Foundation Routine

I have been absent for a realllllyy long time havent I. Been very pre-occupied because of school events and other stuff as well but I decided I would like to write a little today.

Now if you follow certain beauty gurus on YouTube you probably know that they often do an updated foundation routine.

For the uninitiated, yes foundation routines do change. Especially for those in a colder climate. The reason for this change is:

A) because the weather has changed and so makeup products change too - e.g. colder climates cause certain skin types to become drier
B) people who wear makeup often find better products that work better for their skin type (yes this involves a change in their makeup products as well)

So what IS  a foundation routine exactly?

Well basically it is a set of steps that you follow in order to get your base makeup done.

For me, I am very very very particular about foundation. This is because I want to mask certain areas such as my acne scarring and pigmentation as well as the dark circles under the eyes (yes I have low self esteem because of my pigmentation marks!) Because my skin tone is also very sallow i.e. yellow, i will look tired. No matter how much exercise I do or water I drink. Its genetic. So yes. THAT is why i use foundation.

I will probably have to do a separate post on skin tones. (I attempted to type a little already but it was already becoming an essay)

So yes. Lets go back to my actual post.

missing in the pic is my NYX concealer pot
L-R: Face powder setting brush by sigma, kryolan
transparent loose powder, Garnier Instant Fairness Roll on,
M.A.C Pro-Longwear Liquid Foundation, Neutrogena
Hydroboost, Sigma F80 Flat top kabuki brush
(my holy grail brush) & Laura Mercier liquid primer.

So my foundation routine changes roughly every 6 months or so. But it really depends. Once you find you have something that works for you, you might not even consider changing it.

My original routine included:
1) Moisturizing
2) Applying a primer (to prep the skin, make it smooth by filling in open pores or line and give you a gd canvas to work on)
3) Applying LIQUID FOUNDATION
4) Applying undereye concealer
5) Applying a concealer (if necessary)  NYX concealer pot
6) Applying a setting powder

So thats the foundation routine. It took me about 5-10mins max.

I know some of you gasp at the amount of products but I really want to ensure that the makeup stays on for a long time. Especially at work.

L-R: M.A.C StudioFix powder nc40, Real Techniques
Stippling Brush, Garnier Roll on, Neutrogena
Hydroboost, Sigma F80 brush, Laura Mercier primer
ZA Concealer Perfection in shade 3 

If you notice I specifically wrote liquid foundation in CAPS because that's the biggest change. I've switched to a powder foundation. I kinda rediscovered my M.A.C STUDIO FIX. I didn't realise how much i've missed it.

I used to use it but it made me look really cakey so I stopped. But now I use a different application method.

So my new routine from steps 3 onwards changed to:
1) Applying concealer to pigmentation - stipple it on using a flat top kabuki brush (sigma F80)
2) Applying undereye concealer
3) After letting concealer dry a bit, apply the M.A.C studiofix in round circular motions using a dual fibre stippling brush

DONE!

It is definitely faster. I can get ready in 10mins as opposed to 15mins. So i shaved off a good 5mins. (Yeah so people are fighting wars in other parts of the world and I'm proud of this. Tsk. Yes I am shallow. Shoot me)

So some of you might not even wear foundation but put on just moisturizer or a tinted moisturizer or even BB creams.

But whatever it is, a foundation routine is about using what works for YOU.

Another Product Rave!

After the Travalo product review I thought I'd like to go back to a makeup item. 

Now those that have known me since I was 18 will probably know that I have been sort of a makeup enthusiast.

When I cleared out my cupboard in my dorm before moving back to Singapore, I realised that I had a LOT of products. 

At the time it was not a really large collection but substantial. 

I'm glad i didn't have that much cos it would be a pain to bring the stuff back and forth. 

So I started off pretty basic. 

Powder, blush, EYELINER( must die-die have) and a lip balm or gloss. 

Because I was schooling I just put on the basics.

Foundation application was always a nightmare for me. 

I began with two way cakes. 

Revlon, then ZA if im not mistaken. 

However it tended to MELT throughout the day. 

:( 

Damn sad. 

And the fact that I had an oily face didn't make it any easier either. 

Application of the two way cake would normally consist of the sponge. 

Then I graduated to a MAC studiofix in NC40. 

It had better payoff for sure (cos you're paying more right?) 

But I would look cakey. 

Lets just say it wasn't pretty. 

Especially when you tried to pat it on again. 

Rookie mistake. 

Then I graduated again, this time to a MAC studiofix liquid foundation. 

And i realised i REALLY liked liquid foundation! 

But application again was a major bummer. 

I tried sponge, i tried my fingers, i even used the MAC foundation brush and the duo-fibre stippling brush. 

ALL made me look streaky (except for finger application - but it made my face oilier) 

SO last year....

(yes im getting to the point of this post) 

I invested in a SIGMA FLAT TOP SYNTHETIC KABUKI BRUSH (F80) 

*Sigma is a relatively new company. It sells makeup brushes and SOME eyeshadows on their website. The quality of their product is fantastic AND way cheaper than a MAC brush. I would know cos i've spent quite a sum on those! 

A lot of YouTube makeup gurus I watch use these products. 

I will link those people on my side bar for your reference! *

It is now my FAVOURITE way to apply liquid foundation! 

It is a synthetic material (so you don't have to worry if its boar hair or any other animal hair) 

and 

it makes application fantastic. 

WHY?

Firstly, its a dense brush. The fibres are packed tightly together so you can stipple the product over your face without dispensing so much product! 

Secondly, it allows you to buff the product into the skin, making it STREAK-FREE! Because lets face it, we don't want our face to look good in some areas and blotchy in others. 

Lastly, (this has got nothing to do with application) it is EASY TO CLEAN.

Yes, foundation brushes must be cleaned regularly. 

You don't want dirt and grime on your brush! 

The handle is long enough, and the barrel is a nice thick barrel for you to grip on and its AMAZING! 

My holy grail product. 

There's even a TRAVEL sized one! 

So pretty. 

SO if you DO use a liquid foundation/bb cream/tinted moisturizer, I reallllly recommend this product for you. 

I have been using it for the past 4-5 months and I dare say the makeup application is BETTER than ever.

Remember, if your foundation ain't great then the rest doesn't matter even if it was applied fantastically. 

You can purchase the F80 (the non-travel one) from ShoppingDistrict (local) or Sigma Beauty. 

On the Shopping District website they only carry the non-travel version and retails for SGD29.50 (incl. of local postage) 

However if you want to get it on sigmabeauty then you'll be charged for shipping. 

Please leave your comments or suggestions on new entries and I'll try to get an entry up on that. 

Thank you friends for reading! 

xoxo,

Mary