Make Up Secrets

Foundation makeup is the key to whether your makeup will look good or bad. The application of a foundation will help to smooth out your skin tone, conceal blemishes and give you a more healthy glow. Applying makeup without a foundation base can actually enhance unsightly skin problems, rather than conceal them. But before you head out to the store, here are some basic rules that should be followed when making your product selection.

How Do I Choose A Foundation Makeup Base?

First, you need to select the correct color for your skin tone. Often times, people choose foundations that are either too light - making them look pale and washed out - or too dark - which often leaves a line of makeup between the jaw and neck. Generally, you will look like you're wearing a mask. The foundation color that you choose must blend in with your natural skin tone.

Also keep in mind that your skin tone color will change with the seasons. In the summer, you will most likely need a slightly darker foundation color, as your skin will tan somewhat (even if you don't purposely suntan - you still need to go outside sometimes.) In the winter your skin will lighten again back to its original tone and you should use your natural base color foundation makeup.

Deciding Between Liquid and Powder Foundations

The next decision is to determine whether you would prefer powder foundation or liquid foundation makeup. This tends to be more personal choice, although there are pros and cons to both types.

Most women seem to prefer the liquid foundation base. It appears to be quicker and much easier to apply. As well, once blended into the skin, liquid foundation makeup appears more natural and lighter, giving the skin a smooth, even appearance. However, how it is applied can also make a difference. Applying too much will cause streaks and spots that look heavier then others on your skin. Using a makeup sponge rather than using a fingers can help a lot with creating a smooth, even appearance. Apply a small amount of liquid foundation at a time and blend in carefully.

Another advantage of a liquid foundation is that it absorbs into the skin rather than sitting on top of it, so you get a more natural skin tone appearance. It also comes in a variety of bases to suit women with dry skin, normal skin, oily skin, combination skin, and sensitive skin types.

Powder foundations are a less popular choice, but can work just as well as liquid foundation makeup. It's easy to apply and there is less blending involved. They are also great for people that have very oily skin, as the powder will soak up the oil and prevent a greasy appearance. You can also carry a compact powder case with you on days when you need to do a slight touch up to your makeup or on days that are hot and humid, to rid your face of shine.

A slight problem with powders, however, is that they can look like they are caked on your face if applied to heavily or after a couple of hours in warm weather. They also tend to rub off on clothes easier since the powder sits on top of your skin.

Another Choice: Liquid-Powder Foundations

Liquid-powder foundation combinations are another choice that is gaining in popularity. The foundation makeup comes in a compact, much like powder bases, but contains a somewhat creamy mixture. Application of this foundation gives a smooth appearance, like a liquid, with the absorption benefits of a powder. However, you have to be careful when applying this type of foundation, since a heavy hand will give you a caked appearance. Like liquids, the key is to apply it lightly and blend well. This combination is not the best for people with dry skin as it will also give you a patchy skin appearance. Choose this type of product if you have normal to oily skin.

If this is the first time you are going to buy a foundation, you should visit a make-up counter that allows you to try out the various products or seek out a professional make-up artist to help you with your selection. For those that have problem skin, such as severe acne breakouts, you should visit a dermatologist first. They can help you with making a wiser choice on the type of foundation makeup would work best, plus provide you with other skin care options to help clear up underlying problems.

Remember, the best makeup techniques start with a good foundation that is appropriate for your skin type and skin tone. Be smart and take the time to research what is out there before spending money on any product. You'll be happy you did.

About the Author:

Rose Smith owns TotalBeautyTips.com. Learn you how to enhance your own natural beauty using a variety of makeup techniques, skin care advice, and products designed to make your total body feel smooth, soft and fabulous. Visit Total Beauty Tips today.

You might be asking why do my skin care products have to be certified organic in order to have multiple uses? Good question! The answer is simply this; I wouldn?t recommend using any products that aren?t certified organic anywhere other than where it?s intended to be used due to the fact that many of the products can contain carcinogens and other toxic substances. Certified organic skin care products are however a different story as they do not contain anything toxic.

First Tip: Use your organic hair styling gel to darken your eyebrows. Forget having to use your eyeliner just take a dab of hair gel and smooth it over each eyebrow to generate a deeper tone. This will also keep your eyebrows in position throughout the day.

Second Tip: If your used to using a waterproof mascara and are having trouble with smudging when it?s not waterproof remember these tips when you apply. First of all set your foundation, powder, eyeshadow etc. with a light hydrating mist and let that dry. Next add another thin layer of powder under the eye to make sure there isn?t any moisture that will cause the mascara to smudge. Only after this should you apply your mascara.

Third Tip: Before you go to bed at night apply a small dab of lotion (only if it is certified organic) to your lips to keep them extra soft. (And don?t forget to smother your feet with lotion so that you don?t get dry callused feet)

Fourth Tip: Use an exfoliating scrub on your legs to remove dead skin then nourish them with lotion. You can also use a hydrating mist on your legs if you have one.

Fifth Tip: After applying all your makeup (except your mascara) spray a light mist over your face to set your makeup for the day. A hydrating mist is the perfect choice for setting your makeup.

Erika Juhas is the owner of http://www.kalistaorganics.com She offers extensive information regarding the organic lifestyle on her website. Primarily she represents an organic line of skin and body care products that will contribute to eliminating toxic chemicals from your body.

The holidays are fast approaching, and for many acne sufferers they're dreaded because of the cofines of friends and family. With that many people close, it's hard to get excited when you know they'll get a close glimpse at your acne prone skin.

The natural inclination is to smear loads o concealer and foundation over blemishes to hide them from a close examination. But drugstore foundations that are manufactured by big brands such as CoverGirl, Maybelline, Loreal and others are ridden with oils, chemicals, preservatives and other pore clogging unmentionables.

Caking on these foundations can be more trouble than it's worth because they cause further blemishes and most times major break outs. That's not a scenario that most acne sufferers would associate with happy holidays. So what's the average sufferer to do to avoid this dreaded scenario?

Mineral Makeup is the most popular trend - recommended by dermatologists the world over and used by hollywood celebrities because of it's many benefits to acne sufferers. Mineral makeup is an all natural makeup that is made with minerals from the earth. The minerals are highly water proof so they help to dehydrate and thus kill off the bacteria in your pores that causes cystic acne.

Dermatologists are calling mineral Makeup the skin care makeup because it is so gentle to the skin that you can actually sleep in it. The mineral are ground so fine that they are too small to clog pores. instead they lay on the skin as little flakes that interlace to protect the skin from moisture getting in and feeding acne causing bacteria. The overlying flakes still allow the skin to breathe while shielding off this moisture.

The two primary ingredients in mineral makeup are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. If you read makeup labels then you probably recognize these two minerals. That's because they appear in virtually every sunblock on the market for their full range UV sunblocking abilities. That's right, Mineral Makeup is a natural sunblock as well, which means all that sunlight reflecting off the snow as you build snowmen and go sleding this holiday season is blocked by your mineral makeup. Sumblock is just as important to your skin health in the winter as it is in the summer.

And Mineral Makeup looks fabulous when you wear it. It is delivered to you in powder form and goes on very smoothly, it is so light weight that many people forget they are wearing it. This light weight quality helps it to blend seamlessly into the skin for a beautiful natural look.

Considering the many benefits of using mineral makeup could really help to turn your holidays into the happy holidays we all dream of.

Look fabulous this holiday season with our Natural Mineral Makeup Complete 9 Piece Starter Kit...