We are psyched to apply our makeup, but c’mon, let’s face it, after a few hours of dancing your sexy winged liner and fresh flush is looking a bit washed out from sweat and oil. Luckily Pamela Lesch came to our rescue with tips to keep you looking hot, throughout the night. Take notes, ladies!
PREP
Begin with a clean face and appropriately moisturized for your skin type. Spritz face with a pre-makeup water spray. Any water-based mist that contains rose hips, lavender, and/or aloe is a soothing way to plump up skin to prepare it for foundation. Next, use a small amount of makeup primer and dot it all over face, from hairline to jawbone and just underneath. Using either your fingers, a dampened latex sponge, or a duo-fiber brush, lightly press or buff the primer all over your face. Let this prep sit for a minute or two to “cook.”
APPLY/SET
You may choose to achieve your full-coverage foundation in any number of ways, depending on the type of foundation you are working with. If it’s a light foundation, you may need to build it up, which means that you add layers of the foundation to get to the desired coverage.
If you are working with a foundation that is billed as “full coverage” you need only apply one layer. The following directions are assuming you have chosen a full-coverage base to begin with. My preference is to work with a thicker, creamier foundation. This means very little product is needed.
- Dab a rice-size amount of product and dot all over your face. You may choose to use a foundation brush to dot on and buff in the foundation. Or you may like to use a moistened (with water) latex sponge to press and roll the foundation, beginning from the center line of your face, working out toward your hairline, ears, and jawbone. This motion is very important as it pushes the product into your face and literally sets the foundation.
- This next step is often overlooked, but so very important: Let the foundation sit on your face and “cook” for a minute or two. This gives the product time to warm up to your body temp and any subtle color changes that may take place, you will be able to notice and correct if need be.
- After the cook-time, check your foundation at jawline, around brows, nose, and under eyes. BLEND (with sponge, brush, or fingers) in these areas to create a seamless, flawless look. Also check to see if you might need foundation on your neck and décolleté to keep continuity of coverage.
- After the foundation has set, check to see if you have dark areas that need to be concealed (dark circles, blemishes, redness that’s peeking through, etc.). If so, apply a concealer that is thinner in consistency than the foundation you used.
- After concealing, double-check your coverage, and if you are satisfied, it’s time to powder.
- Use a powder that is appropriate for your skin type . . . but the key here is to ensure you use very small amounts. Use either a fluffy eyeshadow brush or your dampened sponge to tap in very small amounts of powder. Rather than covering your entire face, think about strategic areas to place powder to set your foundation. Usually under eyes, around outer corners of your nose, tops of cheekbones. Let face “cook” for one more minute.
SEAL
Your last step in establishing longevity for your beautiful full-coverage face, is to set it with a specially-formulated makeup sealant. Most makeup sealants are customized according to skin type. If you have dry skin, choose a formula that is geared toward your needs (usually, that means it contains little to no alcohol). If you have an oilier skin type, choose a formula that will help minimize the shine that may peek through.
There are even some specially formulated products for brides who are prone to an emotional day and need their makeup to stand up through tears, and weather conditions. Be liberal in your use of these sealants… at least 5 – 6 sprays of product. Hold the bottle about 12 – 16 inches from your face and mist repeatedly in a circular motion, making sure the sealant hits all parts of your face.
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