Beauty Clinic: How can I perfectly blend foundation?
Q. What’s the best way to apply foundation? I have always used my fingers but my daughter has a sponge cone thing, which she swears by.
A. Legendary make-up artist Barbara Daly once told us that fingers are best because they warm the foundation (aka base) so it goes on more smoothly. So – fingers are just fine! (Just clean them thoroughly before you put your paws on your clothes etc.)
However, the egg-shaped Beauty Blender make up sponge – which we think is what your daughter has – is an iconic product for good reason. Squidge a little bit of base on the sponge, then dot, pat and stroke it over your skin - the pointy end takes it into corners - to get a truly flawless finish. Having dismissed Beauty Blender for years as a bit of a faff and a fad, Sarah is now a fully paid up fan. (It’s worth watching the videos for application tips, and spending time playing with the sponge.
The other application option is a specially shaped (flattish with an almost oval top) foundation brush, which many make up artists swear by. We have used brushes and they do work - though we usually end up with a bit too much product on brush and then face.
Now for the news that’s setting the Internet buzzing with controversy. Rea Ann Silva, the American make up artist who developed Beauty Blender, has now launched her own foundation called Bounce Liquid Whip Longwear Foundation, £32 for 30ml.
So - our view? We think it’s fabulous. It is light as the proverbial feather but – providing you have prepped properly - it covers flawlessly. (The formula was devised to combat the challenges of high definition screen make up, which emphasises every pore, blemish and wrinkle.) White birch extract and hyaluronic acid brighten and help hydrate skin. It doesn't cake or settle in wrinkles. And it is truly long lasting. We haven’t had to touch up at all, apart from a teeny bit on one red patch. You don't even really need concealer unless you have really dark areas, brown age spots or bigger blemishes.
And for everyone who has spilled or squirted foundation over a white top (grrrr), the cleverly designed bottle dispenses a small amount from a teeny aperture on one side when you press the top – so it’s pretty well spill-proof.
The downside is that you can’t go to a counter and try one of the 32 shades available on cultbeauty.co.uk. However, there is a click through button to a useful guide on the Beauty Blender website.
One thing to add, as you will see from the model shots for each of the shades, Bounce seems principally aimed for a range of mixed race complexions - Rea Ann and her daughter, who works in the business too, are gorgeous Latinos.Though, curiously, there are fewer darker shades – that’s one of the criticisms of the range, though apparently more shades are in the offing. And, of course, all the models apart from one are young. We suggest: don't be put off. Find the right shade for your skin and, hopefully, you will be as impressed as we are.
