Photo courtesy of NARS
The perfect base can be achieved with these simple steps
Achieving a smooth, flawless finish is something many makeup wearers aspire for. Just look at the amount of products designed to create a seamless base: brushes, sponges, puffs, and so on. While having the appropriate application tool helps, choosing the right product for one’s skin type is equally, if not more, important.
The beauty world today is filled with a variety of options, each one promising the same thing: a smooth and lasting finish. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but thankfully, there are some tried and tested brands and products. Popular French makeup brand NARS Cosmetics’ Soft Matte Collection is a bestseller because it works on so many people, regardless of the manner of application.
Start by identifying your skin tone
The simplest way to figure out your skin tone is by looking at yourself in front of the mirror. Your natural complexion can range from pink to olive, to light, medium, or deep. It’s important to look at your jawline as a more accurate indicator of your true complexion than your neck or chest.
The NARS Soft Matte Collection, available in 34 shades, features new technologies such as Optimal Diffusion Powder Technology, Hydramatte Balancing Complex, and oil absorbing powders that can maintain your foundation shade’s tone for 16 hours of wear.
The five-piece range can keep skin hydrated with a combination of Micro-Algae Extract and Bio Hyaluronic Acid for a bright and smooth finish.
Figure out your undertones
One of they key steps to having an accurate finish is by identifying your undertones. You can do this by checking the color of your veins. If they appear bluish or purple, you have cool undertones; if they are green, that means you have warm undertones. This way, you don’t end up looking unnaturally orange, pink, or even gray.
In the 34-shade collection of the Soft Matte series, the French cosmetics brand formulated their foundation, concealers, primers, and finishing powders with neutral, cool, and warm undertones. It is also formulated with the Anti-Oxidation Complex Technology, a feature where the appearance of excess sebum is controlled and prevents shades from shifting due to oxidation.
Know what type of coverage you need
If you want something that will cover up your freckles, redness, and dark spots, look for something that promises full coverage. If you just want to even out your skin tone without adding color or hiding blemishes, opt for sheer coverage.
For oily skin, you may want to look for a foundation that has a matte finish and medium-to-full coverage. It also helps to consider the type of environment you are in. The entire Soft Matte collection aims to give a matte finish to men and women with oily skin without heavily masking their face with product.
Check how it works in natural light
For the French cosmetics brand, they design each of their makeup with founder François Nars’ complexion philosophy in mind, “The best is skin that reflects light.” In stores, you have access to artificial lighting and it might not be the most accurate representation of a shade you’re trying on. Test how a foundation shade looks like when your skin is exposed to sunlight.
Also, take into consideration how they look on your skin in natural light. Are they cakey? Are they just sitting on top of your skin? Or do they blend seamlessly to your skin?
For finishing powders, choose a suitable finishing texture
Finishing powders enhance your makeup by adding color or blurring the appearance of your pores. When choosing a powder for oily skin, choose one that is matte or satin rather than shimmery or dewy. These types of finishing powders can help absorb oil and blur your imperfections without looking unnatural or cakey on your face.
NARS’ Soft Matte Advanced Perfecting Powder is ideal for oily skin as it’s a dual-powder system that controls oil for a lasting matte effect with its Adaptive Oil-Control Technology with a full and natural-looking coverage of up to 16 hours.
The entire collection is also an homage to NARS’ perspective on complexion where, “Translucency is key. The skin should always look like skin.”
To learn more about NARS Cosmetics, follow them on Instagram.
