A great foundation is key to ensuring your skin is as natural as possible. Your makeup needs a base, a clean canvas so that subtle textures and colors on the eyes, cheeks and lips can shine through. Your foundation is the key to achieving this look and when applied it should look completely natural and disappear into your skin. Your eyes should not be able to detect an obvious line between your skin tone and your foundation, otherwise you’ll find people will start noticing your makeup instead of you!

• To begin make sure that your skin has been thoroughly cleansed and well moisturized. If you have the time why not apply a moisture quenching mask first, that will really help to give your skin a wonderful boost, helping your makeup base to adhere to your skin properly
• There are many foundation formulas available, so be sure to find one that suits your lifestyle best as well as your skin. For those who love that natural wholesome girl next door look, then tinted moisturizers wins every time. The coverage is minimal allowing your natural freckles to shine through, giving the illusion of a sun kissed look. Liquid foundation is great for dry and mature skins, one coat will help to achieve that dewy look that gives a sheer coverage, that doesn’t adhere to dry flaky patches of skin. Powder foundation that actually looks and acts likes a pressed powder helps to absorb excess oil of the surface of the skin and is great for oily skin types. Compact foundation is great for those who live their life on the run and who require a product that they can use to touch up with during the day
• There are foundations that offer protection against environmental damage and the sun. Before purchasing check that the product has both UVA and UVB protection, helping to prevent premature aging and as well as sunburn
• If there is one tip for foundation it is to blend, blend and if in doubt blend again. There is nothing worse than makeup that sits on the surface of the skin, that clearly ends before the hair line. Once you have applied your base use a blending brush in small circular motions and keep blending right up into the hairline and down the neck, helping to avoid those obvious tide marks.
• To set your foundation use a powder, preferably a translucent one that works to hold your makeup in place rather than adding additional color.

Remember when wearing foundation the final color achieved is always a mix of your skin color, the foundation color and the formula. In the summer your skin will naturally tan and what looked okay in the winter may leave your skin looking pale and washed out in the summer, so don’t be afraid to experiment and mix and match your color bases with the seasons.

I have been quite curious about natural make-up for some time. I don’t have any sensitive skin issues or a lot of blemishes that need covering up, so that is why I always used regular, drugstore brand cosmetics. However, the popularity of mineral make-up and its ability to give that translucent, natural looking finish to your skin piqued my interest. It had me running to the beauty bar to purchase my first product: mineral make-up foundation.

I opted to purchase my first make-up foundation in loose powder form, as I had read that mineral cosmetics would be considered more “pure” if it is a loose powder. When I first tried the mineral foundation, the finish impressed me, as well as how light it felt in my skin. I was not impressed, though, of the mess I made of my shirt. I had mineral powder everywhere! See, I am not really an expert with a cosmetics brush. Most of my make-up products are in liquid or cream form, which allows me to use a sponge or my fingers for application. So I went back online to search for a mineral make-up foundation that would make application a little neater and easier. This is when I came across Illuminare Cosmetics and their liquid foundation.

I tried the Ultimate All Day Liquid Mineral Foundation. It is ideal for normal to oily skin, and it really delivers on its promise. It did not give any creasing or did not change color the entire day. It also gives a matte finish even if your skin is oily. You also need just a little bit of the foundation, and as long as you blend it well, you will have a base that will be perfect to hold your look for the entire day – no touch ups needed! Illuminare also offers Fantastic Finish Liquid Make-up Foundation and Extra Coverage Liquid Mineral Make-up – both of which can be used as a base or a concealer.

In choosing the right mineral make-up foundation, whether in loose powder or liquid form, make sure that you know what skin type you have and what ingredients will work best for you. Ask your dermatologist for tips, and don’t be afraid to do a little testing and research to ensure that you find the perfect products for you!