5th March 2022 | Beauty | Posted by Megan Bromley
A flawless base is my favourite thing to create on myself, and on other people. It's something I am asked about regularly. Presuming you know your skin type, as everyone is different (if not read my Struggling to workout your skin type blog), it should be easy!
Step 1: Skin Prep. Hopefully you have your skincare routine fine tuned and use products that work for your skin type. I always recommend doing your usual skincare prior to applying makeup to ensure your skin is completely clean and hydrated so you can get the best results. If you have oily skin it is beneficial to use a mattifying day cream, this helps foundation stay on the skin longer without excess oil seeping through and causing your foundation to separate. If you have drier skin it helps to apply plenty of moisturiser, this stops foundation catching on any dry areas and helps it look more flawless.
Step 2: It's always good to start with a primer. There are lots of different options, again dependant on your skin type. Usually for oily skin it's best to use a pore minimising primer, or an oil free primer. This helps the skin look more smooth and keeps the oil from lifting the foundation. Hydrating and illuminating primers are usually better for drier skins. The extra hydration helps foundation to sit and blend better on the skin, and primers with illuminating particles can help drier skins look more hydrated, even if they are not!
Step 3: Use clean brushes / tools. If you want your makeup to look it's best you need to make sure you are using CLEAN brushes. Using clean brushes not only means your makeup applies better, it also prevents blemishes. Your brushes can be hiding lots of bacteria that can lead to blocked pores and more regular breakouts. Cleaning your brushes and sponges regularly also maintains their condition. Using old, unclean sponges or brushes with flattened bristles won't give you the results that you want, no matter how good your make up is. I always recommend using Isoclean to clean your brushes, as it cleans and sanitizes them, it's also really quick and easy.
Step 4: Use the correct foundation shade/finish. It is always better to wear a foundation that matches your skin tone, or very similar, to get the best results. Your skin tone will change dependant on the season, so it is a good idea to have a few lighter and darker shades to account for change. You can also use these to mix your correct shade if needed. Foundations come in a variety of finishes, choose one that works with your skin type. Matte finish foundations can work for oily skin, as they provide good covergae and prevent excess oil from seeping through throughout the day. Luminous finish foundations are better for drier/marture skins, as they sit more naturally and reflect the light.
Step 5: Always use a setting spray. I never apply makeup without usuing one. Setting sprays help your makeup stay on longer, and stay looking fresh for longer. Personally, I also think they make everything look better on the skin and more settled, like it's supposed to be there. Again there are different types of setting sprays for different sknin types, choose a long-wearing/mattifying one for oily skin and a hydrating/ illuminating one for drier skin. Everything is personal preference too, so do what works for you.
Using these five steps will help you achieve a more flawless finish on your skin when applying makeup. I also try not to touch my face during the day as this can remove the makeup in certain areas. Touching your face with dirty hands is also not recommened as you can cause more breakouts.
