Building on our first Melanin Magic article, we’re back with Sephora to provide you two more brands and a few more tips & tricks from makeup artist Starr Blackshere to help you find your perfect foundation shade and be your best melanated self this summer. Click through to check it out!
Model: Dee Williams
Brand: Cover FX Power Play Foundation, available in 40 shades, is a long-wearing liquid foundation formulated with high impact pigments for buildable, medium-full coverage and Fermented Polynesian plant extract to help protect against pollution. A trio of ultra-fine powders in the foundation also control shine and help visibly blur imperfections for a lightweight finish.
Testing
An insider skincare tip Starr gave us before applying product on Dee is that sunscreen should be used year-around, no matter the skin type or complexion. “Deeper skin tones should not take sunscreen for granted. Protecting your skin from UV rays helps to keep your complexion even and avoid hyper-pigmentation and the appearance of aging,” she shared.
Sunscreen intact, Starr applied Cover FX Power Play Foundation on Dee’s right cheek in shade N110.
On the left cheek, Cover FX Power Play Foundation in shade P110 was applied.
The Match
Because of Dee’s neutral undertones, Cover FX Power Play Foundation in N110 was the right match for her complexion. After applying the product all over her face, Starr gave recommendations on how to set the look so that it would stay all day.
“The best way to set your foundation is to use a fluffy brush and loose powder. It is better to invest upfront. I love the Laura Mercier loose powder and the Givenchy loose powder. They are undetectable, lightweight and flawless! I also love the Milk mattifying spray. It can be sprayed at any time of day to set makeup and mattify your face in a super natural finish.”
After seeing Dee’s finish, Starr’s first response was “Wow!” Having never used Cover FX foundation before she said “I loved discovering how much coverage you can apply with a liquid. This is great for anyone in general, but if you have blemish or discoloration issues, Cover FX will have you skin looking smooth as satin but, covered like a stick foundation would — and it is buildable.”
Testing
On Kim, Starr applied Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation in shade Y445 on her right cheek and shade Y435 on the left.
The Match
The caramel finish of shade Y435 was the perfect match for Kim so the product was applied all over. And while Make Up For Ever’s Ultra HD Foundation does provide long-lasting coverage, Starr still gave some advice on refreshing foundation throughout the day, saying her go-tos are mattifying papers and blot film sheets.
“When you press the paper onto your skin, it absorbs the oil from your skin’s surface without pulling away your makeup. I don’t know why more people do not use this product! For dryer skin types, the papers are sufficient. For more oily skin types, you can use loose powder after blotting for the best finish.”
A touch of highlight and subtle eye makeup and Kim’s look was perfected. “Make Up For Ever Is such a pro choice,” Starr said. “So many shades to choose from and the finish can sheer out to an appearance of a tinted moisturizer, or build up to a nice medium coverage that works as an excellent foundation to add a concealer anywhere on top as well as powder.”
By now you should be feeling like a pro, but if you’re still unsure of how to go about selecting your shade or formula, visit your nearest Sephora, which has all the tools and resources to help you along your foundation journey.
