The birth of the face foundation in the makeup industry is not a pretty one, but one thing that is for sure is that it was meant to enhance appearance. And just like it was used then to cover the ugly scars left behind by smallpox, so is it used now to give a uniform appearance by covering the small blackspots and improving the color of the face and the neck.
The big difference between the then and now foundation is in their constitution. The middle age foundation was a formulation of very toxic substances that encouraged the loss of hair, permanent skin discoloration, and the rotting of teeth. The foundation was made from lead and vinegar, and due to the toxic nature of white lead, there was a need to develop less poisonous complexion liquids, but this time they were provided in three different colors, pink, red, and white.
The powder foundation was as a result of the failure by grease paint to portray a more natural finish, it was, therefore, considered to be less appealing and necessitated the need to come up with the powder foundation. The latter was made of pigments and oils that had been dried and later crushed to create the loose powder that was then used as foundation.
As the search for a fairer look continued, individuals in the cosmetic industry were on their toes to come up with a formulation that could stay for longer hours on the skin without being destroyed by sweat, nor should it be easy to rub off. The above gave rise to the liquid foundation that was barely transferable. The innovation came about as women strived to achieve an all-natural look and thus wanted to get rid of the leg stockings.
So for the above to come to fruition, they started using leg film that had all the best qualities that a face foundation should possess, the leg film later, led to the development of the liquid tinted bases that were used on the face. And it was from this point that the cosmetic industry grew in leaps and bounds, with the foundation manufacturers taking extra care not to develop a greasy formulation.
The Today Foundation
Foundation in the modern times are formulated to suit different types of skin, and different categories of users, as there are people who use the oil-based foundation, others are addicted to the silicon-based foundation. At the same time, a good number wouldn’t mind using the water-based foundation. Over time foundation has been made in different shades to suit all kinds of skin tones.
Besides, there has been a major shift from the foundations that were made with a dark red pigment that when applied gave the skin a bruised type of look, and those that were made of a dark pigment making the foundation too black and when applied it resulted in a muddy look. The above, therefore, raises the question, what is foundation made of?
Well, there are several types of foundation that we will discuss in this excerpt. It might, however, interest you to know that as of 2018, the sales revenue from cosmetics hit the $8.1billion mark. And besides the high numbers, the industry is still growing as more people become conversant with the use of individual cosmetic products like foundation.
The high numbers have also received a boost from the male gender, especially the celebrities, musicians, and news anchors who now use foundation before they appear on set.
Foundation is available in three distinct types, we, therefore, have the water-based type of foundation, which is made from a combination of oil and water or a mix of water and fatty alcohols or emollients, the above combination is so that the foundation can achieve an applicable consistency.
We then have the silicone-based foundation, which consists of a blend of silicone and water, titanium, and zinc oxide are also incorporated in the formulation, including mineral oils and alcohol. Other specific formulations tend to be different from product to product; some of the common types used are such as polysiloxane, and phenyl trimethicone, among others.
Lastly, we have the powder-based foundation, whose primary ingredient is a powder to help improve its consistency; the above is, therefore, available in the form of talc. So to make the powder foundation adhere to the skin, a binding agent is used, pigments are also incorporated to help achieve the hue of the product not to forget the emollients.
And if you are an avid user of the foundation makeup, then you must have noticed that some have been made from wax. So among the above-discussed types of foundation, each of them has been formulated to cater to different skin types, and they, therefore, vary in function, and this has mostly to do with the constitution of the makeup.
You must have also noticed that there are some differences in packaging between the liquid and the powder foundation.
Types of Foundation
Pressed Powder Make up Foundation
Oily skin doesn’t work well with many types of foundation, and that is why you have been provided with the pressed powder makeup foundation. The above comes highly recommended because its matte has been established to cover the shine adequately. There are also those individuals that don’t love to wear a lot of makeup and would instead just apply the pressed powder and are good to go.
Well, the above is possible, but it is essential to first apply a primer before the foundation, the reason for the above is because a primer helps to create a smooth base for your foundation, it helps to reduce the oil and shine especially for people with an oily face. The primer also helps to even out the skin tone and, in the process, disguises the flaws. Even better is that it helps fill in the fine lines and wrinkles.
Airbrush Foundation
The Airbrush foundation is the revolution in foundation application because it uses an airbrush gun designed to deposit the foundation in microns all over the skin, giving a smoother finish and will even last longer throughout the day.
Airbrush does not give an excellent finish when applied on dry skin, and is mostly used by the professional makeup artists because it tends to last longer on the skin, does well in the photography sessions and does not need you to keep running to the toilet for constant touch-ups.
Mineral Powder Foundation
The one thing that women fear the most is having oily skin, as it just distorts the whole look and makes your complete makeup look terrible. Mineral powder, on the other hand, has been established to work well with an oily face as it takes away the shine. You will, therefore, find the foundation either in loose or pressed form.
Conclusion
For as much as you may want to achieve the perfect look every morning, knowing your skin type and the type of foundation that suits you is of primary importance. So before you settle on one, check on the mode of application because the different varieties have different methods of application.
