Foundation is a bit of a mystery for many guys, so we've decided to give you a short guide to help you get started. It's really just a fashionable men's grooming product which helps to eliminate pale or patchy skin and gives you a healthy, polished look.
If you haven't already done it, sign up for our e-newsletter and you'll get a copy of our e-book "Everything you ever wanted to know about men's make up but were afraid to ask"
OK - Foundation
- Ask yourself why you want to wear foundation in the first place. It's really designed to give you an even base so that your face has a polished, healthy appearance.
- It's not going to necessarily be the best thing for hiding birthmarks, blemishes, shaving nicks etc - for those issues you'll need anything from proper camouflage make up (which will even cover port wine stain birth marks) to a basic concealer for spots, nicks, blemishes etc.
- Foundation is also NOT used to give you colour. It should be as close to your natural skintone as possible - best to test it on your jawline and check it in natural daylight to see if the shade is right. We sell samples so you can check your shades. Any colour should come either instead of foundation, using a bronzing gel, or on top of foundation using a bronzing powder or colour blush.
- Foundation in the wrong colour will simply look wrong (and obvious). You will get a visible edge to the foundation, known as a 'tide mark' and it will be apparent to all that you're wearing it. So, if we haven't scared you off and you are happy that you know why you're using it, here we go:
- First of all make sure that you're working on the best possible canvas - what we mean is that your face needs to be clean, moisturised, preferably exfoliated once a week and clean shaven. NEVER EXFOLIATE AFTER SHAVING or you will seriously irritate your skin - ouch!
- If you're going to wear foundation then you need to make it look as natural as possible. Apply your foundation to a clean moisturised face. Wipe away any excess moisturiser.
- Apply small amounts to the face with your fingers, dotting it all over and then lightly blending in with either your finger tips or a make up sponge wedge. You need to concentrate on areas around the eyes, cheeks, nose and chin. Try to apply foundation in natural daylight, by a window. This way you can make sure there are no obvious lines around the hair or jaw line (tide marks) and that you've blended it evenly.
- Less is more - you can build up the amount if you feel you need to but don't feel that you have to trowel it on in order to achieve the best look. A small amount (about the size of a 5p) should achieve good, sparing coverage which will look natural.
Tips
- Choose a foundation which is as close to your natural skin colour as possible - it is not meant to give you colour
- Ideally apply to clean shaven, moisturised skin which is exfoliated weekly - this means that you shouldn't have any rough, dry patches which will make the foundation look more obvious.
- Always moisturise before applying foundation and leave it for a few minutes to sink in. It makes the foundation flow smoothly over the skin for a more even and well blended appearance.
- If you can't see any of the pores on your skin you are wearing too much foundation. Your natural texture is supposed to show, remember it is a natural look.
- Blot your face with a damp sponge to remove excess Foundation/Concealer.
- Only apply foundation and concealer where you need it and blot and blend edges.
- Always after applying make sure there are no traces of foundation on any facial hair
Thanks to myego for some of these tips!
