There is no argument that foundation is supposed to make your skin look better. Sometimes that isn't always the case. Foundation can look streaky, uneven and cakey if applied incorrectly. With these simple steps you'll have flawless foundation every time.
1. Create A Skin Regime.
Before putting on your foundation, making sure your skin is in tip-top condition is crucial. Your foundation will only look as good as the skin underneath. If you don't already have a skin care routine, start with a face wash specifically designed for your skin type. Washing your face improves the complexion of you skin and washes away any dirt and clogged pores that could be making your foundation look sad. Next, gently exfoliate your skin. Doing this one to two times a week will really improve your skin's overall condition by removing black heads and dead flaky skin. Kiehl's Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion is my absolute go to exfoliator. Finish with a moisturizer that is designed for your skin needs. I always recommend my clients to stay away from any skin care products that contain any oil for people who have sensitive/acne prone skin. If your skin is on the dry side, finding a moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid can aid your skin to absorb moisture.
2. Prime Every Time.
I used to think primer didn't make a difference but over the years I've come to learn this step is necessary before applying foundation. Primer improves the longevity of your foundation. Depending on which one you choose, primer can also color correct, brighten, or give your skin an an extra boost of hydration for a more radiant complexion. Becca First Light Priming Filter Instant Complexion Refresh gives my skin an instant glow and makes my foundation last. I love mixing it with Stila One Step Prime which contains hyaluronic acid giving my skin extra moisture that I need.
3. Find The Perfect Match.
Go with the foundation that is made for your skin type. Ask yourself, what you want to achieve with foundation. Do you want to see your skin through the foundation but give yourself an even skin tone? Do you want to have your skin completely covered? That way you can determine if you want a light bb cream, full coverage foundation or something in-between. When you are color matching your foundation, you want to make sure the shade goes with the rest of your body. This way you can avoid a too light or too dark foundation. Swatch the color on the inside of your forearm and if it disappears that is your match.
4. Finding The Right Brush And How To Use It.
The person who wants full coverage foundation is going to use a different brush then the person who wants medium or light coverage. For full coverage, I recommend using a rounded dense brush. This will apply the most amount of product. Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush is my absolute favorite and will last you years. Using this brush in circular and stamping motions will give you the most even and full coverage.
If you choose to apply a lighter coverage foundation I would go with MAC 188 Synthetic Small Duo Fibre Face Brush. Using this brush in small circular motions will give you the best results. After you apply foundation using a brush, finish by going over the foundation with a clean damp Beauty Blender. This will take off any excess foundation sitting on top of the skin and blend your foundation even more for a flawless appearance. Make sure you blend the foundation over your ears and into your hair line.
5. A Dab Of Concealer.
Pick out a concealer that is the same amount of coverage as your foundation. Make sure the shade of concealer is slightly lighter than your foundation so it blends nicely and brightens. Put a little concealer on the areas where you need the extra coverage and blend it out using a sponge or beauty blender. Put some concealer under your eyes to brighten and hide any dark circles. Bring the concealer out to your cheek bones and blend to enhance this feature. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer is my personal choice as it contains hyaluronic acid and has buildable coverage.
6. Powder It Up.
Top off your foundation with powder for flawless, long lasting makeup. Powder can vary from no coverage to full coverage so finding the perfect balance is important. You may want to apply a translucent powder if you are wanting to take away any shine and set your makeup. Or you may want to pair your light coverage foundation with a full coverage powder for a little extra coverage. Powder will set your makeup so it doesn't go anywhere. We all touch our face a few times during the day so this will insure your makeup doesn't wipe off and leave a finger print. My go to powder is Laure Mercier Translucent Powder. It comes in a small travel size you can keep in your makeup bag incase your face gets oily during the day.