HOW TO APPLY FOUNDATION LIKE A PRO

So you’ve figured out your fuss-free skincare regime, learnt all about makeup brushes and how to find your perfect foundation! Perfect but how do you combine this to get flawless skin every time? Fear not, I’m here to help with this post on how to apply foundation like a boss in 3 easy steps.

1. The Products & Tools

The Makeup

Before you do anything, its important to get the right products and tools for your foundation. Firstly, work out what your skin type is and what your problem areas are. After this decide what it is you want from your foundation. For instance, do you want it to give you a glowing look or have a matte effect? Do you need it for a day times or evenings or both? How long does it need to last? Do you have blemishes or uneven pigmentation that you also want to correct? What other makeup will you be using? After you have thought about this, read our post on how to find the perfect foundation for your skin.

The other thing you will need to use is a setting product to make your foundation last longer. Setting your foundation also has a blurring and pore perfecting effect on your finish. Translucent products like the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder are great as it won’t change the colour of your foundation and is easy to apply. You will need a powder brush to apply this. If you’re looking for an even quicker solution then the clear e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set is a Vitamin-infused lightweight spray that also works well.

The Applicators

• Beauty sponges like the Beauty blender are great if you’re looking for maximum coverage that looks natural. You can use them to build layers of foundation and they can also be used to add concealer, blush and other liquid face makeup.
• If you don’t want a tool then fingers can be used to apply light to medium coverage with ease. Its good for a natural finish but hard to build up coverage.
• Foundation brushes like the Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush are great for full coverage. Their tapered shape also allows you to precisely cover specific areas like under eyes for a more even finish.
• Kabuki brushes such as the Bare Minerals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush are dense flat topped brushes often with a short handle. They are best for applying loose powders but also work well if you want to blend harsh contour lines.
• Stippling brushes like the Real Techniques Stippling Brush are excellent if you’re after a medium coverage. They blend and buff foundation onto your skin for an even finish. They can also be used for blush or powder.
• Buffing brushes like the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush are great if you’re a after a full coverage high definition effect to the face.
• Powder Brushes such as the Eco Tools Sheer Powder Brush are useful for lightweight coverage if you’re using a loose or pressed powder foundation. You can also use this brush for the setting powder.

2. The Skin Prep

Cleanse

This is absolutely crucial in order to achieve a flawless finish to your foundation. Start your double cleanse with a deep cleanser like the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil or Micellar water such as Bioderma Sensibio if you aren’t wearing any makeup. This pre cleansing step will remove grease, pollution and makeup if you’re already wearing some. Follow up with a deeper and more targeted cleanser. If you have dry skin try a conditioning cleanser like the Glō Therapeutics Conditioning Milk Cleanser. Oilier skin may benefit from a purifying formula such as the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel. If you have combination or normal skin then a hydrating all-rounder like the Glō Therapeutics Hydrating Gel Cleanser.

Exfoliate & Mask

After cleansing your skin, you can either move on to toning or add an exfoliating and masking step. You only need to do this step 1-2 times a week normally and its often easiest at night before you go to bed or on lazy weekends. Try it before applying your foundation when you need a truly flawless finish!). Try a fruit enzyme exfoliating product like GLŌ Therapeutics Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub to smooth and brighten your complexion. Finish off with a face mask to hydrate and nourish the skin like the Willow Hydrating Gel Super Mask. If you want to cut this step then opt for a dual purpose product like the REN Glyco lactic Radiance Renewal Mask. It combines a peel and face mask in one by exfoliating the skin with fruit based acids and combats congested pores, breakouts and blemishes for a fresh faced look!

Tone & Moisturise

When you’re done, apply a specially formulated toner for your skin type to reduce the appearance of pores and provide a nice even base before you apply foundation. Check out our earlier post for advise on finding your ideal toner. Finally, apply a targeted moisturiser which should ideally have a primer and SPF. If it doesn’t then apply both these products onto top of the moisturiser separately.

3. The Technique

Regardless of the type of foundation you’ve chosen or the application method you favour there are a few universal rules. Always start with the centre of your face and on areas you want to cover first then radiate outwards to blend. Whether you’re using a powder or liquid and no matter which tool, the motion you need to use is the same. Dab foundation onto your finger tips, brush or sponge and then use a stippling motion to buff the product onto your face. If you’re looking for fuller coverage then you can build up the foundation one layer at a time. Once you’re happy with your coverage apply your concealer, blusher and any other makeup you want the use setting powder.

So hopefully you can see that there isn’t very much to achieving a flawless finish. Give these 3 easy fuss-free beauty steps a try and apply foundation like a pro. If you’re after a dewy skin makeup tutorial then check out our last post. For more skincare and beauty tips for busy women visit the rest of our blog.