06/02/2023
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Knowing how to apply foundation properly is the key to creating a a natural-looking base for the rest of your make-up. It can give the illusion of flawless, evenly toned skin but despite this magic power so many women find foundation really tricky to apply and have a real love/hate relationship with it.

No-one wants to look like they’re wearing a mask, with a tell-tale orange tide mark around the neck. Or look like your foundation has been slapped on with a trowel either!

The trick is to create the appearance of skin that looks so natural, it looks like you’re not wearing foundation at all.

Follow these pointers for picture perfect skin…

1. Ensure Your Skin is Clean

Give your foundation a good canvas to sit on but making sure your skin is clean and free from dead skin and clogged pores. Exfoliate regularly and always use a good seasonal skincare regime.

2. Prime and Prep

Ensure your skin is well moisturised, then use an additional primer. Using a primer that’s been formulated for your skin type will ensure that any redness (or sallowness) will be reduced, and turn your skin into a flawless canvas for your foundation to work its magic on.

Want to know how to apply foundation? Follow these tips for a perfect base | Photo by Alena Darmel

3. Use The Right Tools For The Job

Whether you prefer to use a sponge, a brush or your fingers, using the right tools for the job will affect the end result and give you the finish you desire.

  • Light finish – Use your fingers for cream foundations and tinted moisturisers if you want to achieve a light finish.
  • Dewy finish – A damp sponge gives a dewy, natural finish.
  • Medium to full coverage – Use a flat topped foundation brush.
  • A matte full coverage – A dense brush is best for achieving this finish.

4. Work From the Inside Out

Apply a small dab of foundation in the centre of your forehead and chin. Then a little on your nose and blend outward, towards your hairline and down your neck. Less is definitely more!

If you do need to go back over any areas of redness, don’t go overboard and apply more foundation.

Just dot concealer in the areas that need extra coverage. Let the concealer cover any unwanted blemishes etc.

Photo by Pegah Sharifi

How Should You Set Foundation?

How you should set your foundation largely depends on your skin type: whether you have oily, dry, combination or normal skin.

Loose powder is best for oily skin types. Whilst dry skin types do not require very much powder – just a little underneath the eyes to set your concealer.

If you’re going for a fresh, dewy look try a setting spray.

Tools of The Trade

There are so many great tools of the trade, available for all skin types. But here’s a little selection of our favourites.

bare Minerals Original Liquid Mineral Foundation
Liquid mineral foundation with minimal ingredients, proven to refine skin texture, provide medium buildable coverage and a naturally luminous finish.

RRP: £31.00

Bobbi Brown Ultra-Soft Foundation Brush
Suitable for all powder and liquid formulas. The short, tightly packed bristles of this ultra-soft brush effortlessly cut shine and deliver just the right amount of formula for an ultra-polished “HD” finish.

RRP: 36.00

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder puts an illuminating twist on traditional setting powders. It uses pearl pigments to give skin a naturally radiant finish.

RRP: £34.00

Beautifect Blender
Triple action multi-use blender, giving you a flawless airbrushed finish effortlessly, every time.

Proven to use at least 50% less foundation for full coverage compared to other leading blenders on the market.*

RRP: £32.00

Touche Éclat YSL Blur Primer
YSL Blur Primer contains the optimal light diffusion technology of Touche Éclat Illuminating Pen in a transparent gel format. Use underneath foundation or alone for a radiant “no makeup” makeup look.

RRP: £32.00

Beauty Pie Fresh Glow Setting Spray
Use this spritzy little wonder post-powder, post-blush or post-bronzer. It transforms just-applied ‘made-up face’ into naturally blended, glowing perfection in seconds.

RRP: £15.00

Main image photo by BOOM

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