Cover your flaws with body foundation

When simply put, body foundation is makeup for the body. It is integral to playing up the physical skin. Its functions are quite as same as your regular face foundation, providing an even skin tone, camouflaging all imperfections and creating a more unified appearance. Coming in various formulations, body foundation ranges from lightweight liquids to buildable mousses.

Body Makeup

“It cannot be called the most essential part of the body makeup because it really boils down to personal preference and the desired result at the end of the day. If you’re looking to conceal your minor blemishes, self-tanner streaks or an uneven skin tone, body foundation can be a great tool,” opines reputed dermatologist Dinyar Workingboxwalla, also the co-founder and CEO of Beauty by BiE.

Nonetheless, for everyday wear, the skin guru asserts that “a good skincare routine is always the key. A healthy, nurtured skin is the best foundation after all! But if you’re hitting the beach or want that little bit of extra coverage for a special occasion, your body foundation kit can definitely elevate your look.”

Fading out Flaws

Body foundation can be applied to virtually any part of the body to hide flaws. Common areas include the arms, legs, chest, back, hands and feet, and even the décolletage. “It’s particularly useful for covering tattoos, bruises, scars, veins, stretch marks or any discolouration. Whichever region of your skin is exposed and you want it to look its best, body foundation can be a game-changer. One must blend it well and choose a product that matches one’s natural skin tone to achieve a seamless finish,” shares the ace skin specialist.

Echoing his response, cosmetologist and content creator Tanya Singh states that body foundation provides 100% high-level coverage. “It helps unveil a soft, smoother and more faultless look. But keep in mind, this is all momentary,” she insists.

Water-Proof & Smudge-Free

Many body foundations are designed to be water-resistant, durable and smudge-free. This helps when the makeup is specifically required to stay long for hours, such as during outdoor events or photo shoots. “It’s always advisable to look for items labelled as water-and-smudge-proof to achieve the intended results,” he suggests.

Gorgeous Glow

Certain body foundations render a glow to the skin, depending on their intrinsic formula. “A standard body foundation primarily focuses on consistency and masking the defects. They might leave a natural finish but a shimmery glow isn’t always the main objective,” explains the experienced dermat.

Ineffective Sunshield?

Some body foundations also double up as a moisturiser, sunscreen, astringent or base layer for more complex cosmetics. “Sunscreen-infused foundations will be less useful as the amount of sunscreen contained will be insufficient to protect the skin completely from the harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays,” she alerts.

Removal From Skin

Applying a makeup remover followed by a body wash is the ideal way to remove body foundation. “You can apply the cleanser to a delicate cloth or cotton pad and gently wipe off the body foundation from your skin,” Singh lends tips on the technique of taking out the body foundation.

Blocking Pores!

She further reminds us that direct application of body foundation to the skin might induce the risk of dripping into its pores and clogging the same. “To save your skin from this, apply the foundation to a moisturised surface or use a primer that creates a barrier between your skin and the foundation,” she advises.

Allergy Test

It is necessary to first conduct a patch test for body foundation or any other element prior to its application to the body only to avoid skin allergies, fathoms Singh. “A patch test involves applying very little amount of the product to a small area of your skin, typically to the inner arm or elbow, and observing any adverse reactions like redness, itching or irritation as an outcome. This simple test can help determine if the body foundation is suitable for the skin or causes any unexpected breakouts when applied more extensively,” says Singh.

Tips to correctly apply body foundation to the skin:

The key to achieving a flawless application of body foundation lies in proper preparation and technique. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Prep is Key:

Exfoliate: Buff away dead skin cells with a gentle body scrub for a smooth, even canvas. This allows the foundation to glide seamlessly and prevent patchiness.

Moisturise: Hydrated skin means happy skin! Apply a lightweight, non-greasy moisturiser to ensure the foundation blends smoothly and doesn’t cling to dry patches.

Application: Less is More: A little effort goes a long way with body foundation. Start with a dime-sized amount and apply it to the targeted areas. You can always build up more for additional coverage.

Blending is Crucial: Use a damp makeup sponge or a large fluffy brush for a streak-free finish. Blend the foundation in a circular motion, ensuring it seamlessly transitions into your natural skin tone.

Work in Sections: Don’t try to tackle your entire body at once. Apply and blend the foundation in sections like legs, arms, chest and back (if you can reach out or have a helping hand).

Set it Right: Once you’re happy with the coverage, lock it in place with a translucent setting powder. This helps minimise the undue transfer and keeps your body foundation looking flawless for a longer period.

It’s useful for covering tattoos, bruises, scars, veins, stretch marks or any discolouration. Whichever region of your skin is exposed and you want it to look its best, body foundation can be a game-changer. — Tanya Singh, cosmetologist and content creator

self-tanner streaks or an uneven skin tone, body foundation can be a great tool — Dinyar Workingboxwalla, co-founder and CEO of Beauty by BiE