Foundation is, as its name suggests, the base upon which you build a perfect face. The purpose of applying foundation is to create flawless and natural-looking skin. Get a perfect match, and you’ll look like you have perfect skin. The last thing you want is to look like you are wearing makeup — so stay away from tones such as pink and peach which look artificial on Asian skin.
Foundation is made up of oil, water and pigments, and fall into two primary types:
• Oil-based foundations (cream, solid and tinted): These have more oil than water; are better for dry and normal skin. These foundations have more sheen and blend easily.
• Water-based foundations (liquid, mousse and gel): These have more water than oil, and work better for oily skin. These foundations look matte and are more difficult to blend. Apply and blend well with a slightly dampened sponge.
How to buy a matching foundation
1 When choosing a foundation, always test the color by rubbing a small amount on a patch of clean skin along your jaw line. Don’t test foundation on your wrist or cheek, as skin here is of a different shade and texture from your face.
2 Ensure that you do not create a “tidemark” effect between the foundation on your face and the bare skin on your neck.
3. You should always give foundation time to settle, as some can change colour due to oxidation to the environment, particularly on oily skin.
4. If possible, check the color under natural daylight. Artificial lighting can alter color quite dramatically so you may be walking away from the counter with a foundation that doesn’t suit you.
5. With foundation, less is more. Remember this rule of thumb: The better the natural condition of skin, the less need there is for foundation.
How to wear liquid foundation
1. Shake bottle gently before applying five dots on the face
2. Use fingers to spread foundation outwards
3. Always use a latex sponge or foundation sponge to blend. This also helps to wipe away any extra foundation.
How to wear eye foundation
1. Given the delicate skin around the eye area, always use an eye primer base for the eyes.
2. Apply onto upper eye area to cover veins and dark eye circles. It helps to even out the skin tone around the eye, and provides a good base for eye makeup, keeping your eyeshadow from creasing, and making it last longer.
YOUR QUICK GUIDE TO PICKING A FOUNDATION
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Types of Foundation
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Texture
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Suitable Skin Type
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Best For
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Application
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Liquid Foundation
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Fine texture with medium coverage
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Normal / Combination
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All Occasions
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Dot on face and blend with fingers or latex sponge
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Cream Foundation
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Heavier Consistency
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Dry
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Night wear
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Mist face and blend in with foam sponge
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Solid Foundation
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Wax-based with very good coverage. Mostly water proof
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All
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For concealing and on special occasion
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Dot on face with fingers or concealing brush and blend
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Two-way Cake
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Powder foundation
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All
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Anytime. Dry for day, wet for more coverage at night
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Latex sponge or foam sponge
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Tinted Cream Foundation
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Moisturizer with color pigments for sheer coverage
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Healthy good skin
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Day wear
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Dot on face and blend
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Mousse Foundation
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Light, higher balance of water to oil (higher water content)
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Oily
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Day Wear
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Blend with fingertips
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Gel Foundation
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Lights weight base with gel texture
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Oily and combination
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Day wear
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Blend with finger tips or a dry latex sponge
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