Practical - Applying a Base

Health & Safety: Apron applied round the model with hair secured away from face using clips/pins.
                          Run a consultation asking about any allergies/medication/contraindications.
Products Used: 
Metal palette and spatula
Foundation brush,
Flat concealer brush, 
Buffer brush/Powder brush
Triangular powder puff,
Ultracolour foundation palette - light,
Dermacolour concealer palette,
Illamasqua Matte Primer,
Illamasqua translucent powder.   

Process of Applying a Base  

1. Remove the hair from the face with clips and cover the client with a gown. 
2. Wash hands thoroughly before touching the clients face.
3. Cleanse, tone and moisturise the face to remove all excess makeup, this will ensure a clean application without grey undertones. 
4. Taking a pea sized amount of Matte primer onto the palette buff the product into the skin using a foundation brush.
5. Using the metal spatula take a small amount of foundation from the palette and apply to the jaw/neck to find a suitable a colour match. Advisably start light and work up to a darker shade. 
6. Sometimes it is necessary to mix shades to achieve the right colour.
7. Once the appropriate shade has seen found mix a small amount of primer into the foundation and begin buffing into the skin using circular motions. 
8. The skin should look glowing and bright, if the skin appears flat continue buffing the foundation. 
9. Taking a small concealer brush and a concealer one shade lighter than the skin tone apply in small layers to any blemishes.
10. Also apply concealer under the eye, into the inner crease and outer corner, on the edges of the nose if redness if visible, creases and corners of the mouth. 
11. It is important to buff the concealer in around the eyes and mouth to avoid a ‘cakey’ application. 
12. Using a small powder brush or buffing brush go over the whole face in small circular motions to blend. 
13. Using the end of the powder puff dip into a small amount of powder.
14. Rub on hand to remove excess and pat into skin using a rolling motion. 

Reflection on Class:
The process of applying a base took a rather lengthy amount of time, the main challenge was trying to find the appropriate shade for my client who was of irish pale complexion with slight redness and freckles. My overall application wasn't to bad for a first attempt however I was a little light handed with the concealer around the nose and mouth. I feel that by practising (possibly on male skin which requires a heavier application) I would be able to improve my skills and ability to apply concealer without the fear of a cakey application. However the overall appearance of the skin was glowing and not flat, therefore I feel my general base application went fairly successful but with room for improvement.