Six Steps for Flawless Foundation…

I’ll let y’all in on a little confession… up until a few years ago I was a daily wet-wipe offender *shakes head* My poor face rarely ever seen anything other than baby wipes, not even moisturiser *gasps of horror* and needless to say I was paying the price for it. Badly. My skin was dull – almost grey in fact. My foundation looked blotchy and my red patches where blazing so hot you could’ve lit a Yankee candle of them. Then beauty blogging happened, and it saved my skin. Yes, YOU lot quite literally saved my face.

However in the process I slowly discovered that you don’t NEED to spend a fortune on making your complexion the best it can be (unless you really want to that is) and because of this, over the past few years I’ve been blessed to have had quite a few compliments on how well my foundation looks, or how youthful my skin is. Like any mortal being, there are days I royally slip of the skin-care bandwagon and without surprise I can notice a difference almost instantaneously as my makeup begins to show the price of my laziness. So with that in mind I thought I’d share a few of my own hints and tips on creating a great blank canvas for foundation. Needless to say I’m by absolutely no means a skincare expert, if anything I’m merely a novice looking after the skin I’ve been blessed with using the budget I have. So if this sounds like something you might be interested in taking a peak at then get yourself comfy as I uncover my six essential tips in prepping your face for an outstanding base…

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Step 1: Cleanse

Wash your face thoroughly using a mild facial soap that’s suitable for your skin type. I have oily/combo skin and find that Olay works really well for me (personally) However other great drugstore brands include Simple which is a great pocket friendly alternative, or if you fancy extending your budget a little further Boots No 7 range is truly the bee’s knees!

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Step 2: Exfoliate

Remove all those nasty dead skin cells to reveal a squeaky clean and smooth surface which is perfect for makeup application! The Body Shop’s Seaweed Exfoliator is PERFECT for the job as it leaves your face feeling totally refreshed and silky smooth. For a mere £10 it’s well worth the investment! No wonder it gets 5 star reviews 😉

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Step 3: Tone

Although I’ve always been a little dubious over the need for toning I must admit I’ve quite recently started to notice a significant different in my skin on those lazy days when I tend to skip this step. My Olay Daily Essentials 2-in-1 Toner always helps remove the last remaining traces of any nasties clogged up in the pores whilst gently restoring the balance of my skin after a good old deep cleaning.

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Step 4: Moisturise

For me this step has always ended up the key to how good (or bad) my face is going to look for the remainder of the day. Too much moisturiser and everything ungracefully slides off, too little and I end up with more dry patches than a patchwork quilt. Getting the right moisturiser to suit your skin is absolutely essential. Personally the champion of all moisturisers I’ve used is Astral. It’s pocket friendly at a mere £3.99 but knocks the absolute socks of the more expensive brands with their unpronounceable advertising gibberish. Yep, sometimes basic really is best. In fact don’t just take my word for it… check out the reviews on the Boots website by *clicking here*

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Step 5: Spritz

I must admit gals, this is a step that I frequently tend to forget however when I do remember to spray my face with a light facial mist it makes my skin feel incredibly refreshed and hydrated. I also notice quite a considerable difference when I do, particularly if I’ve had a few lazy days where my skin care routine has been a top priority! I personally love the Claudalie Grape Water which I mentioned a few weeks ago in my Beach Bag Essentials post.

This gorgeous organic grape water contains no nasties whatsoever and works wonders even on the most sensitive skin types. It gives an extra boost of hydration and can even been used as a toner right after cleansing!

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Step 6: Prime

Before going any further, I always ensure my moisturiser has well and truly seeped into my skin otherwise I end up with makeup that doesn’t cover evenly or leaves my foundation quite patchy, which gets more noticeable as the day rolls on. Once my moisturiser is absorbed I love using Olay Anti Wrinkle Firm + Lift Primer as it really helps to smooth out my skin, reduces my redness and makes a great base for foundation that lasts considerably longer. Don’t be put off by the name if you’re blessed with baby faced looks as this is suitable for ALL ages gals!

A great way to save time (without skipping Step 5) is opting for Smashbox Photo Finish Primer water, which is a rejuvenating facial spray that hydrates, moisturises and primes all in one go. It’s a little pricier at £20 but well worth the extra spend for a great prep & prime spray!

What’s your pre-makeup skincare routine? Do you have any tips for building a great base for your foundation? Have you any products you love to prep your skin with? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by and say a quick howdy 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio Chums…

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