Ellen may be wearing a foundation, blush, lipstick, mascara and an eyebrow pencil.

This is tough because there are so many variables.  You may be one of those who run out of the house with mascara and lip gloss.  For me, I always use a sunscreen or foundation with sunscreen, eyebrows, mascara, blush or bronzer, a lip liner and gloss.  My lips lack definition and I don’t have any if I don’t line them (note to Carmady!)  I don’t just line them, I fill them in with the liner color, this is the now way to use lip liners.  This is my minimum, if I care to be seen.

So, the answer to this question is…it comes down to your needs.

• I know women who never go without lipstick.  They have black eyelashes and can go without mascara.  So their minimum is lipstick and bronzer or blush.  If you are using a nice high quality lipstick (hemp or castor oil based), you can tap it onto clean moisturized skin and forgot the blush.
• You may have redness, if so, you will want at least a mineral foundation (warning: minerals don’t last long!), bronzer, gloss and most people need the mascara.

So this is my minimalistic approach.  You have to decide…

1. what needs to be covered, protected or enhanced?
2. Understanding how to work with your face & features will determine how to ‘wear a little’.
3. If you read this post, send me a photo with your make-up on and without, I will give you a few basic tips and then send me your “when you want a little” photo.

Before running out the door, I have to say, I feel better when I take the time to make my face in a natural look.  It stays on all day and I just feel better about myself.  I always take this in consideration when I am making the decision of how I want to look and feel.

Believe me; if you read through my posts, you will realize I am an advocate for going without when you can.  It is good for the environment and always nice to take beauty vacations at least once a week if you can.

Above all, whatever you choose, feel beautiful and do what you need to do for you to achieve a more confident you.

I know I can be tough, but if you want to look your best, you need a great foundation. Set it with your minerals if you want, fantastic!

I sell a liquid mineral that has a very nice slip to it.  It has a beautiful finish.   Oooh la la! No more crusty, dried out looking, crackling finishes.  Link to it here to look at my minerals.

A Motives by Lauren Ridinger consultant in your area can custom blend a hydrating mineral for you.   This is a wonderful system, creating your perfect custom loose powder, blush or bronzer.  It is almost as fabulous as the revolutionary custom blend product, to die for!

I thought this article at Web MD may be helpful in supplying you with safety considerations of mineral make-up.  It may shed light on choosing what is right for you.

And wow, foundation issues are heading the list at numbers 3, 2 and 1. This is how important it really is. Since I admittedly confess that I am guilty of not always wearing a foundation, I am sure this could be confusing, so permit me to preface this by…  If you want to look your best, let’s explore the importance of wearing a foundation!

There are lots of reasons to start your natural look with a nice foundation. In my opinion, the number one reason is …

1. Building confidence and self esteem. When you look your best, you feel your best. It makes you feel more put together. It is more professional, just take a look at the before and after’s on my home page (and remember, MY BEFORE PIC is the make-up they typically wear.  Some are wearing foundation and some are not.)  Your polished look makes people take you more seriously.

1. My second number one reason to wear a foundation; it creates an even tone with which to apply color. This is the preparation point for the best make-up. It gives you a clean even canvas, so to speak, to lay color on minimizing imperfections.

1. I have another number one reason for you to wear a foundation (teehee); it is a base that allows your color (lip, eye, blush etc.) to last ALL day.  If you wear a water based breathable foundation, your makeup sits on your foundation base rather than being absorbed into the pores.  By what I am reading, I certainly don’t know for fact the body absorbs make-up but it seems cosmetic ingredients are creating some great concerns so they must absorb to some degree.

So to recap, your water based, breathable foundation, is your barrier to the elements. It evens skin tone and makes your make-up last a very long time; I actually can exercise in mine and still look pretty good. Need I say more? Keep feeling beautiful!

Although a make-up artist trick to looking more youthful can be a lighter facial foundation, this is extreme!

Some people seem to acidify color. Reds turn orange or pink and foundation will become more amber or darken. The lighting you are using where you apply your make-up can be a contributor to the problem, but this darkening or not matching problem is technically beyond that.  I have forever been ’sold products’ I loved for a few moments at the department store counter, but by the time I left the store, usually in my car checking it in natural light, holy cow!  Huge disappointment!

Foundation options come in a wide array of choices.

I prefer to use a liquid foundation because they are light, and I feel I am not wearing anything, I always look for one with an SPF protection of minimally 15 and they are often water soluble but mostly, in my opinion, they are easy to handle.

In liquid foundations, you can purchase a sheer or full coverage.  The sheers are the cheat method of matching skin color.  Some people use sheers mainly because they cannot get a full coverage product to ever match their skin. Sheers typically do not lend themselves to good sun protection, but they tend to give the skin a softer, dewier look and as we age they can be a nice option.  Sheers are a nice day look and to some degree, seem more natural.

If you are the dry skin type, you will want a sheer; however, if you always seem to fight the oil, you will want a matte (no shimmer or shine) coverage, wincing at the thought of blotting any moisture away.  Let me remind you, your skin should not be dry, oily or a combination of the two. If you fight these conditions, it is time for a new cleansing regimen!

Other types of foundations are creams, foundation sticks, foundation compacts (wet an application sponge and apply) and the popular mineral powders.

• Creams tend to be very rich and oil based, very heavy.
• Foundation sticks are also a heavier product. I use a damp makeup sponge to spread a foundation stick to minimize the heaviness.
• Foundation compacts that are in a pan form are certainly an option for travel. Once again, there is heaviness to these products and they often dry to a powdery finish which can enhance facial lines.  So the key is to wet your sponge and apply thin and evenly.
• I have not worked with many mineral foundations because they seemed to have a harsh, dry look, but I am experimenting with a hydrating mineral foundation and I am enjoying it, but prefer using it as a powder over my liquid water soluble foundation (tee hee).   Mineral foundations disappear as you wear them, they look nice when you walk out the door, but just do not last (they sell primers (or liquids to create a barrier so they will last longer).

I know there are lots of options and if you have found a good one in any of these different types of foundation that matches your neck and looks great on you, and you absolutely love it, then by all means, keep using it!

The best thing that ever happened to me was learning how to mix my own foundations, what a blessing! My best advice to you is always ask for a sample of a foundation or wear it for the day, so you can see how it will look and wear before you purchase it.   Make sure that it is a good match to your neck!  And last but not least, remember, color is in the lip, blush, liners and shadows you apply, don’t make your foundation your color or you will be a victim of…“the line”!

Yes, she did it, put make-up on her neck! Washing collars was a nightmare for her!

So why does this happen?  I find it is usually the fault of NOT properly matching your  foundation or tanners who have uneven skin tones. It is an outdated look, so if you find yourself stuck in the past, it is time throw out those old nasty habits and step into today’s natural beauty look. Take the time to try something new!

Your only excuse is… If you have a scar or something you need to hide. I am freckly so I try to use a good moisturizing skin brightener/lightener at night and if I am going to be in the sun for long periods of time, of course, I use sunscreen. Frankly, I think a little sun is healthy, we need our vitamin D, but for me, any longer than 15 minutes, especially in the most intense part of the day (11:00 to 3:00), then I use my sunscreen!