Powder Perfect

Powder is an important step to enhancing your natural beauty. It enables you to enhance your foundation, get more complete coverage, give more polish to your look, and make makeup last longer. You can also use powder in a com­pact to touch up your complexion throughout the day. Powder is well worth the in­vestment. The key to your selection is, again, skin type. Face powder, which comes in loose, finely milled powder, or pressed forms. Loose power sets makeup and gives it a polished finish, while the heavier pressed powder soaks up oily shine or sub­stitutes for foundation.

For oily skin: Select a loose powder that is formulated to absorb oil. Pressed pow­ders may clog pores.
For normal/combination skin: Use a loose or pressed powder. If you have T-zone skin, select a non oily moisturizing product.
For dry skin: Your best bet is a moisturizing pressed or loose powder.
For sensitive skin: Buy a hypoallergenic loose powder for your skin type.
For hyper pigmenting skin: Select a powder for your skin type whether it is oily, dry, or normal skin. Opt for pigmented powder if your dark marks are not fully cam­ouflaged by foundation.

For Mature skin : A lightly frosted or low-pearl powder, applied to the high point of the cheeks with an oversize fluffy brush.

Powders may be translucent or pigmented to match the color of your foun­dation. For many women, translucent powder will suffice. You may want to use a pigmented powder if you have skin discolorations or unevenness that are still visi­ble; make sure, however, that the powder hue truly blends in and is not too orange or red.

Foundation Facts

Foundation is used to even out skin tone and give your face a smooth appearance. Choosing the correct color is crucial, so be sure to test a product before you buy it. When selecting foundation, test the color on the skin of your entire face and not just along your jawline. Don't test it on the back of your hand because this skin is a differ­ent color and texture from facial skin. To do this, have the makeup consultant apply the foundation to your entire face, and take a good look at your skin in natural light. If the foundation blends in and disappears, thus appearing natural, it's the right color. A too-light foundation may make your skin look ashen. Take a closer look to make sure the foundation's undertone is not too red, orange, or yellow. If the color does not match, keep trying other shades, either from that line of cos­metics or from an altogether different line, until you find the one that most closely approximates your skin tone.

The next step is to make sure you've chosen a foundation for your skin type. This is important because the wrong type can make the skin look dull or too shiny—or worse, like you're wearing a mask. Foundations come in different forms—liquid, cream, cream-to-powder, and stick, matte and moisturizing formu­las. If you have acne, you'll need a light oil-free foundation that doesn't clog your pores and trigger a breakout. Avoid oil-based products, such as those often found in compacts, and opt for nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic products instead. Whatever your skin type, you may need to switch products when the seasons change or if you move to a dry climate.

For oily skin. Look for oil-free or water-based foundations, or a foundation and powder in one compact. Matte or semi-matte formulas will look best on your skin. If you have very oily skin, don't forget to use a toner before applying any makeup and blot oily areas during the day with tissue.
For normal /combination skin. A water-based foundation should suit your needs. If you have T-zone skin and your cheeks become especially dry, experiment with water-and-oil combination products. Semi-matte formulas will look best.
For dry skin. Opt for moisturizing foundations that contain some amount of oil or a combination of oil and water—but only if you are not acne-prone. These often come in cream or liquid form. For acne-prone skin, oil-free foundation is still best. Just apply a moisturizer before applying your foundation.
For sensitive skin. As always, choose hypoallergenic products that are free of poten­tial irritants. A light, water-based foundation should do.
For hyperpigmenting skin. Since this skin type is prone to the development of dark marks, camouflaging the marks with foundation is essential. A foundation stick should suit your needs.

Moisturizers

Moisturizers protect your skin’s top layer, the stratum corneum, by holding in water and smoothing surface dryness. They also prepare your skin for makeup, which glides on more easily and looks prettier on a smooth complexion. But most important, moisturizers make the skin on your face are more supple skin hides its fine lines better.
Choosing the right moisturizer is to keeping skin smooth while not clogging the pores. Moisturizers come in a variety of types, including ones that are oil-based, water-based, oil-free, and vitamin-enriched. To choose the best moisturizer for you, you’ll need to consider your skin type and seasonal change.
While moisturizers can’t get rid of wrinkles, you can buy products formulated with ingredients thought to discourage them. Moisturizers formulated with alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs), mild acids derived from natural substances like fruit and milk, appear to make skin look smoother and brighter, while products that contain certain vitamins called antioxidants are thought-but not proven-to fight age related skin damage caused by free radicals.
But the best wrinkle-deterring moisturizer ingredient containing sunscreen, which guards you skin against photo damage.
For Oily Skin: women with oily skin can typically forgo a moisturizer unless your skin gets dry in winter. In that case, opt for an oil-free moisturizer that hydrates the skin.
For Dry Skin: Moisturize two or three times a day, depending on your needs and your skin on a given day. During winder, use rich cream or lotion designed for dry skin and during summer, use water based lotion or creams.
For Combination Skin: Apply a water-based lotion once or twice a day to the dry areas of the skin only. You will not need to apply the moisturizer to the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin).
For Sensitive Skin: Follow the guide for oily, dry, combination skin, but choose your moisturizer carefully. A water-based formula may be best. Avoid ingredients that can irritate your skin, such as alcohol, lanolin, retinol, vitamin A or fragrance.
For Normal Skin: Apply a water based moisturizer once a day.