Foundation For The Black Woman

Posted by Lape Soetan on: 2005-07-02 00:48:38

The Black Woman seems to fall into one of three schools of thought when it comes to using foundation. The women who go overboard with foundation and end up with the thick, ‘pancake’ look; others who don’t see the need for foundation, hate the ‘pancake’ look they see on other women and therefore stay away from foundation totally and then there are the women who realise that foundation is a useful and sometimes necessary tool, who have practised with different shades and formulas of foundations and have learnt to create the ‘flawless skin’ look made possible with the discreet use of foundation. The truth is that every woman should belong to the third school of thought and should know that very few women have wonderful skin everyday. For the discerning woman, the illusion of perfect skin is achieved by using the right foundation properly. The feeling you get from having seemingly perfect skin is akin to what you feel when you finally find a pair of black trousers that suit you perfectly – immense confidence.

There are two important features to look for when choosing foundation and they are colour and formula or type of foundation. Unlike a lot of women apparently think, foundation is not meant to be the colour you wish your skin was but is supposed to be your exact skin shade. The only way to choose the right colour of foundation for your skin is to experiment by trying different colours. Of course, this experiment may turn out to be a little expensive but think of it as research towards creating a better-looking you! To discover the perfect colour match for your skin, dab a little foundation onto your finger and draw a line with the foundation onto your cheek. If the base disappears into your skin and you can’t see it, then it is the perfect shade for you.

Choosing a specific foundation type or formula depends on your skin type and the reason you need the foundation. For example: use oil-free foundation if you have oily skin, moisturizing formulas for dry skin and special, light-reflecting formulas for mature skin. Liquid formulas give the skin complete coverage but tend to make the skin look ‘opaque’. They are best used for photo shoots, music videos, shows and such events. 2-in-1 formulas combine foundation and powder and are best for everyday use.

Having chosen the right foundation for your skin colour and type, the next thing to get to grips with is its application. The most important thing in foundation application is blending. It is essential to blend the formula into the skin properly. Use a cosmetic sponge or a blending brush to do this. Using a blending brush to apply foundation takes a longer time and requires patience but you use less of the (expensive!) foundation when you use a brush than when you use a sponge. Besides, it is easier to reach awkward areas with brushes and they are easier to keep clean. Using your fingers to apply foundation is not a good idea unless you want to achieve a particular ‘look’ because the application usually ends up uneven and messy.

For greater coverage, dip the sponge or brush into the foundation and make a few dots across the forehead, down the nose, on the cheeks and a dot on the chin. It is best to work on small areas at a time, so blend the foundation across the forehead first, then down the nose, on both cheeks, on the chin and pat what is left on the sponge or brush onto the eyelids. For lighter coverage, apply foundation only onto blemishes and blend properly. Always blend foundation into the skin using short, downward strokes. This makes large pores look smaller and encourages fine hairs on the face to lie flat giving the impression of a smoother, clearer complexion. Finally, ‘set’ the foundation with translucent powder. This makes the foundation stay on the skin for longer.

The secrets to flawless-looking skin have now been revealed. What foundation school of thought do you belong to?

About the Author

Lape Soetan is a makeup artist and the Creator of Elsquare Faces, a Makeup Application Service Provider as well as www.elsquarefaces.com, Nigeria’s first makeup & beauty portal.

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