Foundations:

-Powder applications work best for oily skin

-Creams and liquids work best for dry skin

-Cool undertones choose pink or blue based foundations

-Warm undertones choose yellow based foundations

-For powder foundations, load the brush well ? buff in circular motions to attain the desired coverage. Reload as needed.

-Moisten the sponge! Dry sponges create a cakey, poorly blended application when used with cream and liquid foundations

-Learning to blend well is essential to great makeup application!

Concealers:

Concealer doesn't hide your blemishes! It highlights them!

Light colors bring things forward, so covering a blemish with a light color concealer may cover the red, but it will only highlight and bring forward the texture and shape of the blemish.

Concealer may be useful for lightening a dark under eye area, but always try to use more of your foundation and powders in this area first. If you simply cannot achieve a decent coverage, go with a very thin and well-blended application of concealer under the eyes alone.

To cover blemishes, hide uneven skin tone, and mask redness use more of your foundations and powder on problem areas. As always, blend well.

When using foundations and powders as a concealer, always use a small, firm bristled foundation/concealer brush. These apply a better layer of product and being synthetic, can take being washed after use with cream products.

Powders:

Types of Powders:

Loose powders ? best for setting cream and liquid foundations

Translucent powders - best option for setting powders as they offer a light, sheer, and more natural finish. Non-Translucent powders may look more cakey and cause streaking when used over foundations.

Pressed powders ? ideal options for touch-ups

Shine Control and Oily Skin ? choose blotting papers or blot powders during the day for touch-ups

Powder Application Tips:

When using a powder puff, do not rub across or against the skin ? always press it against the skin firmly one area of the face at a time. Allow powder to rest for a moment, then use a large, round powder brush to buff out, blend, and knock-off excess powder and keep it from collecting on fine facial hair.

When applying loose powders, touch brush to powder in the container and tap off firmly. It is better to apply several light layers than to add too much powder to your face at one time. Apply in gentle strokes to all sections of the face. Then, run your brush across a tissue to remove powder residue and follow by gently swirling the brush in small, very light circles, all over the face to get rid of excess powder and create a more natural finish.

When touching up during the day, blot your face with tissue or blotting papers before applying touch-ups.

Do not use compact puffs. Invest in a nice powder brush and make it part of your ?on the go? makeup kit. No-handle kabuki brushes work very well for on-the-go powder touch ups. For a more sheer touch-up look for a large round, soft brush with a short handle.

Special Tools for Foundations, Powders, and Concealers:

Wedge Sponges

Large, round powder brush

Thin, firm bristled concealer brush (synthetic bristles)

Blotting papers, and blotting powders (shine control)