Concealer, foundation and powder: Everyone begins their makeup routine with one or all of these products. That’s why it’s essential to choose the ones that are best suited to your skin and to apply them correctly.

Finding the right base makeup has everything to do with your skin type and your complexion. Note: Your age and outdoor exposure are contributing factors to your complexion so what worked for you five years ago may not be the best choice today. Here are few simple guidelines to choosing the right base products.

Teens

Your best look is fresh and light. Only use foundation and concealer if necessary. Choose lightweight, oil-free foundation or try tinted moisturizer. Choose concealer according to your needs – you’ll probably need green or yellow to cover red blemishes. Choose translucent powders with a hint of shimmer to accentuate your glowing skin.

Mature

Most women are inclined to wear more makeup as they get older to cover age spots and even out the look of fine lines and wrinkles. This can backfire if your base makeup settles into those creases in your skin. You want to choose a light, full coverage foundation that matches your skin tone as closely as possible. Remember to apply to your neck as well. Concealers are especially important to mature skin. Choose lightweight, oil-free concealers with added moisturizers to help blend. To apply, dab with the tip of your ring finger. Never rub or stretch your skin. Use a dark concealer under the cheek bones and chin, around your jaw line and along any loose areas on the neck. Use orange or yellow concealer to correct bluish or dark areas around the eyes. Use yellow or mint green for red areas and broken capillaries and pink to offset shadows and sallow skin. Light concealers will draw skin forward while dark concealers recede your skin’s appearance. Choose a loose powder in a shade slightly lighter than your skin tone. A light dusting of loose powder softens lines, and blends and sets your color cosmetics.

Everyone in Between

Choose your foundation according to your skin tone and coverage needs. African-American women have many undertones to their skin and should choose a shade that best matches those dominate undertones. Asian women should not choose shades with pink and rosy undertones. Hispanic women wear bronze shade well. Fair skinned women choose ivory tones and increase your skin color with bronzers or blush. Ivory, beige and bronze concealers should be a shade lighter than your skin. Choose your powder according to your coverage needs – cream-to-powder for fuller coverage, pressed powder for medium coverage and loose powder for minimal coverage. Choose a powder shade that compliments your foundation color.

To apply

Most professionals say that your concealer goes on first, but you should experiment and determine what works best for you – concealer or foundation first. Finish with a light application of powder over the entire face (including eyelids) to blend and set your look.

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