by 
As any beauty lover knows, there are lots of potential pitfalls that can quickly turn a carefully-made up look into a bit of a disaster. And one of the worst is what some people refer to as “foundation neck” – that unfortunate effect that’s created when your face and neck appear to be a completely different shade. And surprisingly, even the most skilled MUAs can sometimes fall victim to this issue. So what can you do to avoid that dreaded mask-like appearance?
According to experts, one of the most common causes of foundation neck is simply not blending your product well enough. To stop this from happening, you’ll want to make sure you are working the formula into your skin, and spreading it out underneath your jawline. But sometimes, it’s not that simple, and even the most dedicated blending can still result in coverage that leaves your face and neck a different shade.
So, you’ll want to take a close look at the products you’re using too – and especially the shade. Even if your foundation seems to be a perfect match for your skin tone underneath artificial, in-store lighting, daylight is a completely different ball game. So when you’re picking out your products, make sure that you step outside to check their appearance in natural light. Even a slight mismatch between your skin and your foundation can contribute to the mask effect, so this is an important step.
Of course, even if your foundation perfectly matches the skin on your face, it might be a little off for your neck, as these areas are often slightly different shades. Apparently, this is because the skin casts a shadow on the region underneath, resulting in less exposure to the sun. To counteract this, you’ll want to apply foundation to your neck as well as your face. Start by applying in a column down the center and blend it upwards and out towards the sides.
Lastly, make sure that when you touch up your foundation during the day, you also pay attention to your neck as well. If you keep topping up with extra layers on your face, you’ll find that a mask effect starts to build up over time – even if you started off with a perfectly blended look.
By following these tips, you can avoid the perils of foundation neck and enjoy a natural-looking, flawless appearance all day long.
