How do you choose the perfect shade? {Makeup}

Ohk, so when it comes to makeup or to speak of the simplest thing of tinted moisturizers, I am at loss with the shades. If I could, I would have written a post on "How to choose the perfect shade" (hoping someone would steal the title and give me a good post instead :-D). But, since I am total klutz at it, I would rather ask you. 

Whenever I got to buy a loose powder, I have this SA apply it on the back of my hand and if it blends, its awesome!!! But, unfortunately, they forget one thing that back of the hand is generally least tanned and way different in shade than the face. So, obviously, many times, the choice of shade goes wrong. 

Now, I also have this issue of white cast. Have you applied a tinted moisturizer and found it to give a white cast? So, what does that mean - do I have to take a darker shade or a lighter one? Well, I am sure it must have happened to you when you were an amateur as well. So, how do you really go about choosing the coveted shade?

Also, what do you do when you have an uneven skin on the face? The same shade doesn't go well everywhere, right? So, do you blend it with a moisturizer or buy two different shades and mix them? I think many do that as well but its not exactly very simple, right? So, hoping to see the tips from you :) Shoot them down!!

For those who are not aware, the shade of the foundation should be same as that of your jawline. Do check out my take on blending basics and please don't laugh if you find it really weird coz I am really not great at it :(

PS: Forgive me for enabling the word verification coz I do know how irritating Google has made it but I am getting an overload of spam comments so taking this step after a lot of deliberation. Hoping to see your comments continuing :)

Image Courtesy:yourbeautysecrets.tumblr.com,lilylolo.co.uk

Vedic Line+ BB Cream {Product Review}

Price: Rs 225 for 30ml

Ingredients

Pros

- gives an even brightened finish

- has pinkish undertones and gives a pink flush to the skin

- stays for 5-6 hours

- suits most of the skin tones

- very small quantity is enough

Cons

- may give white cast sometimes

- blending does create problem sometimes

- may not suit really dark skin tones, medium wheatish is fine though!!

My Experience

I love the packaging!!! Absolutely cute and girly and bright. It has a small nozzle which disperses a little amount of product and honestly, you need just a small drop of the product for the entire face. It smells nice as well. The fragrance is very light and almost non-existent so not to worry much about it.

after blending, see how natural it looks!!

The color of the product is light brown which suits even the fair skin tones. It has pink undertones which gives a pink look to the face even if you are a little yellow. The texture of the product is light and a little runny so it spreads easily on the skin and gets absorbed soon.

I did initially face bending issues but later on, a simple tip became my mantra and no blending issues from there on. This tip was published by Paris (check it out here). She says that when using fingers to blend foundations, one should use the whole palm instead of just the finger tips!! And, trust me, it really works. 

And, the finish of the product is very sheer. It gives a light glow to the face but otherwise your own skin shines through. It doesn't really cover any part of the skin. The product does have spf 20 but then you need such a little amount of the product that the sun protection is just not enough. 

Also, sometimes, the product tends to leave white patches, courtesy Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide so use it in just a little amount. I don't know why I always face problem while applying any tinted moisturizer on the area between nose and lips. Probably, I always take more than the amount required.

Overall, I did like the BB cream. My review is probably the last you will find but I have read all the other reviews and there are very mixed reactions to the product but not negative. Also, yes, this product controls oil and sweat to a very less extent. So, make sure you use loose powder to take care of sweat and extra oil. 

Regarding its staying power, I would say that it stays well up to 3-5 hours but doesn't last entire day for me!! If blended portion by portion on the face, it does stay an entire day but the blending becomes difficult for me in that way so I avoid it!!! Otherwise, it does keep the face fresh till the time it stays.

PS: Product sent by brand.

Check out other products from Vedic Line:

Vedic Line+ Exfo 10 Avocado Face Scrub

Vedic Line Apple Green Toner
Vedic Line Fig & Honey Moisturizer
Vedic Line Papaya Scrub and Papaya Face Pack
Vedic Line Neem & Brahmi Disinfecting Face Wash

Foundation / Tinted Mositurizer - Blending Basics {Skin Care}

[Source:theknot.ninemsn.com.au]

I have been using tinted moisturisers (TM's) since last September and as a result, I have gone through various stages of difficulties in blending them into the skin. So, I thought I would put down certain things important to take care while blending. This is from an amateur perspective and I use just fingers to blend in. 

Smooth Skin

Smooth skin is very essential to begin with before doing the blending. Flaky skin is the worst thing which can happen to you so always make sure you exfoliate your face, neck and decolletege regularly to make sure that your tinted cream goes on smoothly and blends in your skin without leaving any patches and the whole of the exposed skin is in same shade. 

Amount of product

This point is very important. You should know how much is enough for your skin otherwise you can end up looking like a ghost. To make sure you don't overuse, dot your face with the tinted moisturiser and blend in. Add the moisturiser as and when needed. This way you don't generally end up over-using. 

Uneven Complexion

My forehead is almost a shade darker than my face and it always gets darker if I don't eat properly so whenever I apply TM's, I have to make sure, it has blended well with the darker shade of my skin otherwise it looks ghostly on that area. And, getting different shades for different parts of your skin is not exactly a viable option. So, take care to use less of the TM on the darker area and blend well.

Apply moisturiser

It moisturises your skin and provides a base for the foundation / TM to go on smoothly. So, it is always a good idea to apply a moisturiser and wait for 5-10 minutes before applying a TM to allow the moisturiser to dry up.  And, it also gives a dewy finish leaving your skin looking hydrated and radiant.

Use fingers deftly

If you use fingers to blend in, make sure they are clean first. Use your middle finger to do the blending. It always helps to dot the face with the TM. And, instead of rubbing the product, patting it works better. Doing the patting motion quickly helps in giving a smooth finish and avoids the pulling of the skin which happens when you tend to rub in the product.

Make sure you have time

I have always noticed that when I am pressed for time, I am never able to blend well. Either I over-use the product or don't use the fingers quickly enough to give a smooth finish. And, patting always takes more time than rubbing in.

So, hope this is helpful to you all. Do drop in your comments :)