vervegirl.com - Makeup tips - foundation and concealers

This is for all the ladies who are in the game …the make-up game that is.

vervegirl knows beautiful skin comes in many shades so the editors are here to help you out!

First thing to understand is that skin colouris primarily determined by melanin — located in the top layers — which lends a brown colour, and blood vessels — in the layer below — that contribute a reddish/blue hue. Therefore, your makeup should not only complement the surface tone of your skin, but its undertones as well. Makeup Artist Diana Carreiro (www.artistgrouplimited.com) tells us how to make the right choices. Her pro tips will help enhance your complexion. And if you still find yourself in a pickle, just email charmaine[at]youthculture.com
and she’ll try to answer your questions.

THE WARM-UP

Unless there is a problem with acne, most teens just need some well placed concealer and/or possibly some tinted moisturizer. Apply tinted moisturizer to face as you would apply face cream. Concealer should be applied with a small brush to dark and uneven areas of the face — i.e. around eyes, nose, and chin.

FIRST BASE

Foundation should match the skin on the neck or collar bone, not the face, in order to get a smooth finish and avoid demarcation. Dark skins should avoid foundations where one of the main ingredients is titanium dioxide as this will make the skin appear ashy.

Concealer should match skin tone exactly and should always go on after foundation. Make sure to colour correct rather than just conceal. Blue-toned undereye circles need an orange tinged concealer while purple-ish circles require one that is yellow-based.

HIT A HOME RUN

Key to this is making sure you are in natural light. This may not always be the case in the shops, so ask for a sample and try it again at home before you buy. Select the three shades of foundation that you feel are the closest match. Dot and blend on the neck. Note which one disappears — that is the right shade for your face.

SPRING TRAINING

Black skins Warm tones are the most flattering no matter what the shade of black skin. To play it safe, monochromatic always works. Copper, gold and burnished red are all good choices. Cream colour is a good option for dark skins, (especially very dark complexions), as it blends easily onto the
skin and won’t just sit on top — you’re not frosting a cake after all.

Latin skins Warm tones are most flattering (think J-Lo). Peach, olive green, gold, copper and warm red are all good options.

Asian Skins Purples and pinks look fantastic. Deep purple shadows, rosy cheeks and berry lip colours compliment Asian skin tones.

The following offer a wide range of shades:

Photos by Franco Rossi