"All Things BeYOUty" by CeeJaye - Finding your Foundation (Post #1)

Foundation, or "base" (as our grandmas called it), is used to even skin tone, hide marks & imperfections, and give skin an all-round even tone. It is one of, if not THE most important, part of your makeup routine. The wrong foundation shade will have you looking like a Jersey Shore reject, or an extra in Twilight. Either way, not cool. 

For women of color (especially deeper toned beauties), picking out a foundation can not only be challenging, but at times frustrating, time consuming, and well, something like a science experiment to say the least. Allow me to give you a few handy tips when it comes to picking out the foundation that works best specifically for you:

1. Check your tone.

Foundation should mimic skin tone as BEST as possible. Skin tone changes constantly, not just during the summer time. In this age of camera phones, HD video, and other kinds of bright, unflattering light, remember to be sure that your skin does not look pale & washed when seen on camera. As crazy as it may sound, consider going for a foundation that is deeper toned than the lightest part of your inner forearm, as well as the base of the neck (darkest). The combination of both is usually your best shade. 

2. Cover it up. 

Choosing the best foundation coverage is as easy as asking yourself, "do I want to HIDE or EVEN my tone?". Dark marks, heavy scarring, etc. usually needs a full-coverage formula. It’s also the recommendation if you'll be wearing makeup for an extended period of time (wedding, day-evening, photo shoots, etc.)  Medium/light coverage is pretty self-explanatory. Those new to foundation, non-makeup wearers, and those who have even skin tones would want to consider this type of coverage. However, do be prepared for a mid-day touchup, especially during  the warmer months.

3. Ditch the labels. 

SOOOOOOOO, yea. I'm gonna just come out & say it: “GIRL, CHILL on the MAC.” Is it a good brand? Of course it is. But MAC is not the always the best brand to suit your specific needs. Just because it’s popular, doesn't mean that it’s right, RIGHT?! BMW is one of the best cars on the market, BUT my overall NEEDS say Nissan. Same applies to seeking out your foundation. Want to know a secret? I only own 3 MAC products in my kit at the moment. Yup ... DASS IT. Foundation isn't one of them, because it just doesn't work with my skin type & tone. Find what works for you by shopping around/ trying samples. Go to cosmetic stores that have marketplace style setups (think Sephora, Ulta, other department stores) and choose a foundation of quality, not popularity. 

4. Patience is a Virtue. 

Just like finding the perfect hairstyle, finding the best foundation is a process. Don't expect perfection from the first formula you find. I've got 6 foundations collecting dust because I bought them, liked when I tested, but they didn't work out when wearing them for extended periods of time. It’s all worth it once you find yourself (still) flawless at 5PM …  so stick it out!

Here are a few brands to consider: 

Splurge - Guerlain, Dior, Lancome, Hourglass, NARS, Benefit  

Steal - Maybelline, Revlon, NYX, Cover Girl, Black Opal, IMAN 

Hope this helps darlings … until next time! 

CeeJaye the MUA