As a male, taking make-up for your nearest and dearest can be a trying experience. You assumed you were playing it safe by actually asking her what she wanted for her birthday on this occassion, but when she hinted that her foundation supply was getting a little low, your heart sank. Visions of stumbling thru various high st chains, side-stepping shopaholics, looking totally out of place and having to ask silly questions of disinterested sales helpers unquestionably sprang to mind.
However, it actually doesn’t have to be this way – the key’s to understand what you’re searching for.
Though the origins of foundation can be worked back to the theatre, these days it is much more commonplace, representing an important part of a woman’s make-up bag. It is generally applied all over the face, with the aim of evening out skin tone, offering a glowing, healthy appearance and providing a better, more even base for any cosmetic application that will follow. It should be looked upon as the blank canvas upon which gorgeous design – in this example, blush and eyeshadow – can be made.
The clue is in the name, in fact. Just like building a place, the process of applying make-up has a beginning, a middle and an end. Foundation is the place to begin.
There are lots of different types of foundation on the market, and you must ensure you know which your other half likes before you embark on your shopping adventure. As an example, if she is of a sporty persuasion, or is going to be wearing it out of doors during the hot summer months, then she may like a water-resistant variety. If she likes a rather more natural look, mineral foundation could be more to her taste. Here again, the name is telling – this kind is made from natural minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and is said to be more advantageous to women with sensitive skin.
Make-up comes in all shades and colors, and foundation is no different. Something to do not forget when selecting the right shade is that the product’s appearance in its tube, container or bottle may not be a completely accurate reflection of how it will finally look on the face. For instance, a shade that at first appears quite dark may lighten up a little once it has been applied.
Foundation should not be confused with concealer, which is basically used to cover spots, skin blots and dark crescents under the eyes. Neither is it the same as blush, which adds essential color to the cheeks. Both of these elements would be administered to the face after foundation has been applied.
Armed with this information, the final step is asking the right questions of shop staff. Be prepared – be prepared for them to pose questions of their own as they try to whittle down the information you give them to what you ( or, in fact, your partner ) require. An awareness of the type of skin the product is destined for is awfully handy. And if you can show that you know your eye-liner from your mineral foundation, you are much more likely to get an improved level of client service, and consequently get the right product.
