A foundation guide for ALL skin types.

There is a misconception by women that foundation is a product which is very masking or too heavy for their skin. At the moment there are so many different types of foundation available from very sheer to complete full coverage so something for everyone. Here are some tips on finding the right foundation for you:

- When buying a high end or expensive foundation ask for samples of two colours you think are the closest to your skin tone and test them over a couple of days and in different lights. I have been mismatched by cosmetics counter babes too many times and I have put it down to the horrific un-natural lighting in department stores OR if you don't have the time to the foundations at home, ask for an application of 2 shades one on either side of your face and then go outside and check which you like best in natural light.

- If you are expecting to be photographed (i.e your just very popular or its your wedding day) steer clear of foundations with SPF's as they can cast white on the skin and reflect the flash in a weird way

-Expensive or very cheap it doesn't matter if it matches your skin, if it does what you need it to do then its a good foundation for you.

-Change your foundation seasonally, in Summer use a light coverage with high SPF and in Winter use a hydrating foundation. You also maybe 2 different colours a couple of shade difference between Summer and Winter depending on if you tan or not.

-Choose a foundation based on your skin type not on what you want your skin to look like, everyone want perfect skin duh:

Combination Skin: Medium coverage light reflecting illuminating foundation 

Oily Skin: Oil free Medium coverage foundation and a mattifying finish

Dry Skin: A hydrating foundation with a light coverage and illuminating properties and a dewy finish

Acne Prone Skin: Water based oil free fragrance free foundation all over and then a full coverage on problem areas

Aged Skin: Medium coverage which is hydrating without giving a shiny finish

Young/Teen Skin: Sheer tint to let the natural qualities show through the foundation

SHEER COVERAGE:
If you want a dewy glow to your skin and a sheer amount of coverage a tinted moisturizer is probably your best product pick. Tinted moisturizers are not buidable because they soak into the skin and hydrate, if you want more coverage in certain areas then do a little spot concealing and finish with a setting powder.
COVERAGE: 
Slightly even out skin tone
WEAR TIME:

2-3 hours, longer if you powder definitely not a full day                                            

1. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer $59.00

2. Clarins Hydraquench Tined Moisturizer $48.00

3. Face of Australia Tined Moisturizer $11.95

4. Garnier Mirecal Skin Perfecter $11.70

5. Stila Sheer Colour Tined Moisturizer $55.00

LIGHT COVERAGE:
Somewhere between a tinted moisturizer and a traditional foundation are water based foundations. They give a light amount of coverage and are buildbale, if you want a long wear time out of these foundations make sure to use a primer and a powder on top. If you have blemish prone skin a water based foundation (or an oil free) is great for you just also make sure it is fragrance free.
COVERAGE: 
Evens out skin tones and redness, slight imperfections and pore appearance
WEAR TIME:
3-6 Hours with Powder, longer if your skin isn't oily.

1. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua $75.00

2. Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid $68.00

3. Nars Sheer Glow $68.00

4. Mac Face and Body $60.00

5. Natio Skin Sheer Foundation $17.25

 MEDIUM COVERAGE:

These are traditional foundations, most chemist brands fall into this category. Rich in constancy and formulated to give you all over coverage. If don't wear powder and want foundation which is slightly matte in appearance these guys are for you. Buildable but formulated as a one stop shop for a base, fuss free. 

COVERAGE:

Dark Circles, slight pigmentation, blemishes, redness, slight scaring, freckles, sun spots

WEAR TIME:

5-9 Hours only powder if you have very oily skin otherwise it can look cakey

1. Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer $78.00
2. Bourjois Healthy Mix & Healthy Mix Serum $29.00
3. Rimmel Wake Me Up $19.95
4. Lancome Teint Miracle $68.00

FULL COVERAGE:

If you want to look like an extra on The Only Way is Essex or If you have acne scaring of very contrasting pigmentation and want to cover it up completely then try a full coverage foundation on effected areas then blend it out with a medium coverage to the areas not effected. Full coverage foundations can be quite thick and need to be blended into the skin really well to give a natural appearance.

COVERAGE: 

Pigmentation, scaring, blemishes, pores, redness, rosacea, acne bumps, freckles, birth marks, sun spots

WEAR TIME:

6-9 hours, just be careful if you do have acne that oil doesn't break through.    

1. Vichy Dermablend Smooth Indulgence  $49.05

2. Estee Lauder Double Wear $68.00

3. Revlon ColourStay $26.70

4. Ella Baché Sunguard  $46.00

*Please note all prices are in Australian dollars at recommended retail prices.

Skin Care for Mega Dudes

Men always seem very complacent about skin care, if nothings broke well why fix it. Where as women are willing to try anything and everything to preserve their skin. The above are a few products which will make a difference to your dudes skin, he will see results and not just shrug and accept pimple any longer.

The reason for researching men's products came from my friend Mike - He rides a bike and likes Frank Lloyd Wright! On the weekend he showed me he had been using sunscreen because I had previously told him it was absolutely essential in a rant which probably went on for at least 17mins. Before this I thought that when I spoke about anything beauty related most guys just heard 'Blah blah and more blah' and were probably thinking 'when is this girl going to shut up about creams and lipstick'.  So here are a few products I pushed his way and why:

1. The Art of Shaving Moisturizer - Calendula & Orange for Sensitive Skin

Boys like bikes - FACT, and that cold air being blasted on your face day and night cannot be a good thing. This product protects against harsh elements wind/dryness and the cold. It also dries matte! Which is genius because the one complaint I got was that moisturizers make your skin all greasy like hot chips - This wont! 

2. Jack Black - Dry Down Friction Free

Ok so this is embarrassing, but I am going to go there because there are ALOT of boys I know that ride bikes. There must be some friction in the pants? Right??? So this might help, its like the fanciest talcum powder you will ever get. That's all I'm saying on this product. 

3. Witch Hazel Wipes

These are lifesavers, if I had to pack a universal emergency kit for a nuclear war - these would be on top. They are the most effective anti bacterial wipes for any ones skin babe or babette. 

4. Jack Black - Sun Guard

This shit is water resistant! Yeh! So guys I think will just apply one round of skincare a day in the morning, whereas women schelp around kilos of products to reapply during the day. Apparently this stuff will retain SPF defence after 80mins of really sweaty activity, and maybe all day if you're not being a total sweat monster.

5. Kiehl's - Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

Kiehl's is a good skin care brand for guys, like say for instance you maybe stayed at a dude-babes house after your first sexy slumber party and you just so happened to be snoop-dogging through his bathroom cupboard (I have NEVER done this) and you found some Kiehl's products you'd be like 'Oh ok this guys got his shit together'.

6. The Art of Shaving Facial Scrub - Peppermint and Essential Oils

Look I cannot imagine what it would be like to have to shave your face - WEIRD! But I can imagine that you would get some stubborn little hairs and that would just be annoying, exfoliating with this scrub would be a great idea. Peppermint is fantastic for blemishes and irritations like ingrown hairs - it can also be left on as a mask on any problem areas.

7. Clarins - Men Skin Difference

A shave zone product! Yep this one is actually for the ladies, lather your boyfriend's face in this. Too many times have we all been victim to the horrid post make-out burning sore pashed out face. This will softens hair and slows down regrowth! BOOM! If your boyfriend is like 'No way babe - I'm a man and I wont use that creamy stuff' just attack him when he is passed out drunk with this product because its most effective when left on as a night cream to penetrate the entire hair length and root. (I just wrote penetrate and root in a sentence and was not even remotely talking about sex!)