Five reasons your foundation isn’t smooth and flawless

We all have days when we look in the mirror and just wonder why nothing is working. It doesn’t seem to matter what you do, or how much you blend, your makeup just doesn’t look right. Often, when it comes to your foundation, it isn’t your application technique but a whole other myriad of factors affecting the way it looks! So, the next time you’re wondering why that base you’re applying is looking more ‘bleh’ than flawless, consider these five things:

  1. Did you prep correctly?

Sometimes makeup is only as good as the skincare you use. If you were painting a house, you wouldn’t just slap on the first coat without washing, prepping and priming the walls. Your skin should be no different. Before you jump in with your foundation in the morning, make sure you Cleanse the skin to remove any oils and dirt and Hydrate. Moisturising is key when applying makeup as it ensures the skin is properly hydrated. This avoids any patchiness which can disrupt an even application. It also feeds the skin so that it doesn’t start looking for anything else to soak up which is on your face – such as your makeup!

  1. Do you need to exfoliate?

Sometimes the answer to our patchy base is as simple as a good exfoliation. When your skincare routine lacks this crucial step, you allow dead skin cells to build up on the skin. Your foundation loves to catch on patches of dry, dead skin which, in turn, soaks up any liquid product and exaggerates the area. Make sure you are gently exfoliating on a regular basis with a product such as griffin+row’s Exfoliate – a 100% organic cotton cloth which softly exfoliates as you remove your cleanser.

  1. When did you last clean your brush?

If you apply your makeup with a tool such as a brush or sponge, it’s essential to keep it well maintained. Setting aside the factor of hygiene, the fact is that your brush cannot apply foundation correctly with a buildup of old, dry product.  This old product sets in the brush, causing both the bristles to stiffen and your makeup to separate. By washing your tools once a week you will notice a dramatic difference in how well they apply makeup!

  1. Are your products matching your skin type?

Believe it or not, foundations are formulated to suit certain skin types. Those which are developed for drier skins tend to be hydrating. You will see words such as ‘dewy’, ‘radiant’ and ‘glow’ as they offer to add life back to dull and tired skin. Other foundations are made for oily skin types and these can help minimise shine, often offering a ‘matte’, ‘demi-matte’ or ‘cashmere’ finish and promise ‘oil-free’ or ‘no-shine’. If you happen to be using a foundation that doesn’t suit your skin type, it can sometimes exaggerate any skin concerns you have. An oily skin, for example, does not need extra hydration from a foundation as it will end up looking like an oil slick. Ensuring your foundation suits your skin will not only apply more smoothly but will last throughout the day.

  1. How old is your product?

News flash: products expire. If you’ve been using your foundation for more than 12 months, there’s a good chance it has passed its best. Even if it hasn’t started to irritate your skin yet, you can generally tell when a product has reached the end of its life. If you notice it has changed consistency, smell or colour it’s time to say good-bye. Your product will tell you how long to keep it after opening (look for a little triangle with a number inside on the back of the label) but your general rule for a liquid foundation is one year.