A dry skin type is definitely troublesome. It gets the makeup all flaky, cakey and painfully ugly. In the winter time, I get a dry spot under my nose in the same spot every year and if I don’t treat it JUST RIGHT, it makes putting makeup on difficult and bothersome.
In this article, you’ll learn a whole lot of dry skin foundation application tips that you’ll ever need every single day of your feminine life.
Applying Foundation on Dry Skin
1. Always hydrate.
Just like your body, your face needs to stay hydrated, especially when you have severely dry skin. Before applying foundation, apply hydrating oil, moisturizing cream, or dewy face primer all over your face. Hydrating your face not only makes your makeup look glowing but also balances the moisture level in your skin.
2. Exfoliate the dry skin.
According to Olivia Wilde’s makeup artist, Katey Denno, the visibility of the flakes in your skin is higher when you put foundation on. Regular exfoliation using mild face peeling products will help remove the top layer of dead skin and will prevent facial skin from flaking.
My favorite exfoliator is good, ol’ St. Ives Apricot Scrub. No matter how many different exfoliators I try out, test and review, I always end up going back to St. Ives because it consistently gives me smooth, glowing skin and I know I’m not allergic to it! My skin is so sensitive that at least 3 out of every 5 face products I try I end up being allergic to. Either my skin freaks out or my nose starts running and won’t stop till I wash my face completely. St. Ives apricot scrub is always there for me when I need to get facial products off my face and get back down to my naked skin fast.
3. Use light liquid makeup concealer.
Concealers usually suck out moisture from the surface of the skin, resulting to skin flaking. Also, concealers sometimes cause dry patches, so avoid using concealers that are too thick. For much flawless makeup results, use liquid concealer with light, delicate reflection and built-in moisture.
4. Find the right foundation for you.
While it has previously been mentioned that there are 3 main types of facial skin, the different levels of dryness may vary. Thus, it may be difficult to identify the definite type of your skin, and it may be even more difficult to find the right foundation for you.
The truth is it’s really hard to tell which is which. It’s going to be a trial and error process. So, be brave enough to try out different brands, types, and shades of foundation until you find the right one. Ideally, though, a good foundation gives a buildable facial coverage. It should hydrate your skin with the right amount of oil. Its shade must also complement the color of the rest of your body. Ultimately, it should make you glow and feel beautiful.
5. Don’t use your fingers.
This is an ancient rule for all girls. If you’re one of those who still use your bare hands to apply foundation on your face, it’s time for you to stop. That’s just a total no-no.
Using your fingers to apply makeup can get the dirt and germs spread all over your face, causing acne, pimples, and other kinds of skin infection. Not only that. Using your fingers when applying foundation can also result in poor makeup finish. Your fingers absorb moisture, which means you get a lesser amount of moisture to your face than you think you do. Instead of using your hands, buy sigma brushes. These makeup tools are especially designed to apply foundation evenly, remove excess, and blend everything out to perfection.
Another choice is getting something like Laneige BB Cushion compact with a cushion applicator. It’s convenient and a great choice for when you are on the go.
6. Finish with the right powder.
Use a light dusting of finishing powder to set your makeup to the most beautiful finish. For dry skin, use a hydrating finishing powder to achieve a flawlessly glowing face.
I personally prefer Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder, which is a three-time award-winning universal translucent finishing powder that sets your foundation perfectly or can also be worn alone. It instantly softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, fills in pores and evens out your entire complexion for a glowing, radiant look.