Meridian Magazine: Image Integrity: Foundation Isn’t Prerequisite for a Beautiful Face

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Foundation Isn't Prerequisite for a Beautiful Face
By Judith Rasband

“I want to be attractive,” writes a reader, “but I don't want to wear all that stuff— the foundation and stuff.”

“I don't want to feel exploited,” she adds, “like I'm being conned into using it. Do I have to wear foundation to be attractive?”

The answer is a resounding, “NO!” You don't have to wear “all that stuff” or foundation to be more attractive.

Too many women get the idea they must wear the full range of makeup, including foundation, to be attractive. Continually bombarded by the media, sales clerks, friends and sometimes family, women in our society are conditioned almost from birth, that they need to wear foundation base makeup.

Many women are surprised to learn that foundation base is not essential. It's an option. Some exclaim, “Oh, what a relief. I never did like the way it feels on me.” Others chime in, “I don't have time to put foundation all over my face. And it gets in the way—on my clothes and even on others.”

You can spend the time and money, if you have it and if you want to, but you don't have to. You can choose to wear foundation once in a while, on weekdays, on weekends only or not at all.

Many men tell us that foundation-free, natural looking skin is infinitely more attractive and desirable than an artificial film of makeup coating the face. They openly resent it getting on their clothes or on their face!

Makeup artist, George Masters, admits he advises few women to wear foundation makeup. Save it for those in the public eye or under the critical eye of the camera. Even then, models are cautious about using foundation after work hours and use it sparingly or not at all.

Cosmetic foundation does serve a variety of purposes:

Foundation base makeup is intended to create the illusion of flawlessly beautiful skin.
Foundation can be used to camouflage blemishes, birthmarks and other highly colored areas.
Foundation is now sold as a shield or guard to protect skin from the environment—to reduce the effects of air pollution, bacteria, grit and grim, wind, cold and sun.
Foundation augments the use of moisturizer in helping prevent dryness over long periods of time.
Several foundation formulas now contain sunscreen to protect against ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Foundation provides a velvety smooth base allowing additional makeup colors to glide smoothly and evenly over it. Since the skin, by itself, has no adhesive properties, foundation gives color eye shadows and blush something to hold on to, to adhere for a reasonable length of time. Keep in mind, however, that moisturizer and powder will accomplish the same job, and perhaps more attractively.

Poorly selected or applied, foundation can make you look absolutely awful, like a mask, and ruin your whole facial appearance. For many women, it may not even improve skin color or texture.

If you have clear, lovely skin that does not need smoothing, evening out, etc., you certainly do not need to wear a foundation. If you prefer no foundation, you can protect your skin by keeping it clean and wearing a light moisturizer. If you choose to wear foundation, develop a sensible approach to the products. Select it to match your skin and apply it gently, blending it at the hairline and jawline. Set the foundation with a light dusting of loose, translucent powder.

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About the Author:

Judith Rasband is founder of the Conselle Institute of Image Management and director of the Foundation for Image Integrity. Specializing in the artistic, social, and psychological aspects of dress and image, she has experienced 40 years in the field as educator including 12 years at BYU. She has taught at BYU Education Week for more than 25 years. She is a trade and textbook author, columnist, speaker, consultant, market analyst, and video producer. An international authority on image management, she is a presenter, consultant, and coach to private individuals, civic, corporate, government, and academic organizations and associations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Top priority roles include wife, mother, grandmother, and Gospel Doctrine teacher. Judith (Judi) is married to S. Neil Rasband, Professor of Physics at BYU. They are parents of four children and grandparents to 14 grandchildren. They love to travel and sleuth out great restaurants and historic homes. They recently traveled for 16 days across the European Alps — on a motorcycle. It’s never too late to try something new!