| To get a polished look, I suggest you use | | | | This is important because the wrong type can |
| concealer, foundation, powder, lipstick, and | | | | make the skin look dull or too shiny or worse, like |
| perhaps mascara. For a more striking appearance, | | | | you're wearing a mask. Foundations come in |
| you may want to add eyeÂliner, eye | | | | different forms liquid, cream, cream-to-powder, |
| shadow, lip liner, and blush. But the goal is not to | | | | and stick, matte and moisturizing formulas. If you |
| look painted it's to enhance your true beauty. | | | | have acne, you'll need a light oil-free foundation |
| How much makeup you use is a matter of | | | | that doesn't clog your pores and trigger a |
| personal preference. Here's what you need to | | | | breakout. Avoid oil based products, such as those |
| know about choosing and using the right | | | | often found in compacts, and opt for |
| cosmetics. The product recommendations in this | | | | nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic products |
| chapter include my own suggestions and those of | | | | instead. Whatever your skin type, you may need |
| women of color makeup artists I've consulted. | | | | to switch products when the seasons change or if |
| Concealer Clues. The purpose of concealer is to | | | | you move to a dry climate. |
| conceal or camouflage darker areas of the face | | | | For oily skin. Look for oil free or water based |
| (such as the under-eye area) and blemished or | | | | foundations, or a foundation and powder in one |
| blotchy spots. The color of your concealer should | | | | compact. Matte or semi matte formulas will look |
| be a shade lighter than your foundation-that is, a | | | | best on your skin. If you have very oily skin, |
| shade lighter than your natural skin tone. After | | | | don't forget to use a toner before applying any |
| cleansing, moisturizing (if needed), and applying | | | | makeup and blot oily areas during the day with |
| sunscreen to your face, dot concealer in your | | | | tissue. Try Estee Lauder's Double Matte |
| trouble spots. Use a light touch too much | | | | Foundation· for oil control. Avon's Clear Finish |
| concealer can give your complexion an uneven, | | | | Oil Free Foundation, an antiacne treatment that |
| cakey look. You can use a damp makeup sponge | | | | contains salicylic acid, is perfect for acne prone |
| or your fingers to blend in. Don't rush the blending | | | | skin as well as oily skin. |
| process take your time to get the right, | | | | For normal combination skin. A water based |
| even-toned look. Try a MAC concealer or Bobbi | | | | foundation should suit your needs. If you have |
| Brown or MAC full coverage foundation as | | | | T-zone skin and your cheeks become especially |
| concealer. | | | | dry, experiment with water and oil combination |
| Foundation Facts. Foundation is used to even out | | | | products. Semi-matte formulas will look best. |
| skin tone and give your face a smooth | | | | For dry skin. Opt for moisturizing foundations that |
| appearance. Choosing the correct color is crucial, | | | | contain some amount of oil or a combination of oil |
| so be sure to test a product before you buy it. | | | | and water but only if you are not acne prone. |
| To do this, have the makeup consultant apply the | | | | These often come in cream or liquid form. For |
| foundation to your entire face, and take a good | | | | acne prone skin, oil free foundation is still best. |
| look at your skin in natural light. If the foundation | | | | Just apply a moisturizer before applying your |
| blends in and disappears, thus appearing natural, | | | | foundation. |
| it's the right color. A too light foundation may | | | | For sensitive skin. As always, choose |
| make your skin look ashen. Take a closer look to | | | | hypoallergenic products that are free of potential |
| make sure the foundation's undertone is not too | | | | irritants. A light, water-based foundation should do. |
| red, orange, or yellow. If the color does not | | | | For hyper pigmenting skin. Since this skin type is |
| match, keep trying other shades, either from that | | | | prone to the development of dark marks, |
| line of cosmetics or from an altogether different | | | | camouflaging the marks with foundation is |
| line, until you find the one that most closely | | | | essential. Consider using a foundation stick, such |
| approximates your skin tone. | | | | as Black Opal Stick Foundation, or a foundation in |
| The next step is to make sure you've chosen a | | | | a compact, such as MAC Studio Fix Powder |
| foundation for your skin type. | | | | Foundation, for more complete coverage. |