Blush
Eye Liner
Eye Shadow
Foundation
Foundation as Concealer
Foundation Cream Technique
Lip Color
Nail Color
Troubleshooting
The key to a flawless finish is the tools and techniques of application. The recommended applicator tool is a brush, and the higher the quality of the applicator brush, the more flawless the results. It is possible to achieve the look of professionally applied makeup with minimal time and effort that is as long lasting as it is lovely.
The Tools:
It can’t be repeated too often: The higher the brush quality, the more flawless the results. A variety of specialty brushes allow you to apply cosmetics like a pro. Use a light hand, as several thin layers always look better than one heavy layer.
A foam sponge is helpful when maximum coverage is desired. A sponge is especially useful after laser surgery or for covering birthmarks. While this will not provide as soft a finish as a brush, the application of a finishing powder by brush will provide a smooth finish.
Experiment and find out what works best for your unique needs. Whatever your tools of choice, keep them clean. Thrice weekly washing of brushes is recommended. It can’t be done too often. It keeps the brushes soft for the smoothest application. If one’s skin is blemished, wash the brush daily as it helps keep bacteria at bay. Soft brushes will be gentle to sensitive or irritated skin. Sponges are inexpensive, so wash daily, alternating between several, and replace on a regular basis.
Learn more about brushes: Brushes 101.
How to Use Mineral Powders
Foundation
Recommended tool: Kabuki Brush
Upend the jar of powder so that some of the powder is left on the sifter, or tap a small amount of powder into the lid of the jar. Swirl the brush into a small amount of powder, working the powder into the hairs. Tap excess powder from the brush back into the jar, or with brush head facing upward, tap the bottom of the handle on a hard surface, to settle the powder into the brush head. Avoid having too much powder on the brush. Use circular motions or long strokes to apply powder on clean, dry skin, working it into all areas of your face and neck, into your hairline, and up towards your ears. Apply thin layers. Use a final gentle brushing to remove any excess powder. Overzealous application of the powders will give you a dry, chalky look.
Concealer
Recommended tool:
Taklon Camouflage Brush
- Under-eye Discoloration. A separate concealer is not necessary; use the same color powder as you use for your face. Use the Camouflage Brush to eliminate discoloration under your eyes before applying foundation. Use gentle, short strokes to keep from stretching the fragile skin. Brush towards the inside of your eye. If dark under-eye circles are still shadowy, repeat this same procedure after you apply your general foundation. Because of the lightness of the powders, you should not get a caked on look. For very dry skin, you can mix a small amount of powder with your under-eye cream and smooth it on with a brush or your finger.
- Blemishes, age spots, etc. Use the Taklon Camouflage Brush to feather away blemishes, age spots, spider veins, or discoloration.
- Spider Veins, Bruises, other larger areas of Discoloration. Use any appropriate sized brush to hide the targeted area while feathering the powder into the coloration of the surrounding skin. Use the foundation brushes, or a sponge, even on legs, arms, or the backs of your hands.
Cream/Liquid Foundation Technique
- Generally useful for those with extremely dry, flaky skin, or for those who just prefer a cream. Use the appropriate color mineral foundation powder and any moisture/firming lotion or cream that you would normally use on your face. This allows you to make an extremely healthy liquid foundation.
- Tap a small amount of powder into your hand (or a small cup), add a drop or two of the moisturizer, blend until a creamy consistency is achieved, and use your fingertips to work it into the skin of your face and neck. This technique is also useful for long lasting, water resistant camouflage anywhere on the body.
- Experiment with ratios but small amounts of powder are recommended.
- Apply a setting powder for a smooth matte finish.
Setting Powders
Recommended tools: Luxury Powder Brush
Put a fine layer of powder on the brush using the directions above. Lightly dust powder over face and neck. Use these softest of soft foundation brushes rather than the kabuki brush for an air brushed finish. The brushes are the key for a glowing finish.
Setting Mist
Cosmetic professionals recommend a fine misting of purified water to set makeup. We recommend a misting of any of the hydrosols, especially the Rose or the Orange Blossom Hydrolat. If aging is a concern, choose the Rose Hydrosol. The Orange Blossom Hydrolat is recommended for oily skin, or summer heat. Both are wonderful for your skin as well as setting your makeup. As an additional bonus, inhaling these healing waters is emotionally soothing.
Blush
Recommended tools: Flat Bronzer / Luxury Blush Brush / Elf Bronzer
The Flat Bronzer is the tool of choice for most of our customers who love the results when applying blush. Its flat head is made of extremely high-density hairs for smooth, even coverage making just the right swath of shading. The Luxury Blush Brush has softer hair that feathers the blush color lightly and gives a most professional appearance
The loveliest blush is applied in thin layers. Apply as many layers as you like to achieve the correct shade. For deeper color, rotate the brush over the cheek area. When using highly pigmented hues, apply just a few grains of minerals on your brush and lightly dust the apples of your cheeks. Blush that deepens in shading as it moves from the center of your face toward your hairline is facially slimming.
Blush color can be obtained from any of the mineral powders. Use a deeper foundation shade for contours. Many of the multipurpose mineral powders make beautiful blush colors. Mix any of the powders together for a custom color. There are no rules and the range of possible colors becomes endless.
Cream Blush
If you have very dry skin, or prefer a cream blush, you can make a powder into a crèam blush by mixing a small amount of powder with one of our wonderful crèmes or serums. Apply lightly with fingertips, smoothing the edges into your foundation.
Note that any of the lip glosses, crèmes, or tints make wonderful cream blushes.
Eye Shadow
Recommended tools: Eye Contour Duo Brush / Taklon Camouflage Brush
Preparation for long lasting eye makeup: An initial application of Flawless Finish Eye Primer will provide a smooth, crease-resistant surface for truer, longer lasting color. Apply powders dry for a sheer, sophisticated look. Applied wet with the taklon brush, the colors intensify and shimmer is enhanced. For extra staying power, apply a light film of Flawless Finish Eyeliner Sealant to your eyelids over your eye shadow.
Professional Color Application Tips. Apply light shades under your eyebrow, feathered under your brow bone. This will open up your eyes. Apply medium shades from your lash line to just under your brow bone. Apply deepest shades along both the top and bottom lash lines. Mix any of the shades with varying amounts of white mica to obtain gradations of one color for a subtle, sophisticated look.
Dry application. Using a shadow brush, dip just the tip of the brush into a powder; tap the brush on the side of your container so that excess powder falls back into the container. If you have too much powder on the brush, lightly swish brush back and forth in a small area on the pad of your thumb. This will allow you to remove excess powder but still make it available to be added to the brush for additional application. Brush gently on your lids, or under the brow, blending and feathering to a smooth finish.
Wet application/Foiling. Use this technique for more shimmer. Use only the synthetic fiber brushes. Matte powders can be used for a softer look.
Directions: Apply powder dry to your eyelids. Wet the brush, wipe it almost dry on a towel, dip back into powder, and gently go over your eyelids again.
Eyeliner
Recommended tools: Eyeliner Fine Point / Eye Contour Duo Brush
- Dry Eyeliner. Use a fine pointed liner brush, dip into powder, tapping excess back into container, and apply with feathery strokes to edges of eyelid.
- Liquid Eyeliner. Use the best quality liner brush available for a smooth finish. Moisten brush with water, dip into powder, and mix the powder and water together on the back of your hand (small cup, piece of waxed paper, etc. also are fine) to create a smooth, creamy mixture, the consistency of your choice. If using an ultra-thin eyeliner brush, moisten the end of a Q-tip to dip into the powder to make the mixture. Then dip the brush into the paste on the Q-tip. Use the brush to carefully apply a thin line to the upper and/or lower lids, as close to the lashes as possible.
- Eyeliner Sealant. For maximum longevity of your eyeliner, place a drop of sealant on your brush before dipping brush into mineral powder. Apply as usual. One application in the morning should last all day.
Lip Color
Recommended tool: Retractable Lip Brush
Apply conditioning lip balm or Flawless Finish Liquid Powder to dry lips prior to applying any mineral color for the smoothest, long lasting lip color with no color creep.
Application technique #1. Dip a lip brush into a clear lip gloss/balm and then into the desired mineral powder. Apply to lips.
Application technique #2. Apply dry mineral powder color to lips with brush, followed by an application of any lip gloss.
More lip care and application techniques.
Nail Color
Make your own customized nail color. Match your eye or lip color. Dip the brush of a clear nail polish into any of the mineral powders, and brush onto clean nails. Use of disposable brushes with a small amount of clear polish that has been poured into a small cup allows you to change your colors without bringing color into the original polish bottle. If you find a color you particularly like, add a small amount of mineral powder directly into the nail polish bottle. Shake to mix. Any color of nail polish can be customized with the addition of mineral powders.
