Step 1: Pick the Right Foundation
When picking a foundation, know your skin type. No matter what your skin type (dry, oily, aging, sensitive, etc.) there is a foundation for you so choose wisely. Once you know what kind would suit your skin best, find your shade. Test the color out before buying it because all brands label their colors differently. DO NOT test on the back of your hand. This will not give an accurate picture of what the color will look like on your face. When testing colors, swipe a small bit on your jaw line to make sure it blends not only into your face, but your neck too.
Step 2: Start with a clean face.
This sounds obvious, but this is the most important thing you can do before applying any makeup. Makeup clogs pores. If you don’t start with a clean base, your pores will just become more clogged which can lead to shiny or acne prone skin.
Step 3: Apply Foundation
Brush Method: There are pros and cons to using a brush to apply foundation. With a brush there is more coverage, however, a brush can be less sanitary if the brush is not cleaned regularly. So, if you intend to use a brush, make sure you wash it often with warm, soapy water and allow brush to dry before using again.
When applying with a brush, put about a quarter sized amount on the back of your hand as a palate. Take the brush, and using the amount of foundation on the back of your hand, start applying from the center of your face, out. Put foundation on the nose, cheeks and middle of forehead. Blend the foundation to the rest of your face (including into your neck) being careful not to use upstrokes. Upstrokes go “against the grain” of the way hair grows on our face and can cause the makeup to cake.
Sponge method: Sponges are very similar to brushes in their care and usage. Sponges should be cleaned regularly. The technique of using a sponge is the same as that of a brush, the only difference being that a sponge can create a more airbrushed look.
Before starting, dampen the sponge to allow the makeup to move more freely. From here, the steps are the same as using a brush. Start in the middle of your face with your nose, cheeks and middle of forehead and blend outwards. Be careful to blend past the jaw line into your neck to create a seamless look.
Using your fingers: This is my favorite method to use. Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking that this is not an ok way of applying makeup. It is fast and simple for everyday makeup, and still looks great. The downside is that this does not create as seamless a base as brushes or sponges, however, if you start with clean hands before touching your face you can still get pretty good coverage without the hassle.
As always, start with the middle and blend out. You may need to use a bit more product with this method because your hands absorb some of the foundation, but that is ok. Make sure to be careful in your blending, especially around the hairline and the jaw line.
Step 4: Concealer
Always put concealer and cover-up on AFTER your foundation. Putting concealer on before can lead to a waste of product and an inadequate coverage. Also, depending on whether you are using powers vs. liquids, this can create a cakey mess.
Make sure that your concealer matches your foundation. A too dark or too light concealer can draw attention to whatever you were trying to cover in the first place. The only exception to this would be under-eye cream, which can be a little lighter in order to brighten the eye, thus drawing attention away from dark circles.
Step 5: Rest of Your Face
Now that you have your base, you can go on to the rest of your face. Starting with a good base is the best way to ensure that the rest of your makeup will look good.