Many ethnic women choose not to wear make up; others live by it. Which are you? Do you like make up or not? Have you given make-up a real chance to show you what it can do for you? Do you fully understand what each make-up product does?

Color for ethnic women can be very confusing. If you've never worn make-up and considering starting but don't know where to start? Allow me to explain a little about facial make-up specifically concealers, foundations and powders and how to use them.

The bulk of make-up focuses on the face. Foundation becomes the color palette from which to work and build upon. From here everything becomes an enhancer or highlighter. Highlighter such as bronzes and primers for the face lays the foundation for your beauty make-up.

Starting with concealers, foundation and powders, here is a summary of what each product delivers when used.

Concealer is used to cover and blend skin imperfections, dark spots, puffy eyes etc. The basic concealers usually come in light, medium and dark tones. You have to decide which is the best blend for your skin tone and color. There are different types of concealers to choose from, depending on what you're trying to conceal. There is also a such thing as a face primer. It blends out your skin color so the foundation can go on smooth and flawless. It works at deflecting light away from the skin. It comes in various forms but is also included in some of the powdered foundations. Some concealers can be worn under or over foundation what ever the case may need. It is applied first in the make up routine.

Foundation is Used to smooth out complexion and blend with skin tone. This is where the biggest challenge comes in for ethnic women. The challenge being: Finding the right color to blend in with your skin color or skin tone. Your foundation should also make you skin look and feel better by providing nutrients, hydrators and protective sunscreen to you skin. Application of foundation gives you just that, foundation, on which to build your face color on. It provides a blank and smooth palette to work with when blending colors. There are many types of foundation to choose from. It is good to know your skin and it's needs when looking for a foundation. Foundations come in different type and varieties. Types of foundations are cream, powder, liquid and tinted moisturizer. Foundation is the next to be applied to your face.

Powder is used as the finishing touch to making up the face. It is also a great touch up product for those long days at the office or away from home. Face powder is translucent but holds the same color as the foundation. Powder helps to set foundation and absorb the excess moisture from foundation. It provides a type of glow to the skin illuminating the make up to a natural look. There are 2 types of powders, loose and pressed. Loose powder is the best to use. It helps to avoid streaking. Pressed is good for touch up and if you have dry skin. Oily skin stay a way from the pressed powders.

Each one of these products perform a different task and are necessary if you want a truly flawless look to your face. The key is to make it look as natural as possible and have it as close to your skin tone as possible to accentuate your attributes.

You want to avoid the color that separates the jaw line from the neck line, The two tone effect if you know what I mean. Your foundation should blend effortlessly into your skin. When looking and shopping for a foundation find one that seems to disappear when you place it up against you face. In other words there should be no noticeable difference between the foundation color and your skin color/tone.

Here is the place where you customize and personalize your color. As mentioned above, foundation is what the rest of your make up is based on. Make sure you start with a clean moisturized face. Make sure your foundation not only match your skin color but your skin care needs as well. Foundations come in formulas for oily, dry, combination skin. Choose the one best for your skin type color and condition.