What exactly is "Base Makeup"? What does it do? Which ones do you use? These are questions that I get a lot, especially when it's a hot day and people want to know how my makeup hasn't melted off my face.
Other than prayer, the answer is....PRIMER! (And setting spray. But that's another post.)
Base makeup refers to the products you use to create a "base" for the makeup you're going to wear that day. It generally includes primer, concealer, foundation, and setting powder. Some people include setting spray, but I don't - I consider that a finishing product.
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| Some of my faves! |
Eye Primer: Pictured are Too Faced Glitter Glue and Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Eye primers create a tacky base for eye shadow, and help prevent your eyelids from becoming oily and breaking down your eyeshadow. They're typically either a nude or transparent colour, though some come in a champagne or sparkly base for added effect. You spent all that time picking colours and blending, right? Don't want all that work to go to waste in an hour! Other popular brands include the Urban Decay Primer Potion (which I love and can't recommend enough), and a great drugstore option is from Wet and Wild. NARS also has an eye primer, though its a little too expensive for me.
There are also different types. Glitter Glue provides a stickier base for shadows that have loose or micro glitters, which need a little more help to adhere to the eye than a regular shadow.
I can't recommend eye primers enough. They really improve the longevity of ANY eye look!
Face Primer: Pictured here is the Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer. The goal of a foundation primer is to a) fill in pores and wrinkles so you have a smooth canvas for your foundation and b) help moisturize your skin and create a barrier between your skin and any oils it produces that will break down your foundation and give it that melting-off-your-face look. This Smashbox primer is silicon based, which gives it a smooth lubricated feel. You can also get primers that act more like a cream and may be water based, like Mineral Veil from Hourglass (another great product!)
It's a good idea to check the ingredients of your foundation and primer to make sure they match. Water based foundations won't always play nicely with a silicon based primer, and vice versa. Though it does depend on your skin type - do what works best for you!
Pore Filler: I have HUGE pores on my nose and chin, and I find that the Smashbox doesn't quite cover it, so I use Benefit's Porefessional. It does a great job of filling in the pores on my nose and chin, giving me a smooth base. I also find the scent pleasant, though that may be a dealbreaker if you find yourself sensitive to scents.
So now you've prepped your base and have a smooth canvas. What next?
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| So I've JUST put on concealer, and no blending yet. |
Time for concealer!
My favourite is Urban Decay Naked Skin. Concealer comes in many shapes and sizes - you can buy different it in green, yellow, purple, salmon, beige, and many other colours to deal with redness, purple bags, brown spots, discolouration...I use one a little lighter than my foundation to cover minor acne and redness, and the massive under-eye bags I have from being a chronically exhausted law student.
Other products I use include Benefit Boi-ing, Benefit Erase Paste, and Makeup Forever Ultra HD. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is another oft recommended brand, but I can't personally speak to its efficacy. I generally blend my concealer out with a Beauty Blender before putting on foundation. If you're having a great skin day, you can also use concealer only -just ensure to blend it well into your surrounding skin.
There you go! Now you can do your foundation and the rest of your makeup - and you're off to the races!
I'm happy to answer any questions in the comments! Look for my next post... on my routine and the order I use to do my makeup!
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