Ideal tone: all about how to apply foundation. Heavy artillery: foundations that will hide any imperfections The ideal foundation

In the cosmetic arsenal of a modern woman, as a rule, there are many products to create perfect makeup. However, among all this diversity it is Foundation, as if by magic, is able to transform your appearance in a matter of minutes, hiding small wrinkles or masking skin imperfections. That is why special attention should be paid to its acquisition, so that instead of a wonderful transformation, you do not turn your face into a mask.
In this article we:

Basic criteria for choosing the best foundation

The trend towards natural make-up forces manufacturers to improve the quality of foundations year after year. A modern foundation is a weightless “second skin” that provides maximum comfort throughout the day. When choosing a foundation, pay attention to the following nuances:

Comfortable texture. As a rule, foundations have a delicate consistency ranging from a fluid cream-fluid to a soft mousse. The most important thing is their ability to quickly and evenly distribute over the skin, not flow into wrinkles and pores and not emphasize peeling.

Sufficient masking ability. Pigments are responsible for camouflage: the more of them, the better remedy covers the shortcomings. To prevent the highly pigmented product from being too dense, light polymers are added to it.

Durability. Good remedy stays on the skin all day without requiring correction, does not remain on clothes or phones, and does not rub off when touched. Please note that creams with increased durability must be removed with special makeup removers.

Rich color palette . The wider the choice, the easier it is to choose perfect shade, close to the natural complexion. Modern foundations adapt to the color of the skin, blending with it, making makeup as natural as possible, without the effect of a mask.

Presence of light-scattering particles. High-quality light scattering creates a soft focus effect on the skin (blur effect), visually smoothing out imperfections.

Finish suitable for skin type and characteristics. It can be matte, semi-matte, shining, moist, velvety (powdery), satin, satin. The finish helps highlight the face and make it more alive. But if you have oily skin, be careful with shiny finishes.

Availability of SPF. Protection against photoaging is important even in winter, so you should choose products with SPF of at least 10.

Previously, it was believed that foundation should be selected according to skin type (oily, dry, normal, combination). Nowadays, manufacturers are gradually abandoning skin type labeling on their foundations. The fact is that modern products are becoming more and more versatile and lightweight, which means they are suitable for all skin types. If desired, any product can be adapted “to suit you”: for example, dry skin should be well moisturized beforehand, and oily skin should be set with powder after applying the tone.

Which brand of foundation should I choose?

Good foundations can be found in all price categories. Luxury brands offer the best quality: Estee Lauder, Lancome, Dior, Clinique, Guerlain. Serious laboratories are working on the creation of such cosmetics, where the latest developments and high-quality polymers are used. Luxury products provide weightless and natural, but long-lasting coverage with high concealing properties.

If you can't afford expensive brands, don't despair. There are many very worthy products in the mass segment, the quality of which often approaches luxury. Pay attention to famous brands Max Factor, Revlon, Bourjois, Catrice etc. - their creams are of excellent quality. Popular among Korean foundations Enough- brand products are suitable for most girls and are inexpensive.

In the budget segment you can also find pleasant surprises. Inexpensive creams do not have a high covering power, but they do a good job of hiding minor defects, evening out the tone of the face, and giving it a healthy look and radiance. If you need something else, why not save money? By the way, the largest number positive feedback brand foundations deserve Art make-up, Divage, Estrade, Rimmel.

We have painted an image of the ideal foundation, but is it real? In our rating we will try to answer this question. We compared foundations according to all important criteria and found ones worthy of your attention!

We would venture to suggest that your foundation is not so bad, and the reason for its poor behavior on the skin is quite correctable if you know what you are doing wrong. Makeup artists shared with us the most common mistakes women make (but will never make again) when applying foundation.

You have chosen the wrong shade

Too orange or too gray, the wrong shade of foundation can, at a minimum, ruin the first impression of you. When choosing a tone, make sure it matches your skin's natural pigment perfectly. Bobbi Brown Makeup Artist Amy Conway advises test shades only in natural daylight: “Unfortunately, many cosmetic departments are located indoors shopping centers with artificial light lamps. Take a few samples and do a test in a suitable environment - applying the tone at the top of the cheekbone and along the bottom line from the chin to the ear. Ideally, it should blend into the skin, not stand out or create boundaries. Keep in mind that foundations can oxidize, thereby changing the original color on the skin, so make your final decisions after some time."

You're applying too much tone

Many people think that foundation needs to be applied all over the face, but this is not true! Makeup artist Florie White (clients include actress Emilia Clarke and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) explains: “Foundation should only be applied where it is needed. For example, to smooth out the relief or disguise imperfections in the form of redness and pigmentation, subtly shading the remains in areas with “good” skin. Always start blending from the center outwards to avoid leaving crime marks at the hairline. Work lightly and gracefully – the tone should be polished, not driven into the skin.”

You don't know your skin tone

There are only two undertones - warm and cool. Amy Conway narrates: “If you still don't know which category you fall into, just take a look at your skin in sunny weather. A cool undertone is characterized by a slightly bluish tint, while a warm undertone is characterized by a yellowish tint. In the first case, start choosing from pink shades tones (plus cinnamon-colored bronzing powder and gray shadows), in the second case yellowish or golden colors(plus gold bronzer and taupe eyeshadow).

You're not preparing your skin for foundation.

Makeup artist Liz Pugh (it girl clients include Alexa Chung and model Yasmine Le Bon) says that skin preparation begins the night before: “Thoroughly wash off the remnants of yesterday’s makeup and dirt environment, apply moisturizer and other products that your skin requires. When it comes to makeup, your greatest asset is patience. I always use a moisturizer or serum, as well as a product for the eye area. I wait a couple of minutes to let them absorb properly and start working. At this time, you can look at Instagram, answer emails and only then apply foundation. In the evening, if you have something important coming up, lightly refresh your makeup with a thin layer of foundation. Just do this after you've sprayed your face. thermal water or a moisturizing spray."

You don't use primer or set your makeup

Primer or makeup base is extremely important when applying foundation. Emmy Conway compares this is with a primer in repair work - this process helps to consolidate the result and avoid influence associated factors. The primer works as an invisible barrier between the skin and makeup. If your skin is oily, then the primer absorbs sebum and prevents makeup from running. If your skin type is dry, the primer does everything to prevent the epidermis from “drinking to the bottom” the tone, making the surface spotty and uneven.” Setting your makeup means letting it last all day. Flory White says:“I usually use crumbly transparent powder and a flat sponge. Apply powder only where it is needed - the T-zone (usually the fattest area) and cheekbones. Simply blot these areas with light pressure from the powder sponge. Unwanted shine may appear during the day; blotting papers will help get rid of it.”

Your tone doesn't match your neck color

It's no secret that the color of the tone should match the skin tone of your neck, which does not mean that cream is also necessary there (as some believe). Makeup artist Liz Pugh explains:“If you have the right foundation, you don’t need to apply it to your neck. Just imagine all those stains on your collars. That's why it's right, to look perfect, and not look like a face in a mask. For me, there is nothing worse when the face is one color and the neck is another. To avoid this, watch how the tone behaves on the skin of the lower jaw (the same oval of the face, namely the area from the chin to the ear). If it is invisible, then it also does not differ from the color of the neck.”

You are using the wrong brush or not caring for it correctly

Sometimes the type of foundation determines the tool you use to apply it. Amy Conway prefers brushes with synthetic bristles: “They don’t absorb product like sponges, which makes them more hygienic. Dry skin types also favor the use of brushes. However, if you want a matte effect, sponges work better - just blot your entire face after applying the foundation." Neglecting to clean your tools will lead to the growth of bacteria, which can cause a dull complexion and acne. Flory White washes her brushes and sponges after each use:“It will take a minute of your time, and the benefits to the skin cannot be measured. Firstly, hygiene, and secondly, a “clogged” tool does not work as smoothly as a clean one. Use a special cleaner for brushes with synthetic bristles; For natural brushes, everything is the same as with hair – shampoo and conditioner.”

You don’t know which finish is “yours”

Stores are overflowing with foundations of all possible textures and compositions. It’s easy to waste money with such variety. Always remember that for dry skin, a liquid or cream tone is ideal. Their formulas have a moisturizing effect and lock in the skin’s own moisture. For those with oily or combination skin, products suitable for water based or compact. Amy Conway says:“For oily skin, you want a matte finish, for dry skin, you want a moist and radiant finish. The same goes for highlighters: liquid for dry skin and compact for oily skin.

Liz Pugh raises another issue:“Have you noticed white spots on your face when you are photographed with flash? This is a feature sunscreen with a high SPF factor. The higher it is, the greater the content of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide - they are the ones that treacherously show up in gossip photographs. The protective factor of foundations is lower, so white spots are not noticeable. What if you only agree to SPF50, but want to avoid whiteness? Use liquid UV Shield products and only then apply foundation. Mineral compact products are not allies in this matter either. They contain silica and mica components, which appear in camera flashes.

Flory White reminds us of the eye area:“The tone in the company of concealer can draw attention to wrinkles. I always apply foundation and only then corrector, since in this case problem areas are especially noticeable. If you overdo it with concealer, just take the eye contour cream, warm it in your palms and gently pat it into your lower eyelid with your fingertips.”

Photo: Getty Images, press service archives

Nika Kislyak was taught makeup at the famous Moscow school Mosmake, and after that she went to improve her skills in London and New York. For the next few years, Nika was an independent makeup artist, working with gloss, stars, conducting master classes and even releasing a line decorative cosmetics. Since 2012, for three years, Nika has been the chief makeup artist of L’Oreal Paris in Russia: a position after which almost all doors are open. Today Nika is again an independent artist, and in this status she compiled a rating of the best foundations for us.

independent makeup artist, former chief makeup artist at L’Oreal Paris in Russia

“Foundation is one of the most important products in makeup! All the products I have chosen are simple and easy to use. I tried to put together a list of win-win foundations that, no matter how you apply them, will definitely make your skin look better. Nowadays, light translucent foundations with reflective particles in their composition are popular, thanks to which the skin looks fresh, well-groomed and very natural,” says Nika.

Luminous Silk Foundation, Giorgio Armani

In my opinion, this is the perfect tone that covers skin imperfections, but still looks natural. The skin is matte, but with a very beautiful glow. The product lasts a long time, the skin looks truly luxurious! You can apply it with anything, my favorite way is with a duofibre brush, which blends the tone into a delicate veil, or with a sponge.

Nude Magique, L'Oreal Paris

Super option for every day. If you want to spend a minute or two creating a tone, this product is for you. Shake and spread the cream from the center of your face outwards and that's it. The product has a very pleasant texture, which is designed for application with fingertips. The composition includes mineral oils, the tone on the face creates a very light powdery effect, but at the same time the skin naturally glows.

Matte Skin Shine Proof Foundation, Becca

If you love a matte finish, I recommend trying this product. In addition to a good, almost natural composition, you will get a matte effect that will look completely natural, and not like a plaster mask. Apply this tone better with a brush or sponge. The product is light and weightless, very comfortable in feel, but at the same time it perfectly covers skin imperfections.

Intensive Skin Serum Foundation SPF 40, Bobbi Brown

This is my new favorite! A combination of foundation and caring serum. The product simply melts on the face, lays down easily and evenly, the oil included in the composition tea tree helps remove redness and relieves inflammation. A convenient dispenser pipette, the ability to apply the product with your fingertips, plus a degree of sun protection SPF 40. The skin instantly transforms, becomes moisturized and looks fresh.

Sheer Glow Foundation, NARS

The foundation for radiant skin is a fairly pigmented product that covers skin imperfections. Best applied with fingers or a sponge, leaving skin glowing from within. I advise you to apply the product in a thin layer, and when applying with a sponge, you can apply the tone more densely on separate areas faces.

Lumi Magique, L'Oreal Paris

The tone is not light, but not super dense - an ideal intermediate option. It gives the skin a very beautiful natural glow, looks natural, but at the same time covers skin imperfections. Can be applied with any tone brushes, sponge or fingers. It instantly makes the skin look more hydrated, well-groomed and luxurious.

Designer Lift Foundation, Giorgio Armani

This is my favorite foundation, which is ideal not only for my clients, but also for me personally, and I have quite problematic skin. Instantly transforms the face, making even the most difficult areas look beautiful. I don't know how it works, but it works! Having tried this particular foundation, I understood why the best makeup artists around the world choose Giorgio Armani products for their skin: high-quality pigments, good compositions, Sun protection. In the autumn-winter period, many suffer from flaking skin; this tone does not magically highlight this problem, but, on the contrary, smoothes it out.

BB cream, Beauty Republic

I was very surprised and pleased! I’ll say right away that I’m not a fan of BB creams, but this one turned out to be a pleasant exception. I tried it at a show, where there was a huge field for experimentation, and in all cases the tone showed itself very well. Coming out in natural color, greenish - neutralizing redness or inflammation, as well as purple for transforming faces with yellow tint skin. You can apply it with your hands or with a brush, I liked working with a natural fluffy brush, the layer turns out thin, barely noticeable, but the skin is transformed, and the effect lasts quite a long time.

Svetlana Markova

Beauty - how gem: the simpler it is, the more precious it is!

15 Mar 2016

Content

The problem of excessive oily skin often worries the fair sex. Regular cosmetics does not withstand the increased work of the sebaceous glands and simply spreads over the face, clogging the pores. In such cases, the only way out of the situation can be a mattifying foundation. He is special means to disguise increased oiliness on the face.

Mattifying effect of foundation

It is known that a foundation with a mattifying effect has a light, low-density structure. It does not have a shine effect, which makes it possible to recommend it to women who have oily, problematic or combination skin. Here are the functions typical for mattifying foundation:

• ensuring freshness appearance faces throughout the day;
• creating a uniform complexion;
• eliminating skin greasiness;
• masking other minor defects.

What ensures this effect of the cream? The substances included in its composition have an adsorbing effect, which absorb excess produced sebum. It can be:

• mineral powder components;
• starch ingredients.

Here are the other substances included in the mattifying foundation:

1. Natural mineral pigments that match the color to the natural complexion.
2. Caring compounds, such as plant extracts or fruit-based acids.
3. Special filters for protection against the negative component of solar radiation.

How to choose the tone of the cream

To get the most out of your foundation, you need to choose the right shade that will perfectly match your complexion. To do this, use simple tips:

1. Do not test the cream with back side palms - the product will be used on the face, which means the test must be carried out on it. Before going to the store, grab a cotton pad and use it to spread a little product over the transition from face to neck. If the foundation is invisible, you can safely take it, this is your ideal tone.
2. Older women are not recommended to choose dark shades of foundation, because this adds a couple more years on top. In such cases, it is better to give preference to a shade that is slightly lighter than the natural color of the skin.
3. Do not neglect the test of applying the cream to your face. By determining the shade solely by the color of the product itself, you are making a mistake, because it will change tone on the skin.

How to choose a mattifying foundation

Before choosing a specific mattifying product for your skin, it is worth understanding what types of foundation exist:

1. Regular foundation with a liquid consistency. Sold in plastic tubes.
2. Concentrated tone. It is mixed with a simple face cream. The product contains reflective and color pigments.
3. Mousse or soufflé. It has a lightweight consistency, creates a natural effect, while masking skin imperfections and without weighing it down. Recommended for adult women, because the product does not get into wrinkles.
4. Foam. The structure is not dense, but airy, due to foaming, so this product is also suitable for oily skin.

Pay attention to the composition of the product itself:

1. The mattifying cream must contain adsorbent substances so that the foundation has the effect of absorbing sebum and drying it out.
2. The foundation should not contain oil ingredients, silicone and dimethicone, which block air access to the epidermis. Oily foundation clogs pores, forming subcutaneous inflammation and comedones.
3. A good addition to the cream would be salicylic acid and plant extracts.
4. Do not purchase the product from mineral oils and propylene glycol are the enemies of oily skin.

For oily skin

Mattifying base for makeup Lux Avon:

• evens out facial tone;
• makes the surface of the face matte;
• has a soft airy structure;
• has a light floral aroma;
• contains shimmering particles;
• price from 500 rub.

Avon Calm Glow Face Tone:

• makes the skin fresh and radiant, soothes it;
• masks imperfections;
• contains chamomile and aloe vera extracts;
• presented in a wide range of shades;
• indicated for oily skin;
• price from 350 rub.

Cream for oily skin L'Oreal Paris Infable:

• creates a flawless matte finish thanks to durable polymers and soft ingredients;
• has an ultra-light texture that allows pores to breathe;
• contains microparticles that mask fat content;
• price from 550 rub.

Maybelline Affinimat Perfect Tone:

• a large number of absorbent particles provides matte finish for the whole day;
• does not block the sebaceous glands, but absorbs moisture and fat;
• the lightweight formula perfectly evens out the tone, bringing it as close to natural as possible;
• does not dry the skin, but nourishes it with useful substances that normalize the water balance;
• price from 500 rub.

Avon Cream Mousse “Ideal Shade”:

• thanks to its lightweight structure it is easy to shade;
• translucent coating scatters light from any angle;
• hides skin imperfections, creating a lasting look for the whole day;
• price from 300 rub.

Long-lasting matte foundation bb Bourgeois:

• does not create the feeling of a mask on the face;
• delicately smoothes the skin surface;
• replaces skin defects with a soft matte shade;
• price from 500 rub.

For problematic

Good moisturizer for oily skin Lumene Natural Code Skin perfector:

• evens out skin tone, making it velvety;
• The Arctic plantain extract included in the composition has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• mineral components prevent oily shine from appearing;
• created for problem skin;
• price from 300 rub.

Good matting cream Faberlic “Magic Cream”:

• creates a natural blush of the face;
• makes the skin radiant;
• does not weigh down or create the feeling of a mask;
• It has sun filter;
• price from 300 rub.

Clarins Ever Matte Foundation SPF 15:

• restores skin balance;
• prevents oily shine;
• Skin Detox herbal complex balances fat production;
• has a light melting structure, so it does not dry out the face;

Foundation is the foundation of makeup, which is very important to apply correctly. It will hide skin imperfections, making it smooth and flawless. We'll tell you what tools you'll need and how to properly apply foundation on your face.

What to apply

There are three main ways to apply foundation:

Special brushes. Professional makeup artists most often use brushes to blend foundation. With the help of such brushes it is quite easy to spread the cream over the skin so that the coverage is perfectly even. Pay attention to the Perfect Foundation brushes from Shiseido and DuoFibra from M.A.C - they are recommended by many professional makeup artists.

Sponges. A relatively new product that all beauty bloggers have already fallen in love with. The BeautyBlender sponge is easier to use than brushes. It allows you to apply foundation evenly and quickly, even if you are completely new to this matter.

Application with fingers. The good old method, which is most often used at home. This is an economical method that is especially good when working with mousses.

How to apply foundation correctly

First, cleanse your face and apply your usual daily cream. Wait until it is well absorbed.

Place a little foundation on your hand to warm it up - this will allow you to blend the product better.

How to apply foundation on your face? Apply the product using a brush or sponge, starting from the area around the eyes. Gradually cover the entire face up to the chin. Don't forget to work the border of the neck.

Apply the base evenly to the wings of the nose and the bridge of the nose.

Work on your forehead, blending the product from the middle of your forehead to your hairline.

If you are bothered dark circles under the eyes, additionally use concealer, which should be slightly lighter than the main tone.

If you use a sponge, remember that there are two application methods: a dry sponge will allow you to apply a dense foundation, and a wet sponge will create a light tone that is suitable for daytime makeup.

To complete your makeup, set the base with powder.

How to apply foundation to problem skin

When choosing a foundation, you need to take into account not only the shade of your skin, but also the structure of the product itself. A fluid with a dense texture is suitable for correcting problem skin. In addition, liquid foundation is recommended for oily skin - with its help, the skin texture becomes more matte and smooth. Pay attention to mattifying products that do not contain reflective particles; you don’t need extra shine. In addition, some creams contain antibacterial components for additional care for problem skin.

Do not apply the cream in too thick a layer, otherwise it will roll off and look like a mask. And in order to work on particularly problematic areas, additionally use a correction stick. The shade of the concealer should match the shade of the foundation.