Face Fabulous

In the gay community when someone has a flawless face, it is called “giving face.” The truth of the matter is we all have some flaws or imperfections we would like to hide and it takes some work for us to appear flawless. There is no denying this, but some people are scared to use make-up because they believe in going au naturale while others need help making their face beat (another gay term) with the make-up they already have in their make-up bag.

A rule of thumb for me is to only provide information on subjects I know first hand. With that being said, I do wear make-up and have since I was twenty-one, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert by now. Trust me, it has taken time for me to figure out what works for me and how to apply my foundation so I do not look fake, so I would like to share my acquired knowledge with all of you.

Before applying any type of make-up to your face, you need a good primer. This helps your make-up last longer and provides a smooth canvas for foundation application. My favorite primer is Smashbox’s Photo Finish because it comes in different formulas for a variety of skin types.

When selecting a foundation, keep in mind that powder foundations usually settle in fine lines and may look chalky. So if you have dry skin or are starting to age, this is not the foundation you should choose. Most cream or liquid foundations work the best because they provide your face with a fresh, creamy appearance.

Selecting the correct shade is the hardest part. The key to finding your shade is to dab on a small portion and then blend it in. If you are barely able to see where you applied it, you have your shade. However, wait about an hour because some foundations oxidize and the shade will darken. If the red undertone in your foundation turns orangy, this is a result of the oil on your face, so make sure you use a silicon based primer to combat this problem.

Most people finish their face with powder (even though I had a friend who never needed it), so I recommend always using a translucent powder for the best look. Keep in mind that power is your frenimy: you look perfect if you apply the right amount, but if you apply too much, you look like you just returned from a tour at a chalk factory.

Hands down, my favorite powder is MAC’s Prep + Prime Finishing Powder. I recommend originally setting your face with the loose powder and then using the pressed powder for touch-ups. Honestly, this is a miracle powder! The best part is it does not contain talcum (talc) powder, so it does not make your face appear white when you take pictures.

You could search the world over for tips and recommendations on how to beat your face, but these are my best recommendations for a fabulously flawless face. So show everyone your fabulous face and make sure you do it right.

Because to be fabulous, you have to know what makes you fabulous!