8 beauty tips to get flawless skin this Spring

Less is always more, says Claudette Lingenfelder of Beauty Beyond in Durban North

Less is always more, says Claudette Lingenfelder of Beauty Beyond in Durban North

Published Oct 3, 2016

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The trick to wearing foundation correctly is to look like you don't have any on, says Claudette Lingenfelder of Beauty Beyond in Durban North.

Less is always more…

"It's easier to get your look right in the warmer months when humidity levels leave many of us not wanting to put anything on that might melt away.

"It's a great time to leave behind the safe place of plastered from ear-to-ear foundation or too perfect tutorials you've seen on Instagram and actually focus on your own face and learn the subtle tricks of coverage that will have people believing you have naturally flawless skin."

To achieve an even skin tone you need to know which foundations and concealers are right for you.

1. Tinted Moisturiser/spf

Ideal for picnics in the park or strolls on the beach, this is make-up that gives you that no make-up look and there's the added benefit of all-in-one. A tinted moisturiser hydrates the skin and most often offers a sun protection factor (spf) and the slightest coverage.

The great thing about this clever sun block is that its light weight. You won't feel as though you have make-up on but will be able to even out your skin tone ever so slightly.

Be cautious of products that make your skin appear grey though and find one that mimics your natural colouring. Also be aware that the very thin consistency of this product means you may have to reapply it throughout the day.

Tinted moisturiser will not cover dark blemishes.

2. BB Cream

A BB is a blemish balm.

It's another all-in-one product and promises a great deal more than a tinted moisturiser.

BBs have the combined properties of primer (to smooth out the skin and ensure make-up applied over lasts longer); foundation; SPF; and hydrating moisturiser.

They may also boast anti-ageing and treatment ingredients to lighten and brighten the skin. BB creams are creamy in texture; however, they are still very light and breathable, making them ideal for everyday use.

It's as simply as applying lotion to your face and it's great for hot days when standing around applying make-up for 20 minutes is just not an option. As with anything else you need to take the time to find your right shade in a product that suits your skin type.

Coverage depends on your skin. BB cream may not cover dark blemishes.

3. Concealer

A lot of women battle with the idea of using concealer because it is so thick. However, they are especially formulated to cover blemishes, pigmentation, scars, dark circles and even tattoos effectively.

When incorrectly applied they can draw attention to your problem areas however, sparingly used with the proper application they can help achieve a very flawless look.

Liquid conceal is buildable, so you can layer until you're happy.

Creamy concealer is ideal for dry skin and best applied with a brush. In summer apply concealer directly onto the skin and blend in by tapping it with a blending sponge or your ring finger. Avoiding rubbing it in as you will actually just be wiping it off.

Follow with foundation where it is needed and powder to set it all.

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4. Colour Correctors

More and more make-up houses are offering professional colour correctors to their clients. Application is imperative to avoid looking a rainbow.

Use sparingly:

- Orange: dotted over dark circles around the eyes

- Green to hide redness such broken capillaries near the nose

- Purple if you have a very yellow undertone and cream for bruises

5. Foundation

There is such a wide variety of foundation that you'd be forgiven for being too confused to even try them out.

Start by choosing the consistency you prefer. Liquid foundation is silky. It's easy to apply on rushed mornings. You can get anything from a satin to a completely matte finish depending on the brand.

Creamy foundation is denser and tends to be oil based. They are the best at evening out skin tone.

Foundation sticks that look like lipstick and are often used for contouring and strobing, are thicker and work best for a night out. If you have problem skin it will block your pores and is not advised.

While liquid will suffice in the day time, a creamy foundation is ideal for big events such as weddings or a photo shoot. It helps to set your foundation with a translucent powder, especially in warmer weather.

6. Mousse

Mousse foundation is creamy with a whipped texture.

It feels airy and is oil free. Mouse foundation gets its velvety texture from the water and silicon it contains. It provides medium to full coverage and is recommended for more mature skin or people with larger pores and oily to combination skin.

Its fluffy nature helps to defuse wrinkles.

7. Powder

There is a difference between translucent powder, mineral powder, pressed powder and foundation powders.

Loose translucent powder is great to use over creamy foundations as it takes away any shine. It make be applied with a powder brush or sponge and thereafter dusted off with a powder brush. (Make- up artists refer to this as baking.)

Mineral powders are great for spring as it can offer that dewy look. It's also considered good for acne prone skin and may contain skin treatment ingredients. It provides light coverage and is best applied with a powder brush.

Pressed powders are semi solid and often sold in a compact. They come in different shades and may be applied with a powder puff. Be careful when applying pressed powder as it may settle into fine lines or give the skin a caked appearance.

Foundation powders are creamy while still offering a powder finish on the skin.

It can be used daily and is recommended for oily to combination skin types.

8. Air Brush

This is a special service you can have done by a make-up artist, largely because it's very difficult to do by yourself.

Air brush foundation is even thinner than liquid foundation and has finer molecules. It gives you that photo shopped look and if you're a summer bride is advised as it lasts all day.

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7 additional beauty hacks:

- When applying foundation use a foundation brush to save on your product and achieve a natural look. A sponge application looks heavier and the sponge tends to absorb most of your product.

- For a natural dewy, youthful look wet your make-up applicator slighter before using it and blend. Use just a pop of colour on the eyes or lips.

- In spring add a liquid shimmer or highlighter to your make-up routine. It will give you skin a glow even if you're using a matte foundation. Ideal areas to apply highlighter is above your cheekbones, tip of your nose and above the lip, on the cupids bow.

- Matte lips and well shaped brows are definitely in for 2016. If you don't have any matte lipsticks or gloss simply apply your lipgloss/lipstick and then dab translucent powder over using your ring finger.

- Match your brow colour to your hair for a softer, natural look.

Remember to blend out the brows after you have coloured/filled them in by using a combing eyebrow brush.

If you don't have an eyebrow pencil to fill it in, don't worry, just find the closest shade of eye shadow to your hair and apply it with an angled brow brush.

Lastly spray your combing brow brush with hair spray and brush your brows.

-  Always carry a translucent or pressed powder in your bag for those really humid days to take away the shine. 

- Make your lipstick last longer by using a lip primer before applying your gloss or lipstick, the eye primer also helps to keep eye shadow in place especially if you have very oily eyelids.

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