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Foundation is a staple item in anyone’s make-up bag, for beginners and pros alike. It works as a sort of base-layer for your face, before you put on any other make-up.
This means that it can help to cover spots and blemishes, or it can work to create a smooth and even skin tone, a little like a canvas for the make-up to come. But given how much foundation can do, it isn’t as simple as something like mascara.
Instead, foundation comes in a lot of different consistencies and colors, and different foundations have different aims. For starters, you can get different styles of formulas. The cream style is thicker and works well for dry skin, while powder works better for oily skin, or water-based is a great often a great option for people with acne-prone skin.
Liquid foundation is often the simplest to apply, or there is serum foundation, which is similar to the liquid options but it also contains a serum that works well for skin care. Some people like a light or sheer coverage, so that they can just improve their skin tone slightly, while others prefer a medium coverage, which will help to conceal some blemishes but will still blend in well with your skin.
Then there is the foundation that provides full coverage. This is the level that can hide all blemishes and leave your skin looking like a blank canvas. If you aren’t sure what you need, or if it varies for different parts of your skin, then buildable coverage could be a better option for you.
Finally, you can get different finishes. Again, you can get something that is more natural and which resembles the skin. For people with oily skin, a matte finish is often more popular, as this leaves skin more shine-free. On the flip side, people with dry skin tend to prefer a dewy finish as it leaves their skin with more of a glow.
But once you’ve got the hang of all of these differences, it can still be difficult to know how best to use foundation and avoid the common pitfalls. One of the most common issues is when foundation settles in the pores.
This can leave the pores looking bigger than they are, plus it can make your skin look dirty and dry. So if you’ve had enough of foundation settling in your pores, worry no more. We have the five perfect tips for you down below.
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There are two main aspects that need to be considered when we discuss this topic, your pores, and the foundation you use. Now that may sound obvious, but there’s no point blaming one without looking at the other.
Firstly, let’s take a look at your pores. Your pores are a layer of skin that can’t just be got rid of, and they form a part of your face, often inherited. So you can’t just get rid of them. However, you can unclog them or tighten them.
A clogged pore is caused by dead skin cells and dirt. This doesn’t necessarily mean mud, but just the effect of the outside world on your skin, as well as make-up, of course. In order to unclog your pores, there are a couple of different methods you can take up.
The first is to use an exfoliating cleanser that contains either AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) or BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acids). Alternatively, you could use either a pore strip or a clay or charcoal face mask once a week. These are a temporary solution, but if they are repeated, they can help to keep your pores unclogged.
The other approach you can take is to try to tighten your pores. Retinol increases your skin’s collagen production, at the same time as decreasing its oil production. This helps you to get smoother skin with tighter pores. It is also really important to wear sunscreen.
The sun breaks down your skin’s collagen, so your skin becomes stretchier and you are left with larger pores. That’s why it is so important to make sure that your facial skin-care routine needs to include something with SPF 30. Well, to tighten your pores and to prevent you from getting skin cancer.
Okay, so this probably sounds obvious, but it’s worth highlighting. You need to keep your skin clean and well hydrated. Do not apply foundation, or any make-up for that matter, unless you have already cleansed and washed your skin thoroughly.
Similarly, make sure that you always remove your make-up before you go to bed, so that your skin can have time exposed to the fresh air. If your skin isn’t kept clean then traces of dirt, dust, oil, and just general grime or gunk can get stuck in places on your face.
This can lead to it opening your pores and settling there, leaving them look a lot larger than they would have done.
Keeping your skin hydrated isn’t as simple as taking a shower. When your skin becomes flaky on the surface of your skin, the foundation can form in lumps or cakes. It is this lumpy, cakey application which then settles into your pores.
Hydrating your skin can be easier for some people than others. In general, it is important to remember to moisturise after you have cleaned your skin, and before you apply any foundation.
This will help your skin to be soft, supple and hydrated, so that when you apply the foundation, it won’t go lumpy or cakey, but instead will be nice and smooth.
When we start learning about make-up, we all hear about how foundation is the base-layer. But so many people forget that before we put on foundation, we need to use a primer. It is primer that helps to make your skin smooth, so that you can apply an even layer of foundation.
The primer is also the layer that helps to keep your makeup on all day, without fading or slipping. It can be difficult to find the right primer, as it is entirely dependent on the type of skin you have, mixed with your lifestyle.
But trust us, you need to find a good primer, and you need to find it now. The primer will smooth your skin so that foundation won’t settle in your pores. If you have oily skin, check out our recommended primers here.
At the start of this article, we talked about the different styles and finishes of foundation. Well guess what, it makes a difference. If you want to stop foundation from settling in your pores, it is best to go for a lightweight powder finish.
When foundation doesn’t stick well to the skin, it usually means that it is heading for your pores. So to make sure that it doesn’t scatter, press some powder in immediately after applying, or use a powder foundation.
This will help it to stay intact on your skin for longer, plus it will prevent it from entering your pores. Remember, if it doesn’t seem to be working, make sure that you have blended it well on your skin.
Whether you go for a sponge or a brush, spreading the foundation evenly will help to give your face a flawless finish, and it will prevent it from settling in your pores.
So there you have it, our five top tips for how to stop foundation from settling in your pores. It’s not as difficult as you might fear. Okay so unclogging or tightening your pores might take a little work, but that’s probably something you want to do anyway.
And for the rest, you basically have to keep your skin clean and moisturized, make sure you use a primer before, then blend well and maybe use a powder finish. We are sure this combination of tricks will work for you, but let us know how you get on.
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