Wedding Bells

Made Up to Last

For your on-location affair learn how to apply makeup that wears well. By Alison McGill

• Print
• Email to a friend

When it comes to long-lasting makeup, the secret is properly preparing the canvas. We’re talking about foundation, a word that strikes fear into the hearts of most women. It immediately conjures up an image of a thick, oil-based liquid that, when applied to the face, looks orange and matte and leaves your skin dull, streaky and poreless. Please, sit back, close your eyes, and relax—foundation, or “base” as the beauty pros like to call it, has come along way.

Yes, traditional liquid foundation formulas still exist, but they are lighter in texture and now available in pretty much any colour under the sun to match every skin tone. But there are so many other options nowadays. Tinted moisturizers and mineral powders are two of the freshest, but what you choose to use is dependent on how much coverage you want and need, and the effect you wish to achieve.

To get the scoop on what’s what, I went straight to an expert source. Cover FX is a Toronto-based company that has made foundation the base of its business, offering a complete line of foundations, powders, bronzers and application tools designed to make skin look naturally beautiful. They also have a celebrity following—Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightly and Madonna are all fans. According to Wanda Longo, international communications director for Cover FX, a great base begins with proper prep. “Start with clean, moisturized skin, then give it a little extra boost by applying a vitamin-packed primer,” Longo says. “This will feed the skin with an extra punch of nutrients, and help create a finish that your base will stick to and wear longer and more beautifully.” Her primer of choice: SkinPrep FX ($45).

Once you’re primed, it’s time to pick your base. For something ultra-long wearing, Longo recommends a water-based foundation like Natural FX ($37) that provides the coverage of a cream, but, like a liquid, is easy to blend. To apply, squeeze a little product on to your hand, then use a foundation brush to blend. “Using a brush makes for an easier, more uniform application,” Longo says. “Use quick, stippling movements to work product into skin, paying extra special attention to blending it well along your jaw line and at the corners of your nose.” To finish, apply a light layer of loose mineral powder, like Setting FX ($32) over foundation to lock your base in place.

On the subject of mineral powders, Longo says using them as a foundation—specifically a formula like Mineral FX ($37)—is a great option if your skin is already close to perfection. “Mineral powder foundations are gorgeous because they are light, super-easy to apply and act as a liquid foundation, concealor and powder all in one,” she explains. “When applied, it does not look powdery and it creates a perfect matte appearance.”

Once you have your base in place, Longo suggests finishing your wedding day face in a sheer, pretty palette, using shades that look classic and will transcend time—you don’t ever want to look back at your photos and cringe at the trendy blue mascara or hot pink lips.  Here are her three makeup musts to pack before jetting off to your destination celebration:

1. A soft cheek colour. “If you’re wearing a white gown, you want something natural looking. Bright blush can look garish when paired with a gorgeous white wedding dress.”

2. A natural lip tint. “Avoid textures that are too glossy, too matte or highly pearlized. Pretty, rosy shades look best and photograph beautifully.”

3. A mattifying powder. “Keep a compact handy in your clutch to absorb excess oil throughout the day, and keep your skin looking clean and fresh, never heavy or cakey.”