If you’re in need of get-glam tips and tricks, help is here. Each week, our guest beauty expert and celebrity makeup artist Tia Dantzler, will answer your most pressing questions, share expert advice and recommend must-have products.
Q. What tips can you offer for finding the right foundation shade?
A. When searching for the perfect foundation shade you always want to take into consideration the season. In the warmer months our skin is often exposed to the sun which can result in using a foundation one to two shades deeper than in the winter months. I like to advise taking a trip to your local cosmetic counter to get some professional advice when choosing the perfect shade. If you are purchasing foundation from your local drugstore, find out the return policy when choosing your foundation. I like to recommend purchasing two shades closest to your skin tone so that you can try out the foundation before you commit to a shade. Also knowing your skin type will aid you in finding the right formula.
• If you have dry skin, choose a liquid, foundation stick or tinted moisturizer. Liquids and sticks both have a creamy, moisturizing consistency which keeps skin subtle throughout the day. After applying your foundation always set your foundation by using a blot powder to alleviate excess oils.
• If your skin is oily, use an oil-free liquid, a powder foundation or a mineral powder which is suitable for people with sensitive skin. The powder foundation is great for absorbing oils in the skin, plus it gives your skin a soft matte finish when you apply it with a fluffy powder brush.
Got a beauty or makeup question for Tia? Email it to BeautyEditors@essence.com.
Tia Dantzler is a celebrity makeup artist who counts President Barack Obama, Jennifer Hudson, Viola Davis, and Kanye West as some of her clients. Her instructional DVD, Red Carpet Beauty Secrets, offers get-glam tips for the beauty lover on a budget. Follow her @TiaDantzler.