Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage.
A makeup sponge gives the most skin-like finish and pushes the product into the complexion, the foundation doesn't sit on top so it appears more seamless and natural. You can really beautifully build-up and blend the product from sheer to full-coverage, but you have to use a clean sponge!
The first step is wetting your sponge. You should never use a makeup sponge dry to apply foundation, especially if it's a beautyblender, says Bartlett. She recommends squishing it under water about eight times until it's fully saturated. Then, wring out the excess water.
Wetting your sponge thoroughly and letting it fully expand has to be your first step. Then, when you apply foundation or other product to it, it'll already be full of water and won't soak up so much product, saving you tons of product and money. When your makeup sponge is damp, it makes product application way easier.
Instead, use your fingertips to gently press the foundation into your skin. Another option: The densely packed bristles of the Foundation Buff Brush gently buffs foundation into skin and can be used with liquid, powder, cream or stick formulas.
Don't Paint, Buff. No matter what tool you're using—a foundation brush, a BeautyBlender, or your fingers—buff (or bounce, if you're using a sponge) the foundation into your skin as opposed to “painting” it on to build coverage smoothly and avoid streakiness, says Park.
Dehydrated or dry skin can cause makeup to clump and cling into dry patches. Your face can look like it's peeling when you put on foundation. Oily skin can also cause makeup to split on the face. Following an appropriate skin care routine and preparing your skin before makeup application is an essential step.
Yes, many professional makeup artists and beauty gurus swear by applying liquid foundation with their fingers. This tactile approach provides a skin-like, natural makeup result since you're massaging the makeup onto your skin. Using your fingers works on all skin types and with both cream and liquid foundation.
One of the main missteps people make when it comes to priming is applying makeup too soon afterwards. As Phillips mentioned, you want to wait a full minute or more to allow the primer to dry completely before going in with makeup, as this will help to curb pilling or patchiness.
It makes all the difference. If you're still applying your foundation with your fingers, it's time to stop. Using makeup brushes not only gives your foundation a flawless finish, it also keeps all the oils and bacteria from your fingers from clogging up your pores — provided your brushes are clean, of course.
Now that your skin is well moisturized, prep your face with primer. Whether you're planning on applying a light coat of foundation or a full face of makeup, primer is an important first step. Using primer under your makeup will make your look last longer.
Foundations are meant to make skin even and either luminous or matte, depending on skin type, and both of these formulas will do nothing to help you under your eyes. While it doesn't hurt to put foundation under your eyes, it certainly doesn't help. Skip this move and only add concealer and/or corrector under the eyes.
Never put concealer or foundation on your eyelids as a base, it will cause your eye makeup to crease.
One issue we tend to notice as we get older is products settling into fine lines and creases during the day. Caroline's advice is to “avoid matte foundations and don't overload the skin with powder. Keep your base light and only cover imperfections with an opaque concealer”.
How many layers of foundation do you put on? The number of layers depends on the amount of coverage you want. Generally, one to two layers are good enough to cover any blemishes and give your skin a smooth finish. It is always a good idea to take a minute or two in between layers to check if you need more coverage.
So, do you use concealer before or after foundation? The proper way to apply the two products is to first smooth on a foundation and then apply your concealer. Foundation will create that even canvas we talked about earlier, and then concealer can be used to spot correct any outstanding areas that need extra coverage.
Proper Application Is Key. It's best to apply powder after your other beauty products such as concealer and foundation. It works to set the makeup.
A stick foundation is a great option when you just want to spot coverage certain areas on your face and achieve a more natural look. Use a liquid foundation which can look more natural overall. It blends easier into the skin and can create a second skin effect.
For a glowy look, I like to apply a liquid highlighter to the high points of the face before the foundation. This will help give the skin a nice healthy glow and make the foundation look more dewy. Choose a subtle formula that's not overly glittery or sparkly, especially if you have mature skin.