The search for the perfect foundation shade goes as well as the search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Its a daily struggle and if you could stop at this point and direct your attention to the drawer that is filled with the different foundations we have bought over the years. Some of which are still brand new. Don’t you just want to cringe?

Well, here is a guide to help you find your perfect foundation shade.

Choosing the correct type of foundation is equally important as choosing the correct colour.

Types of foundation

• Liquid  can be used on all skin types, dry, combination as well as oily. This type of foundation is easy to use and can be applied using a brush, sponge, or blender. The liquid foundation also comes in different consistencies, so the more coverage requires a thicker consistency.
• Cream is a combination of foundation and powder. As you can imagine this combination would give you full coverage. Keep in mind that you can still get a light coverage using a damp sponge.
• Stick form is generally used on oily skin and blends very well.
• Powder, this is a combination of foundation and powder, however the consistency is more powdery. This is used for light coverage and works extremely well on male models.

Once you understand types of foundations and your skin type, you will be equipped to make a more informed decision on which type of base will suit your needs.

I would love to premise at this stage that the ordeal is over, but I would be lying.

At this juncture, we would further need to find your skin tone. I go through this in the video.

Once a conclusion has been reached on the type of foundation that would suit your particular need as well as skin tone, you will be ready to find the shade.

To do this you would simply find three shades and swatch these on your jaw line. The shade that disappears into your skin, would be your perfect match.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is that women test shades on their wrist. This will inevitably give you an incorrect result. Noticeably, the shade of your face and wrist are different colours.

The second mistake is that foundation testing is done in the incorrect lighting. Natural lighting is best.

Video Collaboration  by VKATZ and  Digin Media

What is Strobing? Well, its simpily another term for highlighting. Whereas contour makeup defined the angles of the face. In contrast, strobing or highlighting creates a more dewy and youthful look. This is a great look for summer and even a sweet fresh face for a relaxing holiday.

There are again a few ways that this makeup can be applied however I demonstrated the way I do it.

Makeup Application

• I start the application using a liquid highlighter on a clean face.
• Apply the highlighter to the cheek bones, forehead, down the nose, on the cupids bow.
• Blend the highlighter using a sponge or blender.
• Apply your foundation to the entire face, keeping it light and natural.
• Apply powder lightly to the face.
• Using a powder shimmer highlighter, go over the areas that you previously highlighted.
• Once you have completed you can complete the look with eyeshadow and lipstick.

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The soft natural cut crease makeup look has always  been a go to makeup.

In the video, I have already applied foundation, powder and blusher.

Step to creating the natural soft cut crease eye

• Use a natural shade over the entire eye. This will serve as a base colour that will absorb any oils that may be present on the eye.
• Use a medium shade to shade the crease area.
• Use a darker shade and shade the area just below the brow bone.
• Now use the darkest shade to create definition under the brow bone.
• Use a light shade to clean the area on the eyelid only to crease the soft natural cut crease.
• You can also use the same shade to clean up the area on the brow bone.
• Once you have completed this you can line the eyes using any style that you may enjoy. I always like the winged eye liner so I went with this style in the video.
• Using the exact method you used, smudge the eye shadow below the lower lash line.
• I already had false lashes, however to create more drama you can add a pair of strip lashes.
• Mascara the bottom lashes.
• Finish off the look with lipstick .

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Every woman should know how to apply eyeshadow perfectly. There are many different techniques. The one shown in the video is my favourite.

Video

This basic evening makeup tutorial builds from the previous basic day makeup. The reason I followed with this look was because this is a transitional makeup look. Meaning that if you have an event immediately after work, you could apply this style without having to remove what you have on already.

Application

After traveling the world learning the art of makeup and fashion combined with my knowledge of owning a beauty, makeup and hair school, we decided, together with DigIn Media to create a series of videos that will teach you everything  I know.

The first episode is a basic day makeup tutorial that was designed to teach you basic application. This makeup once mastered should take  5 minutes to apply. The basic day makeup look is ideal for women on the go and transitions well from day to evening.

I hope you enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Steps :

• Make certain that the face is clean and well mositurised before you begin the makeup application.
• Start the foundation  application from the forehead to the chin using a patting motion.
• Use a lighter foundation under the eye, on the chin and forehead.
• Powder the face.
• Begin to neaten the eyebrows, it is day makeup so keep it natural.
• When shaping the eyebrows ensure that the face shape is taking into consideration.
• Make certain that the eyelid is free from any oils.
• Use a medium eyeshadow shade on the lid.
• A darker colour can be used in the crease area.
• Once the eye shadow is blended, line your eyelids.
• In this makeup, I lined the eye a quarter at the top and bottom. This creates more definition at the outer end of the eye.
• Mascara should be applied at this stage.
• I used a brown blusher to contour my cheekbones.
• Line the lips
• Add a shade of lipstick to suit your final look.

I hate to admit it, but how to make false eye lashes look natural ,is a trend that is here to say. There is nothing more alluring on a woman’s face than those long thick lashes. Unfortunately, like many things, very few have been blessed to have these naturally.

The trend was revived with Kim Kardashian, who I might add made a fortune off the  lash business.

False lashes look wonderful, however when applied incorrectly can look very unappealing, so before you venture out of the confines off your room, practice applying lashes and ensure that they are well fitted and look as natural as possible. One of the things to be careful about is too always remember that the thicker the lashes, the more heavier they are, which can also make your eyelids close, so be warned.

There are a variety of false lashes in the market, some will include the strip lash, there are also single lashes and then you will find the trio lashes. What are the differences?

• The strip false lashes is just one strip and the application fits over the entire area.
• The single false lashes is exactly what it is,  single lashes. These are very tricky to put on because they can easily change direction when the glue is wet.
• The trio lashes are obviously that however are much easier to apply than the single lash.

STEPS TO APPLYING FALSE LASHES.

1. When choosing your false lashes, stick to lashes that have a clear band, as these will blend. Thick dark bands are without a doubt the biggest give away that you are wearing false lashes.
2. If you find that your strip lashes are stiff, wrap them around a pencil so that they take shape.
3. I always prefer using a dark glue as it accentuates the lash line.
4. When applying the lashes make certain that you are applying them to the lash line and not onto your eyelids. If you apply the false lashes to the eyelid, you will notice a gap between the real lashes and the fake ones.
5. Once the false lashes are secure, apply mascara to blend them together.
6. I always like to end off with a liquid liner to neaten the application.

What is it?

Revlon color stay makeup is a foundation formula that delivers flawless, all day coverage. It comes in two formulas to suit the following skin types:

• Combination/Oily

• Normal/Dry

What I liked about the Revlon Color Stay makeup.

• The first thing I liked about the Revlon Color Stay makeup was the pump bottle, it was easy to use with no mess.
• I generally get to try and work with many foundations, and I also taught makeup artistry and special effects for a few years, so finding a foundation that lasts is like finding the holy grail of makeup. I can truly say that I was surprised to find that one application in the day was all I needed. I constantly have to powder in  the course of the day however that was not necessary with the Revlon Color stay makeup.
• The range comes a  variety of colours to suit almost any skin colour so the likelihood of you finding your shade is high. One of my pet hates about foundations is when a brand decides to only bring out a very limited range in colours and many ladies are left with having to buy two different shades that they would need to mix together to get their perfect shade.
• It has an SPF 15 factor, which means that besides making you look fabulous, its also protecting your skin.

What I did not like about the Revlon Color Stay makeup.

• The first thing I liked about this product was that it had a pump bottle, however as the foundation was coming to the end, I could not pump out the last bit, however the top does screw off so if you are anything like me, you can still manage to scrape out the last bit.
• Removal of the product at the end of the day was a little struggle, but on the upside, it lasted all day.

Final Thoughts

The Revlon Color stay makeup definitely gets a thumbs up from me. If you do have pigmentation, I would advise in investing in a separate concealor, I found that even after layering I still needed to use my concealor.

• WHAT IS IT?

The Revlon Ultra HD lip colour is a velvety matte high definition lip colour. It has been formulated with Revlon’s 100% wax free technology which provides vivid colour.

The Revlon Ultra HD lip colour has 8 colours

1. HD Addiction
2. HD Devotion
3. HD Passion
4. HD Obsession
5. HD Seduction
6. HD Love
7. HD Temptation
8. HD Flirtation

• WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE REVLON ULTRA HD LIP COLOUR.

After owning an internationally accredited makeup school for many years, there are certain attributes that one seeks in their choice of makeup. I was pleasantly surprised after trying out the Revlon Ultra HD lip colour. Looking at the product, I would have assumed that it was a typical lipgloss, and because I never apply lip gloss to my lips, I would have passed it by. However, only after trying on the lip colour did I notice that in fact, the application was smooth but most importantly the colour was rich and intense. The finished result was that of a lipstick. I loved that I did not have to apply many layers to achieve the results I required.

What was remarkable is the staying power. One application was all I needed and the colour stayed on my lips the entire day, baring in mind that I ate, spoke and drank as I usually do.

• WHAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT THE PRODUCT.

The only thing that I did not enjoy about the product is that although it says “matte” it does not finish off as such. My lips did remain slightly glossy, a little more glossy than I usually wear my lipsticks, however for those that prefer a slight glossy lipstick, this is perfect for you. I do have larger lips and I am more conscious about it than most people.

The colour variations are quite limited, covering mostly those that have a warm undertone.

How to apply makeup to mature skin

As I begin writing this article, it suddenly dawns on me, what is mature skin? We live in a time when your chronological age does not determine the age of your skin. As we become more focused on trying to keep our youthfulness for longer, beauty industries have bombarded us with all kinds of technologies and products to assist us on this quest.

My mom is 55 years old and she maintains a skin age of someone that is in their late thirties. Call it great genes? Well, I hope so.

So before we go any further, lets begin with breaking down what mature skin is.

It is in your forties that you start seeing the first signs of ageing, and this is because it is at this time when the collagen production in your skin starts slowing down. As a result, the skin begins to lose elasticity and the start of fine lines and wrinkles slowly creeps in.

If you are not ritual with your facial routines and whatever supplements you take to help the skin regenerate, then the skin starts to quickly age. So from fine lines and wrinkles, you will quickly begin to start noticing that the wrinkles will deepen, the appearance of crows feet, and the skin will feel dehydrated.

When applying makeup to this type of skin, which is very wrinkled, sagging and dehydrated, one should move with caution. If makeup is applied incorrectly, you may stand the chance of looking older than you actually are.

Tips on how to apply makeup to mature skin.

• It is important to ensure that the skin is moisturised.
• Use a pre base that will have a tightening effect on the skin.
• Mature skin generally has the presence of hyper-pigmentation, if this is present I suggest you conceal with either a colour corrector or a concealer that is 2 shades lighter than the skin.
• When choosing a foundation, it is best to opt for one that has a moisturising effect to help with the dehydration.
• Apply powder sparingly. If too much powder is applied to the face, the powder will cling and settle into the wrinkles making the wrinkles appear deeper.
• When applying blusher, you may opt for a cream blusher, however if you are, then it is important to note that this should be applied before the powder.
• Blushers should be neutral, so stick to shades of browns, peach etc.
• When neatening out the eyebrows, opt for a shade as close to the natural brows, maybe 1 shade darker, keep them natural and avoid overly dramatic eyebrows.
• When working with the eyes, stick to matte shades, shimmer shades can enhance the wrinkles in the eyes. Again, stick to a neutral palette.
• When lining the eyes, keep the eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible, depending on the skin tone, you may want to choose a brown liner.
• As we get older, the skin around the mouth develops cracks, and this is worse if you are a smoker, so to avoid feathering of the lipstick, line the lips before applying lipstick. Nothing too dark, rather keep it subtle.