Start at the Foundation - Make up and Lingerie

Foundation is at the heart of every good make up bag.  We strive for the best shade match and perfect coverage to smooth and correct our skin so we can then build up on with whatever look we want to achieve for the day.  Sultry vamp or English rose, once we've applied the best foundation the make up world is our oyster.

Cute Cath Kidston Cosmetic Bag

In recent years the beauty industry has let us in on its little secrets, such as the use of a skin primer which is applied right before you glide on any foundation.  The reason for this is because the better we correct our skin and prepare it for it's base (much like painting a wall over a primed surface), the better our foundation will perform and look.

The very same principle applies to our clothing too.  Putting together a fabulous outfit is nothing if the foundation of the clothing is not right.  Wear the right underwear for your clothing, and your outfit will look priceless (even if it only came from Primark.)  Wear the wrong underwear and an expensive outfit will look horrendous.

So looking at the foundation of your make up or clothing, think 'unobtrusive, corrective and complimentary.'

Lingerie

Basic colours are your best bet if you don't want bra show-through.  A bra in a colour similar to your skin tone most achieves the 'barely there' look.  Nudes, honeys, caramels and chocolates are good base colours.  White and black bras are also handy, depending on the colour of your top.  Again, choose knickers in skin colour and the colour won't show through clothing.

Freya's Smooth Cup Deco Bra

A smooth line bra with limited fancy detail and stitching is necessary for a streamlined silhouette beneath a close fitting top.  Avoid bright colours and lace if you don't want to draw attention to your bra.  Seamfree knickers, thongs and high waist briefs avoid the dreaded VPL.

Ultimo's Multiway Bra

Wearing a backless dress?  A plunging neckline top?  A daring strapless?  Bras come in a variety of wearability options.  A basic strapped bra does the job for most sleeved items of clothing, even vest tops and choose a push up style for the perfect cleavage boost.  Where the straps and back of a bra will show, a multiway or bra with removable straps provide flexibility and freedom with choosing how to wear your bra according to the needs of your wardrobe.

Make Up 

The basic primers are going to be translucent gels or creams that will provide a smooth surface for your colour foundation to be applied.  They want to be non sticky and non greasy.

L'oreal Paris' Studio Secrets Primer

Problem skin can be corrected by way of coloured creams; purple for sluggish skin, green for flushed skin.  Combination and oily skin benefit from mattifying benefits with oil free and non clogging ingredients.  For dry areas, moisturising and skin quenching properties can help soothe and calm your face so your foundation will apply more evenly.

One of Boots No7's Colour Calming Primers

Once you've prepped the skin, a good foundation that matches both your skin type and colour is imperative.  It's also handy to know your skin tone.  Cool skin types suit pink under tone foundations, where as warm skin tones better suit yellow under toned foundations. 

So make up and clothing, although different mediums, still follow the same rules.  An excellent foundation makes a more glowing and confident YOU!

Do you abide by a fail-safe regime for perfect foundation?  Have a favourite primer or perfect shirt bra?

Becky x