Monday, May 21, 2012

Embrace your paleness

Katie Healy, WhatKatieHealyDid
I know how frustrating it is to not be able to walk in to a pharmacy and pick up a foundation that matches your skin.
I do not know how in this day and age pharmacy brand make-up can’t offer a range of shades suitable for people on the lighter and darker side of life.
It is baffling, I see so many girls wearing the WRONG shade through no real fault of their own.
Most ‘pale’ foundations promise you the world but end up making you look like you have jaundice.

TIPS FOR FOUNDATION SHOPPING

*ALWAYS ASK TO TRY ON MAKE UP ON YOUR FACE NOT HAND AT A MAKE UP COUNTER
*WALK OUTSIDE WITH A MIRROR/TO A WINDOW TO SEE WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE IN NATURAL LIGHT
*NEVER BUY SOLEY ON A REVIEW YOU HAVE READ ONLINE.
*GET AS MANY SAMPLES AS YOU CAN AND IGNORE THE “SORRY  WE DONT DO SAMPLES” SPIEL

How to beat the aforementioned spiel:
*Buy your own travel pots

*Bring them with you when you go try out foundations.
Samples are a must when buying foundation- these products are not cheap so you need to be sure they suit you before you buy!

I have debated whether or not to swatch these foundations, I think as ANY pale foundation wearing person knows, being pale is a unique pain in the behind. 
Swatches don't quite cut the mustard as what looks great in a certain light, on screen, may not look so good when you have it on your face!
I honestly think the BEST thing to do is to MIX YOUR OWN foundation.
Here is some advice regarding my foundation routine. 
This may be beneficial to someone out there!
Illamasqua and Mac Foundations
Illamasqua




For light coverage natural foundation 
Mac Face and Body N1 mixed it with MAC face and body white.
I do this on the back of my hand in the morning,I shake both bottles well then I pool 60% white with 40% N1.
Mix the two shades in with my brush and buff in to skin.
Mac white is a pro product and like gold dust at times to source but it is well worth the effort.
Face and body has light-medium coverage, I think it illuminates your skins natural beauty without masking it with a thick product.
Your natural paleness is accentuated, not forced.
Very fresh and natural looking.


For a more “made up” and fuller coverage look
Illamasqua rich liquid foundation in RF115 (their most natural pale shade) and RF 105 (white with pink undertone) mixed together.
However, your skin needs to be FLAWLESS to pull this foundation off.
You must have NO dryness whatsoever or this make up WILL make you look dry, flaky and badly made up.
Exfoliation and hydration is a MUST when wearing this heavy make-Up.
It is worth the effort prepping your skin though, because it ,makes your skin look beautiful.
MAC
For days when you just CAN NOT be bothered to mix foundations?
Illamasqua skin base foundation in 002
It is a pretty close match to my skin, still a shade or two dark but the best I can find at the moment.
It is a nice product but I do not get the hype surrounding this product.
I mean, yes it is easily bendable but I find it can sit on skin a little and sink in to fine lines.
Less is more when using this product.

MAC Full coverage in W10.
Mac full coverage is perfect for nights out when you want a long wearing foundation that will do your skin justice.
When I wear MAC full coverage, I feel like my skin has been air brushed, it is THAT good.
It makes me feel great, I mean yes, it is a TINY bit too yellow for my skin, but it really does the job!


I really hope this helps someone out there! Finding the perfect shade can be a nightmare!

1 comment:

Katy said...

I have very pale skin and awkward skin its prone to breakouts but very flaky :( I've tried lots, I find Elizabeth Arden Double Wear in the latest shade the best for me at the moment, I'm going to try the new Max Factor 3 in 1 and would love to try Dita's powder see how it sits with my foundation. I found your post very interesting and just wondered if you had any exfoliating tips as the one thing that sops me having flawless make up is my flakiness :(

lots of love katy x
(avintagwife)