My Guide to Makeup Bases – Primers, Foundations and Concealers

Hello everyone!
This article is basically about bases. Those who love makeup and those who are not yet into it and for those who are starters like me, here is my complete guide about all the bases we use in makeup. Base is something that holds, extends, blends, protects, conceals your skin meanwhile preparing it to all the colorful art you do on your face canvas. A perfect base is a must for any makeup. So here it is!!

Primers: This is the most basic of all bases. This is a foundation for the foundation. It is applied on top of your moisturizer before the foundation to basically start your everyday makeup. If you don’t have a good foundation but a good primer, this will help your makeup last longer and touch up free. There are many good brands like ELF, MAC, and VS to name a few. Also eye shadow primers come under the same category.

Foundations: Foundations come in various types – liquid, cake, air brush etc. Most frequently and popular form is the liquid. It is the most blend-able form of foundation. It gives medium coverage, controls your skin sebum, makes skin to look dewy, and evens skin tone Recent times, they have included sun protection in foundations so that it will be a one step process.

• Read: How to Choose the Right Foundation For Your Skin Type?

There are again types in foundations:

Tinted Moisturizers: These are basically moisturizers with a touch of foundation like Olay. These give moisture, one step process and also cover up your imperfections to give a dewy finish. Cost effective, and best for makeup starters, college going girls and ideal for dry skinned girls. These are light in coverage. These are not water proof.

Blemish Balms: These are the next step after tinted moisturisers, more focussed on coverage at the same time giving enough moisture. They are also sebum controlling ideal for oily skinned girls. Most popular brand is Maybelline. (Maybelline BB Cream and Maybelline BB Stick) These are ideal for office going ladies who prefer very light to light makeup. These are not water proof.

Souffle: These are water based light foundations. Very creamy and light to blend and gives matte finish. Gives medium coverage and can be cakey sometimes. They are not water proof. Big brands like Lakme are famous for these. Again a great choice for non made-up look and office wear especially for oily skinned girls.

Mousse: This is just like whipped cream, lighter, glides on extremely smooth because of the air whipped in. It’s more expensive than others but those who use it will swear by it. It’s ideal for dry skinned people and aged above 30 because of layered application and doesn’t settle in fine lines. It is applied in layers to give maximum coverage and control is better.

Liquid Foundations: These are the best, most available, more versatile in makeup. They are available in various varieties in every brand you can name. Comes in long stay, 24 hour stay, waterproof, water based, oil based etc for every type of skin out there. MAC, L’Oreal Paris, Revlon are said to be best. Now a days Lotus herbals is coming up with complete organic vegetarian makeup for sensitive skin and also since people are more focused on overall health than just caking up their faces. This type of makeup is best in case used on eyes. Apply with a wet sponge for best control and complete and perfect base.

Cream to Powder Foundation: This is not much known but gaining popularity these days. It is applied like a liquid which then becomes matte to give complete shine less finish. Ideal for oily skinned girls, companies like L’Oreal are producing such good ranges. You may be puzzled since it will first look like powder. It lasts whole day, easy in application and the main advantage being that you can skip compact as you will have full coverage.

Mineral Foundations: These are a hit now. They give next to air brush perfect finish. Skin looks dewy, moisturized. Ideal for sensitive skinned girls, they are made from minerals that don’t affect the skin in any way. These are slightly shimmery so has that natural glow. One can skip highlighters and bronzers while using mineral makeup.

Concealers: As the name suggest, these are the enemies of your dark circles, blemishes, pigmentation spots, redness, dark spots etc. They are very thick but easy to blend and are a must for flawless skin. These come in neutral to tinted colours for every imperfection out there. Ask an expert as to which colour which colour compliment and choose.

General Makeup Tips:

• Always always do CTM and only after that go on.
• Always use upwards and outwards motion for blending. Circular motion for cheeks is the best.
• While choosing the correct shade for you apply it along your jaw line towards you cheeks and onto your neck. This will help you out in perfect shade choice. Also always wear foundation on your neck as well. You don’t want to look like a clown with a white face and dark neck right. Don’t ignore the back of your neck if you are wearing a low cut dress.
• While applying liquid foundation keep a small cup of ice cubes ready. Wipe your face first and then apply. This will close pores and it won’t clog or highlight your pores. Even try on for lipstick application.
• Use rose water or aloevera gel for a dewy look. This helps in perfect blending and added moisture. Even oily skinned girls can use this tip as aloevera and rose water both are good in sebum control. This is my most HG tip in my makeup.
• Use a brush to apply powder instead of sponge. It gives air brushed look. Trust me. Use the same for Concealers as well.

Read: Beginner Eye Makeup Basics

Which foundation and concealer do you use currently?