On your big day, you want to look like the best version of yourself. As the literal base of your makeup, foundation helps to create an even, flawless complexion on which you can build to achieve your perfect look. Foundation is not one-size-fits-all, and its important to find the one that works best for you (if you choose to wear foundation at all).
The type of foundation you choose will depend on the finish you desire, and it can be quite tricky to figure it out if you’re not a beauty guru. Fear not, we’ve got the breakdown. Finding the right foundation for your skin requires you to consider four different elements: coverage, type, finish and shade.
Coverage
Foundation comes in three main types depending on the amount of coverage you want: full, medium and sheer coverage. This is up to personal preference. Full coverage gives you the most even, flawless finish, while a sheer coverage or a tinted moisturiser will mostly give an overall skin-tint and slightly cover a few blemishes. Medium coverage falls somewhere between these two, offering up buildable coverage that evens out your tone while still allowing your skin to shine through.
Type
Once you’ve decided on the coverage you want, you can begin to look at foundation types. Foundation generally come in liquid form, in a stick, as a whipped mousse and as a powder.
Liquid foundation is the easiest and most accessible to use. Liquid glides on easily and blends the best for the most even finish, however it can exaggerate oil-prone skin. It can be applied using a brush, beauty sponge or even your fingers.
A stick foundation is creamier and thicker in consistency than a liquid foundation. However, there is quite a bit of buffing that is required with this foundation to make sure you get an even look. Stick foundations are perfect for contouring and highlighting, as it gives a great colour-payoff that can be blended more naturally into the skin than powder.
A whipped mousse foundation is a liquid foundation that has air incorporated into it, lightening up the texture. This light-weight foundation blends easily and works well for all skin tones.
Powder foundation is easy to apply as it generally requires less blending and comes in a convenient compact case. Powder foundation is perfect for someone who wants a lighter, more matte look. However, it can be quite drying and is generally not great for someone already predisposed to dryness.
Finish
Once you’ve locked down the coverage and type of foundation you want, your second-to-last step is to choose your finish. These are the main foundation finishes:
– Matte foundations eliminate sheen on your face, making it perfect for those with oily skin. Those with blemish or acne-prone skin will like this finish as it provides a poreless filter to the skin. Dry, more mature skin should steer clear of this finish as it can accentuate problem areas.
– Dewy finishes give the wearer a soft, glowing look to the skin and is perfect for dry skin and mature skin as it appears more youthful.
– A Satin finish falls between matte and dewy: close to full coverage but in a more natural way. This finish compliments all skin-types.
Shade match
Unfortunately, the last step is always the hardest. Shade matching your skin to a foundation can be incredibly difficult, especially in store where lighting is not exactly optimal. The key thing to take into account is your skins undertone.Warm undertones reflect traces of red and gold in their skin and typically tan very easily. Cool undertones have hints of ink and blue in their skin and are prone to burn more easily in the sun. A neutral undertone falls in the middle, with an equal mix of cool and warm tones.
When in doubt, many makeup artists create a foundation cocktail, mixing together two or three shades to get the closest match. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Feature image: Unsplash
While she will always go down in history as being the violet-eyed star of the silver screen, Elizabeth Taylor also has another title: the celebrity who had been…
While it seems like a minor detail, the bridal bouquet is no small task. Flowers seem more simple than they truly are, and picking the perfect set of blooms becomes complicated.
You have to ensure that it matches and suits your wedding gown, it should fit the atomosphere in general, and all of this needs to be done on a budget. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worry not. You’re not alone!
Here are some tips to help you pick your bridal bouquet:
– Dress first
Since your flowers need to match your dress, having a picture of the dress before you begin your flower shopping will ensure the best possible results. The dress will affect what size, shape and type of bouquet a florist will suggest. Picking your dress first makes this a much easier task. Additionally, you wouldn’t want to be stuck choosing your dress based on the flowers you chose!
– Think about size and shape
If your dress is small, a big bouquet with large blossoms will drown out your dress and may even make it look disproportionate. Ensure that you’re opting for the correct size and shape! If you aren’t certain about what the right dimensions are, don’t be afraid to ask your florist, they are happy to assist.
– Research
Add some images to your Pinterest board, find out the names of the flowers you like the most, and read up on which flowers are in season. If you approach a florist with all of this information, they’ll have a much better idea of what you want and what options are on the table. They can make suggestions based on the information you have provided.
– Consider your wedding itself
You want to ensure that the bouquet fits the occasion. It may look a bit confusing if your wedding is very formal and black-tie, but you’ve opted for a more boho-style bouquet.
– Budget
Before you go anywhere or talk to any florists, set your budget. A budget helps you narrow down the list of options, and also ensures you don’t get attached to something you actually can’t have.
– Comfort
This one is important and many often forget to take it into consideration. You’ll be carrying the bouquet all day long. Don’t choose flowers that may be awkward to carry.
Image: Unsplash
Actress Jenna Dewan will soon be a married woman. The beauty recently took to social media to announce her engagement to partner Steve Kazee. Dewan and Kazee met…
There is a global movement toward living a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. People are more aware of their day-to-day impact on the natural environment and so eco-conscious weddings are rapidly growing in popularity. Here are some ways you can make your wedding as eco-friendly as possible.
1. Leaf Confetti
Say goodbye to the harmful dyed paper that is confetti and hello to compostable confetti punched from fallen leaves. You can use a punch that is either the traditional circular shape, or spice things up and find a punch that cuts heart, star or even flower shapes. The use of leaves means no one has to clean up the mess that other confetti leaves behind. Rice is not an eco-alternative as it is a waste of food and petals are not an alternative option either. Yes they are biodegradable but spending an exorbitant amount of money on flowers, only to rip them apart, is just illogical. Fallen leaf confetti for the win!
2. Compostable cutlery and crockery
Rather than bleeding the bank dry and renting a dinner service large enough for your wedding, purchase compostable cutlery in bulk for your special day. From plates, to bowls, straws, knives, forks and spoons – compostable crockery and cutlery exists in all shapes and sizes. No one remembers the plates you used for your wedding dinner, but they may want to copy your trendsetting notion to save the planet. At the end of the reception, no water or electricity has to be used to clean dinner plates and dessert bowls. Just pop them into a biodegradable bag and use them to start a compost heap. It’s a win-win for Mother Nature.
Check out Green Home for all your compostable crockery and cutlery needs.
3. Take meat off the menu
Do you want to save money, protect the atmosphere and nourish your guests? Then take meat off the menu for your wedding reception. The idea may cause an outrage among your guests but remember, this is your wedding not theirs. They will survive one night without it. The meat industry contributes greatly to global warming from its CO2 emissions. Did you know that one beef burger with toppings and a bun requires around 3,140 litres of water to be made? So why not lay off the globe’s most precious resource and indulge your guests in a delectable vegetarian (or even better, vegan) menu? With ample vegetarian and vegan food catering companies across South Africa, there really is no excuse for keeping meat on the menu.
4. Solar power
Try find a wedding venue that operates only on solar power and keep your wedding off the grid. You won’t have to worry about load shedding mid-I do, or rely on a back up generator if the power goes out during your first dance. Renewable energy will help keep your wedding eco-friendly. Alternatively, you can swap out the candles and use battery operated fairy lights or Console jars that will help keep your wedding lit well into the night.
5. Give the gift of spekboom
If you’re planning on giving a thank you gift, give your guests a spekboom cutting each. Spekboom is South Africa’s endemic wonder plant. This shrub is packed with Vitamin C and the succulent leaves are pro photosynthesisers, the process of making plant food from sunlight. This produces oxygen as a by-product, and we all know how important that is. Spekbom, also known as pork bush and Elephant’s food, is more effective than the Amazon rainforest at sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Specifically, spekboom can sequester over 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year per hectare planted. Spekboom is a water-wise, drought resistant plant that is also edible. Spekbooms can literally be cut and stuck in some soil in a pot and left to thrive. Keep things green with this carbon dioxide sequestering machine.
Other eco-friendly tips:
– NO balloons! Balloons are one of the largest contributors to oceanic waste, they are as deadly to marine life as they are pretty to humans.
– NO glitter! Glitter is essentially a microplastic that pollutes the environment and can be harmful to wildlife if consumed. The definition of ‘environmentally friendly’ glitter differs from producer to producer and so its best to just avoid, avoid, avoid.
– NO fake flowers! Fake flowers may be a pretty element to your decor and theme but by using them you create a demand for the plastic industry and this is what your eco-wedding is trying to avoid.
– Use a local dress and suit maker for your attire: Supporting a small business is a great way to give back to the community and to cut your carbon emission by avoiding having a dress and suit made somewhere that requires excessive travel.
– Have a bouquet made up from endemic plants only. This will not only bring a local flair to your day but is a conservationist approach to the flora you use.
– Use an electric vehicle for your wedding car. Lay off the fossil fuels and roll up to your wedding venue in an eco-friendly, electric vehicle.
– Serve vegan wines. With less harmful toxins, higher resveratol, lower sulphates and a low impact on the environment – switch out the traditional for the environmentally friendly wines. There are ample South African wineries that offer vegan wines, so you have plenty of choice.
Image: Unsplash
One wedding trend that won’t be going out of style is classic boho. Characterised by warm-tones and odes to nature, the boho style is perfect for the free-spirited…
Everyone has that one food-obsessed friend that is constantly coming up with delightful dishes. They know the best brunch spots, are expert food-and-wine pairers and can detect flavours you haven’t even thought of. If your foodie friend is getting married, you’re in luck. Shopping for someone who has a clear passion always makes your job that much easier. Bonus: gifting newlyweds with food-related gifts is not only up their alley, it also prepares them for their new life together.
Here are some ideas to spoil your favourite foodie on their big day:
Humble & Mash Oil & Vinegar Pourer – R139 on YuppieChef
Le Creuset spoon rest (25cm) – R 369 on @Home
Jamie Oliver Pizza Stone and Serving Rack, 33cm – R549 on YuppieChef
Spaza Madiba Dish And Bowl Cover – R179 on Faithful to Nature
The Great South African Cookbook – R 464 on Exclusive Books
André Verdier carving set – R469 on Superbalist
Personalised Braai Master Tong Bag – R399 on Netflorist
An interactive cooking class with The Kitchen Collective – R875 per person
Acacia Wood Knife Block Set (6pieces) – R799 on @Home
Yuppiechef Gift Boxes Deli Gift Box – R739 on Yuppiechef
Feature image: Unsplash