The Basic Foundation

The most important thing to remember when doing beauty makeup is that it is all about enhancing the beauty that is already there. We use makeup to perfect our facial features - hiding a few small things and enhancing a few others. The target of beauty makeup is to still be yourself after the makeover...the you that turns heads!

Research has shown the way the human eye determines beauty is by scanning down the face and finding symmetry. It is therefore very important to make up the two sides of the face equally and to correct the features by filling in the lines (especially the lips and eyes) in such a way as to achieve symmetry. This explains how some people can appear to be plain but at the same time stunningly beautiful. So take courage if you, like me, don't look like a model. This can all be achieved by the illusion of symmetry!

I want to show you my first attempt at makeup on a darker complexion during the makeup course. I was extremely pleased with myself. I managed to mix and match the perfect foundation first time! It was a delight working on this model; we had great fun learning about different shades and skin tones. We played with the classic eyeliner and red lip look. Afterward we tried to achieve the smoky eye look, it takes on a different look on a darker complexion, but I love the way it turned out.






The Classic Eyeliner and Red Lip.




The Smoky Eye

The secret about the perfect foundation is to know if you have a yellow or a pink tone.  Indian, Asian, African and some Mediterranean ancestries usually have yellow skin tones. The English rose complexion is usually a pink tone. In some occasions it might be a good idea to mix these colours.  This is the reason why most makeup artists have a colour palette; it allows the mixing of the perfect match for the model's complexion. 

It can be more challenging as a consumer to purchase the correct shade. My advice would be to do adequate testing at the department store before purchasing a product or to get someone that has an eye for a good match to join you on your shopping spree. If you find a foundation you are happy with, record the shade name for future reference!

The purpose of foundation is to correct skin tone and to balance out the colour. There are various types of foundation. They usually vary in coverage. If you for example have freckles (the correct terminology is ephelides), then it is better to use a light coverage. Ephelides are beautiful and they make up part of who you are, don’t hide them! The fuller the coverage the more made up you will look. It is useful to apply a fuller coverage if you are attempting to create an evening look or need your foundation to stay on for longer. Also keep in mind that film and photography mediums capture every small detail and we therefore need more help with our coverage. I prefer using medium coverage on myself for everyday use. This is mostly a matter of personal preference.

Concealer is a must have. Especially for the purple under eye area, the odd spot and occasional pigmentation mark. The mistake most ladies make is to think that the foundation application is adequate enough for concealing these areas and therefore don’t use a concealer.  Foundation only balances out the skin tone, the concealer conceals!

It is very useful to apply a primer underneath your foundation. This smooths out any fine lines and enlarged pores. It also helps the foundation to stay on for longer. Finishing powder is also used to fix your foundation. It is especially handy for ladies who find that they develop a shine during the course of the day. I mattifies the skin and gives it the final perfect finish.

In the next few weeks I am intending to share the first of the must-have ingredients I believe should be incorporated into your skincare routine along with some more basic makeup secrets.

How this all started: Passion, Research and Education.

For years I have invested most of my free time and indeed most of my salary on my hobby. In truth...I am obsessed. 

I have been investing in my future (this terminology sooths the conscience) by purchasing all the latest and most expensive cosmetic creams, serums and whatever miracle potion is sold with promises of miraculous proportions. And in the mean time I've been using makeup artistry to hide what is hideous and enhance the slightly better bits.

Eventually I came to realise that the marketing in the cosmetic industry can not be trusted. I've been led around by the nose and I have mostly been spending my savings on something that is not guaranteed the deliver results.

I started to look into the actual ingredient lists on these products and researched how they actually work on the skin, or if they do anything at all! As I am a qualified and practising Biomedical Scientist, this was not too difficult at all as I have a scientific background. I loved every minute of it: sleeping, drinking and eating cosmetic dictionaries, reading product reviews and purchasing and testing products thought to be beneficial.

I realise that most women are in the same position I used to be in. I would love to empower and inform these women so that they can invest in beauty products that contain ingredients which are proven to be effective. I want to share an honest opinion, without any ulterior motives such as making commission out of the products to be purchased!

To better at this and to be a reliable source I used my annual leave earlier this year to do a Beautician course and I completed a Facial and Facial Massage qualification and the London School of Beauty. I found the course to be a breeze and accomplished an average grade of above ninety percent.

As I am also passionate about make up and make up artistry, I completed a course in Bridal make up at the London School of Fashion. I loved every minute of it and I am now going to do Bridal, Special Occasion and Beauty make up part time.

What I love most about makeup, besides enjoying the creative experience, is how the beautiful women around me feel gorgeous afterward! I believe all women are already beautiful and they only have to discover their beauty. Makeup is a magic wand that only enhances that which is already there.

In my next blog I will write about and post pictures on the Makeup course and my first photoshoot!