4 steps to a flawless face
Today’s foundations, concealers, luminisers and powders perfect your complexion — and are good for your skin too. Every woman wants clear, even-toned skin. But many of us are in the dark about how to actually achieve it. Do we use a blanket approach and slather on foundation and concealer, covering up our flaws — and natural beauty, too? Or should we go au naturel because it’s simply easier? Neither. It turns out that there is a fuss-free approach that gives you just the right amount of coverage. Follow this fast four-step process. It takes only five minutes from start to finish to ensure your skin looks its beautiful best.
Step 1: Smooth Foundation is one of the first things women skip, yet it’s key to looking flawless. That’s because this "base layer" helps make-up last longer, and colours (like blush) will look truer than if you applied them to a naked complexion. The newest options are so light and sheer, no-one will know you’re wearing it; they’ll just think your skin is naturally luminous. There’s no secret to picking the perfect shade — it’s just a matter of testing. Hold bottles next to your face and narrow down the closest shades, then swipe each where skin is most uneven (usually your cheek); if it blends in, you’re set. Once you’ve nailed the hue, sweep a bit along your forehead, nose, chin, and cheekbones, then blend it outward to help it disappear into your skin.
Step 2: Cover Concealer is every woman’s favourite tool for hiding it all – from under-eye circles to blemishes. Apply it over foundation and you’ll need only a small amount, which is ideal. The less cover-up you work with, the more natural your overall look will be. For perfect results you’ll need two concealers: one that’s a shade lighter than your foundation to downplay dark, blue-toned under-eye circles — it will make skin appear brighter – and the other should match your foundation to help hide reddish blemishes or broken capillaries. Use a thin make-up brush and apply the concealer to the inner-eye corners first (by the tear ducts, where circles tend to appear darkest) and feather it outward.
Step 3: Brighten Luminiser is the secret weapon you should be using – but maybe aren’t. It comes in liquid or powder form and is made with opalescent, pearl-like particles that give skin a sheer finish and a subtle, sexy sheen. When light hits your face, your complexion emits a soft glow. Available in pink, white, gold, or bronze hues, the best one for you is the shade closest to your skin tone: pink and white luminisers complement fair skin, while gold and bronze suit medium to deep colouring. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Use a clean fingertip to dab a pea-size drop onto your brow bones, along the tops of your cheekbones, and at the innermost corners of your eyes. Be sure to blend it well to achieve a barely-there radiance.
Step 4: Touch-up Powder: keeps foundation in place longer by blotting away excess oil throughout the day. Use loose powder (it gives a airy, light finish) or use your favourite compact powder and sweep it on with a brush, not the sponge/applicator pad that comes with it, which can often leave you with a heavy, made-up, and not very natural look. Use a fluffy powder brush or a smaller blush or eye-shadow brush, which will help you apply what you need, where you need it: along your T-zone, under your eyes, and across your lids (to give eye-shadow colour staying power). Your best bet is a translucent powder, but if you prefer some pigment, remember to choose a shade that matches your skin. When in doubt, go a touch darker. Powder that’s too light can look chalky and unnatural.
