Hiding Blemishes

Hiding Blemishes:

Well, that should be simple enough, right? What you are looking for is something called COVERUP or FOUNDATION

There are quite a few different types of this the most common being Liquid, Creme, and Powder
.
I myself use both Liquid and Powder. Using the powder after putting on your liquid foundation helps to make your makeup last longer and not rub off as fast.

There is also a second choice, concealer, which I will explain more about after I explain how to purchase and apply cover-up/foundation.

Step 1: Purchasing Your Coverup/Foundation

First thing you need to do is to find out what shade you need.

If you have oily skin try to pick out a foundation that says "OIL-FREE" or "OIL-CONTROL" on the bottle.
If you have dry skin try to pick out a foundation that says "Hydrating" or "moisture-rich" somewhere on the bottle.
If you don't really think you are either, or that you are a combination of the two figure out if you are more oily or more dry and go from there.

Either

a) Figure out the shade for yourself.
or
b) Ask an assistant to help you.

Before picking out the color of your skin you need to find out what your undertone is.
Neutral Tones are usually a safe bet for most people but here is a list that I borrowed from [b]L'oreal Paris[/b] which happens to be the foundation that I am using at the moment, its great for people that can't afford expensive liquid foundations such as MAC. (Which can cost up to, and past $42CDN)

What is YOUR undertone?

Warm: Olive, Golden, or Golden-brown tones

Neutral: Beige Tones, or a combination of both warm and cool tones.

Cool: Rosy, Pinkish, or Bluish tones.

Remember figuring out your tone is important so that the foundation blends properly!


Now to figure out the color of your skin is pretty easy, now that you have figured out what your undertone is its time to figure out which shade is your color.

REMEMBER TO SHOW UP WITH NO COVER-UP ON SO YOU CAN FIGURE THIS OUT EASILY.

Pick up "tester's" (They should have a little sticker on them that says tester, and should be already opened) that are close to your skin color.
Open the TESTER and apply a dot of the color on areas of your jawline and rub it in.
A lot of people do it on their arms, but that's really not the best place to test it.

Ask to borrow a mirror and either stand by a window, or ask if you can step outside with it quickly so that you can see what it looks like in natural light.

The RIGHT shade for you should blend in flawlessly, you should not be able to tell that you are wearing cover-up.


Finding the right kind of powder cover-up is the same, just instead of applying dots, rub on a bit of the powder.
 

Step 2: Applying your Foundation

Applying the liquid foundation:
Suggestion: Apply some moisturizing lotion to help set the liquid foundation.
This can be used on both your face and your body and is applied with a sponge, a brush, an airbrush, or with your fingers. It can be used on its own or in a combination with a creme foundation (For greater coverage).
I myself use some powder cover-up after I apply my liquid foundation just to make sure it sets properly, but you don't really NEED to do that.

Applying cover-up and foundation is probably the simplest part of makeup, just remember that if you do screw it up (God knows how) you will be walking around looking like you have patches on your face. Because all you need to do is apply and BLEND IT IN.

Just take a few dots of the liquid foundation and dot them across your face if you are just using your fingers and rub it in.
Make sure your entire face is covered so that an even tone is applied ALL over your face.
It might also be good to put a bit on your neck as well.

Then apply the powder cover-up with either a brush (I just use a rouge brush since I had extras) or the blender that should come with the powder compact.

MAKE SURE IT IS BLENDED IN PROPERLY.
I really suggest purchasing some cosmetic sponges, or even a little foam applicator could work, to blend it in properly.
 

Video Clip: A quick and easy 1 minute tutorial on how to apply liquid foundation

Video Clip: Guide: A quick and easy 3 min tutorial on how to apply DRAMATIC liquid and powder foundation
 

Concealer

I am going to admit I have never experimented with concealer so what I am telling you partly what I am reading from a book, reworded of course to avoid copyrights, that cost me $142 that is entirely about makeup (sigh @ the price) as well as the little that I do know about it.

To find a concealer that is suited to your skin I suggest going to a store that sells makeup and makeup products and speaking with an assistant who can explain what would be best for your skin type.

Concealer is used to hide spots, blemishes, as well as dark circles. Concealer comes as either a cream or liquid and is added in small dots to the areas where it is needed and is then blended into the skin. It can be used without foundation for those that have 'good skin' and do not need the full coverage give by foundation.

Video Clip: How to apply concealer