Tools of the Trade: Foundation.

Hey guys!
I've had my fair share of foundation faux pas over the years, especially when I was first learning about make up. I've had it cakey, streaky, splotchy, uneven, etc..
So this blog post is about the different ways to apply foundation, maybe I can help someone who's had problems applying their foundation.

Liquid Foundations

Sponges.
Sponges are pretty good for cream foundations, but not so much a liquid. First off, sponges aren't very sanitary, they are only good for one use. They are porous so they gather and hold bacteria very quickly. That also means that they absorb more product than desired. They don't really provide an even coverage application, it tends to come out really streaky. However, sponges are fantastic for blending out any foundation streaks you've got after applying it with a brush.


Flat Foundation Brush.
The flat foundation brush is a really good option, but it can be tricky. You have to get a pretty good quality brush for it to work well. Sometimes they can streak pretty bad, especially if they aren't cleaned properly or cleaned on a regular basis. Also, the natural hair versions apply foundation a lot better than the synthetic versions but they absorb a lot more product as well. They are better for getting into the small areas of your face (like around the nose or under the eyes.).

Flat Top Buffer/Duo Fiber Brush.
These brushes are awesome for applying foundation. You have the option to either stipple or buff foundation into the skin. They give a more even coverage with minimum streaking. It takes a little practice to get the technique down but once you do, your foundation looks so much better. They probably aren't the best for someone who doesn't have a lot of time to spend on their foundation in the mornings or whenever you need to apply it, but it's the best method in my opinion.

Fingers and Hands.
A free and useful option is to use your hands, just be sure that they are clean. It's a good, quick way to get your foundation on. It can be streaky but if you don't have anything else, you have that. There are some foundations (at least, that I've found) that actually just work better when you use your hands to put it on. It warms up the product so that it glides a bit more easily onto your skin.

Powder or Mineral Foundations

Kabuki Brush.

If you're a mineral makeup wearer, than the kabuki brush should be your best friend. It's the tried and true best way to apply any type of powder or mineral foundation. It gives a super quick and even application. It's also good for buffing out blush if you happen to apply too much. However, I wouldn't use it for a setting powder over foundation because it tends to make your foundation look cakey. Other than that, it's a great option for any other type of powder foundation product.

Foundation is an important part of any make up look., it's the "canvas". If you don't have a nice looking base, it throws off the balance of the overall makeup application. So, I hope this helped anyone who's had problems with their foundation. If you decide to try something new, let me know how it goes.

Thanks for reading!
Lauren.

Aveda Balancing Infusion for Dry Skin

I re-discovered one of the most amazing products I've ever had recently. Like I said in my dry mask post, I have horribly dry skin during the winter and I've tried so many different things to "heal" it some but nothing really did the trick. I stumbled upon my bottle of Aveda Balancing Infusion for dry skin the other day and decided that I'd see if that helped any. It was AMAZING.

So, here's what the Aveda website says about it.

Our highly-concentrated blend of pure flower and plant essences helps rehydrate skin and normalize the production of natural lubricants. Contains patchouli and ylang ylang oils to help soothe, jasmine to help energize and plant ceramides to help moisturize.

• Helps revitalize and restore balance to dry, stressed skin
• For normal to dry skin

It's an oil that you add to your moisturizer and it gives an extra boost of hydration.
I add two drops to two pumps of my Aveda "All Sensitive" moisturizer and it has helped my skin so much. My biggest problem areas were my cheeks, they were constantly dry and flaky no matter how much moisturizer I used. I tried exfoliating and it did practically nothing. Once I used the Balancing Infusion the dryness was gone immediately.

This was a miracle worker on my cuticles as well. Because of how often my hands are in water at school, my cuticles get really dried out and start to crack. I put some of the Balancing Infusion on them just to see what happened and literally the next day the dryness and cracks were completely gone. I was so surprised. Also, I've been using it every single day (which is two drops for my moisturizer, two drops for each hand, & two drops for each foot) and I haven't even put a dent in it so it lasts for a really long time.

They have other formulas of the product for sensitive & oily/acne skin as well, though I can't really speak for them since I've never tried those.
It retails for $21.00 at Aveda.com or at an Aveda store.

If you've tried it, let me know what you think! If not and you have dry skin, try it out, it's fantastic.

Thanks for reading!
Lauren