How to Select Face Makeup That Complements Asian Coloring

Asian skin tone varies from porcelain to assorted hues of yellow, so selecting the right foundation can be a challenge. Powder is essential to set makeup and provide a flawless finish; blush may help add contour and dimension to your face.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blushes
• Blush Brush
• Eye Shadow
• Eye Shadow Brushes
• Eyeliners
• Face Powder
• Lip Gloss
• Lip Liners
• Lipstick
• Liquid Eyeliners
• Mascara
• Oil-free Foundations
• Waterproof Mascaras
• Lipstick

1. Head to your local department store to test foundation, even if you don't think you'd like to buy there. If you have porcelain skin you might try a shade with a slightly pink cast; all others should stick to yellow-toned formulas.

2. Test foundation on the inside of your wrist, or have a beauty adviser apply it to a makeup-free jawline. You want a color that seems to disappear, while it evens out your complexion and camouflages imperfections.

3. Use concealer to hide dark circles and blemishes. Consider green tones to help neutralize redness and a yellow tone, a few shades lighter than your foundation, under the eye.

4. Choose a powder shade that harmonizes with your skin tone. For most Asian complexions this means a yellow-toned shade, save the very pale beauty, who may do better with a translucent or a pale beige shade with a pink cast.

5. Add contour to your face with a hint of blush. Look for shades in pale bronze, subtle pink or soft apricot.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that foundation will look darker in the bottle than it does on your skin.
• Choose formulas that work in harmony with your skin type. Drier skins will benefit from a creamier foundation, and oilier skins should stick to a water-based liquid foundation and oil-free powder.
• Skip foundation if you're blessed with flawless skin - wear a tinted moisturizer instead. Look for shades that blend into your skin, rather than sit on top of it.
• Dark bronzers may look fake unless your skin sports a sun-kissed glow or self-tanner has been applied.

on 6/30/2006 I have read that one should apply mascara only after curling. This is because the mascara can stick to the curler, thus pulling out lashes.

on 11/22/2005 Most people curl their lashes before they apply mascara. However, since Asian lashes are short and sparse, it's best to curl after you layer on the mascara. I usually put about 4 coats and then I warm my curler with a blow dryer for a few seconds and gently curl my lashes. The effect is great, and the results last for a long time.