Make Up 101 – How to Apply Foundation

This is Part 1 of Make up 101, a series of posts for beginners on how to apply makeup. You can read the rest of the series here.

Foundation is used to even out the complexion and cover imperfections for a flawless look.

This is the basic ‘universal’ 3 step way to apply foundation, it’s not always the best for some! For example, I skip foundation all together and use powder and concealer, with some days only concealer – I absolutely hate the feeling of having stuff on my face, I have very sensitive skin that is prone to reactions and breakouts. So experiment and do whatever feels best for you, and what you feel comfortable in.

If you already have good skin, you could go very lightly on these steps or skip it completely and just try a tinted-moisturizer. (Lucky you!)

Application:

1. Moisturize skin and let it sink in. (I swear by Clinique’s famous one!)
2. Squeeze a small amount of liquid foundation to the back of your hand.
3. Using either a brush, a sponge or your fingers, dab lightly into your foundation to pick up the product. Don’t take too much!
4. Begin at your forehead, spread the formula in the finest layer possible. Then proceed to your nose, cheeks and chin. Blend, blend, blend so it doesn’t look obvious.
5. Take your concealer and either with a brush or your fingers, dab a bit of product under your eyes and wherever needed (discoloration, blemishes, etc).
6. To set your ‘look’, tap a large fluffy brush in translucent powder and lightly apply it all over your face.

That is a very simple, basic application for all three products; foundation, concealer and loose powder. I know in today’s crazy makeup selections there are powder foundations, stick foundations, cream concealers, stick concealers, and the whole works – but the basic in application is that whatever type of product you use, it’s always foundation first, then concealer, followed by powder to set it all!

Important: I cannot empathize this enough: Blend! Nothing is worse than seeing a concealer stripe or your foundation obviously ending before your jawline. Blend your foundation so it looks like your skin!

Recommended Products:

The Body Shop Nature’s Minerals Power – (read my review here) this is a great powder that can just be used directly to the skin, no prior foundation needed. At the same time, it is also great at setting your liquid foundation.

Benefit Boi-ing concealer – (read my review here) the monster of all concealers! This covers dark eye circles amazingly, and can cover a monster zit like crazy.

Clinique Derma White Concealer – I used this a lot in high school when I had pretty bad skin. What’s good about it is that it heals while it conceals, and has properties to help lighten the marks left by blemishes. (A great product that removes post acne marks and other skin discoloration is this product.)

Unfortunately I can’t recommend any liquid or compact foundations; I have never used any before! I’m sure my great readers will help you guys out on that one! :-) Also, if you’re looking for a foundation to suit your skin type, my post Foundation 101 – How to Choose the Right Formula for Your Skin type may be of help!

Further help:

• How to apply foundation from eHow.com
• How to apply foundation by About Beauty
• Applying foundation videos at Expert Village

I hope this helps any foundation fools ;-). If you have any other foundation tips, I’d love to hear them, and I’m sure they’d be a great help to other readers!