Yael Goldman 
Best tips for applying foundation perfectly
How to apply foundation perfectly?
Have you ever looked at photos of Hollywood stars and wondered how their skin looks flawless and beautifully made up? Well, asides from the magic of filters, here some of the basic ground rules for creating flawless-looking skin.
1. Preparing the skin:
Before applying the foundation it is very important that the skin underneath is prepped and taken care of. If you suffer from dry skin it is very important to hydrate with a proper moisturizer. If your skin is combination to oily, keeping it hydrated is important as well, but in this case, it is essential to use a moisturizer fit to your skin type.
Be careful not to over-moisturize right before you apply foundation, so you won’t end up looking shiny.
Recommended moisturizers:
Dry skin:
Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator
Regular skin:
L’Oréal Paris Dermo-Expertise Triple Active Day Multi-Protection Moisturizer
Combination to oily skin:
Estee Lauder Daywear Matte Oil Control Anti-Oxidant Moisture Gel Crème for Oily Skin
2. Use a facial scrub
Another great tip which I don’t use daily, but definitely before special events when I want my skin to look extra amazing, is to use a facial scrub to exfoliate and remove excess debris and oiliness, and after that apply a good moisture mask or regular moisturizer if I’m running short on time.
Facial scrubs that get the job done:
Acure Brightening Facial Scrub
Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse Off Formula
Moisture masks:
Eau Thermale Avene Soothing Radiance Mask
OK, now once we prepared the skin, we can start the next steps of putting on the makeup.
3. Primer
The next step which smooths out the skin and creates the perfect canvas for the foundation is applying a face primer. You can find here an extended explanation of this important product.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
4. Foundation
It is very important that you choose the right foundation for you.
Here some of my favorite foundations for different skin types:
Dry skin:
Regular skin:
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15
Combination to oily skin:
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
Shade choice: Once you have chosen the suitable foundation type for your skin, you must make sure you have chosen the right shade. This is very important because no matter how perfectly you apply the foundation if it is not the exact shade of your skin, everything will just look off.
The best way to choose the right shade is to take a bit of product and dab it on your lower cheek and jawline. if it blends in and you can’t tell where you applied it, this means it is your exact skin shade. If you can see it even a little, keep searching.
So you have chosen the perfect foundation for you. How do you put it on?
Well, you can do this either with a foundation brush, a makeup sponge, or if you are in a hurry, even using your fingers (Though I find this to be the messier option and the finish isn’t perfect).
Steps for applying foundation: Squeeze the foundation once or twice on to the back of your hand (usually a bit bigger than a pea size or two, you don’t want to overdo it and create a heavy and cakey look).
Brush: If you are using a brush, pick up the foundation with the brush, dab it on different spots across your face, and start spreading with the brush. It is important that you do this in the same direction of any facial hair and not the opposite, in order to flatten out the fine hair and not make them stand on end. Keep buffing the skin until there are no streaks or smudges, and if you want to be extra careful, go over your face with a sponge in gentle dabbing motions.
Tools for applying foundation perfectly
Great foundation brushes:
Sigma Beauty Professional F80 Flat Kabuki Highlighter Makeup Brush
ZOEVA 104 Buffer Rose Golden Vol. 2 Makeup Brush
Smashbox Camera Ready Buildable Foundation Brush
Sponge: If you are using a sponge, make the sponge wet until it expands to maximum, and then squeeze the foundation onto the sponge. dab it on different spots across your face and start spreading with the sponge in dabbing motions. It is important that you do this in the same direction of any facial hair, and not opposite, in order to flatten the fine hairs and not make them stand on end. Keep buffing the skin until there are no streaks or smudges.
Foundation Sponges:
BEAUTYBLENDER ORIGINAL PINK Makeup Sponge
Real Techniques Mini Miracle Complexion Sponge Makeup Blender
Same with fingers (just make sure to wash your hands well after, it would be a shame to ruin your clothes by touching them with messy fingers).
So now the skin looks great and flawless.
If you are dry skinned, this is probably enough, but if you have combination to oily skin, I recommend you powder your face in order to give the final finish and prevent oiliness and foundation breakdown throughout the day.
Another tip that I’ve found useful is to use a powder (either pressed or loose) that is close to your skin shade. That way you don’t suddenly look white in photos. The flash of cameras reflect horribly and are a hazard when using a white translucent powder.
Loose powder:
Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder
Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
Pressed powder:
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Estee Lauder Face Care 0.49 Oz Double Matte Oil Control Pressed Powder
There, by now you should be rocking some amazing looking skin.
In the next articles, I will explain the best ways to contour your beautiful face.
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