Foundation help.

I'm crap at applying liquid foundation. Any tips would be appreciated.

I usually use power mineral stuff but it has made my skin break out and my mum suggested some light liquid stuff. I usually wash my face, moisturise, apply suncream and then my foundation when all that has dried. I did that this morning and it looks quite awful. So any tips?

Use a makeup sponge to apply it, and apply it LIGHTLY. The smallest amount is generally enough. If you need more coverage, then add more in SMALL amounts.

Then buff with a blush brush (unless you have a foundation brush, which you can use to apply and buff), and set with a LIGHT dusting of powder.

I use my fingers, and it turns out just fine for me. Shauna is right though, small amounts are key. Otherwise you will end up with a really thick, caked-on look. yuck.

Maybe you're using the wrong kind of liquid for your skin type, I know that some liquids (lighter kinds) look like absolute shit because my skin is so dry and just sucks all the moisture out which leaves it cakey and terrible. Do you have dry skin? What brand and type of liquid foundation are you using? You might have to shop around a bit before you can find one that's right for you.

As for tips... uhh, what Shauna and Meggles have said covers pretty much everything If you're still getting used to using a liquid it's generally better to use your fingers or a sponge to apply, as a lot of people when first using a standard brush apply wayyy too much. I've come to love cosmetic sponges

Maybe you should look into trying creme or mousse foundations as well if this continues to be a bitch for ya'.

What about even going for tinted moisturiser if foundation isn't working out. Esp since summers here

I'm putting it down to the suncream I had on. I used it when I went out last night and it was fine, apart from sinking into the scars I have on my face (which always happens) and I figure not much can be done about that anyway.

Kendra, I have oily skin so that tends not to be a problem with me.

Ruth, I actually turned it into tinted moisturiser this morning and it works a treat!

Yay good stuff

yehh tinted moisteriser is great, and if you have a liquid foundation for when you want more coverage you can just mix it with normal moisterizer when you want less. =)

I use Benefit's You Rebel Lite tinted moisturizer, it has a build in sunscreen and doesn't make my face look cakey.

Remember ladies - the SPF in makeup wears off after a few hours. So you still have to wear some sort of sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF. For those that may be interested, may I recommend this?

Also, if you need a quick and foolproof way to apply, take one pump foundation to two parts moisturizer, rub it in your palms, and have at it. Or, take your time with a makeup sponge - even a Beauty Blender. There's actually a Sonia Kashuk knockoff of the Beauty Blender, so you can always try that as well.

Accually, moisturizer with SPF isn't enought either. You need just a separate sunblock aside from your moisturizer to be protected, specifically a 30 or higher.

I trust you, for you are the skin care specialist

Yay problem fixed.

Also; I didn't know that Lindsay *makes a note*

PolyphonicThought wrote:

Remember ladies - the SPF in makeup wears off after a few hours. So you still have to wear some sort of sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF. For those that may be interested, may I recommend this?

Really? I didn't know that. I ALWAYS wear spf makeup, and never have an issue with burns on my face (I can't wear ANY sunscreen on my face, as I break out and get a rash).

Interesting.

Yep, its true - the same way you'd have to reapply sunscreen to your body, you'd have to do the same for your face. sunsreen in cosmetics help, but it does wear off during the day.

You must be one of the lucky ones, Shauna! I've just been paranoid about the sun lately, haha.

Lindsay wrote:

Accually, moisturizer with SPF isn't enought either. You need just a separate sunblock aside from your moisturizer to be protected, specifically a 30 or higher.

on the subject of suncream, i dunno if you would be able to answer this or if it is different for you cos you don't have all this EU legislation in place about suncreams needing testing but- i've heard that suncreams over factor 25 have never actually been proven to work any better, do you know if there is any truth to this? Thought you might give me a better answer 'cause you are clever like that. If you think this needs it's own thread feel free to move it but i gathered it matched in to the using sunscreen on your face thing...

I think I have heard something like that before. I'm gonna look in my textbook and see what it says.

From my book:

SFF of 3 blocks 50% of UVB rays
8 blocks 90% of UVB rays
15 blocks 93% of UVB and some UVA
30 blocks 96% of UVB and some UVA

Higher SPF means higher concentration of UV-blocking ingredients but it doesn't say anything about the ones over 30 but I'm assuming the percent doesn't go up that much but it's still some.

You're right Linds, even when the number is higher, there isn't much difference. I think SPF 50 is 100%, but I'm not sure. SPF 30 is considered the minimum these days, though. Right now I'm using a 45 SPF Beau snagged for me. :]

I use SPF 60 on my body (bodice/corset burns SUCK). I'm pretty obsessive over sun coverage--I carry my parasol in the summer, or wear a floppy hat. So maybe that contributes to my lack of facial sun burns.

PolyphonicThought wrote:

You're right Linds, even when the number is higher, there isn't much difference. I think SPF 50 is 100%, but I'm not sure. SPF 30 is considered the minimum these days, though. Right now I'm using a 45 SPF Beau snagged for me. :]

Nothing protects you 100%, and in Australia it's illegal to claim anything over SPF 30+, because the protection factor isn't a whole lot better.

Thanks for looking that up. Over here I think the highest you can get is 'SPF 50+', I just don't wanna spend on a stronger cream (cause they can be more expensive) when others will do the same job. I really do think it should be better inforced like Jessica said it is in Australia.