There is no need to put aside your everyday foundation when the thermometer climbs. A medium- to full-coverage liquid foundation can be adjusted daily for complexion changes due to weather, sun exposure and physical activity. So bring out your inner makeup artist and use the back of your hand to mix in one or several other liquid products to meet your summer skin needs.
How to Get Started
If you have a go-to foundation that you would rather not put aside during the warmer months, adding in other products can save you from having to put it temporarily out of commission. Mixing products doesn't have to be intimidating with these following steps.
Step 1: Be sure to clean your hands and face. Avoid a mess by starting with small amounts of product. You always need less than you think.
Step 2: Add a drop of foundation to the back of your hand and then add a drop of the other product.
Step 3: Using your index finger or a makeup spatula, mix the products in a circular motion until the color is uniform.
Step 4: Test a small amount of the mixture on your jawline, and repeat steps 2 and 3 until you achieve a desired consistency and color.
How to Create a Lighter Foundation
Formulate your own tinted moisturizer by adding face moisturizer to your liquid foundation. Use a daily moisturizer with SPF for extra sun protection.
Recipe: Mix 2 parts foundation to 1 part moisturizer (try The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 30). Then test the coverage on face. If you want less coverage, add another drop of moisturizer. If you want more coverage, add a drop of foundation.
Tip: After mixing, apply on your face with a makeup wedge or foundation brush to avoid wasting product.
How to Create a Darker Foundation
You want your foundation to continually match your skin, even when it gets naturally suntanned or becomes darker from the application of sunless tanning products. To keep your foundation the shade you want, add a liquid bronzer.
Recipe: Start with 4 parts foundation to 1 part bronzer (try Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer). Test on your jawline and add more bronzer until the desired color is achieved.
Tip: Use a foundation with little or no bronzer to keep your under eye area lighter and avoid a muddy look.
How to Create a Mattifying Foundation
If your foundation is too emollient for your summer skin, add an oil-control moisturizer.
Recipe: Combine 2 parts foundation to 1 part lotion (try Bobbi Brown Oil Control Lotion SPF 15).
How to Create an Illuminating Foundation
Add illuminator to your foundation if you want your skin to look naturally radiant, but still want light coverage.
Recipe: Mix 3 parts foundation to 1 part illuminator (try Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in Shimmering Beige).
Tip: Instead of an eye shadow, use an illuminator on eyelids for a naturally lifted appearance.
Do you have any foundation recipes of your own?
Photo: Digital Vision/Getty Images
Anonymous
June 25, 2012
I do this all the time, but i find that makeup from the same brands blends easily and is easier to use together.
laura@loandcobeauty
June 25, 2012
Anon, I mix different brands regularly without issue, but using the same brand is a safe! It is fun to experiment.
Joelle
June 24, 2012
Yeah, these are exactly the kind of things I always do, not only with my foundations, but also with other stuff. I usually mix mineral powdered foundation with a balm to make an all-natural creamy foundation. I also blend the same mineral foundation with a setting powder with clays for oil control, powdered blushes with balms, etc. I recently did a body luminizer/shimmer, using a balm and a powdered luminizer and ended up being glorious. I love mixing and matching cosmetics, when I don’t like the texture of something, but I love the color, or when I think it would be better, darker, sheer, more moisturizing, more luminous, when I want to create a new color or when I’m in a crafty mood, I don’t go buy something new, I simply adapt it the way I like, I love experimenting.
Maria
June 23, 2012
These are very interesting tips! Have to try the bronzer and illuminating ones
Laura Nadeau
June 24, 2012
Joelle, you should be a makeup artist! Makeup is just different pigment and different mediums and it is fun to experiment. I also highly recommend using body lotion with a few drops of bronzer/foundation to cover imperfections and or give a little glow.