Forums > Hair, Makeup & Styling > Beaded foundation?

Makeup Artist

Merenda Morris

Posts: 45

Memphis, Tennessee, US

I had a llama recently and I went through the usual consultation questions (i.e. Are you allergic to anything that I need to be away of? How's your skin? Are you taking any medication that may have affected your skin, etc.) She checked out as being ok. So, I put some primer on her (I used MAC because my UD face primer magically disappeared from my last job), and the makeup applied well with no problems. Ok, so, we get to set, and she gets in front of the beauty dish, this goes on for an hour, so when I go for touch ups, the makeup looked beaded under her eye, right on top of the inner cheek area. I tried sponging some of the moisture off and adding a powder to it, but it just wouldn't take. I had to reapply the foundation (MUFE Mat Velvet), then reapply the powder.

Did I do it right? It seemed to be ok after that but still, I want to know what I did wrong or if I did anything wrong and if I had used cream instead of liquid, would it have done the same thing?

What I mean by beading is that it looked as if the foundation gathered into her pores and made little hills and the area around the pores looked blank, making them prominent.

Dec 16 12 01:49 pm Link

Makeup Artist

Jaime Criel Makeup

Posts: 149

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

This is a tough one...I see it happen on people often. My suggestion would be to use a better primer. And I think the main reason it happens is the foundation and the powder used don't "mesh" well. What powder did you use on top? Was this the first time you used this primer since your UD one was taken? This happens on me when I sweat. I think it's the moisture mixing with the powder on top, causing it to "clump".

Dec 16 12 02:17 pm Link

Makeup Artist

Jaime Criel Makeup

Posts: 149

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

and yes, you were right to take it off and start again. Adding more powder on top just makes this effect worse.

Dec 16 12 02:17 pm Link

Makeup Artist

Merenda Morris

Posts: 45

Memphis, Tennessee, US

It was a sephora finishing powder. I've used that powder before, it's actually one of my faves. The MAC primer, it's...not my favorite. I'm ordering the Set the Stage primer this week.

Dec 16 12 03:15 pm Link

Makeup Artist

KathyAragon

Posts: 966

Washington, District of Columbia, US

This happens when you're putting a water based product over a silicone one, or vice versa. Make sure you aren't overlapping products if they aren't like basis or they can repel. My Eve Pearl used to do this when using it with silicone based foundations that I put all the way up to under the eye, but worked beautifully with other non-silicone foundations.

Dec 16 12 03:46 pm Link

Makeup Artist

War Paint

Posts: 385

Los Angeles, California, US

KathyAragon wrote:
This happens when you're putting a water based product over a silicone one, or vice versa. Make sure you aren't overlapping products if they aren't like basis or they can repel. My Eve Pearl used to do this when using it with silicone based foundations that I put all the way up to under the eye, but worked beautifully with other non-silicone foundations.

This is what I was thinking also. If you have a silicone based primer and a foundation with some type of oil base then this will happen. some primers have a base that is not compatible with the base of the foundation. It is best to know your kit so well that you know what is compatible. Test everything out together prior if you are not sure so that you know it will work on your client. It also helps to send a questionnaire to your client prior so you know in advance if they have a sensitivity to a product. That way you can be prepared the day of.

Dec 16 12 04:52 pm Link

Makeup Artist

Carmen Make up and Hair

Posts: 325

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I can't really see the Matt Velvet meshing well with the MAC primer.  I second above replies.. try a different primer.  UD would have been good because its silicone free.

Dec 17 12 09:23 am Link

Makeup Artist

Merenda Morris

Posts: 45

Memphis, Tennessee, US

I was hard pressed to get more primer, so in a last ditch effort I went to ULTA and purchased the NYX HD Primer....
It was AMAZING! A bit too pale for POC (I swatched it on myself) but perfect for pale skin. The Mat Velvet didn't even bulge! The primer is water based as well big_smile

Thank you all so much! This is essential knowledge.

Dec 21 12 09:40 pm Link