Guest Author - April Alisa Marquette
There are fundamentals for getting a great look, after cleansing, toning and hydrating of course. One is to create the illusion of super even toned skin. This we can do with the cosmetic known as foundation. In order to showcase fabulous face, some Ethnic Sisters, no matter what their nationality, will simply get up and go, while others of us will need to perform this little miracle every day.
Therefore, let us look at foundation. It happens to be a skin-toned cosmetic which is available in many forms, spray, mattifying, hydrating, line-smoothing, bronzing -- the list is endless. Your desired look depends only on what you prefer. The coverage gained from foundation can also range from lightweight and natural-looking, to old school glam.
One thing I want to emphasize is that an ethnic sister's foundation should always blend with her skin color. It should virtually 'disappear' once applied, thus aiding the skin to appear natural, and less flawed. In striving for the prima diva look we do not want to our complexion to appear drastically changed, pasty, or like a mask has been applied!
Beautiful sisters, we also do not want our visage to non-verbally shout that we are wearing foundation. Therefore, a good idea is for us to lightly smooth skin-matching color down onto and beneath our jaw and chin. We should also take care when near our hairline. I know, to expertly apply makeup can take practice, but the result can leave us appearing perfectly polished! Then no one will know where our fabulosity begins or ends.
If the coverage you desire is Light, you'll want a foundation infused with the least amount of pigment. This type is the most transparent, and will allow an ethnic sister's skin to shine through, while giving the appearance of even skin tone.
For medium coverage, to camouflage some discolorations, perhaps try a foundation that offers a lush, creamier feel. These can provide a smooth, sometimes dewy, realistic look. Or perhaps try an alcohol based foundation, or one that boasts non-pore-clogging ingredients.
If full coverage, what some refer to as old school glam is what you're after, you'll need more opacity. These formulas can diminish, or even cover birth-marks, hyper pigmentation, and scars. Then there are foundations referred to as Corrective, or Camouflage cosmetics, because of their higher pigment contents. Often used for Vitiligo or loss of pigmentation due to burns, these formulas often add color instead of coverage.
Powder based foundations can also provide premium coverage. Some makeup experts even believe these can greatly adhere to skin. As with any foundation, some powders can only be applied with a brush. Others, surprisingly, can be applied with a wet sponge; while yet other formulas can only be used dry. And let us not forget mineral foundations. For those of us going organic, there are chemical free cosmetics, which are often great for sensitive skin.
Whatever your desired look, do remember to always match your skin color, and don't forget. Only when gouling it up for Halloween is it acceptable to look like Jim Carrey in 'The Mask.' Now go, my Ethnic Beauties, and put forth fabulous face.
