Foundation can make or break your entire makeup look. Done well, it can carry you throughout the day and look flawless in photos. On the other hand, poorly-applied foundation can make your skin look cakey and unnatural. The secret to achieving the former is all in a few simple techniques.
Whether you’re an old pro or beginner makeup artist, these foundation tips will elevate your skills and perfect your style. From how to apply it first thing in the morning to midday touch-ups, there’s no situation these techniques can’t handle. Grab a blending sponge, a flat top brush and your favorite foundation, then try out each of these ideas.
Advertisement
For midday touch-ups, don’t use more foundation
Prone to a T-zone that gets shinier as the day progresses? This quick fix will have you looking fresh-faced in no time. Instead of reapplying foundation, soak up the excess oil with an oil-blotting sheet. If you still need to add a touch of color afterward, opt for a small amount of concealer in a similar shade, as using more foundation can give you a caked-on look.
Prone to a T-zone that gets shinier as the day progresses? This quick fix will have you looking fresh-faced in no time. Instead of reapplying foundation, soak up the excess oil with an oil-blotting sheet. If you still need to add a touch of color afterward, opt for a small amount of concealer in a similar shade, as using more foundation can give you a caked-on look.
Fierce League
Make sure foundation doesn't stop abruptly
While you don't need to apply foundation on your entire neck, continuing down past your jaw is important for making the makeup look more professional. To pull it off, use a damp blending sponge to help blend the foundation around your jawline and slightly down your neck. The dampness prevents the sponge from soaking up the product, so that it stays on your skin and goes where you want it to go.
While you don't need to apply foundation on your entire neck, continuing down past your jaw is important for making the makeup look more professional. To pull it off, use a damp blending sponge to help blend the foundation around your jawline and slightly down your neck. The dampness prevents the sponge from soaking up the product, so that it stays on your skin and goes where you want it to go.
Fierce League
Apply powder for long-lasting foundation
There’s a simple way to extend the life of your makeup and reduce T-zone shine all at the same time. Simply brush a bit of powder onto oil-prone areas, and let it do the work for you. For a more flawless finish, consider holding a tissue over the area you want to target, then tapping the powder on top of it. The tissue will let the perfect amount of product through so your makeup looks more natural.
There’s a simple way to extend the life of your makeup and reduce T-zone shine all at the same time. Simply brush a bit of powder onto oil-prone areas, and let it do the work for you. For a more flawless finish, consider holding a tissue over the area you want to target, then tapping the powder on top of it. The tissue will let the perfect amount of product through so your makeup looks more natural.
Fierce League
Avoid caking by letting moisturizer dry first
Moisturizer is key for healthy skin, but you might not be giving it enough time to dry before doing the rest of your makeup. Aim to wait 30 minutes after moisturizing, then put on your foundation. This gives your skin time to absorb the product and prevents your makeup from looking cakey.
Moisturizer is key for healthy skin, but you might not be giving it enough time to dry before doing the rest of your makeup. Aim to wait 30 minutes after moisturizing, then put on your foundation. This gives your skin time to absorb the product and prevents your makeup from looking cakey.
Fierce League
Use a blow-dryer to make a thick foundation easier to work with
Prefer to use a thick and creamy foundation? Try warming it up for a few seconds with a blow-dryer before applying it. This makes the foundation easier to work with, so you can get perfectly-blended contouring every time. Put a small amount on a metal palette, and wave the blow dryer over it for a few seconds, or until the product becomes more malleable.
Prefer to use a thick and creamy foundation? Try warming it up for a few seconds with a blow-dryer before applying it. This makes the foundation easier to work with, so you can get perfectly-blended contouring every time. Put a small amount on a metal palette, and wave the blow dryer over it for a few seconds, or until the product becomes more malleable.
Fierce League
For lighter coverage, mix foundation with moisturizer
This DIY tinted moisturizer is ideal for days when you want lighter coverage but still a bit of color. To do it, simply apply moisturizer and foundation directly to your face, then mix together with a foundation brush. Use a buffing motion to help blend the products and evenly spread the mixture across the rest of your skin.
This DIY tinted moisturizer is ideal for days when you want lighter coverage but still a bit of color. To do it, simply apply moisturizer and foundation directly to your face, then mix together with a foundation brush. Use a buffing motion to help blend the products and evenly spread the mixture across the rest of your skin.
Fierce League
For full coverage, use the stippling technique
For those events when you know there are going to be a lot of pictures taken, like a wedding or birthday party, opt for full coverage foundation. It looks terrific in photos and complements most skin types. It’s also easy to achieve, as all you have to do is put a little bit of foundation on the wide end of a blending sponge or flat top foundation brush, then apply it to your skin with quick, stippling motions.
For those events when you know there are going to be a lot of pictures taken, like a wedding or birthday party, opt for full coverage foundation. It looks terrific in photos and complements most skin types. It’s also easy to achieve, as all you have to do is put a little bit of foundation on the wide end of a blending sponge or flat top foundation brush, then apply it to your skin with quick, stippling motions.
Advertisement
Fierce League