On a daily basis I meet women who, for various reasons, opt not to wear any makeup on a daily basis. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Not even a coat of mascara, and barely a swipe of lipgloss. Some say that they don’t have time, and rush to make it out of the house and to work every morning. Others are afraid of looking too cakey or made-up, and opt instead for a fresh face. But more often then not, I’m hearing from women who simply have never learned the basics of makeup products and application, and have no idea where to begin!
Taking myself and my personal love for cosmetics out of the equation, I can understand how overwhelming the world of makeup may seem for a newbie. Walking up to a makeup counter in a department store, or even down the beauty aisle at at CVS, there are simply way too many options! Foundations in every hue and formula. Varying textures of lipstick. Liners in pencil, gel, and liquid form – oh my! But, fret not. There are a few quite simple products and tips you can use to segway into wearing clean, everyday makeup.
Prep: Primer
Prior to applying any type of color to skin, it’s critical to prep the face. After moisturizer (which, contrary to popular belief, is a must-have daily skincare step), primer should be the next product you grab. Think of foundation primers like the base coat that you apply before nail polish: it smoothes the surface, allows the color to be more true, and gives your products longer wear. Have you ever hurriedly painted your nails without a base coat, only to find ridges, chips, and faded color just a few hours later? Primer prevents similar effects from happening to the skin. With it, you’ll find that your foundation and cheek color are easier to apply and last far longer throughout the day. No more wondering where your powder and blush disappeared to by lunch hour.
Application Tip: Apply a dime-sized amount with fingertips over the entire face. Allow product to soak in for a couple minutes before moving on to foundation.
Try: Napoleon Perdis’ “Auto Pilot” Pre-Foundation Skin Primer, Laura Mercier “Foundation Primer”, Smashbox’s “Photo Finish Light” Foundation Primer.
