery and makes the skin look more smooth if using it to set your foundation. Trust me! The key is to not pack the powder on and to just lightly apply it, with a bigger brush with the bristles not too compacted and dense. Those skunk brushes work really well for powder (like MAC's 187, $42) or just a really big powder brush, something like MAC's 150, $42.
Barely pick any powder and lightly apply. You don't even have to apply powder EVERYWHERE. You can spot treat it if you want; just where you tend to get oily/shiny (forehead, outer parts of the face, nose, apples of cheeks). You can also tap the powder on rather than swirl it on the skin.
The powder takes away that liquidy look foundation can cause. Powder also helps keep your foundation lasting longer! Try this: after your foundation, only powder half of your face, then compare. You'll see a difference!
5. (OPTIONAL): Primer - - - - - - - - - -
Apply primer after your moisturizer (let it sink in first!) and before your foundation. I don't know if this goes for all primers, but I do know that MAC's Prep+Prime Skin (http://tinyurl.com/67e27jp $26.50) has silica in it, which temporarily fills in fine lines and pores, pretty much making a blank canvas for your foundation. Since it fills in fine lines and pores, your foundation will apply and look more smooth.
Next time you're at a MAC counter, get a little bit of Prep+Prime Skin and apply it to your hand; you'll instantly feel that your skin is super silky, smooth, and soft. After you apply the primer to your hand, compare it to your bare hand. You'll be able to feel a big difference!
And there we go!
Now that you're all educated, go out and enjoy your non-caked-up makeup!
Hope you enjoyed (:
♥
- Diamond
www.formspring.me/diamosaur
