The best foundation techniques for dry skin

Because the weather has been either hot or extremely rainy lately, if you’re anything like me, it’s starting to take a toll on your skin. All the moisture that comes with nonstop rain can leave our skin looking and feeling lifeless, so for people with dry complexions, this can be a problem when applying makeup. But don’t worry! Here are a few techniques to help bring back that luminosity to your face.

1. Apply a hydrating facemask. Before you go to bed, apply a hydrating facemask of your preference. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, letting your face absorb all those hydrating nutrients before washing it off with warm water. This will leave your skin feeling extremely soft.

2. Apply hydrating cream. If you don’t want to put on a facemask, you can opt to apply hydrating cream (aka moisturizing cream) instead. Apply your moisturizer just before you sleep, and receive the same radiant results and silky-smooth skin come morning.

3. Apply face oil. If you wake up the next morning and your skin is still dry, apply face oil. Face oils are amazing because you can apply them before or after a moisturizer without your face becoming greasy. Alternatively, if your foundation is too thick, you can apply a few drops of oil and this will thin it out and make it more dewy as well. This technique will generally work for any type of makeup before you apply it. The best types of oil for the face are grapeseed, jojoba, and rosehip oil, as they all provide gentle, loving care for your skin without irritating it and potentially causing acne problems.

4. Apply primer. When choosing a primer specifically designed for dry skin, you might want to check if it contains dimethicone. Dimethicone is a silicone-based polymer used as a lubricant and conditioning agent, which gives your skin a silky feeling and effectively creates a barrier between your skin and foundation. One of the most raved about is Benefit Cosmetics’ The POREfessional face primer. To apply, simply squeeze out a good amount and distribute evenly over your face.

5. Use a hydrating foundation. When searching for the right foundation, it would be advisable to pick one with a dewy finish. Do not go for a matte finish or similar products with heavy or full coverage. You are looking for something satin or dewy in finish because this will help moisturize your face without drying it out. One that I would recommend is Make Up For Ever Ultra HD foundation stick. It has an oily-waxy texture to it, but glides onto the skin very smoothly and doesn’t feel greasy when applied on the face. It is also very easy to use because it is in stick form, so just spread it all over your face and blend!

6. Finish with powder. Once you’ve finished with your foundation, it’s time for powder. Honestly, if you find your skin to be exceptionally dry, you needn’t even apply powder. However, if you get oily in your T zone, stipple (not swipe) loose powder using a sponge. This technique will blend your powder with your foundation and not look dry. But if even after all those steps your skin still looks and feels parched, you can apply a hydrating mist — one that has hyaluronic acid or vitamin E for extra hydration.

These may seem like a lot of steps, but your skin will definitely thank you for it. Say goodbye to dryness, and hello to luminous glowing skin!

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Email the author at clarapettersen95@gmail.com or visit her website at www.clarapettersen.com.