Thursday 16 February 2012

My Foundation Routine

I'm often asked about my foundation routine, and what products I use. Because i'm so pale, it can be quite hard to come by good products that suit my skin tone. I haven't done an updated foundation routine video since the video I made last year, and seeing as i'm using lots of different products, as well as different brushes, I thought it was definitely time for a new one!

I'll write down, step by step, exactly what I put on my face every day [well, whenever i'm wearing makeup that is!], and i'll include pictures. I've popped the link to the video at the end of this post.

#1 - Primer
MeMeMe Cosmetics Seventh Heaven Moisturising Facebase

The primer that I use is the MeMeMe Cosmetics "Seventh Heaven" Face Base. For a start, it's really moisturising without being too thick. It sinks into the skin quickly, and doesn't leave an oily residue [which is a definite plus!]. It also smells like tangerines/clementines/the Body Shop's Satsuma Body Butter, so that's pretty brilliant. It's a really good base for foundation, and helps mine last all day.

#2 - Foundation

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet Foundation in Shade 15

The foundation that i'm using at the moment is the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet in shade 15. It's really pale, which is perfect for me, and is designed with oily skin types in mind. It lasts for around 6 hours without letting any oil through to the upper surface of the skin. You do have to apply this very quickly, because it sets so fast!

The brushes that I use to apply it are by adesign - I use the foundation brush and the flat top foundation brush.

 adesign foundation brush
adesign flat top foundation brush

I start with the regular foundation brush to spread the mat velvet foundation all over my skin, and then buff it in using the flat top foundation brush. The first brush is brilliant at moving the product across large areas of skin, and the second brush really does push the foundation into your pores, leaving you with a flawless looking surface.

#3 - Concealer
Make-Up Atelier Concealer in Clair Rose

I start with this pink-toned concealer by Makeup Atelier on my under eyes - this cancels out the violet/blue tones in my dark circles [which look really dark on me, because my skin is naturally very pale.]. I use the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush to apply all concealer - it's an amazing brush, and it pushes the concealer into all the little creases around the eye area. Then I apply a skin-toned concealer over the top, for extra coverage and to match my foundation. I use the BECCA Cosmetics Concealer Duo in Praline. As you can see, I favour the left side - the formula is slightly lighter, and easier to blend.  I pop a bit of this on my eyelids, and on any blemishes.

BECCA Cosmetics Concealer Duo in Praline

Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush
#4 - Highlighting and Contouring

I like to use a highlighting fluid instead of a powder - I feel that it gives a more natural finish, and when the light hits it, makes you look more dewy/glowy. I use the MeMeMe Cosmetics Beat the Blues Highlighter in Sunbeam, and I put this along my cheekbones, on my brow bones and on the bridge of my nose.

Sleek Makeup Luminous Pressed Powder in Shade LPP04

Then I go in with Sleek's Luminous Pressed Powder as my contour. I start by contouring my nose, and I use the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush again to apply this.

Afterwards, I use the adesign flat top foundation brush to push the contour powder into the hollows of my cheeks.

#5 - Blush

I use a warm, peach-toned blush to add warmth and colour to my skin - MAC's Peaches is my favourite. It gives my skin a bit of a glow, and makes me feel a little more alive! To apply it, I use my favourite bdellium brush - the 959 Powder Brush. The domed top is perfect for pushing product onto the apples of your cheeks!
MAC Blush in Peaches
bdellium tools 959 brush

#6 - Brows

Sleek Makeup Brow Kit in Light

I use the left hand side of this at the moment, but I do switch it up and use the waxier side on the right sometimes. I like to push the shadow through my brows using the bdellium 760 small angle brush - its tiny size is so perfect for creating even the smallest lines!

bdellium tools 760 brush


#7 - Powder

I set my entire face with a finishing powder from BECCA. The particles are so fine, and set my makeup perfectly. I use the bdellium tools 959 brush to apply this powder, as it picks up product so well, and distributes it so evenly across my face.

After that, I go about applying my eye makeup and my lipstick.

BECCA Cosmetics Finishing Powder in Bisque

bdellium tools 959 brush

The Finished Look


I hope you all enjoyed this post! Check out my foundation routine video below. Oh, and let me know what your foundation routine is; leave me a comment!



Livie xoxo

2 comments:

  1. :) I love your blog! So glad I found it from your contest! I'm canihasyonumba on youtube

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