To sponge or not to sponge?

First off I would like to say thank you to all of you that have been reading, posting or emailing me about my blog! You all are the reason why I do this, so please keep up the comments and suggestions, and I promise I will cover all of them:)

I recently received an email asking if I could talk about how to use a makeup sponge. She went on to talk about how she normally doesn't wear a lot of makeup, is a little new to all of this stuff, and it may be silly, but i'm here to tell you hun, you are not alone! To be quite honest, in all of the years I have been doing makeup, A LOT of girls have asked me the same question! Foundation can be one of the toughest part of applying makeup! Between picking the right color, applying, lasting throughout the day, and most importantly the DREADED MAKEUP LINE! So, if you are new to this, or just learning new things everyday, here are a few tips to first off finding the right foundation.

1. Decide which type of foundation you would like.

 Picking the right type of foundation for your skin type can be just as challenging as the actual color itself. There are a lot of options out there such as; liquid, mousse,matte,whipped etc. The best way to know what is right for your skin type are as follows;

Dry skin- Apply a moisturizer first, then a liquid foundation is what is best for you
Oily skin- Use an oil reducing face wash, or an oil blotter, then a whipped or matte foundation would be best for your skin.

Combination skin- Make sure your face is always primed and clean before applying anything. You can pretty much use any of the above. Trial and error is going to be your best friend.

Sensitive skin- Be sure you're looking for an organic or natural (oil free) foundation, to avoid breakouts or making your skin worse.

2. Color.

This is where the dreaded makeup line problems occur. Back before we had plenty of tips and tools, people thought testing foundations on your hand were the best way to find your color.WRONG. Your body color is much different then the color on your face. Your hands have an entirely different type of skin then your face does, so that can alter the color as well. The best way to test your color is along the jaw line, and under your eyes. The color that blends in the best, is the color for you. Be sure you're not going to light either. A too dark face is just as bad as a too light face! Remember, the point of foundation is to help even out your skin tone, not to make it look like you're wearing a makeup mask!

Ok now that we've covered what you need to look for in finding the right foundation, we can move on to how to actually apply the stuff! Well first thing is first. Back to the email I received wondering how to use a makeup sponge. If you ask me, I try not to even use a makeup sponge. They only last one or two applications before you should throw it out, and they just create a lot of waste. The best way to apply foundation is to invest in a foundation BRUSH. Now I know what you're thinking. If I don't even know how to use a makeup sponge, how am I going to know what a foundation brush looks like?? I promise it's a lot easier than it sounds. In any makeup section, you can find little kits that hold a foundation brush right in it. OR if you have a little less money but want the same look, go to your local art supply store and buy a small extra soft tip brush! Yup, you heard me correctly. A paint brush.

Now when you want to apply it, your initial reaction is going to be to dip, wipe, or pump the foundation directly onto the brush. Don't. Wash your hands, then apply a good amount to the back of your hand and then dip the brush into that. It will avoid using too much on the brush, in turn cutting down on the amount that actually ends up on your face. Remember, less is more. You want to look natural, not like a clown. When you're all finished just use a gentle soap and water on your brush and let it dry.

If you are really set on using the wedge makeup applicators, then go for it! Apply the same exact way with starting on the back of your hand, dabbing the smallest part of the wedge into it, then apply to your face. The thinnest part of the wedge is for the part under your eyes. Be sure to not wipe the foundation under your eyes. Dab it, then sweep a translucent or matte powder over the area to finish the look.

I hope I answered a lot of your questions! Feel free to comment with your thoughts or questions:)