Vivien's Foundation-free story

Hi Haley!

Been watching your videos ever since you released Russian Red. Love the way you approach make up and skincare. Very simply and natural! So the steps for foundation free for me is..

I never really wore a full face of foundation much anyway, I usually kept it light by applying it to just the problem areas, but if it was a night out with my friends it would be a full face of make up.

As a teenager I didn’t actually wear much foundation but when I was in uni I started wearing foundation on a daily basis. This stopped when I started working in a lab (my degree was a science degree) as it did not look professional to wear make up (also not great for lab standards!) anyway here are some of the things I did.

1. Don’t buy foundation. Quite simple really, just to not buy it. But it truly works! The only foundation I have is the YSL cushion. This is used for the occasions I meet with friends or an event.

2. Slowly ease out the amount of foundation you use, I started by only putting it on the sides of my nose, chin and forehead . but after I while as you eliminate each section you will get used to how your skin looks foundation free and really appreciate it.

3. I think of lot of it comes from the mindset, its truly about loving how your skin feels and not having to remove all that make up at the end of the day! But to truly go foundation free you need to be really comfortable in your own skin.

4. Use all other make up products except foundation.  What I mean is usually the first step in when someone is applying make up is their foundation, obviously cause it’s the base but when you do everything else except the base you will actually see that the blush/brow/mascara,eyeshadow/lip product you use really looks so good on just your natural skin. Its surprisingly how lipstick or blush makes such a big difference to how someone looks.

5. I’m of Chinese descent (father is from Hong Kong and mother is from Malaysia, but Im actually born and raised in Ireland – Hi neighbor! Hehe) and I always found that Chinese/Asians don’t like freckles. But I LOVE them! I have some freckles on my cheeks and I would never purposely cover them but I do know a few people who really hate their freckles and want to get laser to remove them which I think is so sad ☹

6. Last bit is just have a really good skincare routine that suits your skin needs. Really good wouldn’t mean having lots of step but I think simple and tailored to your skin is the best. I suppose have clearer skin would also help with going foundation free.

Ive attached some foundation free (one completely bare I don’t have thick eyebrows like you :’(

Unfortunately I don’t have before photos.

I hope this email gave you some insight on how I went foundation free for most of my life! Thanks for reading this Haley if you have made it this far. Really love the way you channel is going and how you interact with viewers. Hope I get to meet you one day, let me know if you are ever in Ireland! I’m from Dublin. I’ll be so happy to show you around.

With love,

Vivien