Everyone knows that for a full face makeup foundation is imperative. But other that providing a base for your makeup, it has many other benefits. When you apply foundation, it helps to even out your skin color and add a little bit of radiance to your complexion. In addition, it diminishes the appearance of large pores, cancels out redness, and covers up skin blemishes very well. Foundation can even be a confidence-savior for people afflicted with acne scars or rosacea. In this article, we shall see how you can apply foundation properly.
Steps to Apply Foundation:
1.) Select the Perfect Color
Before you can apply foundation, you need to obtain a foundation that matches your skin tone. If you’re lucky, you’ll find an instant match for your skin tone. On the other hand, if you’re having difficulty choosing between a few shades, then there is a simple test to help you pick the right color. Apply swatches of the shades of foundation on your cheek near your jawline. Leave it on for a few minutes to observe how it absorbs into your skin. Select the color that best matches your skin tone. You may find the need to mix two colors, as your skin tone varies slightly during the winter and summer months.
2.) Find the Right Formula
Once you determine the shade, you must find the right formula of foundation to suit your skin type. There are a wide variety of foundation formulas so you can always narrow down on which matches your skin type best. But overall, there are three main formulas: powder, liquid, and cream. For dry skin types, a liquid or cream foundation may work best. Whereas for oily skin types, a lightweight and oil-free liquid or powder foundation is good. If you have combination skin, powder foundation may be the best.
3.) Choose Your Strength
Once you’ve decided on the color and formula, you can move on to choosing the perfect coverage. The basic function of a foundation is to cover up the slight imperfections on your skin and provide a base for your makeup. Sheer foundations are great to simply even out your skin tone. Or dark spots, blemishes and freckles, a full coverage one may be best.
4.) Pick Right Tools to Apply Foundation
Finally, you can select the tools with which you apply foundation. The foundation formula that you choose to use, whether liquid, cream, or powder, will determine which tool is best for the application. For the powder foundation, a fluffy brush is best to use. For cream and liquid types, a foam makeup sponge seems like the best to apply. It is usually shaped as wedges or disks. This tool will provide the most even, smooth coverage. Another great tool to use for cream and liquid foundations is a foundation brush. The bristles of this brush are a bit stiffer and it has a flat top. This allows for smooth and even coverage on your face.
5.) Cleanse to Apply Foundation
The first step before you can apply foundation is to ensure that you have a clean canvas to work on. Not only does it make it easier to apply foundation, but it keeps your skin healthy. It is recommended to try a full cleanse at least twice a month. Follow these steps to do a quick cleanse before applying your makeup.
- First, wash your face with a face wash, suited for your skin type, to clear it of any debris. A foaming face wash is recommended for sensitive skin and a creamy face wash is better for dry skin. Gently pat your face dry.
- Next, you can further cleanse by using a liquid toner on your skin. Tea tree face toner is generally good for any skin type, although those with very dry skin are advised to stay clear. For such skin types, witch hazel toner is a good alternative.
- Finally, you can soothe and set your skin with a lightweight serum or face cream. Apply a good, lightweight under-eye cream as well. This will prevent creasing when you finally apply foundation.
6.) Moisturize to Protect Skin
This step is perhaps the most overlooked when it comes to applying makeup. You may be under the impression that wearing a primer before you apply foundation is enough. But in reality, it can lead to long-term problems and less-than-flawless makeup. Moisturizing your skin allows the makeup to sit on your face without collecting in the creases and fine lines.
- Apply a moisturizer that is suited for your skin type. For oily-to-combination skin, look for an oil-free moisturizer that will counter the overproduction of oil on your skin. In case you have dry skin, opt for an intense hydration moisturizer.
- Place a dime-sized dollop of the moisturizer on your palm. Rub it between your hands and pat onto your face. Don’t forget to apply below the jawline and blend into your neck.
- With your fingertips, gently massage this into your skin, in circular motions. This will also help to promote blood flow, giving your skin that gentle radiance.
- Now, leave the moisturizer on for 5 minutes. This will allow it to be absorbed into your skin.
7.) Time to Prime Your Skin
You guessed it! It’s finally time to apply your primer. Generally, a primer is a clear gel that you put on before you apply foundation. It fills in the fine lines and wrinkles to smooth your skin out. And so, it helps to keep your foundation, and the subsequent makeup, last for longer. In addition, you will find that you need less foundation for higher coverage than you would sans primer.
- Place a dime-sized dollop on the back of your hand. This helps it heat up and allows for better coverage. Use a damp triangular makeup sponge or beauty blender to dot it onto your face.
- Now, using the same sponge, stipple and blend the primer into your skin. Make sure to get an even coverage all across your face.
- Alternatively, if you are pressed for time, you can simply apply it straight to your face and gently pat it in like a moisturizer. But the sponge application ensures a smoother, more even coverage.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before you apply foundation to allow absorption into the skin.
8.) Color Correct Your Skin
The first step after you apply primer and before you apply foundation is to apply a color corrector. This step is especially useful for those who are not blessed with naturally even skin tones. You can use a simple CC cream to cancel out dark spots and such. But there are color correctors made specifically to individually target problem areas.
- For blue/purple-toned shadows or spots – Use a pale pink color corrector on fair skin, a peach one on medium skin, or yellow one on olive/dark skin.
- Cover up hyperpigmentation and dark circles – Use an orangey-pink color corrector, especially on medium-to-dark skin.
- To remove redness – Use a green color corrector.
- Cancel out yellow undertones – Use a lavender color corrector.
- Use a thin brush to cover just the problem area. Using the same brush, feather the corrector out at the edges for a cleaner blend.
9.) Apply Foundation to the Face
You have picked the right color foundation to match your skin tone and the strength of the coverage you desire. The application tool that you are most comfortable using has been selected. All the prep work prior to this step is completed. So now, it is time to apply foundation. Follow these steps to apply the foundation to your face.
- Dampen your chosen application tool with some thermal water. This helps the foundation glide on smoothly and gives a more natural finish.
- Now, you can place a dollop of foundation on the back of your hand if you are using a beauty blender. Or simply directly place a dot of foundation onto a soft, fluffy foundation brush.
- Start at the center of your face and dot the foundation on your forehead, on your cheeks near your nose, and on your chin. Now, blend from the center, then outwards. If you have chosen a full coverage foundation, all you really need is a thin layer.
- Make sure to buff the foundation really well. Blend it all the way up to your hairline and down your neck as well. Focus on the jawline and extend the blending almost till your chest to avoid distinct seams. With whatever foundation is left on your applicator, buff lightly over your ears.
10.) Conceal and Set the Look
Now comes the part after you apply foundation. Generally, this is the part where you apply a concealer. But if you are satisfied with the look you have, you can skip straight to the part where you set the look for a long lasting finish. Read on to see how you can use concealer and the best way to set the overall look.
- To use on your face, select a concealer that matches your foundation. But to use on the area under the eyes, choose a concealer that is just a shade or two lighter than your foundation. This helps to brighten your eyes.
- Swipe lines of concealer on your nose, on the center of your forehead, and on your chin. Place the concealer on the high points of your face. Use the lighter concealer for under your eyes and at the inner corner of the eyes as well.
- Now, use the damp blending brush or beauty blender to evenly blend this into the foundation.
- Finally, it is time to set the look. While your concealer is still wet, quickly set these areas, as they are most likely to crease with time. You can use a pressed setting powder or translucent loose powder.
- Pick up the powder with a damp beauty blender and press a layer right under the eyes, across the cheekbones, and on the chin. Leave this to “bake” for 10 minutes. Use a large powder brush to brush away the excess powder. This will leave a lovely highlight in these areas.
- Finally, use either a setting spray or translucent setting powder based on the type of finish you want. For a more matte finish, use the powder and lightly brush it on with a large, fluffy powder brush. For a more dewy, natural finish use the setting spray.
