MPOV: The Foundation Of Good Make Up
[Joyce: To click on the first MPOV (Model Point of View) post, click here]
It's easy for make up to go awry and nobody fancies bad make up, least of all models. I'm not even talking about avant garde or special effects make up here, simply basic make up that goes bad i.e. blotchy foundation, lips that run, or wrong eyeshadow tones used.
Good make-up (left) and bad make-up (right). For the record, the make-up on the right was done by myself.
Most dark skinned models, including myself, face the problem of having on the wrong foundation colour and end up looking grey. Dark skin plus light foundation does not a light tan make, it equals grey! It's a mistake most rookie MUAs make.
It's worse when you're a newbie model and have been told to be very careful of what you say, lest being mistaken for giving out diva vibes and not be booked again. I went through that experience where I would meekly say, "Ummm... I think I look a bit grey... don't you?" It would be followed by the answer, "Really? I think it looks fine." End of conversation. And when the runway pictures come out, you look like your head had been copy pasted unto your body.
It is very depressing to know that you are going to look bad for the cameras no matter how confident you are when you hit that runway and strike your killer pose, 'cos when the picture comes out, you still end up looking like Ms. Head Transplant.
Another rookie MUA mistake is to give the exact same make up for all models regardless of their facial features. You can't use the same thickness of eyeliner on all eye types and you most definitely can't do the same shading for everyone!
Back to the subject matter of foundation, I have learned never to leave without my own foundation and politely suggest to the MUA that he/she can use mine if they don't have my shade. Its a rule of thumb that if the foundation falters, all else fails. I also feel there is nothing diva-like about giving a few pointers, after all it would just make them better MUAs and if it falls on deaf ears, at least you know you tried.
So how do you know your foundation is the right shade? Is foundation really the most important part of the make up process? Are we alone with our scary make up stories? I took the liberty of asking a few friends on their personal views and experiences on the (make up) matter.
First up is Valerie. You may recognise this petite Sabahan lass from the first season of Malaysian Dreamgirl. Currently training with the kitchen team with Olive Tree Cafe, she is also a freelance translator and a part time model. She suggests that if you have never worn foundation before, you need to start of by knowing your skin type - "Choose something that won't aggravate your skin before settling on the right one". Right now Val is using L'oreal True Match.
Bad make up experience? Val says: "When I was in love with Liv Tyler's red glamour look, I decided to put some red lipstick on. It was hideous and I didn't realise it. I went out thinking I looked smashing! I have pictures as proof, but I won't show you! I now know the key to having red lips is picking the right shade of red, because red makes your lips look swollen."
Aly (also of MDG Season 1 fame) is a Red FM DJ and part time model who checks out what's new in magazine reviews and tries them out herself. She does feel that finding a perfect matching shade is tough and suggests you get advice from a make up artist before deciding on a purchase.
Bad make up experience? "At one photo shoot, the foundation didn't match so I ended up looking very greyish. I threw those pics away!" She proves my point. Just like Aly, I have the same problem of looking for the right foundation shade. Aly currently uses Lancome and Shu Uemura, whilst I use M.A.C. I have heard that RMK has many shades, applies smoothly and has good staying power.
Vinn, who is currently job hunting, is in love with Revlon. Her suggestion is that if you have darker or Asian skin tone, to try using Revlon Two Way Foundation. It comes in 4 colours and suits Chinese to Indian skin tones. She adds that it is, "Basically like a compact powder, easy to apply and very handy. It makes your skin look fresh even though you have been working for eight hours. Really beautiful... trust me!"
Regarding bad make up experiences, she answers: "My annual dinner. I hired a girl to do my make up but she used the wrong foundation and made me look white! I was the emcee that day and she screwed up everything..." Oh, poor girl. We feel your pain.
Cassie, 1st Runner Up of Miss Malaysia Model of the World 2007, is a full time model and shares the same grouses - "With my features, I'm prone to be made up wrongly. So far I've only been made up properly say, 40% of the time. The other 60% is madness. They (MUA) would put so much make up that if along the way, for some reason I get in the rain, I end up looking like a ghost from that malay movie 'Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam'. That's why I always have my own make up kit it, 'cos at the end of the day, you know your face best."
She adds, "There is a reason why some foundations are more expensive compared to the lower range ones, it is because of the quality. But remember not to buy it because of the brand, buy it because of its worth to you." Cassie swears by Bobbi Brown for everyday usage.
Software engineer Nalin on the other hand doesn't use foundation. She prefers to stay as natural as she can so that her skin will stay healthy. "Some moisturiser and compact powder to give my skin a matte finish does the trick for me," she says. Although she doesn't use foundation, she does have some nifty advice. She personally feels that one should ask their friends, get some recommendations and then preferably get a trial pack to see if the product suits them before splurging on something that doesn't enhance their skin/features.
Jerra - a mom on the go who chooses her foundation based on ingredient, texture, colour and brand - finds that Nu Skin and Revlon works best for her. She shares some advice for those who have never worn foundation before: "Use water-based foundation. Get the closest colour to your skin tone. Stop usage if it irritates your skin or makes you feel uncomfortable no matter how hot you look, 'cos you want to look hot for the next 10 years at least!" Bad make up experiences? Jerra replies: "I looked like a Chinese Opera Singer on my wedding day. Enough said."
Fiqa - a student, model and Malaysian Dreamgirl Season 1 finalist - uses M.A.C. and sometimes Shades Beverly Hills. She says that choosing foundation, whether liquid or cream, is based on your skin condition, with liquid more suited for dry skin. Any bad make up experience? "Yes! I had this colourful make up on for this photo shoot and believe me, it was so hard to remove! It took me a while to remove it completely."
Ladies, you have heard it from the mouths of fellow troopers just like yourselves, so please invest in the right foundation to avoid looking like you got a head transplant ;)
Thanks and credits to Val, Aly, Vinn, Cassie, Nalin, Jerra, and Fiqa for their fabulous pictures and sharing their opinions.
