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28-04-2023

All about the perfect base make-up

A beautiful make-up look always starts with the perfect base. And that very base can sometimes be a challenge. How do you find the right products, which techniques do you use and in which steps do you apply your base? In this blog, we will teach you all about the Flawless Face: the perfect canvas for your look. Read on to find out how to find the right foundation shade, which products we recommend and how to choose the most beautiful base make-up for your skin type.

At Skins, we work in four steps: Prime, Base, Conceal & Correct and Set. Even before you start these steps, applying the right skincare is a real must. A beautiful make-up look will last much better throughout the day when you take good care of your skin. Make sure you carefully cleanse your skin before applying make-up, and use the right eye cream, moisturiser and/or serum.

Step 1: Prime

A primer is the first step you go through to create a flawless face. The primer acts as a barrier that your make-up sticks to. Skin texture looks nicer after using a primer and make-up stays on longer. There are different types of primers. When choosing a primer, it is important to look at what your skin needs. If you want to reduce visible or coarse pores, you can opt for a blurring primer. Dr Brandt's Pores No More Refiner Primer is perfect for this. Do you have skin that gets shiny or oily easily? Then use the Soft Matte Primer from NARS, which gives shiny skin a nice matte look.

For skin that feels dry and needs hydration, we recommend a hydrating primer. RMS Beauty's Re Evolve Radiance Locking Primer is enriched with hyaluronic acid and provides long-lasting hydration. Laura Mercier, known for her natural, flawless look, also has beautiful primers for dehydrated skin. The Pure Canvas Primer - Hydrating with caring ingredients makes dry skin feel comfortable and restores hydration levels. Does your make-up quickly disappear from your face or do you regularly suffer from patchy make-up? This is the sign of dehydrated skin, and so you can greatly benefit from the above-mentioned, hydrating primers.

Step 2: Base

As the second step, it's time to apply foundation. How do you find the perfect foundation for your complexion? It's always a good idea to visit a Skins boutique. Here, our Skins Experts will lovingly explain which foundation matches your complexion, as well as your skin type and the season. Guusje, Make-Up Artist and MUA Trainer at Skins, explains: 'Just like you have a summer and winter wardrobe, your basic make-up also differs per season. In summer, for example, you may actually want a mattifying foundation, which stays on better in humid climates. In winter, I recommend a glowy foundation, for the effect of hydrated, dewy skin. Always test a foundation on the skin: that way, even seasonally, you can see exactly which formula blends with the skin.'

Choose a foundation with a finish you like. Go for a matt formula, or satin or dewy. Choose an oil-free foundation if you have skin that gets oily a bit faster. A foundation can generally be divided into three groups: light, medium and full-coverage coverage. If you want a no-makeup look, you can opt for a tinted moisturiser, or, for example, the Sheer Glow Foundation from NARS. This foundation is lightweight, blends easily and you won't feel it on the skin. RMS Beauty's Un Cover-Up Cream Foundation is enriched with a nurturing blend of oils and herbs and gives an almost magical look.

If you want a little more coverage, Westman Atelier's Vital Skincare Complexion Drops are a wonderful option. These Drops are very nice in summer as they have a light texture that does give the right coverage. You can also use the Drops nicely in combination with the Vital Skin Foundation Stick, especially for oilier skin. This is because the Stick allows the light, liquid formula of the Drops to be more set.

For full coverage foundation, we recommend building up a medium coverage formula as desired. This gives a more natural effect. If you do like a bit more coverage, RMS Beauty's Re Evolve Foundation is a great option. The formula with emollient, firming and moisturising ingredients provides sufficient coverage, but with a healthy glow. Laura Mercier's Real Flawless Foundation also offers medium coverage with a satin, natural finish.

Step 2: Base

As the second step, it's time to apply foundation. How do you find the perfect foundation for your complexion? It's always a good idea to visit a Skins boutique. Here, our Skins Experts will lovingly explain which foundation matches your complexion, as well as your skin type and the season. Guusje, Make-Up Artist and MUA Trainer at Skins, explains: 'Just like you have a summer and winter wardrobe, your basic make-up also differs per season. In summer, for example, you may actually want a mattifying foundation, which stays on better in humid climates. In winter, I recommend a glowy foundation, for the effect of hydrated, dewy skin. Always test a foundation on the skin: that way, even seasonally, you can see exactly which formula blends with the skin.'

Choose a foundation with a finish you like. Go for a matt formula, or satin or dewy. Choose an oil-free foundation if you have skin that gets oily a bit faster. A foundation can generally be divided into three groups: light, medium and full-coverage coverage. If you want a no-makeup look, you can opt for a tinted moisturiser, or, for example, the Sheer Glow Foundation from NARS. This foundation is lightweight, blends easily and you won't feel it on the skin. RMS Beauty's Un Cover-Up Cream Foundation is enriched with a nurturing blend of oils and herbs and gives an almost magical look.

If you want a little more coverage, Westman Atelier's Vital Skincare Complexion Drops are a wonderful option. These Drops are very nice in summer as they have a light texture that does give the right coverage. You can also use the Drops nicely in combination with the Vital Skin Foundation Stick, especially for oilier skin. This is because the Stick allows the light, liquid formula of the Drops to be more set.

For full coverage foundation, we recommend building up a medium coverage formula as desired. This gives a more natural effect. If you do like a bit more coverage, RMS Beauty's Re Evolve Foundation is a great option. The formula with emollient, firming and moisturising ingredients provides sufficient coverage, but with a healthy glow. Laura Mercier's Real Flawless Foundation also offers medium coverage with a satin, natural finish.

This is the best way to apply foundation

Once you have found the right foundation, you can apply it in different ways. Again, the result depends on your needs. For a natural look, you can apply foundation with your fingers. The warmth of the skin causes the formula to melt seamlessly into the skin. A foundation brush gives a little more coverage and blends a texture evenly. Or go for a complexion sponge that you wet before use. This way, you make sure you maintain a moisturised look - great for drier skin.

Step 3. Conceal and Correct

With the right foundation and primer, you immediately have a nice, even base. Next, for more localised coverage, use a concealer and/or a corrector. The difference between them is that a corrector is particularly suitable for discolouration under the eyes, for example. A corrector ensures that dark circles can be concealed, but with a natural look. Always choose a contrasting colour. For dark circles under the eyes with a blue glow, choose a peach or orange shade. On red spots, apply a green corrector. Apply a thin amount of concealer over your corrector to finish off nicely. Choose a concealer in the same colour as your complexion, or go up to one or two shades lighter. This will prevent an unnatural end result. Small, localised blemishes can also be perfectly camouflaged with a concealer. RMS Beauty's Un Cover-Up Concealer is buildable, lightweight and rich in caring, nourishing oils. This keeps skin hydrated and prevents the concealer from accumulating in any fine lines. Achieve higher coverage with NARS' Radiant Creamy Concealer, which combines a rich, smoothing texture with a lightweight formula.

Step 4: Set Your Skin

To set your base make-up and ensure it stays perfectly in place throughout the day, we recommend a face powder. Again, choose a powder that meets the needs of your skin. Laura Mercier's iconic Translucent Setting Powder is an international bestseller and gives an insane, blurring effect. In doing so, it looks like you are wearing an Instagram filter on your face. The non-greasy, sheer formula can be used with any skin type and colour and reflects light for a radiant effect.

Another great option is Westman Atelier's Vital Pressed Skincare Powder. In it, founder Gucci Westman combines the nourishing ingredients of skincare with the fixing, smoothing properties of a powder. Guusje: 'If you have skin that is prone to shine, Rae Morris' Invisible Mattifyer is indispensable. This is an antibacterial formula that you can apply beautifully over your base during the day, without creating an extra layer. It also stays mattified for up to three times longer. A real must-have for your toiletry bag.' Skins Expert tip: always apply face powder as little as possible straight under the eyes, as this can accentuate fine lines faster.

Step 4: Set Your Skin

To set your base make-up and ensure it stays perfectly in place throughout the day, we recommend a face powder. Again, choose a powder that meets the needs of your skin. Laura Mercier's iconic Translucent Setting Powder is an international bestseller and gives an insane, blurring effect. In doing so, it looks like you are wearing an Instagram filter on your face. The non-greasy, sheer formula can be used with any skin type and colour and reflects light for a radiant effect.

Another great option is Westman Atelier's Vital Pressed Skincare Powder. In it, founder Gucci Westman combines the nourishing ingredients of skincare with the fixing, smoothing properties of a powder. Guusje: 'If you have skin that is prone to shine, Rae Morris' Invisible Mattifyer is indispensable. This is an antibacterial formula that you can apply beautifully over your base during the day, without creating an extra layer. It also stays mattified for up to three times longer. A real must-have for your toiletry bag.' Skins Expert tip: always apply face powder as little as possible straight under the eyes, as this can accentuate fine lines faster.

Base make-up on holiday

Summer holidays are slowly approaching and more and more trips are being planned. Time to take a good look at your make-up base on holiday. Even then we want to enjoy an even complexion, but with an airy, comfortable feel. On holiday, opt for a tinted moisturiser with an SPF. Very nice for the skin, as you can touch up this product repeatedly throughout the day. Concealer is always an essential step as it allows you to easily camouflage local blemishes.

Preferably keep your flawless face in base a little quieter on holiday or in hot weather. Make sure you use a good day skincare with an SPF, and go for products with a cream texture. This blends out more easily and wears comfortably in warmer climates. You can see a powder 'lie' on the skin a bit more in summer. If you do want to work with a powder, go for a transparent colour or apply the product only topically.



Enjoy your Flawless Face

You have now created an even canvas, as the perfect base for the rest of your make-up. It is now time to bring back definition to the face, using blush, bronzer and a highlighter. Since in this blog we mainly advise on a basic make-up, we are happy to elaborate on the follow-up steps in another article. Also, of course, you can always visit one of the Skins boutiques or our E-boutique for personal advice.