How to achieve flawless coverage

DEAR LUCY,

I need help. My undereye concealer is cakey. I also have dark spots and they always peek through the concealer I use. And why is my foundation streaky? Why is achieving flawless coverage so difficult?

SOPHIE

Dear Sophie,

The magic that is flawless coverage is equal parts technique and picking the right product. First, your skin must be hydrated. If it isn’t, makeup is not going to lay properly — no matter what you use or do. Use a cream that your skin loves. I love using Marula. It is pure facial oil manually cold-pressed from the nut of the marula fruit that grows from a tree in Africa. It is non-greasy and very easily absorbed by the skin. Next step would be to use a good brand of foundation. I am partial to BB creams like the one from Lancôme or Make Up Forever’s Ultra HD Liquid Foundation. Be sure to use a good makeup brush that can distribute makeup evenly, and apply with a light hand. Better to layer coverage slowly, than spread all in one thick go. Regarding concealer, my favorite is the one from Bare Minerals. It is in powder form and the coverage is light but flawless. Have someone (go to a professional makeup counter so a professional artist can show you how) teach you how to do strobing — contouring without shading. It is basically just getting your favorite illuminizer and applying it to the high points of the face like the cheekbone, the browbone and cupid’s bow. Make sure you do not overdo it. Blot your T-zone, chin and other oily areas to absorb excess shine.

LUCY

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Top brush tip: A flat-top brush creates a seamless and streak-free finish, while wonderfully covering blemishes. Check out your favorite makeup brand for flat-top brushes.

 

PhotoShop at your fingertips

DEAR RISSA,

I’ve been using a foundation brush to apply my BB cream and liquid foundation, but it just ends up looking streaky. Should I use a sponge or my fingers instead?  MIKKI

There are many kinds of makeup brushes, but have you ever tried using a flat-top brush to apply your face base? Most leading makeup brands carry it. I dislike using sponges because they tend to absorb too much product, while using the fingertips doesn’t really give a professional finish. For me, a flat-top brush is the perfect buffing brush for loose mineral foundation, liquid fundation, BB creams and even pressed powder foundation. The bristles are firm and densely packed but silky soft to the skin.

Unlike other brushes that pick up too much product and pile on heavy layers of powder just to provide coverage, a flat-top brush gives a lightweight, seamless, and practically poreless layer to the face while wonderfully covering imperfections. It provides buildable coverage and creates a seamless and streak-free finish.

With just a moisturized face, I simply use a flat-top brush with my favorite pressed powder and apply my powder in circular motions. I swear — it’s like Photoshop right before my eyes because it really helps create a flawless finish. Even when I use it with my liquid foundation, it always looks like I had my makeup professionally done. The best thing about it is a flat-top brush makes skin still look like your skin — but a perfect version of it. Friends have complimented me on looking so “fresh and flawless.” Blemishes vanish right before my eyes whenever I use a flat top brush to apply my makeup base or foundation. I really love how it turns any makeup for the face into PhotoShop at your fingertips! RISSA                   

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Send e-mail to Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil.