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Thursday 5 July 2012

Foundation looking blotchy or caked-on? We have got the solutions for you



The following is basically a regimen for facial skin care, but the routine DEFINITELY helps with the application of liquid foundation. I only have experiences with non-comedogenic makeup due to my acne-prone skin, so I can't guarantee that you'll get the same great results with oily foundations since they have different consistencies.

1. Wash your face (and rinse, rinse, rinse) THOROUGHLY!!! Leaving any form of grime or soap residue can really show from underneath your makeup like gray patches, yuck!

2. Use a mild toner to get any and all leftover residue out of your skin. Plus, toner generally exfoliates flaky skin. Flaky skin REALLY stands out when covered with makeup, and even more so with powder. If toner doesn't do the trick, then use a mild face scrub in the shower after the skin has softened up from the lengthy exposure to moisture. NEVER USE A WASH TOWEL! That collects and spreads bacteria quickly and the bacteria will sit on your face and cause breakouts. Exfoliation will also help smooth the look of your makeup, but please, don't overdo the scrubbing as it will cause irritation and inflammation.

3. Moisturize! Even for those with oily skin. Just because you have oily skin doesn't mean your skin isn't stripped dry from washing your face (even with mild soaps/cleansers). When the skin is dry, the body overcompensates for the lack of moisture by going haywire with oil-production. I have extremely oily skin myself and on top of oily and acne-prone, I'm also extremely sensitive to moisturizers. So for those who want a great non-comedogenic lotion, I have found one that is mostly water-based and designed for sensitive skin: Neutrogena's Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin (no SPF).

**SUNSCREENS CAN CAUSE EXTREME BREAKOUTS to those with sensitive/acne-prone skin**

Anyway, back to what I was saying about moisturizers...
They help to blend the makeup into the skin smoothly. If you see streaks or blotches, it's due to the uneven dryness of your skin. Your skin will soak up the pigments in the makeup on the spot where you started and then streak in funky directions. The dry flakes on your skin will also catch and absorb all the pigments, making those flaws extremely visible.

Please, make sure to spread your moisturizer evenly and let it absorb completely. You may notice that your forehead and lower jaw may be a bit dryer and the makeup applied there will look very thick. So don't be afraid to apply a little bit more in those areas. This will prevent that gross caked-on look.

When applying the foundation, you can use a makeup sponge that is made with antimicrobial material. I usually just use my fingertips after thoroughly washing my hands (doesn't waste makeup absorbed by a sponge and doesn't cost a thing!)
The best experience I have with even spreading of liquid foundations is when I put a pea-size dab on the very centers of my cheeks. I then start using small circular motions until spread out evenly over my cheeks. Then even smaller sized dabs in the centers of my chin, nose, and forehead. Make sure to spread the makeup into your hairline and slightly beyond your jawline and to where your ears meet your face. This helps the illusion of that natural look. Sometimes, I'll even add a tiny bit of moisturizer mixed with a smaller amount of foundation to get a sheer coverage and avoid that makeup-face-border. Please, make sure to apply ANY makeup under natural light - try sitting by a window. I like to use foundation alone since makeup feels very heavy with the use of powder. If you have oily skin and want to avoid reapplication of your foundation, blot the oily areas lightly with a clean tissue or soft paper towel. This also helps ban a pasty look. If you fear your makeup will wipe off when using tissue, then you can purchase oil-blotting sheets found in the skin-care aisle at a drugstore. These are specially made for avoiding makeup removal.

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