A Beginner’s Guide to a Natural Foundation
As a general rule of thumb, the best way to make your foundation look like skin is, naturally, to not wear any. However, many of us were not blessed with that clear complexion the internet is wont to advertise as the norm. In which case, there are a few considerations you can take into account to achieve a more natural-looking cosmetic complexion.
One: Choose a product that best suits your desired outcome. Are we trying to look like a Glossier model (without the unfair amount of luck their genetics have provided them)? Are we hoping to leave the house with some level of balance, even if it’s just in our complexion? Regardless, you have to go for what’s going to help you achieve that goal. Foundation is just that-- a foundation upon which you build the rest of your makeup. If a high coverage foundation isn’t really your jam, there are plenty of other options you can explore. Consider, perhaps, a tinted moisturizer, which not only boasts an added layer of moisture for your skin, but also some SPF protection. There are also BBs and CCs that are still lighter than a full-coverage foundation but still offer more than a moisturizer or concealer might. If we’re going in with a foundation, play with the level of coverage different foundations offer.
Two: Do. Your. Research. This stands as an edict for all makeup choices you might make. A couple of minutes spent on google or the search tab of literally any lifestyle publication will provide you with loads of information on different products whether it be from the brands themselves or various opinions from users (solicited or unsolicited). Make sure the product you are using isn’t going to harm your skin in your efforts to achieve that natural glow. I also suggest researching the brand and parent companies of those you choose to purchase from—cruelty-free makeup is a better investment in the long run, for both you and the environment.
Three and four: Shade match… There is no way to look like you didn’t just paint your face if you are using a product that does not match your natural complexion. Again, a few minutes researching color matching can give you a lot of clarity on whether you’ve got pink or gold undertones, and why that shade that’s “just a little darker than my natural shade” is not “just a little darker.” You can also pop into a cosmetic store of your choosing and ask an employee to help you shade match. Whatever you go for, make sure you’re using a color that works for you.
Five: Prime! Referring to steps one and two, choose a primer that’s going to work for you and your skin type. Do you want a glowy finish? Choose a primer that’s going to help provide dewiness. Do you want a matte slate? Find a primer that offers you an oil-free sheen. Once you find what you are looking for, prime your face. You wouldn’t paint your home without priming the walls first. Or maybe you would, but then you’d be upset when the paint began to chip. So, let’s skip the laziness-induced complications and give your foundation a base that it can adhere to and blend with.
From there, it’s just a matter of following a few simple tips of makeup application: blend down your neck, use setting powder on areas that might crease, and do not be afraid of blush!! What looks “natural” is completely subjective, so even if you love a high-coverage matte foundation, you can still achieve that natural look if you take the time to put love and care into it. And if you don’t have time for love and care, you can channel that energy into cursing the universe for not giving you flawless skin in the first place.
Written by: Lexie Berrett