Ultimate Guide to Beauty Basics | Muscle & Fitness

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1. Beauty School Basics

Finding the perfect makeup for every occasion can mean years of trial and error (and expense), but we’ve got your beauty fast track. We stopped by Sephora at the Grand Canal Shoppes in Las Vegas to ask events coordinator Zakkarius Smith for tips on choosing the perfect primer, concealer, foundation, powder, and spray. So whether you’re gym-bound, having lunch with friends, busy at work, or out for some evening fun, here’s how to pick, prime, and perfect your makeup regimen.SEE ALSO: Supplements for Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails

2. Primer

Purpose: Smooth skin, set makeup. Traditional primer smooths out skin’s surface and serves as a barrier to lock on to foundation. It’s ideal for smoothing fine lines and minimizing enlarged pores. “A great primer is the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer,” says Smith.Mattifying primer does everything traditional primers do while also absorbing excess oil. “One of our clients’ favorites is the Benefit POREfessional: Matte Rescue Invisible Finish Mattifying Gel,” says Smith.Color correcting primer is used to hide unwanted colors on the skin. Smith says, “I like to use the Lancôme Miracle CC Cushion Color Correcting Primer.”

3. Concealer

Purpose: When used correctly and in combination with other color correcting products, concealers can cover up dark circles, redness, hyperpigmentation/dark spots, and sallowness without having to wear coverage all over, says Smith. This step is designed to camouflage particular skin concerns in small areas rather than applying heavy complexion products over the entire face. Try: Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum ConcealerSEE ALSO: 11 Tools to Battle Signs of Aging

4. Foundation

Purpose: A good foundation provides all-over coverage, evens skin tone, and adds depth (if desired). There are three aspects to choosing the right foundation: Coverage, Finish, and Formulation.

COVERAGE

Sheer (like pantyhose): NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
Medium (like tights): Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation
Full (like leggings): Kat Von D Lock-it Foundation
TIP: “Less is more when applying foundation,” Smith says. “To get the most comfort and long wear, select a formula that gives you the desired look with the least amount of product.”

FINISH

Matte finish provides no shine at all, makes skin appear flat. Try: Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Mattifying Foundation
Natural finish looks like second skin with a natural sheen to the skin. Try: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation
Radiant finish uses light-reflecting properties to create a glowing appearance. Try: Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation

FORMULATION

Liquid is easiest to apply and works for almost all skin types. Try: Sephora Collection Teint Infusion Ethereal Natural Finish Foundation
Cream offers fuller coverage and can add additional moisture to skin. Try: Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation
Powder is perfect for a matte finish, providing from lighter to fuller coverage. Try: Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation

5. Setting Powder

Purpose: Powder extends makeup wear and holds it in place.Types: Setting or Finishing Powders Setting powder (and/or setting spray) is more translucent than finishing powder and acts like a clear screen protector for your makeup and skin. Try: Marc Jacobs Beauty Perfection Powder, Featherweight FinishFinishing powder is often more opaque than setting powders and tends to add a hue to the face, like wearing tinted sunglasses. Try: Bésame Cosmetics Brightening Setting Face PowderApply: Dip powder brush into powder, tap handle to remove excess. Press and roll bristles across face rather than sweeping, which can add unwanted texture to skin or accidentally buff off foundation/concealer.SEE ALSO: The Best Foods For Healthy Hair and Skin

6. Setting Spray

Purpose: Like setting powder, setting sprays help lock makeup into place while extending the wear; also helps with hydration.Apply: Lightly spray a setting mist into the air above the face, allowing it to fall onto the skin and gently press with your palms. Many toners and hydrating sprays can be used as makeup setting mists. Avoid spraying setting mist directly at the face as it can cause streaks if too concentrated, and avoid sprays with a lot of alcohol in their ingredient list. Try: Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50

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Beauty School Basics

Primer

Purpose: Smooth skin, set makeup.

Traditional primer smooths out skin’s surface and serves as a barrier to lock on to foundation. It’s ideal for smoothing fine lines and minimizing enlarged pores. “A great primer is the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer,” says Smith.

Mattifying primer does everything traditional primers do while also absorbing excess oil. “One of our clients’ favorites is the Benefit POREfessional: Matte Rescue Invisible Finish Mattifying Gel,” says Smith.

Color correcting primer is used to hide unwanted colors on the skin. Smith says, “I like to use the Lancôme Miracle CC Cushion Color Correcting Primer.”

Concealer

Try: Sephora Collection Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer

Foundation

Purpose: A good foundation provides all-over coverage, evens skin tone, and adds depth (if desired). There are three aspects to choosing the right foundation: Coverage, Finish, and Formulation.

COVERAGE

Sheer (like pantyhose): NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Medium (like tights): Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation

Full (like leggings): Kat Von D Lock-it Foundation

TIP: “Less is more when applying foundation,” Smith says. “To get the most comfort and long wear, select a formula that gives you the desired look with the least amount of product.”

FINISH

Matte finish provides no shine at all, makes skin appear flat. Try: Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Mattifying Foundation

Natural finish looks like second skin with a natural sheen to the skin. Try: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation

Radiant finish uses light-reflecting properties to create a glowing appearance. Try: Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation

FORMULATION

Liquid is easiest to apply and works for almost all skin types. Try: Sephora Collection Teint Infusion Ethereal Natural Finish Foundation

Cream offers fuller coverage and can add additional moisture to skin. Try: Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation

Powder is perfect for a matte finish, providing from lighter to fuller coverage. Try: Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation

Setting Powder

Purpose: Powder extends makeup wear and holds it in place.

Types: Setting or Finishing Powders

Setting powder (and/or setting spray) is more translucent than finishing powder and acts like a clear screen protector for your makeup and skin. Try: Marc Jacobs Beauty Perfection Powder, Featherweight Finish

Finishing powder is often more opaque than setting powders and tends to add a hue to the face, like wearing tinted sunglasses. Try: Bésame Cosmetics Brightening Setting Face Powder

Apply: Dip powder brush into powder, tap handle to remove excess. Press and roll bristles across face rather than sweeping, which can add unwanted texture to skin or accidentally buff off foundation/concealer.

Setting Spray

Purpose: Like setting powder, setting sprays help lock makeup into place while extending the wear; also helps with hydration.

Apply: Lightly spray a setting mist into the air above the face, allowing it to fall onto the skin and gently press with your palms. Many toners and hydrating sprays can be used as makeup setting mists. Avoid spraying setting mist directly at the face as it can cause streaks if too concentrated, and avoid sprays with a lot of alcohol in their ingredient list. Try: Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50

Topics:

M&F Hers

1. Beauty School Basics

2. Primer

3. Concealer

4. Foundation

COVERAGE

FINISH

FORMULATION

5. Setting Powder

6. Setting Spray

Beauty School Basics

Primer

Concealer

Foundation

COVERAGE

FINISH

FORMULATION

Setting Powder

Setting Spray

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