See this before and after foundation?

This will be a mini-series on how to achieve a very basic yet groomed makeup look. Part One is mainly about applying foundation, concealer and setting foundation.

I believe a large part of looking groomed and made up is due to a very flawless base.  If you have very nice skin, you won't and shouldn't need to pile on  more products on your face.  Of course, we aren't always blessed with perfect skin.  Some of us have dark circles, some of us have spots to conceal and so on... but with some little tricks here and  there, anyone can achieve this overall natural look.  It takes some practice, and some trial and error, but it can be done!

I ain't a professional, and I am not endorsing any products mentioned here.  Also, I can't really tell you what shades suit your needs, because I only know what works for my specific skin tone (all my matching foundation shades are listed in the side column). For that kind of advice, you really do need to go to a makeup counter, and ask  the BAs and swatch products in person.

The point is to really just show you what can be done, what products you might want to look into, what sort of tools would be useful to help you re-create your perfect nude/natural makeup look. When I say nude makeup look, it actually means using whatever it takes to make you look like you are not wearing any makeup, BUT you still look made up.  Does that sound crazy??  I hope you know what I mean!

Let's get started!

Step ONE: Apply Primer.  The benefits of using a foundation primer is to keep your makeup looking fresh for long hours, and also to even out your skin surface.  Whether you wish to use a tinted one, or a clear one, it's really up to you.  For me, a primer must be able to even out my skin surface. I am using Lancome's pro base primer.  Click HERE for the detailed review.

You might want to give the primer a few minutes to settle before applying foundation.

Step TWO: Apply foundation.  I have been a long time user of liquid foundations.  Here, I am using the Guerlain Lingerie De Peau -- my latest addition.  I really like the finish of this foundation.  It is very  natural, and gives a subtle glow.   Over time, I am used to applying foundation with my fingers.  The warmth from your hands will 'heat up' the foundation, and makes for easier blending. Of course, you can use a brush, if you prefer.

Here you can see the results after primer and foundation:

Step THREE: Concealer!!  Now there are many types of concealer.  And depending on what you want to concealer, the shade you want to use will be different.  As a guide, if you are concealing dark circles you want something peachy/ orangey to neutralise the dark undertones.  If you are concealing red spots, or blemishes, you want something more yellowy (and in extreme cases, you might want to use a green corrector first).

I don't have  very serious dark circles, but I show you how you can brighten up that dull area with a concealer pen.  I am using Clarins Instant Light Brush-On Perfector in the shade 01.  It is pinkish, and perfect for me to brighten up  my under eyes.  Makes me look awake.

Concealing tips and tricks:

And if you are concealing blemishes and spots, use a concealer that is very very close to your skintone.  You want the spot to be invisible, so you cannot, and I stress, CANNOT use a concealer that is lighter than your skintone, despite what everyone else, even the BA can tell you.  If you use a too light concealer, you end up with an ashy patch, or brighten up/ highlighting that spot, making it  more obvious!  Horrors!  So, for this reason, you probably need to have several shades of concealer in your stash for all sorts of different purposes.

In the pics below, I am showing you how you can even out certain darker corners and crevices of your face, for example, around the nose, around the mouth, etc.  I use Clarins Instant Light Brush-On Perfector in the shade 00.

And also how to 'erase' the spots on your face.  I use MAC Studio Sculpt concealer. I sometimes do  the 'erasing' as a final step to my whole makeup routine.  I stand a distance away from the mirror, and use a brush to lightly tap on the concealer on those spots.  Because I am standing farther away, I am kind of like imagining how others would see my face.  If my spots aren't obvious like 2 metres away, then I don't even bother concealing them.  This way, you make sure you just hide the more prominent spots.. and not end up looking overly made up.

And after concealing....you can see the differences:

Step FOUR: Setting the foundation.  Don't make the mistake of using too much powder to set.  You just need a little wherever you need.  Whether you use a 'colored' one, or a translucent one, a pressed powder, it doesn't really matter.  What is important is your METHOD of applying the powder.  You want to lightly dust the powder on, especially in places where you tend to get oily/ shiny.  And you don't want to 'rub' away all that concealer which you have applied earlier.  If you use a powder puff, the press and roll method is ideal. In my pictures, I show both ways.

And that's how you fake flawless skin.  I know it sounds like many steps... and maybe many products, but hey, you do whatever you think you need!  And that's what I think I  need to fake it.  LOL.

Next part (which might be up later) will be about how I apply cheek color, some basic contouring to make your face look *ahem* slimmer!

Here are other foundation routines I have done in the past -- yes, the list is long, and I am a foundation junkie!

Recent updated face routine feat lancome pro base

Clarins Hydra Luminous Flawless Powder Foundation routine

Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation application and review

Foundation Routine with Shu Uemura Nobura foundation

Maquillage Cream Stick foundation review and routine

Nude look featuring MAC Face & Body foundation

MUFE Mat Velvet+ routine

That's all, I hope this has been helpful, and thanks for reading!