How to Apply Foundation Using Different Techniques

Use foundation for perfect skin

Your makeup needs change for various occasions and at different times of the year. Sometimes more makeup is appropriate, while at other times you may end up looking as though you have on a mask with the same application that looked fine just the other night. Generally, during the cooler months, you need a thicker base to compensate for pastier skin. On the other hand, in the summer a tinted moisturizer or very minimal foundation is enough if you are tan or want to avoid makeup meltdown. Whatever your reasons and based on what works best for your skin type, here are a few techniques on applying just the right amount of coverage with your foundation.

Things You'll Need

• Makeup primer
• Makeup sponge
• Kabuki brush
• Mineral or conventional loose powder foundation
• Atomizer
• Artist's palette
• Foundation brush
• Creme or liquid foundation

Instructions

1. Begin your makeup regimen with clean, moisturized skin. Dot on a makeup primer all over your face and blend with a sponge. This will help your base go on smoothly and appear flawless as well.

2. Apply foundation dry. Swirl a kabuki brush in a mineral or conventional loose powder foundation. Tap off excess. Use a buffing motion all over your face to work the color in. If you see any streaks, blend them away with a sponge. Pressed powder foundations that come in a compact may also be applied dry by swiping a sponge or puff on the product before patting on face. Normal to combination skin benefits the best from this method of application.

3. Apply foundation damp. Use an atomizer to spritz clean water onto the hairs of the kabuki brush. Dip the brush into loose powder foundation, swirl and tap off excess. Buff color all over face, dampening the brush to repeat the process whenever you run out of product. This gives your base more staying power than if you apply it dry, so those who complain of foundation sliding off in the middle of the day may want to try this.

4. Apply foundation wet. This time, you'll create a paste-like or liquid mixture with your loose powder foundation. Pour some of the powder onto an artist's palette. The finished product for this step may appear a little darker than usual on skin, so you may want to make an adjustment by mixing in a small amount of slightly lighter powder foundation. Spray the loose powder a couple of times with the atomizer. Swirl a foundation brush into your concoction to mix. Spray on more water if necessary; do only a little bit at a time so you don't get a watery mess. Smooth onto face as you would a liquid or creme. This is best suited to oilier skin types and those who want fuller coverage.

5. Thin down a medium to full coverage foundation for when you want to lighten up. Dampen a makeup sponge with clean water. If the sponge is sopping wet, squeeze until no more water runs from it. Too much water creates a streaky, drippy and runny application. Run the sponge across the surface of your creme foundation and apply as usual. To thin a liquid formulation, pour some foundation onto a palette. Dip a damp foundation brush into the base and apply on face. Smooth away any lines with a dry or very slightly dampened sponge for stubborn streaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that your moisturizer has seeped into skin before applying other products. Otherwise, you may get a cakey finish.

• A silicone-based makeup primer helps makeup last even longer than a regular primer. You might want to try it in the summertime or on vacation in the tropics.

• Turn a pressed powder foundation into a loose powder by using a spatula to scrape off the surface onto a palette.